CoD MW4 Prestige System: How to Prestige & Choose Classic or Regular
This article explains the prestige system in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (MW4), covering how to prestige, the difference between Classic and Regular prestige modes, and how to choose between them. You’ll learn the exact steps to prestige, what carries over, what resets, and which mode fits your playstyle. The guide also addresses common questions and misconceptions about the system.
Background: What Is Prestige in Call of Duty?
Prestige is a long-standing Call of Duty feature that lets players reset their level back to 1 after reaching the maximum level (typically 55). In exchange, you earn a prestige icon next to your name, a permanent unlock token, and access to exclusive emblems and calling cards. The system is designed to add replayability, giving veteran players a fresh progression grind while showing off their dedication.
In MW4, the prestige system follows this tradition but introduces a key choice: Classic Prestige or Regular Prestige. This choice affects how much of your progression resets and what rewards you get. Understanding this choice before you hit the max level is crucial, because it determines your entire endgame experience.
How to Prestige: Step-by-Step
Reaching the maximum level (55) unlocks the option to prestige. Here’s exactly how to do it:
- Reach Level 55 by earning experience points (XP) through multiplayer matches, completing challenges, and winning objectives.
- Once at Level 55, go to the main multiplayer menu and select the “Barracks� tab.
- In the Barracks, navigate to the “Prestige� option (usually located near your rank/level display).
- You’ll see a confirmation screen explaining what resets and what carries over. Read it carefully.
- Choose either “Classic Prestige� or “Regular Prestige� (see next section for the difference).
- Confirm your choice. Your level resets to 1, and you receive your prestige rewards.
You can prestige multiple times, up to the game’s max prestige level (often 10 or 11, depending on the season). Each prestige gives you another permanent unlock token and a new icon.
Classic vs. Regular Prestige: The Core Difference
The main difference between Classic and Regular prestige is what resets and what you keep.
- Regular Prestige: Resets your level, unlocked weapons, attachments, perks, and equipment. You keep your permanent unlock tokens, and you can use them to unlock one item of your choice permanently (so it stays unlocked even after prestiging). Your challenges, camos, and calling cards progress are kept, but their locked items are temporarily unavailable until you re-unlock them by leveling up.
- Classic Prestige: Resets everything, including your challenges, camo progress, and even your permanent unlock tokens (though you get new ones as you prestige). It also resets your weapon levels and any attached camos. Essentially, it’s a full wipe of your multiplayer progression, giving you the purest grind from scratch. In return, Classic Prestige often grants a special, exclusive emblem or calling card that Regular Prestige does not.
In short: Regular Prestige is for players who want to keep some progress and convenience. Classic Prestige is for players who want a complete fresh start and a unique cosmetic reward, and who don’t mind losing everything.
How to Choose: Which Mode Is Right for You?
Your choice depends on your goals and how much time you have.
- Choose Regular Prestige if: You want to keep your hard-earned camos, challenges, and permanent unlocks. You play casually and don’t want to re-grind everything from zero. You still want the prestige icon and token, but without the full reset.
- Choose Classic Prestige if: You’re a completionist who wants the exclusive Classic Prestige rewards (like a special emblem). You enjoy the fresh grind and don’t mind losing all progress. You plan to prestige multiple times and want the ultimate challenge.
A good rule of thumb: if you’re unsure, start with Regular Prestige. You can always do a Classic Prestige on your next prestige if you want the exclusive reward later.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
Here are a few things players often get wrong:
- “I’ll lose my permanent unlocks.� In Regular Prestige, you keep your permanent unlock tokens and any items you’ve unlocked with them. In Classic Prestige, you lose them, but you’ll earn new tokens as you level up again.
- “My weapon camos will be gone forever.� In Regular Prestige, your camo progress is kept, but you can’t use the camos until you re-unlock the weapon. In Classic Prestige, camo progress resets entirely, so you’ll have to re-earn them.
- “Prestiging is mandatory.� It’s not. You can stay at Level 55 forever and keep playing. Prestige is purely optional for those who want rewards and a new challenge.
- “Classic Prestige gives more XP.� There’s no evidence of that. The only difference is the reset scope and the exclusive cosmetic reward.
What Carries Over Regardless of Choice
No matter which prestige mode you pick, some things always stay with you:
- Your level (it resets to 1, but your prestige level/icon is saved).
- Your permanent unlock tokens (if you have any unused, they carry over in Regular; in Classic, they are consumed, but you get new ones as you level).
- Your multiplayer stats (K/D ratio, win/loss, score per minute) are not reset.
- Your purchased cosmetics (skins, operators, weapon blueprints) remain available.
So even in Classic Prestige, you don’t lose everything—just your progression-based unlocks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my mind after choosing Classic or Regular?
No. Once you confirm your choice, it’s final. You cannot switch from Classic to Regular or vice versa for that prestige. You can, however, choose differently on your next prestige (e.g., do Regular first, then Classic later).
Do I get a permanent unlock token every prestige?
Yes, every time you prestige (either mode), you receive one permanent unlock token. In Regular Prestige, you keep all tokens you’ve earned. In Classic Prestige, you lose your current tokens but earn a new one as you level up again.
What is the max prestige level in MW4?
The max prestige level varies by season and game version, but it’s typically 10 or 11. After reaching the max, you can’t prestige anymore, but you can still earn XP for seasonal levels or battle pass progression.
Does Classic Prestige give better rewards than Regular?
Classic Prestige gives an exclusive emblem or calling card that Regular Prestige doesn’t. Regular Prestige gives the same prestige icon and token, but without the exclusive cosmetic. So if you want that unique reward, Classic is the only way.
Can I prestige in Warzone or only in multiplayer?
In MW4, prestige is tied to multiplayer progression. Warzone has its own leveling system (battle pass and weapon XP), but it does not have a prestige system. Prestiging in multiplayer does not affect Warzone levels.
Is it worth prestiging at all?
If you enjoy unlocking things and want to show off your dedication, yes. If you prefer having all weapons and perks available, staying at Level 55 is fine. Prestige is purely optional and offers no gameplay advantage—only cosmetic rewards.
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