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.

How to Level Up Fast

Jump to a Section
Complete the Campaign Enable XP Tokens Use a PILA to Take Out Vehicles Play Invasion or Objective-Based Game Modes Use Passive Killstreaks/Scorestreaks Do Challenges and Missions Use Decoy Grenades to Bait Enemies

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
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.

All Multiplayer Game Modes

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.

How to Unlock All Camos

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

Jump to a Section
Farm Enemies in Invasion Enable Weapon XP Tokens Max Out a Specific Gun Spec Ops AFK Farming Trick

Farm Enemies in Invasion

No. of Players	40 Players (2 Teams of 20)
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
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

Tips & Tricks

All Tips & Tricks

Multiplayer Tips
How to Unlock All Camos	Multiplayer Main Menu Bug Fix
How to Unlock All Calling Cards	How to Access Oni Operator & Vault Edition Items
How to Fix Audio Continuity Issues	Party Lobby Crashing Fix
How to Level Up Fast	How to Unlock Gold Camo
Is there Hardcore Mode in MW2?	How to Check Your KD Ratio
Killstreak Guide: Best Killstreaks	How to Unlock Slimline Pro
Best Loadouts	How to Unlock All Operators
How to Unlock All Emblems	How to Unlock All Weapons
How to Unlock Mastery Camos	How to Play Split Screen
How to Unlock All Charms	How to Get Season 1 Combat Pack
How to Unlock All Stickers	Best Optics
Gameplay Features
Firing Basics: All New Shooting Mechanics	Movement Guide: Basics & Combat Techniques
Vehicle Guide: How to Use & Customize Vehicles	All Call of Duty In-Game Terms & Callouts
Controls and Best Settings	How to Slide Cancel
How to Customize Your Loadout	How to Play in Third Person
List of Campaign Rewards	How to Do Finishing Moves
How Long is Modern Warfare 2's Campaign?	Killstreak & Scorestreak Guide
How to Dolphin Dive	How to Mount Your Gun
How to Skip Cutscenes	Gunsmith 2.0 Guide
Perks Guide	Field Upgrades Guide
How to Save Custom Mods	Hardcore Mode
Ranked Play Guide	-
FAQs
How Do You Link Your Activision Account?	Is In-Game Voice Chat Available?
How Does Aim Assist Work?	Can You Customize Operators?
What is the Story So Far?	Is Modern Warfare 2 a Remake?
What is the Max Level Cap?	Can You Change Crosshairs?
Can You Prestige?	How to Change Your Name
What is Battle Rage?	What is the Weapon Vault?
Mountain Dew In-Game Rewards	Twitch Drops Release Date and List of Rewards
Little Caesar's In-Game Rewards	What is Weapon Tuning?
How to Inspect Your Weapon	List of All Death Quotes
How to Turn on FidelityFX Cas?	Should You Buy the Battle Pass?
Jack Link's In-Game Rewards	List of Rank Progression Rewards
Offensive Chat and Account Name Warnings	How to Unlock All Loading Screen Backgrounds
What Are Point-Blank Kills?	How to Get Neymar, Messi, and Pogba Operators
What is CODBall?	What is Support Your Team Pick'em?
Is Double XP Weekend Coming to MW2?	List of War Tracks and How to Equip
Is Rebirth Island In Warzone 2.0?	Natural Treasure Black Mous Mission
When is Free-to-Play Weekend?	What Are Longshot Kills?
How to Create Groups (Clans)	Is MW2 Coming to Nintendo Switch?
What Are Operator Kills?	How to Get Prime Gaming Rewards and Link Account
How to Appear Offline	How Many Guns Are in Modern Warfare 2?
How to Get CDL Major 2 Viewership Rewards	How to Get Objective Defense Kills
Path of the Ronin Season 2 Event	Season 2 Battle Pass and Rewards