Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta: Dates, Start Time, Level Cap & Rewards

The Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta is live now and completely free for everyone. You can play through September 1 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam, Battle.net, and Nintendo Switch 2.

The Open Beta raises the level cap to Level 30 and adds Lithium, Hijack, new weapon unlocks, and 44-player Warzone Resurgence on Zodiac. MW4 also now has a longer TTK, weaker aim assist, slower movement, and major weapon balancing compared with the first Beta weekend.

• 01Open Beta Overview→
• 02What's Playable→
• 03Maps & Modes→
• 04TTK, Movement & Aim Assist→
• 05Weapons→
• 06Level 30 Progression→
• 07Beta Rewards→
• 08Warzone & Ground War→
• 09PC Requirements & Download→
• 10FAQ→

Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta Quick Overview

Here are the most important MW4 Beta details right now:

Is the MW4 Beta Live?

Yes. The Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta is live now.

It runs until September 1 at 10 AM PT / 7 PM CEST. Unlike the first Beta weekend, the Open Beta does not require a preorder, invitation, or Beta code.

Simply download the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta through your platform's digital store and launch it.

Supported platforms are:

• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X|S
• Xbox on PC
• Steam
• Battle.net
• Nintendo Switch 2

Players who already participated in the first Beta weekend can continue using the same Beta installation. Their Player Level and normal Beta progression carry forward.

What Can You Play in the MW4 Open Beta Right Now?

The Open Beta combines Multiplayer, Warzone, Campaign, Gunfight, and movement training in one test.

The current Open Beta offering includes:

• Quick Play: Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, Kill Confirmed, Search & Destroy, Inflation, and Hijack
• Open Moshpit: Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, and Kill Confirmed with reduced skill consideration
• Hijack: New 6v6 objective mode
• 10v10 Gunfight: Played on the dynamic Kill Block environment
• Mobility Course: Movement training and timed challenges
• Zodiac Resurgence Quads: 44-player Warzone Resurgence
• Entrenched: Complete Campaign mission
• Player progression: Level 1 through Level 30

Ground War: Combat Outpost joins the Open Beta on Saturday, August 29, with 24v24 matches on Imjin Farmlands and Wolves Stadium.

MW4 Open Beta Maps

The Open Beta has six core 6v6 Multiplayer maps:

• Rooftops: Snow-covered New York rooftops with elevated walkways and multiple flanking paths.
• Silkworm: A dense South Korean shopping district built around streets, stores, alleys, and apartments.
• Transit 213: An overgrown bus depot in India with buses, open sightlines, and concealed routes.
• Cachette: A French hideout near a rail terminal with containers, interiors, rooftops, and short flanking routes.
• Lotus: A Korean fishing village with interiors, streets, shops, and varied elevation.
• Lithium: An industrial lithium processing facility in rural Mexico with machinery, garage doors, and longer sightlines.

Hardpoint is temporarily disabled on Rooftops because of a spawn issue. The map remains available in other supported modes.

Kill Block is separate from the normal 6v6 map pool and is used for Gunfight.

Read more: MW4 Beta Maps & Modes: Every Map, Mode & Weekend Schedule

MW4 Open Beta Modes

There are seven core 6v6 modes available during the Open Beta:

• Team Deathmatch
• Domination
• Hardpoint
• Kill Confirmed
• Search & Destroy
• Inflation
• Hijack

Team Deathmatch now plays to 100 points, while Kill Confirmed plays to 75 points.

What Is Hijack?

Hijack is a new objective mode built around a Data Spike.

Teams fight for control of the Spike and attempt to move it toward the enemy Comm Station. The carrier can run with it, throw it, or pass it to a teammate.

Planting the Data Spike generates points while defenders attempt to reach the objective and defuse it.

What Is Inflation?

Inflation rewards players for collecting cash dropped by eliminated enemies.

Players carrying large amounts of cash become marked as High Value Targets. Killing an HVT lets you steal their money, creating a risk-versus-reward system where the richest players also become the most valuable targets.

Is Search & Destroy in the MW4 Beta?

Yes. Search & Destroy is available in the Open Beta with full Create a Class support.

Each player has one life per round. Attackers attempt to plant the bomb at one of two sites while defenders try to stop or defuse it.

MW4 Open Beta TTK, Movement & Aim Assist

The Open Beta plays differently from the first MW4 Beta weekend. Infinity Ward has changed several core systems to slow combat slightly and reduce some of the strongest movement and aiming assists.

The most important current gameplay changes are:

• Longer TTK: Every weapon available in the Beta has received balance tuning designed to slightly increase overall time-to-kill.
• Reduced aim assist: Aim assist has been weakened in both Multiplayer and Warzone.
• No default Tactical Sprint: Tactical Sprint now requires the Blood Rush Perk.
• Tactical Sprint speed reduced by 4%.
• Slide distance reduced by 10%.
• Slide speed reduced by 9%.
• Slide-to-jump delay increased.
• Stamina reduced by 8%.
• Pistol and Combat Knife sprint speeds increased.

Tactical Sprint still exists, but you need to equip Blood Rush to access it. Its sprint-to-fire delay now matches normal sprint, helping aggressive players use it without the previous firing penalty.

MW4 still supports Mantle Slides, Mantle Steering, Supine Slides, Pipe Climbing, Hang Leaning, Climbing Jumps, and other traversal mechanics. The overall goal is now a more grounded pace while keeping those movement options available.

MW4 Spawn Changes

Spawn logic has also been adjusted to create more separation between opposing players and reduce spawning directly beside teammates.

Hardpoint received additional spawn tuning, although Hardpoint on Rooftops is temporarily unavailable because of a spawn bug.

Players also receive temporary Battle Hardened protection after spawning, reducing the immediate effect of Flash and Concussion Grenades.

MW4 Killstreak Changes

All Killstreaks now require one additional kill compared with their original Beta costs.

Several powerful streaks are also weaker:

• UAV health reduced by 60%.
• UAV flight height reduced by 12%.
• Artillery Beacon missiles reduced from 6 to 5.
• Artillery Beacon damage and knockdown areas reduced.

These changes make streaks less dominant and place more emphasis on gunfights and objective play.

MW4 Beta Weapons

The Beta includes 22 accessible weapons across nine weapon classes.

There are 19 normal Multiplayer weapons, with three more accessed through Default Loadouts or the Entrenched Campaign mission.

The Beta arsenal includes:

• 6 Assault Rifles: Han 86, M4, Hyeon Burst, Kastov 762, Patriot XMR, Axion
• 4 SMGs: ISO Nightshade, PPSh-41, X-58 Nyx, Wz. 55 Striga
• 1 Shotgun: Rezi 12
• 2 LMGs: FiNN LMG, Type 73
• 2 Marksman Rifles: MAR-9, Oris 8.6
• 2 Sniper Rifles: KG-7 Vulcan, Signal .50
• 3 Pistols: Krait P68, .50 GS, Sang 9mm
• 1 Launcher: PILA
• 1 Melee Weapon: Combat Knife

The Axion and Sang 9mm are available through Default Loadouts, while the Wz. 55 Striga appears in the Entrenched Campaign mission.

The Level 21 to 30 weapon unlocks are:

• Level 21: Kastov 762 Assault Rifle
• Level 23: .50 GS Pistol
• Level 25: Patriot XMR Assault Rifle
• Level 27: X-58 Nyx SMG
• Level 30: Signal .50 Sniper Rifle

Every Beta weapon has been retuned for the current longer-TTK balance. Sniper Rifles also receive 28% more flinch, while Marksman Rifles receive 17% more flinch when taking fire.

Read more: All MW4 Beta Weapons & How to Unlock Them

Gunsmith, Apex Attachments & Gunny

Gunsmith lets you customize your weapons and test builds in the Firing Range before entering a match.

Most supported weapons also have an Apex Attachment. These are special upgrades earned by fully leveling a compatible weapon.

Apex Attachments are equipped separately and do not consume a normal attachment slot.

Standard compatible attachments only need to be unlocked once before they can be used on other supported weapons, reducing repeated attachment grinding.

MW4 also includes Gunny, an optional build assistant that recommends Short Range, Long Range, or Balanced setups using attachments you have already unlocked.

Read more: MW4 Apex Attachments: How to Unlock Them

What Is the MW4 Beta Level Cap?

The MW4 Open Beta level cap is Level 30.

New players begin at Level 1. Players who participated in the first Beta weekend keep their previous Player Level and can continue progressing toward Level 30.

Every Multiplayer match awards Player XP and unlocks more weapons, Equipment, Perks, Field Upgrades, Killstreaks, and cosmetic rewards.

Create a Class unlocks at Level 4.

MW4 Beta Level 21-30 Unlocks

The final ten Player Levels contain several important weapons and rewards:

• Level 21: Kastov 762 Assault Rifle
• Level 22: Trip Wire Lethal
• Level 23: .50 GS Pistol, Heartbeat Sensor, Field Tested Epic Spray
• Level 24: Missile Salvo Killstreak, Ghost Perk
• Level 25: Patriot XMR Assault Rifle, Inflatable Decoy
• Level 26: Combat Drone Killstreak, Thermite, Beta Rights Epic Loading Screen
• Level 27: X-58 Nyx SMG
• Level 28: Molotov Cocktail, Battle Hardened Perk
• Level 29: Smoke Wall Field Upgrade, Shock Stick
• Level 30: Signal .50 Sniper Rifle, Cold-Blooded Perk, Beta Forged Han 86 Weapon Blueprint

MW4 Beta Daily Challenges

Daily Challenges award bonus XP and can help you reach Level 30 faster.

Challenges can also be rerolled if you receive an objective you do not want to complete.

Your current Player Level, XP, unlocks, and upcoming rewards can be checked through Career Profile → Progression.

MW4 Beta Rewards

The Modern Warfare 4 Beta has eight main Player Level rewards, with the final reward unlocked at Level 30.


The complete reward track is:

• Level 4: Through the Paces Legendary Emblem
• Level 8: First Served Weapon Charm
• Level 12: Meonjeo Legendary Weapon Sticker
• Level 16: Last Charge Legendary Calling Card
• Level 20: Dread Tiger Reece Operator Skin
• Level 23: Field Tested Epic Spray
• Level 26: Beta Rights Epic Loading Screen
• Level 30: Beta Forged Han 86 Weapon Blueprint

These rewards are limited to the Beta. If you unlock them now, they remain tied to your Activision account and become available in the full Modern Warfare 4 game.

Litmus Camo

The Litmus Camo has a separate challenge and is not unlocked through Player Levels.

To earn Litmus, you need to:

Get 1,500 Operator Kills during the Modern Warfare 4 Beta.

Only eliminations against enemy players count toward the challenge.

The challenge must be completed before the Beta ends on September 1.

Read more: How to Unlock Litmus Camo in MW4 Beta

Additional MW4 Beta Rewards

Other rewards available during the Beta include:

• Clockwork Charm from the Mobility Course Challenge
• Combat Record Weapon Blueprint
• Combat Record Emblem
• Combat Record Charm
• 3 default Emblems
• 3 default Calling Cards
• 1 default Spray
• 3 default Loading Screens

You can also earn MW4 Beta Twitch Drops by watching eligible streams:

• 15 minutes: Get Tactical Emblem
• 30 minutes: Clearing House Calling Card
• 45 minutes: Action Ready Charm

Read more: MW4 Beta Rewards: All Rewards, Levels & How to Unlock Them

MW4 Beta Combat Record

You can view your Beta performance through the official MW4 Beta Stats page by signing into your Activision account.

Stats may take up to 20 minutes to appear.

Does MW4 Beta Progress Carry Over?

Progress carries between the two Beta weekends, but normal Beta progression does not carry into the full game.

If you played during the first weekend, your Player Level, weapon progression, and unlocks remain available now.

Using the same Activision account also allows Beta progression to continue between supported platforms through cross-progression.

When Modern Warfare 4 launches, the following reset:

• Player Level
• Weapon progression
• Weapon unlocks
• Normal Beta gameplay progression

Beta-specific cosmetic rewards are different. Rewards you successfully unlock remain linked to your account and are available in the full game.

MW4 Beta Create a Class & Operators

Create a Class unlocks at Level 4 and supports up to 12 Custom Loadouts.

Each loadout can contain its own Operator, Primary Weapon, Secondary Weapon, Melee Weapon, Tactical, Lethal, Field Upgrade, Perks, and Killstreaks.

The Beta includes:

• 21 Operators
• 9 Tactical Equipment items
• 11 Lethal Equipment items
• 11 Field Upgrades
• 18 Perks
• 17 Killstreaks
• Pick 3 Perk system
• Up to 3 Killstreaks per Custom Loadout

Operators are assigned individually to loadouts and can have different appearances, voices, and Finishing Moves. They do not provide gameplay advantages.

How Smart Streaks Work

MW4 Killstreaks are mainly earned through consecutive eliminations, but the Smart Streak system also rewards objective play.

Actions such as capturing a Domination flag, holding a Hardpoint, or planting the Data Spike in Hijack can contribute toward your Killstreak Meter.

Is Warzone in the MW4 Beta?

Yes. Warzone Zodiac Resurgence is live now.

The Beta features 44-player Resurgence Quads on the new Zodiac map. Casual Resurgence Quads can also rotate into the Open Beta playlist.

Zodiac is set at the DRC Advanced Systems drone assembly and weapons manufacturing headquarters in South Korea.

The ten named Zodiac areas are:

• Admin
• Solar
• Old Mines
• Dispatch
• Trackline
• R&D
• Depot
• Furnace
• Sentinel
• Cooling

The map includes rooftops, offices, industrial buildings, train routes, shipping areas, shoreline positions, and an underground tunnel network.

Interactive elements include moving solar panels, furnace conveyor belts, trains, dynamic warning signs, and fuel barrels that can be detonated during fights.

Does Zodiac Have Custom Loadouts?

No. Custom Loadouts are disabled during the Zodiac Beta.

Players instead use hand-built Default Loadouts and ground loot. Available Default Loadout styles include Assault Rifle, SMG, LMG, and Sniper builds.

Warzone also uses its own tuning for damage ranges, bullet velocity, ADS speed, sprint-to-fire speed, and mobility rather than copying every Multiplayer value directly.

Other Zodiac Beta features include:

• Fuel barrels that can be detonated around the map
• SAM Turret Field Upgrade for fighting aerial threats
• Recon Contracts that can reward an Insight Killstreak for Circle information
• Supply Run Contracts that provide discounts and upgraded Buy Station items

As with normal Resurgence, eliminated squad members can redeploy while at least one teammate remains alive. Eliminations and Contracts can shorten the redeploy timer.

Read more: Is Warzone in the MW4 Beta? Zodiac Map, Dates & How to Play

Is Ground War in the MW4 Beta?

Yes. Ground War: Combat Outpost joins the Open Beta on Saturday, August 29.

The mode supports 24v24 combat across two large maps:

• Imjin Farmlands
• Wolves Stadium

Combat Outpost uses large objective areas that teams fight to capture. Controlled Outposts generate points and can also become additional spawn positions for your team.

Teams can reinforce captured locations and gain access to support such as Local UAV coverage, JLTV vehicle drops, and Light Tanks.

Imjin Farmlands offers open fields, waterways, farms, roads, rail lines, and longer engagement distances.

Wolves Stadium is more urban, with buildings, rooftops, tunnels, vertical routes, and the stadium district itself.

Can You Play Campaign in the MW4 Beta?

Yes. The Open Beta includes the complete Entrenched Campaign mission.

The mission follows a large-scale assault involving infantry and armored vehicles as friendly forces attempt to stop a strategically important nuclear power station from falling into enemy hands.

It is the first complete Call of Duty Campaign mission made playable as part of a Call of Duty Beta.

Read more: Is Campaign in the MW4 Beta? Entrenched Mission Explained

What Is the MW4 Mobility Course?

The Mobility Course is a training area built around MW4's movement and weapon handling systems.

It teaches movement through guided Tutorials before allowing you to attempt timed courses.

The Course includes Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert challenges with ratings ranging from C- to S.

Completing its Beta challenge unlocks the Clockwork Charm.

Does the MW4 Beta Have SBMM?

The Open Beta includes normal Quick Play and a separate Open Moshpit playlist.

Open Moshpit uses Open Matchmaking, which places less emphasis on player skill when creating lobbies. This creates a wider range of player skill levels and match outcomes.

Skill is not confirmed to be completely removed from matchmaking, and Activision has not published the exact weighting used.

The current Open Moshpit includes:

• Team Deathmatch
• Domination
• Hardpoint
• Kill Confirmed

Read more: Does MW4 Have SBMM? Beta Matchmaking & Open Playlists Explained

MW4 Open Beta on Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2 is supported in the Open Beta.

Switch 2 players can download the Beta from Nintendo eShop and play with users on other supported platforms through cross-play.

Supported Switch 2 features include:

• Joy-Con 2 mouse controls
• Gyro controls
• Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
• HDR
• Handheld play
• Cross-play
• Cross-progression

A linked Activision account, internet connection, and Nintendo Switch Online membership are required for Multiplayer.

Switch 2 Open Beta players also receive temporary access to selected Vault Edition content, including:

• Hostile Alliance Operator Pack
• Special Forces Operator Pack
• Five Signature Weapon Blueprints

This temporary Vault Edition access does not mean you own the content for the full game.

MW4 Beta PC Requirements

The official minimum and recommended PC specifications are:
All PC players also need DirectX 12, broadband internet, TPM 2.0, and Secure Boot.

Recommended Beta GPU drivers are:

• NVIDIA: 610.47
• AMD: 26.7.1
• Intel: 32.0.101.8861

Some PCs can still experience Secure Attestation problems even when TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot appear to be enabled correctly.

Read more: How to Enable TPM 2.0 & Secure Boot for the MW4 Beta

How to Download the MW4 Beta

The MW4 Open Beta can be downloaded directly through your platform storefront.

Search for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta and install the Beta application.

The Beta is available on:

• PlayStation Store
• Xbox Store
• Steam
• Battle.net
• Nintendo eShop

The MW4 Beta is a separate download from the normal Call of Duty application.

No preorder or Beta code is required.

Read more: How to Download the MW4 Beta: Date, Time & Platforms

Modern Warfare 4 Beta FAQ

Is the MW4 Beta live?

Yes. The free MW4 Open Beta is live now and runs until September 1 at 10 AM PT / 7 PM CEST.

Is the MW4 Beta free?

Yes. No preorder or Beta code is required to play the Open Beta.

What is the MW4 Beta level cap?

The current level cap is Level 30.

What maps are in the MW4 Open Beta?

The six core maps are Rooftops, Silkworm, Transit 213, Cachette, Lotus, and Lithium.

What modes are in the MW4 Open Beta?

The seven core modes are Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, Kill Confirmed, Search & Destroy, Inflation, and Hijack.

Is Hijack live in the MW4 Beta?

Yes. Hijack is playable during the Open Beta.

Is Search & Destroy in the MW4 Beta?

Yes. Search & Destroy is available through Quick Play.

Is Gunfight in the MW4 Beta?

Yes. 10v10 Gunfight on Kill Block is available at Open Beta launch.

Is Warzone in the MW4 Beta?

Yes. 44-player Zodiac Resurgence Quads is live now.

Does Zodiac have Custom Loadouts?

No. Zodiac uses Default Loadouts and ground loot during the Beta.

Is Ground War live?

Ground War: Combat Outpost joins the Open Beta on Saturday, August 29 with 24v24 matches.

Is MW4 TTK longer now?

Yes. Every Beta weapon has received balance changes designed to slightly increase overall TTK.

Was MW4 aim assist nerfed?

Yes. Aim assist has been reduced in both Multiplayer and Warzone.

Does MW4 have Tactical Sprint?

Yes, but it is not enabled by default. Tactical Sprint now requires the Blood Rush Perk.

Was sliding nerfed?

Yes. Slide distance was reduced by 10%, slide speed was reduced by 9%, and the delay before jumping out of a slide was increased.

Why can't I play Hardpoint on Rooftops?

Hardpoint is temporarily disabled on Rooftops because of a spawn issue.

How many weapons are in the MW4 Beta?

There are 22 accessible weapons across nine weapon classes.

What weapons unlock from Level 21 to 30?

The major weapon unlocks are Kastov 762 at Level 21, .50 GS at Level 23, Patriot XMR at Level 25, X-58 Nyx at Level 27, and Signal .50 at Level 30.

How do you unlock Litmus Camo?

Get 1,500 Operator Kills before the MW4 Beta ends.

What is the Level 30 Beta reward?

The final Player Level reward is the Beta Forged Han 86 Weapon Blueprint.

Does Beta progress carry into the full game?

No. Normal Player Level and weapon progression reset. Beta-specific rewards you unlock carry over.

Does Beta progression carry between platforms?

Yes, when you use the same linked Activision account.

Can you play the MW4 Campaign in the Beta?

Yes. The complete Entrenched Campaign mission is playable.

Is the MW4 Beta on Nintendo Switch 2?

Yes. Nintendo Switch 2 supports the Open Beta with cross-play and cross-progression.

Does the MW4 Beta have SBMM?

Standard Quick Play uses normal matchmaking, while Open Moshpit uses reduced skill consideration.

When does the MW4 Beta end?

The Open Beta ends September 1 at 10 AM PT / 7 PM CEST.