What Happens After Level 55 in Call of Duty?
The journey in Call of Duty (COD) doesn’t end at level 55; in fact, it’s often just the beginning of a deeper, more rewarding experience. Level 55 typically marks the threshold where the traditional military ranks conclude, and the game transitions into a prestige system or a seasonal progression system. The specific mechanics vary across different Call of Duty titles, but the core idea remains the same: to offer continued progression and unlock new challenges, rewards, and bragging rights for dedicated players. After reaching level 55, you’ll primarily encounter one of the following: Prestige Mode, Seasonal Leveling, or Officer Ranks, with each having unique implications for your progression and overall gameplay experience.
Understanding Prestige Mode
Resetting for Greater Glory
The most common system traditionally implemented after level 55 is the Prestige Mode. In titles like Black Ops 3, and classic iterations, reaching level 55 allows you to prestige. This means you’ll reset your player level back to 1, but you’ll carry over all of your acquired Create-a-Class content. You’ll also earn a Prestige Rank, visually represented with a new emblem. This is a way for the game to acknowledge your dedication and give you a path to continue leveling. Each Prestige Rank you earn comes with its own unique emblem and challenges that unlock calling cards.
The number of prestige ranks available can vary from title to title. Some older games have a finite number of prestige levels, while newer ones might keep adding them with new seasons. Master Prestige, is a sought-after achievement in titles like Black Ops 3, that once attained, removes the level cap and allows players to level up to 1000. Prestige mode is for those who crave to start over with a visual indication of their commitment, alongside unlocking extra rewards.
Why Prestige?
So why go back to level 1? There are a few key motivations. First, prestige gives dedicated players the feeling of continuous progress beyond the initial level cap. Second, each prestige rank is accompanied by unique rewards like emblems, calling cards, and in some cases, additional class slots or other customization options. Finally, prestige becomes a way to flex your experience and dedication, with high prestige levels often being recognized and respected within the player community.
Seasonal Leveling
The Shift to Seasons
Modern Call of Duty titles like Modern Warfare (2019), Black Ops Cold War, and Modern Warfare II (2022) often feature a seasonal leveling system instead of the classic prestige. In these games, reaching level 55 marks the end of military ranks and the beginning of a seasonal progression. Instead of resetting your level to 1, your level progression enters a new sequence at Season Level 1.
While you keep all your unlocks, weapons, and customizations, the leveling system is reset for the seasonal content and associated rewards. As you progress through the seasonal levels, you’ll unlock seasonal-specific content, such as new weapon blueprints, operator skins, emblems, and calling cards. Each new season brings a new set of challenges and rewards, encouraging players to jump back in and grind through the levels. The seasonal level cap may vary, often starting at 100 or more but it may increase with updates.
Prestige in a Seasonal Model
In some seasonal systems, the Prestige system may coexist. After the initial 55 levels, you’ll start earning Seasonal Prestige Ranks as you gain levels through the seasonal content. Every 50 levels or so after level 55, you typically earn a new Prestige Rank, along with all the emblems and challenges that come with it.
Officer Ranks
In titles like Modern Warfare (2019) and Warzone, upon reaching level 55, you progress through Officer Ranks which range from 56-155 during the season. Once you reach 155, there’s no going higher until the start of a new season. At the beginning of each new season, you’ll reset back to level 55 and begin the grind up the Officer Ranks again.
Call of Duty: Warzone and Leveling
Warzone’s Unique Progression
Warzone typically follows the seasonal leveling model closely associated with the mainline Call of Duty title it’s tied to. When you hit level 55, you transition into the seasonal level progression system, earning ranks and unlocking new rewards as you continue to play. However, note that Warzone Caldera, the original Warzone, is now permanently shut down, with all progress and inventories expiring alongside the game on September 21, 2023.
Leveling in Modern Warfare II and III
In Modern Warfare II, like other modern games, reaching level 55 marks the beginning of seasonal ranks, and the player’s level cap varies with the season. The initial cap was 55, but it increased to 250 and higher with the launch of Season 1. Additionally, Operators and Operator Skins that you’ve unlocked in Modern Warfare II will transfer to Modern Warfare III, allowing you to keep your cosmetic progression.
Leveling, Guns, and Cosmetics
Gun Leveling
It’s also important to know that while your general level progresses with prestige or season levels, weapon levels are independent. In Modern Warfare II, each weapon only goes up to 20 levels. You unlock weapon attachments and skins by increasing weapon levels, creating a separate progression track that runs alongside player levels. The gun level system encourages players to try different weapons, further deepening their experience.
Cosmetics and Rewards
The primary incentive for continued leveling is the vast array of rewards that unlock as you progress. Beyond emblems, calling cards, and weapon blueprints, players can often earn unique operator skins, weapon camos, and other customization options. The drive to earn specific rewards and showcase your progress is a major draw for many players.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know After Level 55
1. Is level 55 the max level?
No, level 55 is typically the point where you transition into a new progression system like prestige or seasonal levels. It is not the end of leveling.
2. What are Officer Ranks?
Officer Ranks, in some Call of Duty titles like Modern Warfare (2019), are the next stage of leveling after reaching level 55, going from ranks 56-155 within a season.
3. Do I lose my progress when I prestige?
You lose your player level, resetting back to level 1, but you keep all of your unlocked weapons, equipment, and customizations, and acquire a prestige emblem for that progression.
4. What happens at Master Prestige?
Master Prestige, available in some titles, removes the level cap after achieving the highest prestige rank and allows you to level up to 1000.
5. What is seasonal leveling?
Seasonal leveling is a progression system that resets at the start of a new season. Instead of starting at level 1 again, you begin at Season Level 1.
6. Do I keep my unlocks with seasonal levels?
Yes, unlike prestiging, you keep your unlocked weapons, equipment, and customizations when progressing through seasonal levels.
7. What are seasonal rewards?
Seasonal rewards are typically weapon blueprints, operator skins, emblems, and calling cards, specifically tied to each season.
8. Why am I back to level 1 in Cold War?
This is often a visual glitch. Playing a match will usually display your true level, and you can continue to level normally.
9. What is the max level in Modern Warfare II?
The max level changes based on the season, but initially was capped at 55, and then it moved up to 250 or higher, as the game progresses.
10. How do I get Ghost in Modern Warfare II?
You will unlock the Ghost operator at level 52.
11. What is Orion Camo in MW2?
Orion is the final mastery camo in Modern Warfare 2, and you unlock it by first unlocking Polyatomic on at least 51 weapons.
12. What will transfer from MW2 to MW3?
All unlocked Operators and Operator Skins from Modern Warfare II will carry over into Modern Warfare III.
13. What is the Taq-56?
The TAQ-56 is the name given to the SCAR within Modern Warfare II. You unlock the TAQ-56 by reaching level 19.
14. What is the max gun level in Modern Warfare 2?
Each weapon in Modern Warfare 2 only levels up to 20 levels.
15. Does my level matter in Call of Duty?
Your level is a sign of your experience and unlocks access to certain rewards. However, it doesn’t necessarily affect your performance in-game, as game mechanics and skills are much more important.