As one of the most beloved and longest-running first-person shooter (FPS) franchises, Call of Duty boasts an extensive roster of memorable characters. While not all are equally celebrated, some have achieved legendary status among long-time CoD fans.
In this guide, we show you how to unlock Call of Duty and Warzone operators. We also compiled a comprehensive list of all playable characters in Black Ops 6. As if that wasn’t enough, we even shared our picks for the top 10 characters in the history of CoD.
Call of Duty Characters
How To Unlock Operators In Call of Duty & Warzone
There are many ways to unlock operators in Call of Duty. Some, like the Mil-Sim operators, are available by default and represent the base game characters. However, others are unlocked by completing in-game objectives, progressing the battle pass, or purchasing bundles via the store.
In Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, certain operators, including Park, Adler, Brutus, and Klaus, are available exclusively to players who purchased the Vault Edition. There is also a special character (Woods) who is only accessible to those who pre-ordered the game.
All Launch Operators In Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6
As of Nov. 10, 2024, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has 21 operators, with more slated to arrive in subsequent updates. These characters are split between the Rogue Black Ops and Crimson One factions.
Here’s a breakdown of all the Black Ops 6 operators available at launch and how to unlock them:
Rogue Black Ops Operators
- Adler: Vault Edition exclusive
- Park: Vault Edition exclusive
- Woods: Black Ops 6 pre-order reward — carried over from Modern Warfare III
- Marshall: Unlocked at Level 34
- Bayan: Unlocked at Level 22
- Payne: Unlocked at Level 13
- Alvarez: Unlocked at Level 7
- Maya: Available immediately *
- Nazir: Available immediately
- Weaver: Available immediately *
- Westpoint: Available immediately
Crimson One Operators
- Brutus: Vault Edition exclusive
- Klaus: Vault Edition exclusive
- Toro: Unlocked at Level 10
- Rossi: Unlocked at Level 16
- Bailey: Unlocked at Level 28
- Stone: Unlocked at Level 40
- Caine: Available immediately
- Carver: Available immediately *
- Niran: Available immediately
- Grey: Available immediately *
Note: Operators marked with an asterisk (*) are also part of the Dedicated Crew in the Black Ops 6 Zombies mode.
All Launch Operators In Call of Duty: Warzone 2
As of Nov. 10, 2024, there are 164 operators in Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0. Because the lineup of playable characters is so extensive, we’ve listed only the launch operators below.
- John Price
- Simon “Ghost” Riley
- Johnny “Soap” MacTavish
- Farah Karim
- Manuel “Chuy” Ordaz
- Sobieslaw “Gromsko” Kościuszko
- Gustavo “Gus” Rodriguez
- Kleópatros “Kleo” Gavras
- Tse “Luna” Mingzhu
- Nila “Nova” Brown
- Enzo Reyes
- Zhiqiang “Zimo” Wong
- Tor “Aksel” Eriksen
- Calisto Allard
- Conor Magnússon
- Fender Takacs
- Kim “Horangi” Hong-jin
- Darnell “Hutch” Hutchinson
- König
- Rozlin “Roze” Helms
- Salvatrice “Stiletto” Muselli
- Sami “Zero” Zakaria
- Hiro “Oni” Wantanabe (PlayStation Exclusive)
Top 10 Best Characters In Call Of Duty—Of All Time
Call of Duty has introduced countless characters over the years, each leaving an indelible mark on the series. And with such a vast lineup, picking the best is no easy task! But hey, here’s our take on the greatest CoD characters of all time.
Heads up: we’re not holding back on spoilers here!
Simon “Ghost” Riley
Lt. Simon “Ghost Riley” is a British special forces operator part of Task Force 141. Featured in multiple CoD titles, Ghost is one of the most enigmatic and beloved characters. In addition to his iconic mask, his haunting backstory and tragic betrayal created a character arc that was both memorable and emotionally impactful for players.
John Price
Cpt. John Price is a British SAS operator and an iconic figure in the Call of Duty video game series. Beyond his gritty voice, signature mustache, and ever-present cigar, Price’s fearless leadership and unwavering loyalty have made him a symbol of heroism. With an arsenal of iconic one-liners, Price is a timeless fan favorite.
Johnny “Soap” MacTavish
John “Soap” MacTavish is a Scottish SpecGru operator who appeared in all three Call of Duty: Modern Warfare games. With his mohawk and unbreakable loyalty, Soap was a symbol of strength and camaraderie. His death was a heart-wrenching moment that pierced the hearts of players. Many have called it one of the campaign’s worst narrative losses.
General Shephard
General Shepherd is one of Call of Duty’s most iconic and infamous characters. Initially seen as a determined patriot willing to do whatever it takes to protect his country, his ruthless betrayal of Task Force 141—driven by an insatiable hunger for power—cemented him as one of the CoD series’ most unforgettable villains.
Frank Woods
Master Sergeant Frank Woods is a memorable battle-scarred Black Ops operator. While he is undoubtedly one of the funniest characters, Woods’ unbreakable spirit is that of a soldier who never backs down, no matter the odds. Like Price, he has countless quotes, such as “Looks don’t count for sh_t in the jungle,” that make him a quintessential figure in Call of Duty.
Alex Mason
Alex Mason is a complex but interesting character in Black Ops. His journey is marked by tremendous depth and numerous plot twists, with Mason arguably enduring more psychological torment than any other protagonist in the series. Plus, the iconic phrase “the numbers, Mason!” links him to one of the franchise’s most suspenseful storylines.
Gaz
Gaz (codename: Bravo Five) initially debuted as a SAS operator in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare but was later reintroduced as a key character in the game’s reboot. Above and beyond being a total tough guy, Gaz’s steady presence and fearless attitude on the battlefield have made him a widely respected character.
Vladimir Makarov
Vladimir A. Makarov, the remorseless ultranationalist villain of Modern Warfare III, is easily one of Call of Duty’s most terrifying antagonists. As the mastermind behind countless brutal attacks, Makarov’s cold, calculated actions and total disregard for human life make him a much-despised figure, perhaps even more so than General Shepherd!
Farah Karim
Farah Karim is featured as the commander of the Urzikstan Liberation Force in the Modern Warfare 2019 reboot. While her backstory is one of immense hardship, Karim has become a symbol of strength and leadership, especially for women. Her character shatters traditional molds, and she’s become a trailblazer for female representation in gaming.
Viktor Reznov
Viktor Reznov is a legendary operator in World at War and Black Ops. His fierce leadership and complex story are rooted in survival, sacrifice, and revenge. Once hailed as a war hero, Reznov’s descent from patriotism to a vengeful, haunted figure draws players into a uniquely captivating and tragic narrative.
Who’s Your Favorite CoD Character?
Listing the best CoD characters wasn’t easy, so we hope we captured at least a few of your personal favorites along the way. The series has such a rich history and some truly epic campaigns, so we easily could have done a top 20. But when it comes to the best of the best, we had to call out these 10.
For more Call of Duty action, particularly for esports fans, you can head over to our Call of Duty betting section for the latest events and the most competitive betting odds you can find online!
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