Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Choose Classic Prestige in Modern Warfare 4 if you want a 20% XP boost, one Permanent Unlock Token and extra cosmetic rewards, and you are willing to rebuild level unlocks and Create-a-Class. Choose Regular Prestige if keeping your current classes and level-unlocked items matters more than those bonuses. The choice appears again every time you enter another Prestige Level, so you are not locked into one path for the entire game.
What is the difference between Classic and Regular Prestige in MW4?
Both options begin a new player-level Prestige after you reach the maximum level. The difference is whether your level-based progression is wiped and what compensation you receive for accepting that reset.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Decision point | Classic Prestige | Regular Prestige |
|---|---|---|
| Player progression | Resets to the start of the new Prestige | Restarts from Level 1 |
| Level unlocks | Reset and re-earned | Kept |
| Create-a-Class | Reset | Kept |
| XP | 20% boost | No Classic boost stated by Activision |
| Permanent Unlock Token | One token | None |
| Rewards | Shared rewards plus Classic bonus cosmetics and Prime variants | Most rewards are shared, without the Classic bonus package |
| Next Prestige | Choose Classic or Regular again | Choose Classic or Regular again |
Activision describes Classic as the traditional Prestige experience: level unlocks and Create-a-Class progress are reset in exchange for the XP boost, token and bonus cosmetics. Regular lets you restart at Level 1 while retaining those items for a more flexible progression path.
What do you lose when you choose Classic Prestige?
Classic removes access to level-gated items until you earn their unlock levels again. Your Create-a-Class progress is also reset, so expect to rebuild class slots and configure equipment as items return.
Popular on Amazon
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
- Level-unlocked weapons, perks, field upgrades, killstreaks and equipment must be re-earned.
- Create-a-Class progress returns to the reset state rather than carrying over.
- Items that are already permanently unlocked remain available through the token system, but the token is limited.
Weapon levels, weapon camos and attachments are separate from player-level Prestige. Classic does not mean you are prestiging every weapon, and it does not erase weapon-specific progression.
What does Regular Prestige keep?
Regular preserves your level unlocks and Create-a-Class content while still starting the new Prestige progression at Level 1. That makes it the safer choice when your current builds depend on late-level items or when you cannot spend many sessions re-unlocking equipment.
Recommended Free Tools
Regular does not provide the Classic 20% XP boost or a Permanent Unlock Token. It still grants the rewards shared by both tracks, but it omits the additional Classic cosmetic package and Prime variants.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Is the 20% XP boost worth resetting your unlocks?
It is worthwhile for players who plan to complete multiple Prestige Levels and can tolerate rebuilding their loadouts. The boost accelerates the player-level climb, while the token permanently removes one recurring unlock barrier. It is less attractive if your priority is uninterrupted access to a specific class.
Choose Classic when
- You value the extra cosmetics and Prime reward variants.
- You expect to keep leveling through later Prestiges, making the XP boost useful over a longer journey.
- You can replace or temporarily avoid gear that unlocks late in the level track.
- You want to reserve a permanent unlock for an item you repeatedly need.
Choose Regular when
- You rely on established classes for ranked, cooperative or challenge-focused play.
- You are working on weapon challenges that require late-unlocked perks, equipment or streaks.
- Your play time is limited and re-earning level unlocks would delay your goals.
- You prefer predictable access to the full collection over bonus cosmetics.
How should you spend the Classic Permanent Unlock Token?
The token permanently unlocks one available Level Unlock item for the rest of your leveling journey, including later Classic Prestiges. Activision gives the Throwing Knife as an example: it would otherwise be re-earned at Level 48.
Prioritize an item that shapes many of your classes rather than a weapon you use only occasionally. The official guidance is to consider perks, field upgrades, killstreaks and equipment before weapons, because those categories can support multiple builds. Save the token until you understand which reset most disrupts your play; spending it immediately is not required.
Also popular on Amazon
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
When can you make the Prestige choice?
After reaching the maximum player level, open your profile and level area, enter the Progression menu and select the Prestige tab. The game presents Classic and Regular before you enter the next Prestige Level. After completing that Prestige, the choice is offered again, allowing you to switch approaches as your goals change.
MW4 progression limits
- Multiplayer has 55 player levels.
- DMZ has 70 levels.
- The player progression system contains 10 Prestige Levels and 1,000 Prestige Master levels.
These numbers describe player progression. DMZ Operator Prestige and Weapon Prestige are separate systems, so selecting Classic or Regular does not prestige an operator or an individual weapon.
Which rewards differ between the two tracks?
Most rewards are shared, but Classic adds an extra cosmetic layer. At Prestige 1, the Level 50 reward example is The Vet on Regular and The Vet Prime on Classic; both are weapon blueprints for the Mosin-Nagant marksman rifle. Each Prestige Level is themed around a different Infinity Ward title, with reward milestones shown at Levels 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50.
Also popular on Amazon
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Widely Compatible: Transform any USB-C port into a USB-A port and USB-A port into a USB-C port, and connect up a wide range of USB-C(including MacBook, iPad Pro/Air/Mini, iPhone models with USB C ports, Samsung Galaxy series, and Google Pixel series. ) and USB A devices(including external hard drives, phones, mice, printers, and more)
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
If collecting the complete reward presentation matters to you, Classic is the only route to its bonus cosmetics and Prime variants. If you mainly want the shared blueprints and milestone items, Regular preserves them without the reset cost.
Can you mix Classic and Regular across Prestiges?
Yes. The choice returns when you enter each subsequent Prestige Level. You can use Regular during a busy period to preserve classes, then select Classic later when you have time to rebuild and want the boost or bonus rewards. Your decision is therefore a per-Prestige trade-off, not a permanent account setting.
What should you check before confirming Classic?
- List the late-level items your main classes require.
- Check whether a perk, field upgrade, streak or piece of equipment is a better permanent unlock than a weapon.
- Decide whether you can play enough during the next Prestige for the 20% XP boost to matter.
- Confirm that the Classic cosmetic and Prime rewards are worth the temporary loss of Create-a-Class progress.
- Enter the choice through Profile and level area > Progression > Prestige only after reviewing the reset warning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Classic Prestige reset weapon levels or camos in MW4?
No. Weapon levels, camos and attachments are tracked separately from player-level Prestige. Classic affects player level unlocks and Create-a-Class progress, not the weapon-specific progression system.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Can I change from Regular to Classic without losing my current Prestige?
You choose between the two paths when entering the next Prestige Level. Once selected, that Prestige follows its stated rules, but a later Prestige gives you another opportunity to choose differently.
How many Permanent Unlock Tokens can I earn from Regular Prestige?
Regular Prestige grants no Permanent Unlock Token. The token is part of the Classic reward package, with one granted for each Classic selection described by the progression system.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteAre DMZ Operator Prestige and MW4 player Prestige the same thing?
They are separate progression systems. The Classic-versus-Regular decision applies to player-level Prestige and does not perform an Operator Prestige in DMZ.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
