“I like to keep this for close encounters.” – Gaz, Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare®

Throughout your time playing Modern Warfare – or even before you loaded into your first Multiplayer match – you may have come across a weapon blueprint.

These weapons can offer further cosmetic customization to your Operator’s loadout, along with a few other benefits through its attachments.

Here’s a quick breakdown of this important game mechanic in three easy questions:

What is a weapon blueprint?

A weapon blueprint is variant of a weapon family within Modern Warfare. Weapon blueprints have different names than the base weapon in that family, or other weapon blueprints – e.g. instead of the Model 680 or The Ejector, a Shotgun Alpha blueprint can be called the "1337 Skeet". Blueprints also can have cosmetic differences, and may come pre-equipped with attachments.

These attachments are given to you on this specific blueprint without needing to level up the weapon to earn them. This way you can utilize specific cool attachments before you earn them by leveling up. You can still earn all weapon attachments organically and swap out – or add – attachments to weapon blueprints that are earned organically through leveling up that weapon.

In other words, weapon blueprints look cool and offer a few attachments you may not already have for that weapon, but can still earn in the long run.

How do I equip a weapon blueprint?

Equipping a weapon blueprint to a loadout can be done in the Loadout menu. After cycling through the primary or secondary weapon to find your desired weapon, look to the right of the base weapon to see an “Armory” button.

Press it, and you will see all weapon blueprints you currently have for that specific weapon.

Recap: Access Blueprints in the Multiplayer > Weapons > Armory Menu.

Select your desired blueprint, and it will be equipped to your loadout.

If you want to add or remove any attachments, that can be done as normal through the Gunsmith button within the Loadouts menu.

How can I earn weapon blueprints?

You may have a few blueprints already just by purchasing the game! In the weapons tab, you can see all weapon blueprints you currently own by entering the Armory section.

For example: below is an image of the Armory with the Hammer shotgun, earned by participating in the Modern Warfare Beta.

Those who have a digital copy of the game also received the XRK weapons pack, which comes with an XRK M4 and XRK .357.

If you purchased the Call of Duty Endowment Defender Pack, this netted you the Defender .357 revolver. Please note this Pack is no longer for sale.

Weapon blueprints can also be earned. Below, we show off the Piercer submachine gun, which you can get by completing the Boot Camp Multiplayer Mission set (accessed from the “Missions & Challenges” section of the Barracks Menu).

There will be other ways to add to your weapon blueprint arsenal, but for now, you should head over to the Armory and see what you have already!

For more information and the latest intel on Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare®, check out: www.callofduty.com, www.youtube.com/callofduty and follow @InfinityWard and @CallofDuty on Twitter and Instagram and Facebook.

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