Unlocking the Secrets: What is the Call of Duty Vault?
The term “COD Vault” isn’t a singular, easily defined item within the Call of Duty universe. Instead, it represents a premium tier of content and rewards typically associated with special editions of the games, most notably the Vault Edition. Think of it as a digital treasure chest that unlocks a variety of in-game bonuses, cosmetics, and exclusive advantages, designed to enhance the gaming experience for dedicated players. Rather than a physical location in-game, the “vault” is more of a concept linked to the extras received upon purchasing a specific version of the game. These perks often include, but aren’t limited to, exclusive operator skins, weapon blueprints, battle pass access, tier skips, and even early access privileges. It’s a way for Activision to reward those willing to invest more into the game, providing a more enriched and personalized experience beyond the base game.
What’s Inside the COD Vault?
The specific contents of a COD Vault package can vary depending on the Call of Duty title and the specific iteration of the Vault Edition offered. However, there are some recurring themes and types of content you can expect:
- Operator Skins: These are exclusive cosmetic outfits that change the appearance of playable operators in the game. Vault Editions often include themed operator packs, showcasing recognizable characters with unique skins, sometimes from iconic franchises.
- Weapon Vaults: These typically unlock unique weapon blueprints that come pre-configured with specific attachments and aesthetics. These blueprints can often feature themed skins and offer a head start in customization by bypassing the need to level up each attachment individually.
- Battle Pass Access and Tier Skips: The Vault Edition often provides access to the current season’s Battle Pass, which is a tiered system of progression that rewards players with in-game items as they level up. Vault Editions also often include a number of tier skips, allowing players to immediately unlock a significant portion of the Battle Pass content.
- XP Tokens: This can include Double XP tokens that boost the rate at which players level up their account, as well as Double Weapon XP tokens which boost the speed with which weapon experience is gained. This allows players to rapidly unlock more content and reach higher levels quicker than those with only the standard edition.
- Early Access: Vault Edition owners are often granted early access to the campaign mode before it’s publicly available, as well as early access to open beta weekends, providing a chance to try the game before others. This head start can give players an advantage at launch.
- Exclusive In-Game Items: These can be various cosmetic items, such as calling cards, emblems, and other customizations. These items are frequently themed around the specific Call of Duty title and showcase a players’ ownership of the higher edition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the COD Vault
1. Is the COD Vault the same as the Battle Pass?
No, the COD Vault and the Battle Pass are separate entities. The Battle Pass is a progression system available to all players, offering rewards as players progress through levels. The Vault Edition often includes access to a season’s Battle Pass and tier skips, but it also provides other exclusive items and benefits not available through the standard Battle Pass.
2. Can I upgrade to the Vault Edition after buying the Standard Edition?
Yes, it’s usually possible to upgrade to the Vault Edition at a later time. On consoles (Xbox and PlayStation), you typically find the Vault Edition Upgrade in the respective online stores. This upgrade will only unlock the additional vault content, assuming you already own the base game.
3. What happens if I buy the Vault Edition on the wrong account?
It’s important to purchase the Vault Edition on the account where you own the base game. Otherwise, you may not have access to all of the vault’s contents. In such cases, you might need to purchase the Vault Edition again on the correct account or set the account with the Vault Edition as your “Home” account on your console to share the games and DLC.
4. Does the COD Vault include access to all future DLC?
Generally, no. The Vault Edition provides access to specific content as outlined when it’s offered. While it may provide a season’s worth of Battle Pass access or a number of tier skips, it generally doesn’t cover future paid DLC, such as expansions, which would still need to be bought separately.
5. Is the Vault Edition worth it if I only care about the gameplay?
Whether the Vault Edition is worth it depends on your individual preference. If you’re solely focused on gameplay and don’t care about cosmetic items, then the extra cost might not be justified. However, the included Battle Pass and XP boosts might be valuable for faster progression. But if you consider the premium operator skins and weapon blueprints to be important, then the Vault Edition becomes more attractive.
6. Do the weapon blueprints in the Vault Edition provide a gameplay advantage?
While weapon blueprints from the vault come with specific attachments, they do not offer an inherent advantage over weapons that are modified to your liking. The benefit lies in the immediate access to pre-configured weapons with specific skins and the convenience of not having to grind for all the attachments. It ultimately depends on personal preference and playstyle.
7. Do the Vault Edition’s operator skins provide any in-game advantage?
No, operator skins are purely cosmetic and do not influence gameplay mechanics. They simply change the look of your character and do not affect your abilities or performance in the game.
8. Where can I find the Mercenary Vaults in Warzone?
Mercenary Vaults are not part of the standard “Vault Edition” concept. They are specific in-game locations found on the Caldera map in Warzone, denoted by an orange circle on the map. They require a specific process to open, unrelated to having the Vault Edition.
9. How can I get into Golden Vaults in Warzone?
Golden Vaults are again separate from the Vault Edition. Access requires finding six TV remotes with red lights in the Prison Block area and interacting with them to turn the lights off, which will trigger a phone call with a code. This is a special, in-game challenge, unrelated to purchasing any specific edition of the game.
10. Does the Vault Edition guarantee access to future Zombies modes?
While some Vault Editions may offer benefits or skins related to Zombies modes, it doesn’t guarantee access to any future Zombies content that would be included in separate future releases. If a future title is released with a Zombies mode, that mode would be available to all players whether or not they owned the Vault Edition.
11. Do all Call of Duty titles offer a Vault Edition?
Not all Call of Duty titles have a Vault Edition. This is usually a premium tier reserved for specific main-line releases. It is more commonly found in the titles with an annual cadence, while standalone titles may not have the same edition options.
12. How much does the Vault Edition typically cost?
The cost of the Vault Edition is usually more expensive than the standard edition. The exact pricing varies based on the game, platform, and region but is usually priced as a premium version of the game compared to the standard edition.
13. Do I get any double XP tokens with the Vault Edition?
Yes, Vault Editions often come with double XP and double weapon XP tokens. These boost your leveling rate, accelerating your progress through the game. In many recent titles, these tokens have a time limit, rather than a specific game limit.
14. Do you get Campaign Early Access with the Vault Edition?
Yes, Campaign Early Access is often offered as a perk for pre-ordering the Vault Edition. This gives you a head start, allowing you to play the single-player story before the official public release.
15. Are the COD Vault items exclusive to the Vault Edition?
Yes, most items included in the Vault Edition are exclusive to that version of the game. These operator skins, weapon blueprints, and cosmetic items are generally not available through other means or by simply leveling up. However, there may be instances of similar skins being released in the future that may seem similar.
In summary, the COD Vault, typically in the form of the Vault Edition, is a way to experience the game with a head start, some exclusive cosmetics, and accelerated progress. While it may not be essential for all players, it’s a worthwhile option for fans who desire those extras and want to show off their investment in the game.