MW3 offers players a solid multiplayer experience with a generous serving of nostalgia. Many things players know and love from the original MW2 are here, but one odd new addition is the Armory. This new system is convoluted at best, so let me show you the Armory Unlocks System in Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) Explained.
Related: How do Contraband Weapons work in Modern Warfare Zombies? Explained
What is the Armory in MW3?
Upon reaching level 25, players can access the Armory, a new system for unlocking items. You can browse the Armory from the lobby by pressing Y on Xbox or Triangle on PlayStation. The Armory has drawn ire from the community because it time-gates progress and puts a barrier in front of players who just want to enjoy their favorite items.
I’ve played every Call of Duty game from the last ten years, and the nicest thing I can say about the Armory is, “At least it’s not CoD Vanguard’s Loot Boxes.” Its inclusion feels wholly unnecessary, but since we’re stuck with it, here’s how it works.
How to use the Armory in MW3
Every item in the Armory costs points, and you can only obtain 4 per day. You earn points by completing Daily Challenges and can get three daily from the Multiplayer Mode. You receive one more point to spend if you finish all three daily tasks in Modern Warfare Zombies. If you manage to complete every Daily Challenge, multiplayer wins grant more points. This is good in theory, but some Challenges demand the use of items you may not have unlocked yet.
Items must be placed in a queue to allocate points to them, and this is where it gets confusing. Even if an item is obtainable in the Armory, it may have another way to unlock it.
Take the MK. 3 Reflector Optic, for example. It costs 2 points in the Armory, but if you check the Optics page for a weapon, it clearly states it can be unlocked by leveling the MTZ-556 to level 2.
Considering the limit on daily points, it’s pretty sneaky, but I digress.
I recommend checking the Armory menu frequently and only queueing one item at a time to ensure your points go where you want them. Unfortunately, you’ll need to micromanage to get the most from the Armory system.
What items should I unlock in the Armory first?
There’s no ‘correct’ order to unlock Armory items, but I recommend prioritizing these two items:
- Ghost T/V Camo
- Covert Sneakers
UAVs are incredibly powerful, and the Ghost T/V Camo stops you from showing up on their scans. Covert Sneakers are MW3’s version of the popular Dead Silence Perk and are great counters to players who sit in corners listening for audio cues.
