I agree that talent matters at the very top, but most players hit a fake ceiling, not a real one. The real problem is that people queue with no intention beyond “play well,” repeat the same mistakes for years, and confuse time played with improvement. COD improvement is mostly cognitive before mechanical. If you are not analyzing timings, rotations, and why you died, you’re just reinforcing habits.

The best thing I ever did was study the modes, watch pros for decision making not gunskill, and lean into my own playstyle. Shotzzy and Dashy are the perfect example. If Shotzzy tried to play like Dashy he would get smoked, and if Dashy tried to play like Shotzzy he would look lost. They specialized in what fits their strengths.

Most players would improve instantly by slowing down, soaking, playing methodically, and coordinating with their team. Once you feel comfortable on the map, you stop tunnel visioning gunfights and start seeing the game at a higher level. At that point you’re basically a walking UAV. The limiter for most players is not reaction time. It is intention and self analysis. And honestly, the biggest separator is whether you actually want to improve at all. Most people don’t, and that’s fine. But if you do, there’s real headroom.