Call Of Duty’s seasonal events have evolved from basic supply drop giveaways to full-scale crossover events with custom game modes, unique cosmetics, and map transformations. But not all events are created equal. From Advanced Warfare’sunderwhelming one-day campaign to Modern Warfare 3’s constant stream of crossovers and challenges, each era of Call of Duty brought something different to the table—some unforgettable, some instantly forgettable.
In this article, we’ll explore every major Call of Duty seasonal event system, ranking them from S-tier (the best) to F-tier (the worst) based on quality, variety, reward systems, and how well they added to the overall gameplay experience. We’ll also examine what made each game’s event strategy succeed or fail and how future titles—like Black Ops 6—can improve.
Advanced Warfare – F Tier
Advanced Warfare barely started the concept of events with Grandmaster Appreciation Day. It lasted just one day and rewarded high-level players with a single advanced supply drop. That’s it. There was no meaningful content, no gameplay addition, and no thematic reward. As the franchise’s first real attempt at a seasonal event, it was disappointing and uninspired.
Black Ops 3 – C Tier
BO3 introduced supply-drop-driven events like Operation Snowblind and Operation Swarm, offering limited-time cosmetics and weapons. It also introduced custom maps like Redwood Snow and new modes such as Infected and Prop Hunt. While it pioneered seasonal content in COD, its over-reliance on supply drops, which locked most rewards behind random loot, held it back from greatness.
The Days of Summer and Zombie Celebration events added variety, but overall, the reward system lacked fairness. Despite its innovation, the format became stale due to its limited accessibility.
Infinite Warfare – C Tier
IW featured just two real events: Days of Summer and Halloween Scream. Both added new weapons, daily login rewards, and themed supply drops. Halloween Scream even introduced a Zombies boss fight mode and unique map content. While it was a small improvement over BO3, IW’s event system lacked variety and volume, and once again leaned too hard into supply-drop monetization.
Modern Warfare Remastered – C+ Tier
Surprisingly, MWR’s event content outperformed its mainline counterpart. Events like Shamrock & Awe and Days of Summer added custom maps (Daybreak, Beach Bog), themed playlists, and unique camos. It wasn’t revolutionary, but it offered more engaging limited-time content and less egregious monetization than Infinite Warfare. This gave MWR a slight edge in early event quality.
Call of Duty: WWII – S Tier
Sledgehammer Games redefined what events could be. WWII included nine major seasonal events, each introducing:
- New weapons (available via contracts or supply drops)
- Event-exclusive playlists
- Map reskins like Winter Carentan and Shipment 1944
- Headquarters overhauls with seasonal themes
- Community goals, orders, and challenges
Events like Winter Siege, Attack of the Undead, and Shamrock & Awe kept content fresh every 4–6 weeks. More importantly, camos, weapons, and cosmetics were earnable, not just hidden behind loot boxes. WWII perfectly blended aesthetics, rewards, and variety—earning it a well-deserved S Tier ranking.
Black Ops 4 – C+ Tier
BO4 blurred the line between seasons and events. Operations like Grand Heist and Dark Divide were full-fledged content drops, but its actual seasonal events were minimal. The Winter Event, July 4th Celebration, and Halloween Event were forgettable, based around the Requisitions system. While BO4 had great content overall, its actual seasonal events lacked innovation or standout mechanics.
Modern Warfare 2019 – A Tier
MW2019 had just two major events:
- Games of Summer – A trial-based event inspired by the Olympics
- The Haunting of Verdansk – Themed Warzone and multiplayer modes, cosmetics, and map changes
Though few in number, they redefined Call of Duty events. The Haunting introduced the first major Warzone crossover, complete with horror-themed gameplay, challenges, and rewards. It set the blueprint for future Halloween events. These events felt fresh, immersive, and went far beyond basic XP challenges—earning MW2019 a top spot based on quality over quantity.
Black Ops Cold War – B Tier
Cold War featured seven events, including:
- Outbreak Event
- Hunt for Adler
- 80s Action Heroes
- The Numbers
- The Haunting
All followed a challenge-based model, offering emblems, weapon blueprints, and charms. While consistent and themed well, the lack of gameplay variety held Cold War’s events back. They all felt similar—earn eliminations, complete matches, grab XP. The Haunting was a highlight but couldn’t match the innovation of MW2019.
Call of Duty: Vanguard – B+ Tier
Vanguard built on Cold War’s formula but added more event-specific LTMs like:
- Operation Monarch (Godzilla vs. Kong crossover)
- Heroes vs Villains (Faction-based progression)
- Rebirth Reinforced
- Titanium Trials
- Festive Fervor
Vanguard’s events were more interactive, often tied into unique modes or map changes. They still relied on challenge progression, but the themes and event-specific mechanics improved greatly. The addition of camos as rewards helped boost the value of participating.
Modern Warfare 2 (2022) – A Tier
Despite mixed reviews on the base game, MW2’s events were standout. Highlights included:
- Path of the Ronin – Challenge-based, camo unlock
- Trophy Hunt – Loot-based progression
- Faction Showdown – Similar to Heroes vs Villains
- The Haunting – Full-blown PvE boss fights in Warzone
MW2 also pioneered souls-based progression, letting players exchange earned souls for cosmetics and blueprints. The sheer variety of event types, including actual gameplay innovations, secured MW2 an A-tier ranking.
Modern Warfare 3 (2023) – S Tier
MW3 went for maximum quantity. With over 30 different events in under a year, it brought:
- Weekly challenges
- XP events
- Pickup-style events (e.g., Trick-or-Treat Candy Hunt)
- Constant crossovers: Dune, TMNT, Warhammer, Fallout, WWE, Godzilla vs Kong, and more
- Frequent universal camo rewards
While most events were simple in design, the volume, variety, and consistent rewards—especially camos—kept players engaged. MW3 didn’t reinvent the wheel, but its event system was robust, fun, and highly active.
Black Ops 6 – B Tier (So far)
BO6 has shown potential, but with caveats. Events like:
- Squid Game 2 (custom game modes and paid event track)
- Return to Verdansk (map exploration)
- Shadow Hunt, Merry Mayhem, Black Ops Tribute
…offered XP grinds, pickups, or basic challenges. However, BO6’s biggest weakness is the lack of camo rewards, repetitive formats, and paid event paths. While reward design is gameplay-focused (perks, streaks), the events feel formulaic. Still, BO6 is early in its lifecycle and could evolve.
Conclusion: what makes a great COD event?
From this ranking, it’s clear that great events aren’t just about cosmetics or crossover hype—they’re about how well gameplay, progression, and theming are tied together. The best events:
- Offer meaningful rewards (especially universal camos)
- Integrate unique gameplay elements (new modes, map changes, mechanics)
- Provide fair, skill-based progression
- Deliver both quality and quantity
- Avoid excessive monetization tied to event progression
As Black Ops 6 continues its seasonal roadmap, players are hoping for more innovation, more game-changing mechanics, and better rewards to make events feel exciting—not just routine.
FAQ: Call of Duty seasonal events
Which COD had the best events?
Call of Duty WWII had the most consistent, varied, and immersive seasonal events.
What was the best single event?
The Haunting of Verdansk (MW2019) set the standard for seasonal events across Warzone and multiplayer.
Which game had the most events?
Modern warfare 3 (2023), with over 30 unique events and weekly updates.
Why are camo rewards important?
They’re universal, visual proof of participation, and often the most valued reward by players.
For real-time updates on upcoming COD events, reward leaks, and gameplay breakdowns, keep an eye on CODIntel
