10 Best Call of Duty Characters
Published on 7th August 2023 by Jimmy Bennett
Call of Duty is an enduring franchise that has come to be seen as the pinnacle of the first-person shooter genre. Beginning with a series of games set during World War 2, the series would later expand into the modern era, and eventually the future and has come to be one of the biggest series in the gaming world.
During this time, the series built up an eclectic cast of popular characters that would come to be loved by gamers all over the world. From heroes that the player got to save the world playing as, to villains they loved to face off against, the series provided plenty of characters to get behind. Here, we will look at 10 of the very best Call of Duty characters.
Sgt. Roebuck (Call of Duty: World at War)
For many, Call of Duty: World at War is one of the pinnacle entries in the series. Harnessing the power of the Xbox 360, the game helped usher in a new, grittier era for the franchise that proved hugely successful. The campaign was split into two theatres, one focusing on US troops in the Pacific, and the other on Soviet forces in Europe.
During the Pacific missions, the player is guided by stalwart team leader SGT Roebuck, voiced by the immensely talented Keifer Sutherland. Roebuck was an excellent soldier, leading his unit with ferocity while also caring for his troops in combat. Players warmed to the character for his calm under pressure and his determination to complete the mission.
Sgt. Reznov (Call of Duty: World at War, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2)
One of Call of Duty’s most famous characters, Reznov instantly made an impact with gamers. A fierce, if not cynical commander, Reznov looked to avenge the many friends he lost in Stalingrad. On the battlefield, he was a force of nature that showed no mercy. He was with the player character Dimitri Petrenko when they stormed the Reichstag in the final days of WW2.
However, Reznov would have no peace. After being betrayed at the end of the war, he would spend the next 20 years in a Gulag where he would eventually meet Alex Mason triggering the events of Call of Duty: Black Ops. Brilliantly voiced by Gary Oldman, Reznov was an instant hit with players, securing his return in multiple games in the franchise.
Sgt. Frank Woods (Call of Duty: Black Ops, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War)
Frank Woods is one of the characters introduced in Call of Duty: Black Ops. A dedicated career soldier, Woods undertook many missions over a career that lasted decades, facing certain death countless times before coming out on top. He was integral to stopping Dragovich’s plans and was loved by his fellow squad members.
Wood's abilities in combat are matched only by his human qualities, laughing even in the face of danger and caring deeply for the soldiers around him. He would return throughout the series, proving his enduring popularity throughout the Black Ops series of games.
Jason Hudson (Call of Duty: Black Ops, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War)
Jason Hudson is a little different to some of the other names on this list. A Special Agent rather than a soldier, this would sometimes put him at odds with those around him, particularly Frank Woods. However, Hudson quickly proved himself in combat, quickly building a reputation for being unnaturally calm in combat, earning him the nickname “Icecube” from his fellow squadmates.
Hudson is the picture of a CIA man, often seen wearing a suit and his trademark sunglasses as in his most recent appearance in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. His ice-cool nature has made him a fan favourite throughout the Call of Duty series, and he frequently ranks as one of the best Call of Duty characters.
Alex Mason (Call of Duty: Black Ops, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War)
Alex Mason is the player protagonist in Call of Duty: Black Ops and the secondary protagonist in Black Ops 2. Teamed with Hudson and Woods, he’s the first Call of Duty character to be given a voice, which helped players empathise with the troubled individual. Mason was plagued by hallucinations of numbers after rigorous brainwashing during his time in the Gula
Bringing a rare level of vulnerability to the series, Mason made players feel closer to the protagonist than ever, investing them in his personal story. Mason has returned as a playable character in several Call of Duty titles and remains a loved fan favourite.
General Shepherd (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2)
Although he only appeared in one game, General Shepherd’s influence is immense. At the start of the game, General Shepherd commands the allied forces as you work to hunt down Makarov. However, in perhaps the most shocking moment in the entire Call of Duty franchise, he betrays the player, shooting them dead and revealing himself as the final villain of the game
Voiced by Lance Henriksen, General Shepherd is one of the standout Call of Duty villains. His threat very nearly proves too much for Captain Price and Soap to overcome, and they manage to stop him just in the nick of time. General Shepherd a high benchmark for all Call of Duty villains who follow.
Cpt. John “Soap” MacTavish (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 2022)
Modern Warfare transported the Call of Duty series out of the World War 2 era and into the modern age. With this shift, we got a new protagonist in Sgt. Soap MacTavish. While he’s silent in the first Modern Warfare, he returned in the next two games, fully voiced and with a promotion to captain. Here, his personality really came through, with players loving his sense of humour.
Soap is in many ways the perfect soldier, carrying out his orders with a singular determination. From his SAS selection right to his final mission, Soap never gave up the fight. His most iconic moment is probably when he took down General Shepherd with a throwing knife to the head, a knife he had just pulled out of his own chest!
Ghost (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 2022)
Little is revealed about this enigmatic character in the games, even his full name is never mentioned. That didn’t stop players instantly gravitating towards this now iconic figure when they appeared in Modern Warfare 2. Aiding the protagonist, he was a faithful squadmate throughout your missions against Makrov’s forces.
Though he was initially only in the second Modern Warfare game, Ghost’s seemingly never ending popularity would lead to the character being brought back in the reboot series. Even death can’t keep Ghost down, and he is truly one of the best Call of Duty characters.
Vladimir Makarov (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3)
Few characters in gaming have made such an immediate impression in gaming as Vladimir Makarov. Quite literally blasting onto the scene in Modern Warfare 2, Makarov quickly established a ruthless brutality combined with a single-minded, unbreakable will. Always one step ahead of Cpt. Price, his intelligence made him the most formidable opponent in the Call of Duty franchise.
Makarov is the benchmark which all Call of Duty villains who followed are measured against. With an enduring reputation, he is set to make a re-appearance in the reboot Modern Warfare series.
Cpt. John Price
The face of Call of Duty, Cpt. John Price is one of gaming’s most recogniseable mascots. Having appeared in one form or another throughout the majority of Call of Duty games, he is the most prolific character the franchise has produced. As a leader of men and a soldier on the field, he is completely unmatched, never failing to complete the mission, no matter the personal cost.
Cpt. Price is known and admired by players all over the world, and encapsulates the vision of the perfect soldier. His dedciation to protecting the world, and his ability to overcome impossible odds time and time again makes him a true hero of gaming and cements his status as one of the best Call of Duty characters.
With Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 releasing later this year, we’ll get to see some more of our favourite Call of Duty characters in action, and maybe even be introduced to more future favourites.
