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.

How to unlock weapons in Modern Warfare 2Platforms explained, and how progression works in Modern Warfare 2All unlocks by player levelAll unlocks by weapon levelCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Last-Gen - Can PS4/PS4 Pro & Xbox One/X Deliver 60fps?

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.

The player level progression track.

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.

The M4 at weapon level 20.

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 loadoutsFrom the custom loadout weapon select screen, view the M4 PlatformThe M4 Platform contains four unlockable weapons: FTAC Recon, 556 Icarus, M16, and FSS HurricaneTo unlock each of these, you have to use and level different weapons within the M4 PlatformBy levelling the M4 to levels 13 and 18, you'll unlock the FTAC Recon and 556 Icarus respectivelyOnce 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.

The M4 Platform and all its Receivers (weapons).

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.

The M4 progression track and its level 13 reward of the FTAC Recon Battle Rifle.

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.

The M4 (left) and 556 Icarus (right) from the FJX Cinder pack.

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.

RequirementWeapon and Platfom unlocksPlayer Level 4M4 Assault RifleM4 PlatformPlayer Level 4MP7 (VEL 46) SMGLMP PlatformPlayer Level 4Bryson 800 ShotgunBryson 800 Series PlatformPlayer Level 4Sakin MG LMGSakin MG PlatformPlayer Level 4EBR-14 Marksman RifleOrdnance Weapon PlatformPlayer Level 4MCPR-300 Sniper RifleMRBA PlatformPlayer Level 4P890 HandgunBruen 890 PlatformPlayer Level 4PILA LauncherNo PlatformPlayer Level 5PDSW 528 SMGTactique Defense PlatformPlayer Level 7SP-R 208 Marksman RifleBryson Long Rifle PlatformPlayer Level 9Expedite 12 ShotgunExpedite PlatformPlayer Level 13.50 GS HandgunSakin G Series PlatformPlayer Level 14STRELA-P LauncherNo PlatformPlayer Level 16Lachmann-762 Battle RifleLachmann and Meer PlatformPlayer Level 17Combat Knife Secondary MeleeNo PlatformPlayer Level 19TAQ-56 Assault RifleTactique Verte PlatformPlayer Level 23Kastov 762 Assault RifleKastovia PlatformPlayer Level 24JOKR LauncherNo PlatformPlayer Level 25RAAL MG LMGRAAL PlatformPlayer Level 28Lockwood MK2 Marksman RifleMark 2 PlatformPlayer Level 31X12 HandgunXRK PlatformPlayer Level 32RPG-7 LauncherNo PlatformPlayer Level 36Lockwood 300 ShotgunLockwood Sport PlatformPlayer Level 37Riot Shield Primary MeleeNo PlatformPlayer Level 38Fennec 45 SMGFennec PlatformPlayer Level 39Basilisk HandgunBasilisk 500 PlatformPlayer Level 41STB 556 Assault RifleBruen Bullpup PlatformPlayer Level 44Signal 50 Sniper RifleSignal 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.

The Lachmann and Meer Platform.

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:

WeaponWeapon Level RequirementFTAC Recon Battle RifleM4 at level 13556 Icarus LMGM4 at level 18M16 Assault Rifle556 Icarus at level 13FSS Hurricane SMGFTAC Recon at level 16Bryson 890 ShotgunBryson 800 at Level 16S0-14 Battle RifleEBR-14 at Level 12SA-B 50 Marksman RifleSP-R 208 at Level 13LA-B 330 Sniper RifleSA-B 50 at Level 16SP-X 80 Sniper RifleLA-B 330 at Level 17Lachmann-556 Assault RifleLachmann-762 at level 13LM-S Marksman RifleLachmann-762 at level 16Lachmann Sub Submachine GunLachmann-556 at level 12RAPP H Light Machine GunLachmann-556 at level 16TAQ-V Battle RifleTAQ-56 at Level 11TAQ-M Marksman RifleTAQ-56 at Level 20Kastov-545 Assault RifleKastov-762 at Level 10RPK LMGKastov-762 at Level 16Kastov-74U Assault RifleKastov-545 at Level 13Vaznev-9K SMGKastov-74U at Level 15Minibak SMGVaznev-9K at Level 14X13 Auto HandgunX12 at Level 10MX9 SMGSTB 556 at level 13HCR 56 LMGSTB-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) SMGSakin MG Platform - Sakin MG38 LMGMRBA Platform - MCPR-300 Sniper RifleBruen 890 Platform - P890 HandgunTactique Defense Platform - PDSW 528 SMGExpedite Platform - Expedite 12 ShotgunSakin G Series Platform - .50 GS HandgunRAAL Platform - RAAL MG LMGMark 2 Platform - Lockwood MK2 Marksman RifleLockwood Sport Platform - Lockwood 300 ShotgunFennec Platform - Fennec 45 SMGBasilisk 500 Platform - Basilisk HandgunSignal Platform - Signal 50 Sniper Rifle The LMP Platform with its only weapon - the MP7 (VEL 46).

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.

To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings