Activision has finally begun opening up about its upcoming sequel and this year’s new entry in the franchise, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
Along with revealing the logo and release date, and dropping the first trailer, it’s also detailed one of the features that fans have been keen to know more about since it was first hinted – content transfer from last year’s Modern Warfare 2 to the new game.
Dubbed “Carry Forward” this system will allow for the majority of players’ arsenals, their Operators and other cosmetic content to transfer from MW2 to MW3 – a first for the series. It’ll be a pretty seamless transition from the looks as well, with things like Operators and weapons all being brought across with any added skins and progression in-tact – weapon progress will even continue between both games so if, for whatever reason, you jump back into MW2 for a bit you’ll still see your gains from MW3 and vice versa.
Here’s a complete rundown of how the system works along with a detailed FAQ, from the Call of Duty blog:
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Carry Forward
What is “Carry Forward”?
The term “Carry Forward” simply refers to content currently available to players in Modern Warfare II and the current version of Call of Duty: Warzone (such as weapons and cosmetic content, including Bundles, Operators, and other rewards and unlocks from the game), and how much of it will be accessible in Modern Warfare III.
Topline Intel: What will “Carry Forward” into MWIII
Content previously described — weapons and cosmetic conten — that has been previously unlocked or is currently available to players in MWII, will carry forward between MWII and MWIII.
Now for the caveats:
- A small amount of content may be unavailable if gameplay offerings are different in Modern Warfare III. For example, if MWIII doesn’t have the Tactical Amphibious Vehicle, or a specific piece of Tactical or Lethal Equipment in any game modes, any Skins you’ve unlocked for these items in MWII won’t be in MWIII. In addition, Wartracks (music) will not carry forward from MWII to MWIII.
- This blog does not reference the impressive amount of planned MWIII-specific weapons and cosmetic content; this is simply explaining the MWII content available in MWIII.
- There will be no “Carry Back” (from MWIII to MWII).
Does Carry Forward also apply to Call of Duty: Warzone (MWII)?
Yes.
You should expect Modern Warfare III content to be integrated into Call of Duty: Warzone at the start of Modern Warfare III Season 01, including all the Modern Warfare II content specified in this blog, where applicable. Content is additive, so none of the previously described MWII Carry Forward content acquired in Call of Duty: Warzone will be taken away.
Is Modern Warfare II and Modern Warfare III Content accessible in Call of Duty Warzone Mobile?
Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile will include shared progression across Modern Warfare II, the current iteration of Call of Duty: Warzone, and Modern Warfare III as one of its key features. We intend to make all Operators, Weapons, Blueprints, and cosmetic equipment accessible, as well as integrating Player Level, Battle Pass access, and Weapon progression among these games. We’ll have more details to share on this as we near the worldwide launch of Warzone Mobile.
Operators
How does Carry Forward work regarding any Operators I may have acquired?
For Modern Warfare II players, all unlocked Operators and Operator Skins will carry forward into Modern Warfare III. This essentially means that every Operator a MWII player has unlocked, obtained via challenge, or purchased (including the PlayStation® Exclusive Oni Operator), will be available in MWIII.
For MWIII players who do not own MWII, MWII Base Operators will not be available.
Note: “Base Operator” means the Operator with their default Skin, which may require a challenge to unlock.
Note: Unless otherwise specified, “Modern Warfare II” content also applies to content you’ve obtained during the second iteration of Call of Duty: Warzone that launched with Season 01 of Modern Warfare II.
What happens to MWII Operators who are no longer available as a Store Bundle or who are obtained due to a timed exclusive window (e.g., a Season Operator)?
For Modern Warfare II and Modern Warfare III players, timed-exclusive MWII Operators and/or Skins are not available if they haven’t been unlocked or purchased. This mainly relates to Battle Pass Operators and Skins, as well as BlackCell Operators and Skins.
Does all cosmetic Operator Skin content carry forward?
Yes.
Store Bundle Skins for all MWII Operators will carry forward.
What happens to Operators who exist in both MWII and MWIII? For example, assuming Captain Price appears in both games, are “MWII Price” and “MWIII Price” two separate Operators?
No.
If Captain Price appears in both games, he is regarded as the same character and is selected in the same Operator menu screen, with any MWII and MWIII Skins and other content available in this selection menu.
Weapons
Do all weapons in Modern Warfare II and their Blueprints carry forward to Modern Warfare III?
Yes.
All Modern Warfare II weapons will be available for Modern Warfare III players, although each weapon’s associated unlock challenge must be completed before it becomes accessible in MWIII. Any Blueprints also carry forward, and certain MWII Blueprints available via Store Bundles will also be available to purchase in MWIII.
Some Base MWII weapons were available for a limited time during MWII’s Seasons of content, and are initially inaccessible to MWIII owners, unless the specific Weapon Unlock Challenge for that weapon has been completed.
To reiterate: If you haven’t played MWII and pick up MWIII, the full complement of MWII weapons will be available, but only after the associated weapon challenges in MWIII are completed.
Therefore, Modern Warfare III players should expect the following Base weaponry accessible in the Gunsmith, at launch:
- An extensive and impressive number of Modern Warfare III–specific Base weapons (not revealed yet).
- The Base weapons available at the launch of Modern Warfare II at the level you progressed them to in MWII. If you do not own MWII, the same MWII Base weapons will be available in MWIII, ready to be unlocked via a challenge, and leveled up.
- Any Base weapons unlocked during a MWII Season, Event, or other unlock challenge (e.g., the Tonfa Base Melee weapon, available only as part of the Vondel Event in Season 04).
Do all attachments in Modern Warfare II also carry forward? Can I use MWII attachments on Modern Warfare III weapons?
Yes.
All Modern Warfare II attachments will be available in Modern Warfare III and can also be used on MWIII weapons, assuming they are attachable to the weapon in question.
Will Modern Warfare II Weapon Camos, including Mastery Camos and those awarded for completing Events, be carried forward?
Yes.
All Weapon Camos will carry forward into Modern Warfare III. Limited-time Event Camos that were available only during a certain period are accessible if you unlocked them in Modern Warfare II at that time.
Can a player use a Modern Warfare II Camo on a Modern Warfare III weapon? Can a player use a MWIII Camo on a MWII weapon? What about “completionist” Camos?
No.
Modern Warfare II Camos cannot be equipped on Modern Warfare III weapons, and vice versa. However, you can equip a previously locked MWII Camo onto a MWII weapon in MWIII if you fulfill the unlock criteria in MWIII.
Can a player level up a Modern Warfare II weapon in both games?
Yes.
Weapon progression will continuously update between games.
If a Tactical or Lethal Weapon has a Skin (like the “Wumpa Grenade” from “Tracer Pack: Crash™ Bandicoot”), do they carry forward?
Yes, provided the tactical or lethal is accessible and available for use in MWIII.
Is there a reason to purchase Modern Warfare II if all the weapons are available in Modern Warfare III?
Yes.
You would be able to have some or all of your Modern Warfare II weaponry arsenal fully leveled up and unlocked, along with their associated Camos, ready for Modern Warfare III launch, providing you put in the appropriate time to unlock and level up this content in MWII, prior to – or even after – playing MWIII.
Cosmetics
Do Weapon Charms (including Weapon Mastery Charms), Weapon Stickers (including Decals), Emblems, and Loading Screens all carry forward?
Yes.
What about Vehicle Skins, Wartracks, and Calling Cards?
Generally, yes.
Caveat: Some MWII vehicles, and Wartracks will not be available to use in Modern Warfare III.
Note: Challenges within MWII (e.g., Seasonal Prestige Challenges allowing Calling Cards to be unlocked) can be unlocked only in MWII, but unlocked Calling Cards (including those you go back and unlock in MWII) will carry forward.
Are there any Modern Warfare II cosmetics that won’t be supported in Modern Warfare III?
Generally, no, aside from the following caveats:
Some vehicle Skins may not be available (see Question 15).
Wartracks will not carry forward.
Some Tactical and Lethal equipment may not be available depending on the removing of those items in MWIII, to be replaced with MWIII-only equipment.
Exact Tactical and Lethal equipment within MWIII will be revealed at a later date.
Otherwise, all this Modern Warfare II cosmetics will be usable in Modern Warfare III. However, as with Operators and Weapons, any cosmetic item with a limited time unlock won’t be available unless it was unlocked in MWII at the appropriate time.
General Questions
How do I know whether a Modern Warfare II Store Bundle features content that can be used in Modern Warfare III?
Due to the labelling denoting that the content is usable in both games. This labelling is scheduled to be visible in the MWII store starting on August 16.
In general, what happens if I purchase Modern Warfare III first, and then purchase Modern Warfare II? Will the MWII content still be shared?
Generally, yes.
If you own both games, you’ll have both sets of content, no matter when you purchase. Weapon progression will continuously update between games (see Question 11), and if an Operator is unlocked in Modern Warfare II (via a Campaign, Multiplayer, or a Special Ops Challenge), that (Base) Operator will then become available to use in Modern Warfare III as well.
Does all Carry Forward content work in a “Carry Back” capacity? For example, can I use unlocked Modern Warfare III content in Modern Warfare II?
No.
There is no “carry back” from Modern Warfare III to Modern Warfare II. No MWIII content will be playable in MWII.
Stay one step ahead and prepare for additional and detailed intel over the course of the coming weeks regarding all aspects of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.
