The three editions
| Edition | Price (US SRP) | Format | Early access | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Standard | $69.99 | PS5, Xbox, Steam, Battle.net, Switch 2 | Campaign Oct 16, DMZ Oct 20 | |
| Digital Vault | $99.99 | PS5, Xbox, Steam, Battle.net, Switch 2 | Campaign Oct 16, DMZ Oct 20 | |
| Physical Standard | $69.99 | PS5, Xbox Series X | S only | No |
The Vault Edition upgrade costs $30 on top of a Digital Standard purchase. Activision sells it as an in-store upgrade, so you do not have to decide at checkout.
What the Vault Edition includes
| Item | What it actually is |
|---|---|
| Base game | Campaign, Multiplayer and DMZ |
| Hunter Killer operator skin | Also included with Digital Standard preorders; usable in Black Ops 7 and Warzone immediately |
| Hostile Alliance Operator Pack | Price, Valeria, Ghost and Blix, with masked and unmasked variants for Price and Valeria |
| Special Forces Operator Pack | Four operators with local-language voice packs: French COM SFT, German KSK Amphibious, South Korean Special Forces and British SAS |
| Signature Weapon Collection | Five blueprints: Kastov 762 "Voltspine", ISO Nightshade "La Sombra Venenosa", Rezi 12 "Shattered Code", Oris 8.6 "Volt-Edge" and Combat Knife "Sombra Besada" |
| BlackCell — one season | 1,100 COD Points, 20 tier skips, an exclusive operator and blueprint, BlackCell variants and the full 100+ tier Battle Pass |
| DMZ Deployment Bonus | Extra DMZ content at launch; Activision has not detailed the contents yet |
The Signature weapons are not pay-to-win stat upgrades. They are blueprints with attachments and an Apex Attachment, and the same base weapons are unlockable through normal play.
Is the Vault Edition worth it?
At US pricing, the Vault costs $30 more than Standard. A single BlackCell season normally costs about that much and already includes the Battle Pass, 1,100 COD Points and 20 tier skips. If you were going to buy BlackCell in Season 1 anyway, the Vault is effectively the better-value package: the operator packs and five blueprints come attached for no additional money.
If you do not buy Battle Passes, the maths flips. You are paying $30 for cosmetics you may never equip, and none of them make you better at the game. Standard is the correct purchase.
What you give up with physical
The Physical Standard Edition is console-only and does not include campaign or DMZ early access. The disc still requires a large download, so it is not a way to avoid the 115 GB install. Its advantage is resale and the ability to install from a disc on a slow connection, which is still meaningful in rural areas.
Game Pass and platform notes
Modern Warfare 4 is not on Game Pass at launch. Activision's own launch post says the game will not be included until Holiday 2027. Buying the game is the only way to play in 2026.
Xbox digital purchases are Play Anywhere: one buy gives you the Xbox Series X|S version and the Xbox on PC version. PlayStation and Switch 2 purchases stay on those platforms, though progression can be linked through an Activision account. COD Points and some platform-specific bonuses do not transfer between ecosystems.
What I would buy
- PS5, campaign and multiplayer only: Digital Standard. The Vault cosmetics are not worth $30 if you skip Battle Passes.
- Xbox, console and PC: Digital Standard through the Xbox store, because Play Anywhere gives you both versions.
- PC only: Standard on Steam or Battle.net. Buy where your friends play; cross-play works, but friend lists and party invites are smoother inside one ecosystem.
- Switch 2: Standard digital. The portability is the point; the Vault content is cosmetic.
- Anyone planning to buy Season 1 BlackCell: Vault, ideally with the 10% loyalty discount.
FAQ
Can I upgrade Standard to Vault later?
Yes. Activision sells a Vault Edition upgrade for $30 US SRP, and it can be purchased after launch. You keep your existing progress and entitlements.
Does the Vault Edition include the Battle Pass?
It includes one season of BlackCell, which contains the full Battle Pass, 20 tier skips and 1,100 COD Points. The content unlocks when the Season 1 Battle Pass goes live, not on October 23.
Do physical preorders get early access?
No. Campaign early access and DMZ early access require a digital preorder or pre-purchase. Physical Standard buyers start on October 23.
Is MW4 on Game Pass?
Not at launch. Activision says it will join Game Pass around Holiday 2027. Until then, a separate purchase is required.