How Weapon XP Works in Warzone 2: A Comprehensive Guide
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Weapon XP in Warzone 2 is the mechanism that allows you to level up your guns, unlocking crucial attachments and customization options that significantly enhance your performance in the game. Simply put, weapon XP is earned through in-game actions, primarily by using the weapon in combat and completing objectives. As you accumulate this experience, your chosen firearm progresses through levels, granting access to new attachments in the Gunsmith. These attachments, ranging from scopes and grips to barrels and magazines, dramatically alter a weapon’s stats, characteristics, and overall efficacy. This system encourages experimentation and allows players to tailor their weapons to suit their individual playstyles, making it a vital part of the Warzone 2 experience.
How is Weapon XP Earned?
The primary way to gain weapon XP in Warzone 2 is by actively using the weapon during matches. Here’s a breakdown of the main methods:
- Eliminating Enemy Players: Each time you eliminate an enemy player with your chosen weapon, you receive a set amount of weapon XP. The amount varies slightly based on the game mode and other factors.
- Eliminating AI Combatants: In both Warzone 2’s battle royale modes and in DMZ, you can gain weapon XP by eliminating AI combatants. They generally provide less XP than player eliminations but are still a valuable source, especially in the early game or when farming.
- Completing Contracts: Completing in-game contracts like bounties, recon missions, and supply runs will award weapon XP to the gun you currently have equipped. Contracts are a reliable way to level up weapons, particularly in DMZ where they are readily available and not usually contested.
- Decoy Grenade Assists: Utilizing decoy grenades near enemies who are then eliminated by your team can also provide some weapon XP, albeit in smaller amounts.
- Other In-Game Actions: While not the most significant source, small amounts of weapon XP can sometimes be granted for other actions like assisting in kills, opening supply boxes, or completing specific challenges.
The Importance of Weapon XP
Why is it crucial to understand weapon XP in Warzone 2? Here are the key reasons:
- Unlock Powerful Attachments: Reaching higher weapon levels unlocks a wide variety of attachments in the Gunsmith. These attachments are often essential to maximize a weapon’s performance in key areas like recoil control, damage range, and mobility.
- Optimize Weapon Performance: By experimenting with different attachments, you can dramatically change how a weapon handles and performs, enabling you to create custom builds tailored to your strengths and the current meta.
- Competitive Edge: Higher-level weapons with tailored attachment combinations offer a considerable competitive edge against other players who are not using optimized loadouts.
- Mastering Weapons: Gaining weapon XP also allows you to better understand the nuances of each weapon, contributing to a greater overall skill level.
Leveling Up Weapons Faster
While the above sections explain how to gain XP, it’s also important to understand how to level weapons up as efficiently as possible. Here are some tactics to help you power-level your guns:
- Double Weapon XP Events/Tokens: Keep an eye out for double weapon XP events or utilize double weapon XP tokens whenever possible. These drastically increase the rate at which you earn weapon XP, allowing you to level up guns faster.
- Play on PlayStation and in a Party: If you play on PlayStation and in a party with other players, you will receive an additional 25% Weapon XP bonus.
- Utilize Tactical Insertions: In the main Battle Royale modes, tactical insertions allow you to drop back near your squad after a death. This limits the time spent re-deploying and increases the overall time you are using your weapons.
- Focus on High-XP Game Modes: Certain game modes within multiplayer, like Hardpoint, Domination, Kill Confirmed, and Invasion, provide more XP per game, and can be a great alternative to Warzone to level up your guns.
- DMZ Efficiently: The DMZ mode can provide a consistent source of weapon XP if you concentrate on doing contracts. Also, the large number of AI combatants can be a source of XP for less aggressive leveling strategies.
- Target Bots in Invasion Mode: In Invasion mode, bots travel in small groups and are relatively easy to eliminate, which makes it an excellent way to farm XP.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to weapon XP in Warzone 2 to further enhance your understanding of this crucial gameplay mechanic:
1. What is the fastest way to level up weapons in Warzone 2?
The fastest ways to level up weapons involve a combination of utilizing double XP tokens and events, playing on Playstation in a party (for the XP bonus), focusing on objectives like contracts, and playing game modes that generate more XP quickly. Using a tactical insertion to maximize combat uptime can also help.
2. Does using a double weapon XP token stack with a Double XP Event?
Yes, double weapon XP tokens do stack with Double XP Events in Warzone 2, further maximizing your XP gains during such times.
3. Does killing AI in DMZ and Warzone count towards weapon XP?
Yes, both AI enemies in DMZ and Warzone’s battle royale mode count towards weapon XP. While they typically provide less XP than eliminating player operators, they can be a good way to consistently gain XP.
4. What are the best contracts to complete for weapon XP in Warzone 2?
The best contracts are ones that can be completed quickly with less player contest. Intel contracts are a great option, especially in DMZ. Recon contracts can also be completed quickly and usually take place in less contested locations.
5. What gives more weapon XP, killing a player or an AI?
Killing a player operator gives significantly more weapon XP compared to eliminating an AI combatant. This makes engaging in player battles the most efficient way to level up weapons.
6. Can I use a different gun while leveling a weapon and gain experience for it?
No, only the weapon you are actively using to eliminate enemies or complete contracts will receive the weapon XP. You should make sure that you have the desired gun equipped.
7. Do decoy grenades give weapon XP?
Yes, decoy grenades can provide weapon XP if an enemy is eliminated as a result of being distracted by the decoy. It only gives a small amount, but it can be useful in specific scenarios.
8. Is DMZ a good way to level up weapons?
Yes, DMZ can be a good way to level up weapons, especially if you are focusing on completing contracts and eliminating AI combatants. While it may not be as fast as other methods, it can be a more consistent option.
9. Do weapon XP glitches exist, and should I use them?
Yes, weapon XP glitches have appeared, but using them is highly discouraged. Activision can ban accounts that abuse exploits. The risk of losing access to the game is not worth any gains from an XP exploit.
10. Are some game modes better for weapon XP than others?
Yes, some game modes are better for earning weapon XP than others. Objective-based modes like Hardpoint, Domination, Kill Confirmed, and Invasion tend to offer more opportunities for XP gains due to increased engagement.
11. Does playing in a party affect weapon XP?
Yes, playing in a party on PlayStation provides an additional 25% Weapon XP bonus.
12. Does it matter where you drop in Warzone when trying to level weapons?
Dropping in high-traffic areas can provide more opportunities for player eliminations, but dropping in areas where you can complete contracts quickly or find AI combatants is also effective.
13. Do all weapons level up at the same rate in Warzone 2?
While all weapons level up at the same base rate, the speed at which you level them up will depend on how many kills and objectives you complete using the weapon. It’s how you utilize it that really impacts the time it takes to level it up.
14. Can you level up weapons by only playing DMZ?
Yes, you can level up weapons exclusively by playing DMZ, but it will likely take longer than focusing on faster-paced game modes in the normal Battle Royale mode or the Multiplayer mode. The benefit of DMZ is consistency, where you can reliably grind out weapon XP.
15. Does using an unreleased weapon in Warzone 2 influence its weapon XP gain?
No, using an unreleased or glitched-out weapon in Warzone 2 does not influence its weapon XP gain. The system treats all weapons similarly, regardless of their official release status.
By understanding how weapon XP works in Warzone 2 and using the tactics described above, you’ll be well-equipped to unlock powerful attachments, optimize your loadouts, and gain a significant advantage over your opponents.