Can You Play Warzone 2 Without MW2?

Can You Play Warzone 2 Without MW2?
Images via Activision

Written by 

Tarran Stockton

Published 

18th Nov 2022 16:34

If you're reading this, then you are wondering, can you play Warzone 2 without MW2? Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2 have both recently released, ushering in a new era of COD for players who enjoy the multiplayer and battle royale modes. MW2 had a much better launch than Warzone 2, which has been tumultuous to say the least, due to various bugs and issues. So, if you're wondering if you can play Warzone 2 without MW2, we've got you covered. 

Can You Play Warzone 2 Without MW2?

Can You Play Warzone 2 Without MW2?
Click to enlarge

The short answer is that you do not need Modern Warfare 2 to play Warzone 2, though both games are very closely linked from sharing a client, battle pass, and much more. This was also the case for the Modern Warfare 2019 reboot and the first Warzone, as the currently released COD game always informs the content of Warzone, from weapons, to the map, to the Operators, and more. 

It's also worth noting that you will need to pay for Modern Warfare 2, while Warzone is completely free on all platforms, meaning those who can't afford MW2 still have an up-to-date COD game they can experience. However, there are benefits to owning MW2 if you play Warzone 2

Firstly, you can grind out weapon levels in multiplayer matches to make your loadouts more effective in Warzone, while it's much harder to level them up in the latter game alone. There are also certain cosmetics that are locked off from players who don't have MW2, ranging from Operator skins, to calling cards. From a gameplay standpoint though, you won't miss anything, and you can enjoy Warzone 2 plenty without purchasing its sister game. 

That's all for our answer to the question, can you play Warzone 2 without MW2? Now you know that while there are benefits to owning MW2, you can play Warzone 2 just fine without it.

Check out how to get the Warzone 2 revive pistol, which is a vital weapon for keeping your team alive. 


Tarran Stockton
About the author
Tarran Stockton
Tarran is a Senior Guides Writer at GGRecon. He previously wrote reviews for his college newspaper before studying Media and Communication at university. His favourite genres include role-playing games, strategy games, and boomer shooters - along with anything indie. You can also find him in the pit at local hardcore shows.
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