COD MW3 Prestige System Explained

If you’ve already dropped a hundred or so hours in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s multiplayer, chances are you’re constantly keeping an eye on your rank in the hopes of taking it to the next level. The previous COD games featured the Prestige system that allowed you to continue ranking up even after reaching the max level cap, provided you hit the XP thresholds. While this system does return to MW3, you may need to apply a bit of patience before you can show off that shiny new emblem.

You can level up your weapons and personal account level in Modern Warfare 3 by pursuing objectives, completing matches, and getting kills. But before you hit that max level, there are a couple of things you should know about how to Prestige in MW3.

How to Unlock Prestige Levels in Modern Warfare 3

You can’t unlock Prestige at launch; the max level cap for multiplayer is 55, and if you’ve already hit that, you still have to wait until Season 1 begins to be able to gain Prestige. The system implemented in MW3 is expected to follow that of the previous game, so you can expect each season to add levels and Prestiges as time goes on. Modern Warfare 2’s max level cap was 1,250 after adding Prestiges throughout the year.

How to Prestige in Modern Warfare 3

Once Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 begins, you’ll enter the first Prestige automatically by leveling up after reaching level 55. Should MW3 follow MW2’s model, each season will add five Prestige levels. With a Prestige having 50 individual levels, there’s plenty for you to grind each season.

Requirements for Each Prestige Level in Modern Warfare 3

The expected requirements you need to reach for each Prestige tier are the following:

• Prestige 1: Level 56 to 99
• Prestige 2: Level 100 to 149
• Prestige 3: Level 150 to 199
• Prestige 4: Level 200 to 249
• Prestige 5: Level 250

Benefits of Prestiges in Modern Warfare 3

The benefit of Prestiges in Modern Warfare 3 is that you can get rewards. You can receive calling cards, badges, special emblems and unlock unique Prestige Challenges you otherwise wouldn’t get. There’s plenty more where that came from, but more details will become known after the start of Season 1.

Moreover, based on Call of Duty’s official blog, you can level up your weapons between MW3 and MW2, but your level and Prestige experience will be tied to each game.

How to Prepare for a Prestige Reset in Modern Warfare 3

Unlike in earlier Call of Duty games, you don’t have to prepare for the game resetting all the progress you’ll be making for the upcoming season. You won’t lose all your gear and equipment once you prestige in Modern Warfare 3. Instead, everyone will get to keep the rewards they earn and unlock new cosmetics by entering a new Prestige.

The change of not having resets is a new standard for COD games these days. Since you get to keep your gear, you no longer need to work your way back to the beginning after unlocking the next Prestige.

Most of the community received this adjustment positively, with some noting that they don’t have to grind every time a new Prestige comes out. However, others have claimed their dislike towards the innovation. Earlier emblems used to be a valuable trophy. Having them indicates how many times players have reset their level. But now that we can keep them, many state they’re nothing more than mere stickers for reaching the next level mark.

Modern Warfare 3 Prestige System Release Date

The Call of Duty games have elevated its multiplayer modes through regular content patches known as Seasons. This includes past games like last year’s Modern Warfare 2. Alongside Season 1, the Prestige system is expected to be released on December 6, based on the fact that the current season of Warzone and MW2 end on that date.

Modern Warfare 3 Prestige Levels Explained

Hitting Prestige meant getting that multiplayer-level cap and having all your weapons taken from you to start the grind again in the old COD games—this time, though, you have a shiny new emblem on your account. Now that Activision has changed the Prestige system in favor of a season-based approach, there’s more motivation for you to get the rewards. Still, no matter how the mechanic has changed, it’s universal among Call of Duty players that the Prestige icons are some of the most sought-after emblems in the franchise.