The Prestige system and Permanent Unlocks in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 confused me at first, but here’s how to make sense of it

The Prestige system and Permanent Unlocks in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 confused me at first, but here's how to make sense of it

As a seasoned gamer and a tech enthusiast with memories of countless hours spent in the Call of Duty universe, I must say that Black Ops 6 has brought back some nostalgia with its return to the traditional Prestige system. However, as someone who took a break after Black Ops 4, I found myself a bit lost in this new-yet-old experience. The messaging could have been clearer, but once you figure it out, it’s quite rewarding.


Black Ops 6 have quickly moved up the Prestige levels. However, players like me who don’t have as much time to game are likely reaching the level 55 limit within a week.

In simpler terms, “Prestige” is an aspect from earlier versions of the Call of Duty series, and it’s back in its original format with Black Ops 6. Instead of the seasonal prestige system, they’ve opted for a more conventional gaming experience this time around.

In the game Prestige, there is a feature called Everlasting Token Upgrades that you receive one of every time you advance a level within the Prestige tier. As an experienced Call of Duty player from earlier versions, I haven’t dabbled much in it since Black Ops 4. Combined with what seems to be unclear in-game communication about the game’s dynamics, I found myself perplexed (and I must admit, age isn’t on my side). If you find yourself in a similar predicament, here’s a breakdown of Everlasting Upgrades, their uses, and when they can be applied.

Entering Prestige in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and using Permanent Unlock tokens

The Prestige system and Permanent Unlocks in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 confused me at first, but here's how to make sense of it

Once you reach level 55 and accumulate sufficient XP for level 56, instead, you will be offered an opportunity to enter Prestige mode. It is not mandatory; you can choose to stay at level 55 if you prefer. However, bypassing the Prestige track means missing out on extra rewards, and you won’t have the satisfaction of showcasing your high rank in the game.

On both Xbox and its PC Game Pass variant, achieving Prestige will grant you a satisfying achievement. If you’re looking for extra motivation, that’s your sign!

Upon stepping into Prestige, most of your advancement gets wiped out. You find yourself at level 1 again, and all the weapons you previously unlocked, along with your customized loadouts, will be restored to their initial state. However, the levels of the weapons you’ve already upgraded will remain unchanged. This means any attachments you’ve unlocked can still be used, and they’ll be reattached as you regain those weapons.

The Prestige system and Permanent Unlocks in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 confused me at first, but here's how to make sense of it

These are the Permanent Unlock tokens. You can use one for any item you prefer, and once you advance to the next Prestige rank, that selected item will stay accessible for gameplay right from level 1.

However, here’s an important point to consider: You won’t be able to immediately unlock any items you’ve previously had. Instead, you must advance through Prestige Level 1, unlock the item again there, and then use your Permanent Unlock token. To clarify, in order to use my AMES 85 token shown above, I’ll first need to reach level 19 once more, unlock it on Prestige 1, and finally spend the token.

It doesn’t just apply to weapons, either. Literally anything that you can add to your loadout that has a level requirement can have a Permanent Unlock token applied. It’s also important to remember you’re only unlocking a single item, not everything on the level tier. In the image above, two weapons unlock at level 19, but the token still only gets you one of them.

Don’t be too hasty using your Permanent Unlocks

The Prestige system and Permanent Unlocks in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 confused me at first, but here's how to make sense of it

After investing in the AMES 85, I felt a pang of remorse. To be fair, it’s only level 19, so it doesn’t take long to reach. However, for my favorite build on this weapon, I require the Gunfighter Wildcard, which is locked much higher up in the progression.

While it’s not a catastrophe, you wouldn’t want to make a hasty decision and squander it on something trivial. Thankfully, there’s no risk of making a mistake and claiming it unwittingly, as you’ll need to confirm. However, during the initial stages, it’s crucial to think carefully about what you choose.

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2024-11-04 02:39