In Black Ops 2, Prestige isn't just about showing off a shiny emblem. It resets your progression while letting you keep some of your most important long-term progress, including Camos, Weapon XP, weapon levels, and Challenges. Across 10 Prestige levels, you'll earn Unlock Tokens and additional Custom Class slots, eventually reaching Prestige Master with a level cap of 1,000. If you want to skip some of the tedious grind and get back to fully equipped gameplay faster, you can also check MMOexp for relevant Black Ops 2 Bot Lobbies.
Prestige 101: What Actually Gets Reset?
When you hit Level 55, you can choose to Prestige. The biggest catch is obvious: your character drops back to Level 1, and your unlocked weapons, equipment, perks, and Scorestreaks are locked again.
The good news? Your long-term accomplishments aren't simply deleted. Camo progress, Weapon XP, weapon levels, Challenges, emblems, and backgrounds remain intact.
That means Prestiging is much less painful if you're the type of player who cares about long-term weapon mastery rather than having every gun unlocked immediately.
Best for: Beginners and players considering their first Prestige. Benefit: Understand exactly what you lose and keep before committing, so you can Prestige without wasting progress.
The Full Prestige Roadmap: 10 Levels to Mastery
Black Ops 2 features 10 Prestige levels, followed by Prestige Master. Each Prestige requires 1,249,100 XP.
Prestige 1 gives you one Prestige Unlock Token and Custom Class Slot 6, while Prestiges 2, 3, and 4 unlock Slots 7, 8, and 9 respectively. Prestige 5 gives Slot 10, completing the maximum of 10 Custom Class slots.
From Prestige 6 through Prestige 9, you continue earning one Unlock Token per Prestige, but no additional class slots are added. Prestige 10 gives another Token, and reaching Level 55 at Prestige 10 unlocks Prestige Master.
At Prestige Master, your level cap jumps to 1,000, while the “Fresh Start” option is no longer available.
Best for: Dedicated grinders and completionists. Benefit: Know exactly what each milestone gives you and plan your progression toward Prestige Master efficiently.
Prestige Unlock Tokens: Don't Waste These Bad Boys
Every Prestige awards one Prestige Unlock Token, which permanently unlocks one item of your choice.
The key word is permanently. Even when another Prestige resets your normal unlocks, the item unlocked with your Token remains available.
There's one huge catch: Tokens don't stack. If you earn one and fail to spend it before your next Prestige, that unused Token is permanently lost.
For most players, the smartest early investment is a high-level weapon you rely on heavily. Unlocking a powerful Assault Rifle or SMG early can make those Level 1–40 stretches dramatically easier.
If you're more dependent on a particular Perk or Scorestreak, those can also be strong choices. Ghost or VSAT-style unlocks can make sense depending on your playstyle.
Best for: Competitive players and serious grinders. Benefit: Spend every Token wisely and avoid permanently losing valuable progression resources.
Prestige Awards: The Choice That Can Make or Break Your Grind
Each Prestige also gives you a Prestige Award, with three possible choices.
The first is Extra Custom Class, which adds another Custom Class slot. You can choose this option up to five times, taking you from the starting five slots to the maximum of 10.
The second option is Refund Tokens, which returns your previously spent Unlock Tokens so you can redistribute them.
The third is Fresh Start, which completely resets your account back to non-Prestige Level 1.
Here's the big rule: take Extra Custom Class during your first five Prestiges. If you choose another reward before reaching the 10-slot maximum, those missed slots may be permanently unavailable.
Once you reach Prestige Master, Fresh Start disappears permanently.
Best for: New Prestige players and completionists. Benefit: Avoid one of the biggest irreversible mistakes and secure all 10 Custom Class slots.
Character Prestige vs. Weapon Prestige: Don't Mix Them Up
Black Ops 2 also has a separate Weapon Prestige system, and it works completely differently from character Prestige.
Once you've unlocked all attachments for a weapon, you can Prestige that individual weapon. This resets its attachments, meaning you'll need to unlock them again, but your unlocked Camos remain safe.
Why bother? Weapon Prestige gives you special Calling Cards, Clan Tags, and Emblems, while re-unlocking attachments also provides additional XP.
So if you're chasing weapon mastery, Weapon Prestige isn't just cosmetic flexing—it can also give your progression another boost.
Best for: Weapon grinders, completionists, and camo hunters. Benefit: Understand the separate system and earn extra XP and exclusive cosmetic rewards.
Smart Prestige Moves Before You Reset
Before hitting the Prestige button, take a few minutes to prepare. Spend your remaining COD Points wisely, especially on cosmetic items such as emblems and backgrounds that remain after Prestige.
Next, decide how you'll spend future Unlock Tokens. If you're aiming for Prestige Master, having a plan prevents duplicate unlocks and wasted Tokens.
Finally, remember what happens after Prestige 10 Level 55. Prestige Master raises your level cap to 1,000, and there are no more full progression resets. From there, it's all about grinding levels, completing challenges, and showing off that Prestige Master status.
Best for: Long-term grinders and Prestige Master hunters. Benefit: Prepare your account before every reset and maximize the value of your entire progression journey.
Closing: Prestige Smart, Not Just Fast
Black Ops 2 Prestige is ultimately a trade-off: you sacrifice short-term unlocks for long-term progression, rewards, and bragging rights. The smartest approach is to secure your Custom Class slots early, spend every Unlock Token before it disappears, and use Prestige Awards according to your long-term goal.
Whether you're chasing Prestige Master, grinding weapon Camos, or simply want to flex that emblem in the lobby, knowing the system makes every reset feel less painful. buy COD Black Ops 2 Bot Lobbies from MMOexp to level up faster and stay ahead.
