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Modern Warfare 4 launches with 12 Field Upgrades, 9 Tacticals and 11 Lethals in Multiplayer, 32 pieces of equipment in all. Six are ready at Level 4 when Create-a-Class opens: the Portable Radar, DDOS, Frag Grenade, Sticky Grenade, Flash Grenade and Smoke Grenade. The last to unlock is the Screamer Mine at Player Level 53; C4 comes at 43 and the Throwing Knife at 49.
Every level below is from Activision’s Ready for Launch loadout post of October 19, 2026, and matches the level-by-level appendix in its Progression post. Equipment unlocks by Player Level, which our MW4 rank boost covers from Level 1 to 55; it shows as Coming Soon until the October 23 launch.
All 12 MW4 Field Upgrades, unlock levels and recharge speed
Field Upgrades are the devices that recharge during a match after you use them. Activision rates each one’s recharge as Fast, Medium or Slow but gives no times in seconds.
| Field Upgrade | Unlocks at | Recharge | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable Radar | Level 4 | Medium | Periodic radar ping that detects nearby enemies |
| DDOS | Level 4 | Fast | Pulse that briefly jams nearby enemy electronics and sensors |
| Munitions Box | Level 6 | Medium | Ammo and equipment for you and your team |
| SAM Airburst Turret | Level 8 | Slow | Portable missile turret against aerial threats |
| Riot Shield | Level 11 | Medium | Destructible shield you plant as cover |
| Trophy System | Level 14 | Fast | Destroys up to three airborne projectiles; larger targets take several shots |
| Seeker Drone | Level 19 | Slow | Drone that hunts nearby enemies and snapshots them |
| Inflatable Decoy | Level 25 | Medium | Proximity or manual decoy dummy |
| Smoke Wall | Level 29 | Medium | Hand-held rocket that lays a long smoke trail |
| Recon Drone | Level 33 | Slow | Remote drone with manual and auto marking |
| Razor Wire Trap | Level 41 | Medium | Proximity mine that snares enemies in barbed wire |
| Tactical Insertion | Level 45 | Medium | Marks your next spawn point |
The two Fast-recharge options are the DDOS and the Trophy System. The Resupply perk, which unlocks at Level 31, also speeds up Field Upgrade charge; our MW4 perks list has the rest.
MW4 Rank Boost (Level 1–55)Rank boost to Level 55. The last Field Upgrade, Tactical Insertion, unlocks at Level 45.Coming soonView offerAll 11 MW4 Lethals and when they unlock
Lethals are limited per life and are meant to damage or kill. Two are available at Level 4.
| Lethal | Unlocks at | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Frag Grenade | Level 4 | Cookable fragmentation grenade |
| Sticky Grenade | Level 4 | Timed sticky grenade |
| Drill Charge | Level 7 | Burrows through surfaces, then explodes |
| Proximity Mine | Level 13 | Launches and detonates in the air; can stick to passing vehicles |
| Zip Gun | Level 17 | 3D-printed single-use pistol for close range |
| Trip Wire | Level 22 | Thrown trap; several can link into one network |
| Thermite | Level 26 | Sticky incendiary, heavy damage to vehicles and armour |
| Molotov Cocktail | Level 28 | Bursts on impact and leaves burning pools |
| Claymore | Level 37 | Proximity-activated mine |
| C4 | Level 43 | Sticks to surfaces, detonated remotely |
| Throwing Knife | Level 49* | Retrievable, lethal on impact |
* Both Activision unlock lists put the Throwing Knife at Level 49. One worked example in the same Progression post says “Level 48”. We go with the two tables.
All 9 MW4 Tacticals and when they unlock
Tacticals are also limited per life. They disorient, gather intel, disable electronics or heal.
| Tactical | Unlocks at | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Grenade | Level 4 | Blinds and deafens |
| Smoke Grenade | Level 4 | Blocks vision and automated targeting |
| Snapshot Grenade | Level 10 | Briefly reveals enemies nearby to your team |
| Concussion Grenade | Level 15 | Slows reactions and blurs vision |
| Heartbeat Sensor | Level 23 | Tablet that shows nearby enemies |
| Shock Stick | Level 29 | Electrocutes enemies, destroys equipment, disrupts vehicles |
| Decoy Grenade | Level 42 | Fakes gunfire, movement and radar signatures |
| Stim | Level 47 | Starts health regen, refreshes Tactical Sprint, eases flash and stun |
| Screamer Mine | Level 53 | Proximity mine that suppresses and marks enemies in range |
The Stim comes late at Level 47, and the Screamer Mine at 53 is the last equipment unlock in the game. The Battle Hardened perk, available from Level 12, reduces the effect of enemy Tacticals.
What unlocks at each level: MW4 equipment in order
- Level 4: Portable Radar, DDOS, Frag Grenade, Sticky Grenade, Flash Grenade, Smoke Grenade
- Level 6: Munitions Box · 7: Drill Charge · 8: SAM Airburst Turret
- Level 10: Snapshot Grenade · 11: Riot Shield · 13: Proximity Mine · 14: Trophy System · 15: Concussion Grenade
- Level 17: Zip Gun · 19: Seeker Drone · 22: Trip Wire · 23: Heartbeat Sensor · 25: Inflatable Decoy
- Level 26: Thermite · 28: Molotov Cocktail · 29: Shock Stick and Smoke Wall · 33: Recon Drone
- Level 37: Claymore · 41: Razor Wire Trap · 42: Decoy Grenade · 43: C4 · 45: Tactical Insertion
- Level 47: Stim · 49: Throwing Knife · 53: Screamer Mine
Activision notes that this is the Multiplayer list. DMZ uses a different set of equipment, made at the 3D Printer, which includes many of these items. Weapons share the same level track; see our MW4 weapon unlock levels guide. If you choose Classic Prestige, these relock, except any you keep with a Permanent Unlock Token; Activision suggests spending your Permanent Unlock Token on equipment, Field Upgrades, perks or killstreaks rather than weapons, as our Classic vs Regular Prestige guide explains.
MW4 levelling services for equipment unlocks
All 32 items are tied to Player Level, so these are the services that get you there faster. The boosts are listed as Coming Soon until launch.
MW4 Rank Boost (Level 1–55)Rank boost from Level 1 to 55, past the Screamer Mine at Level 53.Coming soonView offer
MW4 Double XP + Double Weapon XP Tokens (60 Min Each)Double XP and Double Weapon XP tokens, 60 minutes each.From $8.99View offer
MW4 Prestige Boost (Classic or Regular)Prestige boost, Classic or Regular. Classic relocks equipment unlocks, except items kept with a Permanent Unlock Token.Coming soonView offerFrequently asked questions
How many Field Upgrades are in MW4?
12 at launch, from the Portable Radar and DDOS at Level 4 to the Tactical Insertion at Level 45.
What level is C4 in MW4?
Player Level 43.
What level is the Stim in MW4?
Player Level 47.
What level is the Throwing Knife in MW4?
Level 49 in both of Activision’s unlock lists. One example in its Progression post says Level 48.
Which Field Upgrades recharge fastest in MW4?
The DDOS and Trophy System are the only two Activision rates as Fast. It has not published recharge times in seconds.
Is DMZ equipment the same as Multiplayer?
No. Activision says DMZ has a different set, which includes many of the Multiplayer items.
Sources and update history
- Activision, Ready for Launch: All Modern Warfare 4 Operators, Weapons, Equipment, and Multiplayer Create-a-Class Features, October 19, 2026 — Equipment Details: unlock tables, descriptions, recharge speeds, DMZ note.
- Activision, Ready for Launch: Modern Warfare 4 Progression and Prestige, October 19, 2026 — level appendix (all 32 levels match), Permanent Unlock Token advice, Throwing Knife “Level 48” example.
Update history: Published October 21, 2026. Facts last checked October 21, 2026 against the sources above.
