The Best Characters In The Call Of Duty Series, Ranked

There are many entries in the Call of Duty franchise, spanning conflicts all the way from World War 2 to the far future. Each new entry brings with it a new group of characters for you to get to know, with some being much more memorable than others.

Despite the Call of Duty series being focused more on action than characters, there are still a collection of characters that have become beloved by fans of the series, all for unique reasons. These are the best of them.

The characters have been chosen for this list based on how interesting, entertaining, and iconic they are.

Updated November 13, 2024, By Jason Wojnar: Even the fans who are into the Call of Duty series solely for the multiplayer offerings can pick out many of its iconic characters from a lineup. It goes to show that even games that strive for realistic art styles still need their recognizable mascots. The list was last updated before the 2024 release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. With its new and returning characters, we felt it right to update this list once again, adding a few of the faces who show up in the newer game.

22

Sgt. Roebuck

Gives You The Morale To Win The Fight

A grizzled man shouting orders at you is a common sight in the Call of Duty games. Out of all of your loud commanding officers, Roebuck from World At War is among the best. He has both the charisma and authority needed for a leader. More than that, he has a way with words.

The man delivers several great speeches throughout the game. Most of them come during the mission briefings, where he does an excellent job of explaining the task at hand and pumping you up in the process. If there is anyone you will follow into the trenches, it’s this guy.

21

Nikolai (Reboot)

Always There To Give You A Ride

During the reboot series, Nikolai is among the useful members of your crew, even though you don’t see him fighting too much. This is because he is typically the person that gets you from place to place. Plus, he sometimes provides equipment. You would probably be long-dead without him.

You certainly would be less entertained, as Nikolai is one of the more light-hearted characters in the series. Therefore, he often adds plenty of humor to the scenes in which he features.

20

Yuri (Original)

A Defector Who Joins Your Side

Several characters in the series betray you and join the villains of the story. But Yuri is a rare example of someone doing the opposite. He was once a proud member of the Russian Ultranationalists and good friends with Vladimir Makarov.

Yet, some of the group’s evil actions drive Yuri to betray his comrades. Makarov then leaves him for dead. This is when he joins the loyalists and assists the likes of Price and Soap. He isn’t always the noblest protagonist in the series. But his complicated relationship with Makarov and his home country makes him a compelling character.

19

MacMillan (Original)

He Guides You Through Two Iconic Missions

Throughout the Modern Warfare games, John Price is always a fantastic leader and mentor of the younger protagonists. But once upon a time, he was a youngster, too. In a couple of flashback missions, you get to see him learning from MacMillan, who served as his commanding officer.

These two iconic Call of Duty missions are all it took for MacMillan to become a fan favorite. This is because of his incredible wit and general badass nature. Not only does he showcase these traits in the original Modern Warfare, but he also features in Modern Warfare 3 under the name Baseplate.

18

Gary “Roach” Sanderson

The Victim Of One Of Gaming’s Biggest Betrayals

The main protagonist of Modern Warfare 2, you’ll play as Gary Sanderson for the majority of the game, accompanying characters such as Soap MacTavish and Ghost on numerous missions. Despite never speaking, Sanderson has remained one of the most loved playable characters in the series.

As a part of Task Force 141, Sanderson was tasked with locating and killing Makarov, the Modern Warfare series’ main villain. His death at the hands of General Shepherd remains one of the most shocking moments in the history of the franchise, with Sanderson and Ghost both being burnt alive by Shepherd.

17

Troy Marshall

The Hero Of Black Ops 6

Since Black Ops 6’s protagonist, Case, is silent, Troy Marshall steps up as the closest to a leading character other than Russell Adler. He is a CIA agent but not as unhinged as Russell Adler. He even suggests that he wouldn’t put it past Adler to betray the United States.

Marshall also has an emotional investment in the unfolding plot. He and the team go rogue, but Jane Harrow stays on the inside and the two’s relationship is strained by events later on in the story.

16

Jason Hudson

He’ll Beat The Numbers Out Of You

Hudson is a constant presence throughout the Black Ops series, being introduced in the first game as Alex Mason’s tough-talking C.I.A handler. He’s most notorious for the infamous quote, “The numbers Mason, what do they mean!”

Hudson accompanies you on a series of missions in Black Ops and oversees Operation Greenlight in Black Ops: Cold War, the fail-safe program that saw Nuclear Weapons placed in major European cities. He sacrificed his life in Black Ops 2, a harrowing moment that sees Raul Menendez shoot his knees out before slitting his throat, in order to allow Woods and David Mason to live.

15

Farah Ahmed Karim

The Moral Center Of Modern Warfare

Featured in the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot, Farah quickly established herself as one of the most interesting characters in the rebooted series. She’s the Leading Commander of the Urzikstan Liberation Force and works alongside members of Task Force 141 in order to liberate her country from Roman Barkov.

At the end of the game, she’s responsible for killing Barkov, and assists in the destruction of his gas factory. She then returns in 2022’s Modern Warfare 2, albeit in a smaller role. Once again, she works with Captain Price and his crew.

14

Ronald “Red” Daniels

One Of The More Fleshed Out Protagonists

Ronald Daniels is the main protagonist of Sledgehammer’s COD WW2 and is a part of the US Army 16th Infantry regiment that takes part in the liberation of Europe. WW2 was a divisive game but its campaign was among the best in the series, with Red himself becoming a fairly popular character.

Unlike most characters in Call of Duty, time is spent exploring Red’s background and family life before the war, which rounds out his character and helps raise the stakes during the more tense parts of the campaign. He’s a well-written character and is definitely worthy of some credit.

13

Frank Woods

Grumpy, Angry, And One Heck Of A Soldier

Frank Woods is one of the most entertaining characters in the Call of Duty Black Ops series, with the Master Sergeant being a supporting character in three Black Ops games, working alongside long-term friend Alex Mason both in and out of the field. He’s a fan favorite, mainly because of his steely nature and quick wit, leading to quotes such as “I’m a goddamn onion, Mason.”

He’s one of the main characters in Black Ops 2, acting as a narrator for several campaign missions after being rescued by Mason in the game’s introduction. He’s a character who knows how to handle himself and get the job done and is a fond favorite of the majority of COD players.

12

Lawrence Sims

He Once Worked With Adler, But Left That Life Behind

Lawrence Sims is a supporting character in Black Ops – Cold War and has a short appearance in the Ground Control mission of 2024’s Black Ops 6. In the newer game, he has turned away from the spy life, opting for a different role in the US government.

Sims directly stops Russell Adler from killing a target, showing how he has grown between the two games. His disdain for Adler’s more brutal tactics puts into question what is really the big difference between the CIA and Pantheon.

11

Raul Menendez

He Ruined Frank Woods’s Life

Raul Menendez is one of the best villains in the franchise. Unlike many of the other villains that have been created, Menendez is very much a three-dimensional character, with a strong motive for the rather radical actions he takes. He’s also one of the only villains in the series to be successful in his plans, depending on the ending you get at Black Ops 2’s conclusion.

He’s a fan favorite for a reason, acting as a memorable foil for the Black Ops 2 protagonists to work against, especially because his motivations are far from evil. Black Ops 2 has one of the best campaigns in the series, and Menendez is a key part of that success.

10

Vladimir Makarov (Original)

He Starts World War 3

Arguably the most memorable villain in the Call of Duty franchise, Makarov manages to be universally despised by fans of the series, which was the main purpose of his role.

Unlike some of the other villains in the franchise, Makarov truly has no redeeming qualities, being all about anarchy and causing as much chaos as possible without any remorse for his actions.

The scene he would best be remembered for was the infamous airport massacre mission in Modern Warfare 2 in what remains the most controversial level in the history of Call of Duty.

Makarov in the new Modern Warfare 3 follows a lot of the same steps as the character from the original trilogy, but the game strives for a more grounded portrayal.

9

Alex Mason

The First Black Ops Protagonist

Alex Mason has one of the most interesting storylines in the history of Call of Duty, which is why he is such a beloved character by fans of the Black Ops series.

Everyone will remember the classic opening of the game with the interrogation, which instantly puts players on edge, leading them to question everything that takes place thereafter. His later appearances in Black Ops 2 and Cold War further cement his legacy as a clear fan favorite.

8

David Mason

The Son Takes On The Father’s Burden

Alex Mason’s son, David Mason, is another example of Call of Duty doing protagonists right. His story in Black Ops 2 tackles a lot of themes, and the reunification with his father at the conclusion of the game is a real tear-jerker.

He’s a true hero in every sense and unlike many characters in COD, he actually brings some humor to the games as well. While he isn’t a flat out comedic character, the few funnier moments certainly make the game more enjoyable.

7

General Shepherd (Original)

Commits A Huge Act Of Treason

Not every great character necessarily has to be a hero, even in the world of Call of Duty, and General Shepherd is the perfect example of that. Fans love him because of his villainy, not despite it.

You play through almost all of Modern Warfare 2 assuming Shepherd is one of the good guys before he’s revealed as the game’s main antagonist and the instigator of the global conflict between the American and Russian armies. The final faceoff in the desert is a memorable scene in the franchise and lives long in the memory of everyone who plays through it.

Shepherd in the Modern Warfare reboot is also a treasonous figure, but not on the same level as the original trilogy. The original character’s more hyperbolic story says a lot more about the dangers of jingoism versus the more toned down plot of the newer titles.

6

Victor Reznov

Survives World War 2 And Then Ends Up In A Gulag

Victor Reznov was a selfless character, who always acted in the best interests of those around him. His relationships with Dimitri Petrenko and Alex Mason are both key parts of the first two games in the Black Ops series, and Reznov acts as a key building block in establishing the connection between World at War and the Black Ops games.

Reznov is a true leader and explores plenty of warzones alongside Mason within the game, creating some of the most fun missions to play. Not to mention, he was voiced by the legendary Gary Oldman, which helped create an incredible and distinct voice that very few will forget in a hurry.

5

Gaz (Reboot)

Gets A Bigger Role In The Reboot

The Gaz from the original Modern Warfare game is very different from the one in the reboot series. The latter is a more significant character, as he’s got a much bigger role in the overall narrative.

For starters, instead of being just one of the crew, he’s playable in both of the rebooted Modern Warfare games. Also, he showcases more of a three-dimensional personality. While he’s a loyal soldier who respects his senior officers, he’s no yes-man. If he disagrees with an order or action, he will let that be known. He just wants to do what’s right, which is what makes him a likable character.

4

Captain John Price (Original)

A Character Who Transcends Time

Never showing fear, Captain Price was a true leader amongst men and is probably the most iconic character in the Call of Duty series. He’s harsh, but honest, and has an extensive range of quotes that most COD players can easily recall with ease.

His classic cigar and witty comments are just some of the reasons why people loved him so much. Price even became the poster boy for the franchise for a short while, mainly due to the fact that most players associated Call of Duty with his memorable mustache-framed face.

There is also a Captain Price in the first two numbered games. It is obviously not the same character considered they take place more sixty years apart from each other.

3

Ghost (Original And Reboot)

The Boba Fett Of Call of Duty, Except He’s A Hero

Ghost is another character that COD fans became connected with, especially when his past life was revealed and how much the character had to go through, with the torture he suffered and the fact his family was killed.

While it is Shepherd who eventually saves him and takes him under his wing, it is also Shepherd who betrays him again in what is one of the most heartbreaking deaths in the history of gaming. For a long time, he only appeared in one game, but he remained one of the most-loved characters in the series. His stint in the reboot version of Modern Warfare 2 doesn’t diminish his legacy.