Unlocking weapons in modern warfare 2 is different from previous Call of Duty titles.
Along with increasing a player level in multiplayer, many weapons are unlocked as part of the skill tree’Platforms‘.
There is a bit of complexity to these new systems in Modern Warfare 2 though, and that’s what this guide will delve into, explaining how to level up and unlock all weapons and their associated platforms.
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How to Unlock Weapons in Modern Warfare 2
First, we must distinguish between player level and weapon levelas well as explaining platforms and receivers.
Each player has a player level and each weapon has a weapon level.
Your player level increases as you earn XP by playing and completing multiplayer matches and challenges, unlocking new weapons, killstreaks, gear, and more.
Meanwhile, weapon levels are tied to individual weapons. When using a weapon in multiplayer matches, it will level up, unlocking additional weapons and attachments at different intervals.
While several weapons are unlocked by increasing your player level, many others are unlocked by leveling up weapons as part of the new “Platform and Receivers” system.
Platforms explained and how progression works in Modern Warfare 2
Platforms and Receivers are part of a new weapon and attachment unlock system designed to reduce the number of attachments per weapon.
Platforms are a family of weapons that share similar visual characteristics and availability of attachments – these and their starting weapons become available at different player level thresholds.
Receivers are weapons within a platform – they are unlocked by leveling up other weapons within the same platform.
Additionally, all weapons on a platform have their own set of attachment unlocks gained by leveling up the weapon by using it in matches.
Since this new terminology is a bit confusing, using the M4 platform – the first one you’ll have access to – as an example, here’s a step-by-step process of how unlocking weapons works within a platform :
- Reach player level 4 and unlock custom loadouts
- From the custom loadout weapon selection screen, bring up the M4 platform
- The M4 platform contains four unlockable weapons: FTAC Recon, 556 Icarus, M16 and FSS Hurricane
- To unlock each of them you need to use and level different weapons within the M4 platform
- Leveling the M4 to levels 13 and 18 will unlock the FTAC Recon and 556 Icarus respectively
- Once unlocked, upgrading the 556 Icarus to level 13 and the FTAC Recon to level 16 will then unlock the M16 and FSS Hurricane respectively.
This entire unlocking process is visualized in-game via skill tree charts, shown in the image below.
You can also zoom in on each weapon’s progress tracks by selecting each one to view all of their attachments and receiver unlocks, as shown below.
Keep in mind the exact weapon and unlock requirements and will differ slightly for other platforms, but the general concept is the same.
Additionally, if you own the Vault Edition of Modern Warfare 2, you will have access to the FJX Cinder Weapon Vault, which instantly unlocks the M4 platform and all of its weapons and attachments unlock.
Weapon Chests not only instantly unlock all rewards for an entire weapon rig, but also provide a unique and universal aesthetic and visual design that can be selected for all weapons and their attachments.
At launch, FJX Cinder is the only weapon vault available, but more may be added each season.
Stuck in multiplayer? We explain the best weapons in Modern Warfare 2 and how to unlock all weapons – plus individual pages on setting up an MP5 loadout, FTAC loadout, M4 loadout, 556 Icarus loadout , a Vel 46 loadout, an M16 loadout, and an FSS Hurricane loadout. At launch, you might be wondering where the Battle Pass and Hardcore Tier 1 modes are, as well as how to claim the Modern Warfare 2 Twitch drops. Elsewhere, find out how to turn off crossplay on PlayStation and Xbox, get and use Double XP, get gold camouflage, check KD, and unlock all MW2 Operators. Play the story? We have an explanation of the duration of the Modern Warfare 2 campaign and all the safe code combinations.
All weapons in Modern Warfare 2, platform unlocks by player level
Of the 51 weapons available in Modern Warfare 2 at launch, 28 are earned by increasing your player level, and the rest are instead acquired through platforms by increasing weapon levels.
| Requirement | Weapon and platform unlock |
|---|---|
| Player level 4 | M4 assault rifle M4 platform |
| Player level 4 | MP7 submachine gun (VEL 46) LMP platform |
| Player level 4 | Bryson 800 shotgun Bryson 800 series platform |
| Player level 4 | Mine MG LMG Me MG Platform |
| Player level 4 | EBR-14 sniper rifle Artillery weapons platform |
| Player level 4 | MCPR-300 Sniper Rifle MRBA platform |
| Player level 4 | P890 Pistol Bruen 890 platform |
| Player level 4 | PILA launcher No platform |
| Player level 5 | SMG PDSW 528 Tactical Defense Platform |
| Player level 7 | SP-R 208 sniper rifle Bryson Long Rifle Platform |
| Player level 9 | Ship 12 shotgun Accelerated Platform |
| Player level 13 | .50GS pistol Sakin G Series Platform |
| Player level 14 | STRELA-P Launcher No platform |
| Player level 16 | Lachmann-762 battle rifle Lachmann and Meer platform |
| Player level 17 | Secondary Melee Combat Knife No platform |
| Player level 19 | TAQ-56 assault rifle Green Tactical Platform |
| Player level 23 | Kastov 762 assault rifle Kastovia Platform |
| Player level 24 | JOKR launcher No platform |
| Player level 25 | RAAL MG LMG RAAL platform |
| Player Level 28 | Lockwood MK2 sniper rifle Mark 2 platform |
| Player level 31 | Pistol X12 XRK Platform |
| Player level 32 | RPG-7 Launcher No platform |
| Player level 36 | Lockwood 300 Rifle Lockwood sports platform |
| Player Level 37 | Primary Melee Riot Shield No platform |
| Player level 38 | Fennec 45 SMG Fennec Platform |
| Player level 39 | Basilisk Pistol Basilisk 500 Platform |
| Player level 41 | STB 556 assault rifle Bruen Bullpup Platform |
| Player level 44 | Signal 50 Sniper Rifle Signaling platform |
Note: For weapon unlocks listed with a Tier 4 requirement, they are first available to use and equip when custom loadouts are unlocked.
All weapons in Modern Warfare 2 unlock by weapon level
As mentioned, many other weapons are unlocked by leveling up weapons in platforms.
Below is a list of all weapons unlocked by leveling up weapons within the platforms mentioned above:
| Armed | Weapon Level Required |
|---|---|
| FTAC Recon Battle Rifle | M4 at level 13 |
| 556 Icarus LMG | M4 at level 18 |
| M16 assault rifle | 556 Icarus at level 13 |
| FSS Hurricane Submachine Gun | FTAC Recon at Level 16 |
| Bryson 890 shotgun | Bryson 800 at level 16 |
| S0-14 battle rifle | EBR-14 at level 12 |
| SA-B 50 sniper rifle | SP-R 208 at level 13 |
| LA-B 330 sniper rifle | SA-B 50 and Level 16 |
| SP-X 80 Sniper Rifle | LA-B 330 at level 17 |
| Lachmann-556 assault rifle | Lachmann-762 at level 13 |
| LM-S sniper rifle | Lachmann-762 at level 16 |
| Lachmann Sub submachine gun | Lachmann-556 at level 12 |
| RAPP H light machine gun | Lachmann-556 at level 16 |
| TAQ-V Battle Rifle | TAQ-56 at level 11 |
| TAQ-M sniper rifle | TAQ-56 at level 20 |
| Kastov-545 assault rifle | Kastov-762 at level 10 |
| RPK LMG | Kastov-762 at level 16 |
| Kastov-74U assault rifle | Kastov-545 at level 13 |
| SMG Vaznev-9K | Kastov-74U at level 15 |
| Minibak SMG | Vaznev-9K at level 14 |
| X13 Automatic Handgun | x12 at level 10 |
| MX9 submachine gun | STB 556 at level 13 |
| UNHCR 56 LMG | STB-556 at level 20 |
Note: Some platforms currently have no weapons to unlock and as such only include one weapon.
These can still be upgraded with their own unlockable attachments, but they don’t unlock any additional weapons. They are the following:
- LMP Platform – MP7 (VEL 46) SMG
- Sakin MG Platform – Sakin MG38 LMG
- MRBA Platform – MCPR-300 Sniper Rifle
- Bruen 890 Platform – P890 Pistol
- Tactical Defense Platform – PDSW 528 SMG
- Expedite Platform – Expedite 12 Rifle
- Sakin G-Series Platform – .50 GS Pistol
- RAAL platform – RAAL MG LMG
- Mark 2 Rig – Lockwood MK2 Marksman Rifle
- Lockwood Sports Platform – Lockwood 300 Rifle
- Fennec Platform – Fennec 45 SMG
- Basilisk 500 Platform – Basilisk Pistol
- Signal Rig – Signal 50 Sniper Rifle
If you’re looking for specific advice on what to unlock first, be sure to check out our best Modern Warfare 2 guns.
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