Progression Guide: How to Level Guns Fast
You can reach max level fast in Modern Warfare 2 by following this Multiplayer Progression Guide. Read on to learn how to maximize the XP you earn, what game modes will get you the most XP, and easy tips you can follow to access all of the game's features while ranking up.
List of Contents
How to Level Up Fast
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Complete the Campaign
Playing through the campaign earns you several rewards that can be used in Multiplayer. The most useful of these will be several Double XP Tokens that you can activate immediately after unlocking them.
Completing the campaign also unlocks the Union Guard Assault Rifle Blueprint, which you can equip once you unlock Custom Loadouts. This means you'll automatically have a weapon with complete attachments despite still being at a low rank.
Mission List and Campaign Walkthrough
Enable XP Tokens
While playing MW2, you'll constantly be earning XP Tokens that can double either your Player XP or Weapon XP. Keep in mind that these remain active even while searching for matches or waiting in the lobby menu for a match to start. Activate them just before a match starts to maximize their usage. These are vital for giving you a big headstart in the XP you earn when starting out.
If you've played previous Call of Duty titles, XP tokens you earned before will carry over as long as you use the same Activision account.
How to Link Your Activision Account
Use a PILA to Take Out Vehicles
You can get easy XP by taking out UAVs using a PILA. UAVs are constantly activated throughout matches so just pull out your launcher and take it down from the sky to keep getting XP. The PILA is the best option for this tactic since it has lock-on, while other launchers are just free aim.
Play Invasion or Objective-Based Game Modes
| Recommended Game Modes | |
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| Invasion | Domination |
| Hardpoint | Ground War |
When playing objective-based game modes such as Domination, make sure you focus on completing objectives rather than kills. This earns you more XP and is also more reliable since you don't have to count on your shooting accuracy.
If you prefer kill-based game modes, Invasion is a great way to earn XP. This is a 20v20 deathmatch, which means you have a lot more opportunities to earn kills. In addition, there will be AI enemies mixed into the teams. They will be easy to kill and will give you +100 XP per kill, making this mode a fun way to farm XP. Avoid playing game modes that have limited or no respawns such as Search and Destroy or Headquarters.
Use Passive Killstreaks/Scorestreaks
UAVs and Counter UAVs can be considered passive Killstreaks/Scorestreaks since you don't need to take control of them or position them, unlike Airstrikes or Gunships. These are recommended if you're having trouble getting kills with active Killstreaks/Scorestreaks.
Leveling up will be easier since you'll gain Assist XP from every kill earned by a teammate while your UAVs are active. They also have a low kill/score threshold to earn them, meaning you can activate them constantly throughout a match.
Keep in mind if you're playing an objective-based game mode, use Scorestreaks since points will be easier to earn. For kill-based game modes, use Killstreaks.
Do Challenges and Missions
Complete Daily Challenges to get a massive boost of XP. Daily Challenges come in three categories - General, Weapon, and Special.
General Challenges are simple and obtainable over the course of a match, such as getting 10 kills while crouched. Weapon Challenges require you to focus on a specific weapon category, so make sure to change your equipment accordingly as some challenges. Special Challenges require you to change up your loadout by equipping a specific Perk or Field Upgrade.
Once you complete the Daily Challenges, you'll be given two Bonus Challenges. You only need to complete one to earn the bonus XP.
There are also Camo Challenges you can complete that will unlock skins for a specific weapon as well as give you bonus XP.
Use Decoy Grenades to Bait Enemies
Getting assists with Decoy Grenades provide an additional 15 XP per assist so throwing these out on the map not only confuse enemies, but can aid your teammates in their gunfights. Combine this with the Extra Tactical Base Perk and you get 3 Decoy Grenades per spawn. You can simply chuck these around and rack up the extra XP.
How to Level Up Guns Fast
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Farm Enemies in Invasion
| No. of Players | 40 Players (2 Teams of 20) |
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| Win Condition | First team that gets 1500 points win. |
Invasion is a game mode where two teams of 20 fight to rack up the most points. Both teams are a mix of players and AI and the main objective of the game mode is to get kills. AI kills give you 1 point while kills on other players net you 5 points. At the start of the match, head down either the left or right to enemy spawn where you can begin fighting the opposite team.
For this game mode, equpping the Tactical Insertion is highly recommended as you can choose to spawn behind enemy lines or at any point of interest on the map. This Field Upgade gives you an opportunity to take out unsuspecting players and rack up a some easy kills.
Enable Weapon XP Tokens
As mentioned above, there are 2 XP tokens available: Player XP and Weapon XP. Activating Weapon XP tokens can help level up your weapons quickly and get you more attachments and receivers.
Max Out a Specific Gun
Once you find a gun that suits your playstyle, try to stick with that weapon during matches and max out its level and attachments. This is best for when you've unlocked several weapons already so that you have varied options. Don't just stick with the first weapon you use, like the M4, since you may find a better one as you continue ranking up.
Gunsmith 2.0 Guide: Weapon Attachments Explained
Spec Ops AFK Farming Trick
There is a trick you can do in the Spec Ops game mode that lets you farm Weapon XP. It takes some time but rewards you with significant XP when done right.
| Step by Step Objectives | |
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| 1 |  Choose which weapon you want to level up |
| 2 |  Find a spot on the map where you can safely AFK |
| 3 |  After being AFK for at least 1 hour, participate in the game then die. |
It is best to AFK for at least an hour to really maximize your XP gains. It is also important that you die in-game and not quit as you will forfeit the XP.
Spec Ops | List of Co-op Missions
Modern Warfare 2 (MW2) Related Guides
