What Are Prestige Keys in BOCW and How Do They Work?

Prestige Keys are a key feature in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, but how do they work? Welcome to our complete BOCW Prestige Key Guide...
Prestige cod
Black Ops Cold War's works differently than its predecessors. Enter: Prestige Keys! | © Activision

The Prestige system got an overhaul in Black Ops Cold War, introducing Prestige Keys. With the inclusion of the Prestige Shop, the game allowed you to spend these Prestige Keys on various collectables. Let's stop blabbering though, and get on with what Prestige Keys are in BOCW, and how they work.

Prestige Keys are insanely valuable in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, introducing a brand new way to get your grubby mitts on all sorts of exclusive blueprints. Depending on the Season you're playing, different weapon blueprints are available. We'll get into that later, though.

What Are Prestige Keys in Black Ops Cold War?

Prestige Keys are a system introduced in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War that allow you to earn rewards, usually weapon blueprints, based on keys earned through leveling up. To earn a Prestige Key you need to reach a new "prestige level" by playing the game. Think of it like a new progression system, replacing the usual Military Rank system we have seen in previous Call of Duty games. Each system has a set of Prestige milestones, as well as different challenges and rewards. For example, here are the rewards for BOCW Season 5...

What Prestige Key Weapon Blueprints are Available in BOCW Season 5?

  • Hidden Terror (ZRG 20mm)
  • Dream Crasher (Magnum)
  • Dark Horse (MP5)
  • Confrontation (Krig 6)

How Do Prestige Keys Work in Black Ops Cold War?

You get Prestige when you reach certain levels in Black Ops Cold War. Look at it as a rank. Each time you reach one of these levels, you will receive a key (those pesky aforementioned Prestige Keys) and a sticker/emblem. These levels are part of each Season's leveling System. Generally, prestige begins at level 55, and you earn a new prestige key after every fifty levels. For example:

  • Prestige 1 (Season Level 55)
  • Prestige 2 (Season Level 105)
  • Prestige 3 (Season Level 155)
Pre Season Prestige Keys
Every Season of Black Ops Cold War features its own selection of Prestige Blueprints, upgradable at different points. | © IGN/Activision

I can hear you screaming at me: Challenge Accepted! When you reach Season Level 200 you will be awarded the title of Prestige Master, and can change your Prestige Icon to whatever you like. The really cool thing, though, is that you can take your Level up to 1,000 each season, and get all 50-Level Milestone Rewards!

What's going to come to the Black Ops Cold War Prestige Key Shop in Season 6? Well, we'll just have to wait and see...

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Evan Williams

Australian gamer, musician, and journalist at EarlyGame. Currently living in Germany so no, I don't ride a Kangaroo to work. I am currently hard at work making our CoD and Rocket League pages the best on the internet. Lofty ambitions,...