Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

World at War Thompson

Submachine GunsUnlocked at Level 1No weapon camos
Submachine GunsThompson — Call of Duty: World at War (2008) weapon render

How do you unlock the Thompson?

The Thompson unlocks at Level 1 in Call of Duty: World at War (2008). It is available from the opening ranks and fires quickly with manageable recoil. Its 20-round base magazine is the main constraint, so controlled bursts and early reload decisions matter until the 40-round Round Drum unlocks. World at War multiplayer has no selectable weapon camos; Expert headshot challenges award XP only.

UnlockLevel 1
Weapon camosNot in this game

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 Thompson play in World at War?

RoleFast close-to-medium starter SMG
Real-world basisAmerican Thompson M1A1 submachine gun; the game adds a non-historical drum option
StrengthsImmediate access and responsive close-range handling; Round Drum fixes the small base magazine after 150 kills
TradeoffsBase magazine empties quickly; Longer lanes favor Rifles and steadier automatic weapons
AttachmentsSuppressor — 25 kills; Aperture Sight — 75 kills; Round Drum — 150 kills; Suppressor supports flanking; Round Drum is the strongest sustained-fire option once unlocked
Challenge noteExpert I-III use 25, 75 and 150 headshots for 100, 500 and 1,000 XP. They unlock no weapon camo.
Use tipReload before entering a second room and avoid spending the full base magazine on one distant target.
Compared withIt fires faster than the MP40 but starts with a smaller magazine and less margin for wasted shots.

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

Read the camo explainer

Thompson — common questions

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

The Thompson unlocks at Level 1 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 Thompson take camos?

No — the Thompson 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 Thompson 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 Submachine Guns

All Call of Duty: World at War (2008) weapons →
MP40 — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)MP40Level 10 · Submachine GunsType 100 — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)Type 100Level 25 · Submachine GunsPPSh-41 — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)PPSh-41Level 53 · Submachine Guns

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