How to unlock all weapons and Platforms in Modern Warfare 2
Explaining how Modern Warfare 2's new weapon progression works.
Unlocking weapons in Modern Warfare 2 is different from past Call of Duty titles.
Alongside increasing a player level in multiplayer, many weapons are unlocked as part of skill tree-like 'Platforms'.
There's a bit of complexity to these new systems in Modern Warfare 2 however, and that's what this guide will delve into, explaining how to level up and unlock all weapons and their associated Platforms.
On this page:
How to unlock weapons in Modern Warfare 2
First, we need to make a distinction between player level and weapon level, as well as explain Platforms and Receivers.
Every player has a player level, and every 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, equipment 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 various intervals.
Whilst several weapons are unlocked by increasing your player level, many others are unlocked by levelling weapons as part of the new 'Platform and Receivers' system.
If you want some advice on unlocking things efficently, our how to level up fast in Modern Warfare 2 page can help.
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 cut down the grind for attachments per weapon.
Platforms are a family of weapons that share similar visual traits and attachment availability - these and their starting weapons become available at different player level thresholds.
Receivers are weapons within a Platform - these are unlocked by levelling other weapons within the same Platform.
Additionally, all weapons in a Platform have their own set of attachment unlocks acquired by increasing the weapon's level by using it in matches.
Since this new terminology is a bit confusing, using the M4 Platform - the first you'll have access to - as an example, here's a step-by-step process of how unlocking weapons within a Platform works:
- Reach player level 4 and unlock custom loadouts
- From the custom loadout weapon select screen, view the M4 Platform
- The M4 Platform contains four unlockable weapons: FTAC Recon, 556 Icarus, M16, and FSS Hurricane
- To unlock each of these, you have to use and level different weapons within the M4 Platform
- By levelling the M4 to levels 13 and 18, you'll unlock the FTAC Recon and 556 Icarus respectively
- Once they're unlocked, levelling the 556 Icarus to level 13 and FTAC Recon to level 16 will then subsequently unlock the M16 and FSS Hurricane respectively
This entire unlock process is visualised in-game via skill tree-esque tables, shown in the image below.
You can also zoom into each weapon's progression tracks by selecting each one to view all their attachment and Receiver unlocks as shown below.
Bear in mind the exact unlock requirements and weapons and will differ slightly for other Platforms, but the general concept is the same.
As an additional note, if you're an owner of the Vault Edition of Modern Warfare 2, you'll have access to the FJX Cinder Weapon Vault, which instantly unlocks the M4 Platform and all its weapon and attachment unlocks.
Weapon Vaults not only instantly unlock all the rewards from an entire weapons Platform, but also provide a unique, universal aesthetic and visual design that can be selected for all the weapons and their attachments.
As of launch, FJX Cinder is the only Weapon Vault available, but it's possible more will be added with each season.
Getting stuck into multiplayer? We explain the best guns in Modern Warfare 2 and how to unlock all weapons and attachments - as well as individual pages on putting together an MP5 loadout, FTAC loadout, M4 loadout, Kastov 762 loadout, SP-R 208 loadout, TAQ 56 loadout, 556 Icarus loadout, Vel 46 loadout, M16 loadout and 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 Modern Warfare 2 Twitch drops. Elsewhere, learn how to turn off crossplay on PlayStation and Xbox, get and use Double XP, level up fast, get gold camo, check KD and unlock all MW2 Operators. Playing the story? We have explainers on how long the Modern Warfare 2 campaign is and all safe code combinations.
All Modern Warfare 2 weapon, 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 others are instead acquired through Platforms by increasing weapon levels.
| Requirement | Weapon and Platfom unlocks |
|---|---|
| Player Level 4 | M4 Assault Rifle M4 Platform |
| Player Level 4 | MP7 (VEL 46) SMG LMP Platform |
| Player Level 4 | Bryson 800 Shotgun Bryson 800 Series Platform |
| Player Level 4 | Sakin MG LMG Sakin MG Platform |
| Player Level 4 | EBR-14 Marksman Rifle Ordnance Weapon Platform |
| Player Level 4 | MCPR-300 Sniper Rifle MRBA Platform |
| Player Level 4 | P890 Handgun Bruen 890 Platform |
| Player Level 4 | PILA Launcher No Platform |
| Player Level 5 | PDSW 528 SMG Tactique Defense Platform |
| Player Level 7 | SP-R 208 Marksman Rifle Bryson Long Rifle Platform |
| Player Level 9 | Expedite 12 Shotgun Expedite Platform |
| Player Level 13 | .50 GS Handgun 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 | Combat Knife Secondary Melee No Platform |
| Player Level 19 | TAQ-56 Assault Rifle Tactique Verte 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 Marksman Rifle Mark 2 Platform |
| Player Level 31 | X12 Handgun XRK Platform |
| Player Level 32 | RPG-7 Launcher No Platform |
| Player Level 36 | Lockwood 300 Shotgun Lockwood Sport Platform |
| Player Level 37 | Riot Shield Primary Melee No Platform |
| Player Level 38 | Fennec 45 SMG Fennec Platform |
| Player Level 39 | Basilisk Handgun Basilisk 500 Platform |
| Player Level 41 | STB 556 Assault Rifle Bruen Bullpup Platform |
| Player Level 44 | Signal 50 Sniper Rifle Signal Platform |
Note: For the weapon unlocks listed with a level 4 requirement, they're first available to use and equip when custom loadouts are unlocked.
All Modern Warfare 2 weapon unlocks by weapon level
As mentioned, many other weapons are unlocked by levelling weapons within Platforms.
Below is a list of all the weapons unlocked by increasing the level of weapons within the Platforms mentioned above:
| Weapon | Weapon Level Requirement |
|---|---|
| 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 SMG | 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 Marksman Rifle | SP-R 208 at Level 13 |
| LA-B 330 Sniper Rifle | SA-B 50 at Level 16 |
| SP-X 80 Sniper Rifle | LA-B 330 at Level 17 |
| Lachmann-556 Assault Rifle | Lachmann-762 at level 13 |
| LM-S Marksman 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 Marksman 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 |
| Vaznev-9K SMG | Kastov-74U at Level 15 |
| Minibak SMG | Vaznev-9K at Level 14 |
| X13 Auto Handgun | X12 at Level 10 |
| MX9 SMG | STB 556 at level 13 |
| HCR 56 LMG | STB-556 at level 20 |
Note: Some Platforms don't have any weapon unlocks currently and as such, are comprised of just a single weapon.
These can still be levelled with their own attachments to unlock, but they do not unlock any additional weapons. They are as follows:
- LMP Platform - MP7 (VEL 46) SMG
- Sakin MG Platform - Sakin MG38 LMG
- MRBA Platform - MCPR-300 Sniper Rifle
- Bruen 890 Platform - P890 Handgun
- Tactique Defense Platform - PDSW 528 SMG
- Expedite Platform - Expedite 12 Shotgun
- Sakin G Series Platform - .50 GS Handgun
- RAAL Platform - RAAL MG LMG
- Mark 2 Platform - Lockwood MK2 Marksman Rifle
- Lockwood Sport Platform - Lockwood 300 Shotgun
- Fennec Platform - Fennec 45 SMG
- Basilisk 500 Platform - Basilisk Handgun
- Signal Platform - Signal 50 Sniper Rifle
If you're looking specific advice about what to unlock first, be sure to check out our best Modern Warfare 2 guns.
Elsewhere, if you want to unlock things efficently, our how to level up fast in Modern Warfare 2 page can help.