Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

World at War FG42

Machine GunsUnlocked at Level 45No weapon camos
Machine GunsFG42 — Call of Duty: World at War (2008) weapon render

How do you unlock the FG42?

The FG42 unlocks at Level 45 in Call of Duty: World at War (2008). Although placed in the Machine Gun class, the FG42 behaves like a compact automatic rifle: quick fire, a 20-round magazine and unusually flexible sighting. Its Telescopic Sight creates a magnified support option, while the small magazine demands burst control. World at War multiplayer has no selectable weapon camos; Expert headshot challenges award XP only.

UnlockLevel 45
Weapon camosNot in this game
The Barracks may label the 75-kill reward Sniper Scope, but the selectable attachment is the Telescopic Sight. Collector's Edition preset access did not replace the normal Level 45 unlock.

Reviewed July 26, 2026. Weapon ranks and Marksman requirements were checked against original World at War multiplayer rank and challenge tables plus contemporaneous platform guides; historical models were cross-checked against museum and firearm-reference records. Loadout advice is editorial. Multiplayer only — not Campaign, Zombies, Call of Duty: WWII (2017), or later games.

Sources: Official World at War manual · Prima official game guide sample · Contemporaneous multiplayer guide · World at War challenge reference · Weapon camouflage reference

How does the FG42 play in World at War?

RoleFast 20-round automatic precision gun
Real-world basisGerman first-pattern FG 42/I automatic rifle
StrengthsFast fire and relatively mobile rifle-like handling; Only Machine Gun with a Telescopic Sight
TradeoffsTwenty rounds disappear quickly at full fire rate; Magnification narrows awareness and exposes poor recoil control
AttachmentsBipod — 25 kills; Telescopic Sight — 75 kills; Use Bipod for a fixed lane or Telescopic Sight for controlled magnified bursts; the actual attachment is not a Sniper Scope
Challenge noteExpert I-III use 25, 75 and 150 headshots for 100, 500 and 1,000 XP. They unlock no weapon camo.
Use tipFire short bursts and treat every reload as a reposition cue. The FG42 cannot afford empty-magazine fights.
Compared withIt is faster and more optic-friendly than the BAR, while the BAR delivers a slower, harder-hitting rhythm.

No multiplayer weapon camos — Expert headshot challenges award XP, not skins. See the camo, perk and Pack-a-Punch distinctions.

Read the camo explainer

FG42 — common questions

What level does the FG42 unlock at in World at War?

The FG42 unlocks at Level 45 in Call of Duty: World at War (2008) multiplayer. The level cap is 65, and prestige is up to 10 on all main multiplayer platforms.

Does the FG42 take camos?

No — the FG42 cannot equip weapon camouflage in Call of Duty: World at War (2008). Its Marksman kill challenges unlock attachments, while Expert headshot challenges award XP only.

Can you unlock the FG42 for me?

Yes — our World at War Unlock All service covers prestige 1-10, max level 65, every weapon, attachment, perk and challenge unlocked, plus colored classes (Xbox 360), from $9.99. See the service.

More Machine Guns

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Skip the grind

Our World at War Unlock All service includes prestige 1-10, max level 65, every weapon, attachment, perk and challenge unlocked, plus colored classes (Xbox 360), from $9.99.

See World at War servicesSee exact inclusions on the service page