At Level 55, the player can then gain more XP from the game until they unlock Prestige Mode, which is a feature only available in the console versions of the game. In Prestige mode, the player can trade in their rank, all unlocked weapons and completed challenges and start over at level 1, in exchange for a special in-game insignia by their name. The player can then rank up and trade in their rank with Prestige mode again, up to ten times, with a different insignia awarded each time. This effectively gives the player 605 total ranks to achieve.Leaderboard stats (kills, deaths, playing time, etc.) are not affected by Prestige mode.

    Most of the new weapons and perks that players can use to outfit their custom class are unlocked as they gain higher ranks, but there are also a number of challenges associated with each weapon that subsequently open up new weapon attachments as players complete them. These items include improved weapon sights, camoflauge patterns, and magnification scopes. These benefits, are unlocked after attaining a certain number of kills or headshots. Completing these challenges also gives the player XP.

    Completing all challenges in a specific weapons category unlocks golden guns. Though these guns do not effect gameplay, they are seen by some as an important status symbol and are much sought-after in the online community.

    The player can also call in Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAV, which brings up a form of motion-sensitive radar, depending on game type), air strikes, and attack helicopters by achieving a 3, 5, or 7 enemy player kill streak, respectively. Any kills obtained through the use of airstrikes and helicopters are subsequently added to the using player's score.