Vanguard Prestige system explained
The Vanguard Prestige system offers players an incentive to grind the game and earn bragging rights along the way.
The Prestige system is an aspect of the Call of Duty franchise that undergoes changes with each new title.
Prior to Vanguard’s release, fans voiced their opinions on the return of the iconic Prestige system from Modern Warfare 2. Ultimately, Sledgehammer decided to move forward with a new system for Vanguard.
Vanguard preseason progression
Vanguard is currently in “preseason”. You may have noticed the Battle Pass isn’t fully equipped with Vanguard rewards. This is because Season 1 of Vanguard is coming early December. The developers likely chose this time frame to coincide with the release of Warzone Pacific Caldera.
During the preseason, you will earn experience that raises your player rank. Just about everything you do in Vanguard from completing multiplayer challenges to getting kills increases your player rank.
Player ranks start at 1 and will increase all the way to 55. Once you hit player rank 55, things start to get a little complicated. After level 55 you enter Prestige Rank 1 and earn the title of Commander. At this point, things move from player ranks to the Season Level system.
Prestige 1 Season Level 1 is where players will start after hitting player rank 55. Season Level 50 will take them to Prestige 2, while Season Level 100 opens the door to Prestige 3. Of course, with each Prestige comes valuable rewards.
Here’s what to expect with each checkpoint.
- Prestige 1 (Season Level 1) – Battle Pass tier skip, Prestige Emblem
- Prestige 2 (Season Level 50) Battler Pass tier skip, Prestige Emblem, Weapon Blueprint
- Prestige 3 (Season Level 100) Battler Pass tier skip, Prestige Emblem
Each season of Vanguard will have a maximum Prestige rank. Although we don’t currently know what rank that will be for Season 1, those who reach the maximum rank can expect to receive the title of “Prestige Master”.
Will the Vanguard Prestige system reset unlocks?
You can rest easy knowing that your unlocks, including weapon progress, do not reset with each new prestige. The one thing that will reset when a new Season is released is your Season Level.
For example, if a player has reached Prestige 2 Season Level 79 on the day Season 1 is set to release (December 2nd), that player will be bumped back down to Prestige 2 Level 50. Essentially, your progress between your current Prestige and the next will reset.
Why are you stuck at level 1?
Several players have reported an issue that permanently displays their level as 1 after reaching Prestige 1 which has led many to believe that they aren’t gaining experience. Players can cool their rage as this doesn’t seem to be true.
The number you’ll see in the lobby is showing as the Prestige you are in rather than your level. To check your level visit the barracks screen.
Whether this is intentional or yet another of the reported glitches to surface within the first week of Vanguard is up for debate. Keep an eye out for the first major patch later this week.
Image Credits: Activision / Sledgehammer Games
