As a regular player, I've spent the last week diving deep into the latest addition to the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 arsenal, and I'm here to share my findings. The Torque 35 compound bow, introduced in Season 5, isn't just another weapon; it's a game-changer that feels like finding a secret door in a familiar hallway. This powerful secondary can eliminate opponents with a single, well-placed shot to the chest or above, and mastering its unique mechanics can turn you into a mid-range menace. Let's break down everything you need to know to unlock, understand, and dominate with this silent hunter.

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Unlocking the Torque 35 is your first mission. The bow is the reward for completing Week 5 challenges in Season 5. You'll need to finish any five challenges from that week's set. Based on my experience, the fastest path is through Multiplayer. I focused on a specific set that can be knocked out in just a handful of matches. Here's the quickest route I found:

  • Use 15 Field Upgrades. (I spammed the DDOS Field Upgrade)

  • Perform 10 quickscope kills with marksman or sniper rifles. (The Kar98K is your friend here)

  • Land 10 double kills.

  • Kill 5 enemies with killstreaks. (The Cluster Mine makes this a breeze)

  • Get 25 kills with any ammo attachment installed.

If Multiplayer isn't your style, you can also tackle the MWZ (Zombies) challenges. But for speed, the MP route is as efficient as a well-oiled machine.

How To Wield the Torque 35

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Using the Torque 35 is where the fun—and the challenge—begins. This isn't a point-and-click firearm; it's a precision instrument that demands respect. The core mechanic is charging your arrows. Holding down the fire button draws the arrow back, which is absolutely critical. A partially drawn arrow in core Multiplayer will not secure a one-hit kill. Think of a full draw like winding up a powerful spring; it stores immense energy for release. However, this power comes with a trade-off: a fully drawn arrow prevents you from sprinting, so positioning and anticipation are key—you're an ambush predator, not a front-line brawler.

Another quirk is the reload. After every shot, you must nock a new arrow. The Mag Holster perk does speed up this reload animation, but here's the crucial detail: it has no impact on the draw time. Your rate of fire is essentially fixed, as immutable as the laws of physics governing the bow itself.

The Arsenal of Arrows

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What truly sets the Torque 35 apart are its specialized arrows. In the Gunsmith, you have six different types to configure, each with unique properties. Here's a breakdown of your options:

Arrow Type Behavior Can Be Recovered?
Standard Arrows One-tap from chest up. Standard velocity & draw. Yes
Ripper Arrows One-tap from legs up. Slow velocity & draw. No
Blastcap Arrow Fires a delayed Semtex grenade. Very slow velocity. No
Blaze Arrow Fires Thermite on impact. Slow velocity. No
Caustic Arrow One-tap + releases Tear Gas on impact. Slow velocity. No
Snapshot Arrow One-tap + creates thermal imaging scan on impact. Standard velocity & draw. Yes

From extensive testing, one arrow type stands head and shoulders above the rest: Snapshot Arrows. 🎯 They function identically to the default arrows in terms of damage and handling but add an incredible utility: they act as a reusable Snapshot Grenade. Every shot, hit or miss, paints nearby enemies with a thermal outline. This is devastatingly powerful in Hardcore, Search and Destroy, and even Warzone. It's like having a reconnaissance drone built into every arrow you fire.

Crafting the Perfect Run-and-Gun Loadout

The Torque 35's Gunsmith options are simple—you only choose your arrow type (Snapshot, always!). Therefore, your loadout's power comes from how you support the bow. Your secondary weapon is paramount. The Torque 35 is a secondary itself, so you need a primary weapon built for the close-quarters combat where the bow struggles. I recommend pairing it with something like the WSP Stinger SMG or a set of akimbo pistols. This creates a perfect synergy: the bow for medium-to-long range picks, and your secondary for clearing rooms up close.

Here is the loadout I've had the most success with, a setup that turns you into a hyper-mobile skirmisher:

Perks & Equipment

  • Vest: Gunslinger Vest (This is non-negotiable! It provides: Max ammo on spawn, Mag Holster, Quick-Grip Gloves, Commando Gloves, and fully restored stamina on kill).

  • Gloves: 🎯 Marksman Gloves (Reduces the Torque's aiming idle sway).

  • Boots: 👟 Running Sneakers (For enhanced mobility).

  • Gear 1: ❤️ Compression Plate (Restores health on kills).

  • Gear 2: 😷 Tac Mask (Critical to become immune to Tear Gas, which completely locks your ability to fire the bow).

Equipment

  • Secondary: 🔫 WSP Stinger (Akimbo recommended)

  • Lethal: 🗡️ Throwing Knife

  • Tactical: Your choice, but Battle Rage synergizes amazingly with the stamina restore on kill.

  • Field Upgrade: 🛡️ Trophy System (Protects your position while you line up shots).

The Gunslinger Vest is the engine of this build. While it denies you a traditional primary weapon, that's the point. You're committing to the bow/pistol combo. The stamina restore on kill, combined with Running Sneakers and potentially Battle Rage, means you can tactical sprint almost perpetually, flowing across the map like water finding its path. The WSP Stinger akimbo setup is your "oh no" button for close encounters, deleting enemies before they can react. Remember, the strategy is seamless: engage at range with your silent, scanning arrows, and instantly swap to your sidearms when the fight comes to you. Mastering this dance makes the Torque 35 not just a weapon, but a complete playstyle that feels as satisfying as solving a complex puzzle with a single, elegant move.