Call of Duty Editions: Standard, Vault, Game Pass

Call of Duty games now come in two main paid editions—Standard and Vault—plus a third way to play: through Xbox Game Pass. The Standard edition gives you the base game, while the Vault edition adds a battle pass, bonus weapons, and cosmetic packs; Game Pass gives you the Standard edition at no extra cost beyond your subscription. Below we break down exactly what each option includes, how they compare, and which one makes sense for you.

Background: How Call of Duty Editions Evolved

Call of Duty used to have a single $60 version, but since 2019 the franchise has shifted to a live-service model. Each annual release now ships with a Standard edition and a more expensive Vault edition (sometimes called the Ultimate or Cross-Gen bundle). The Vault edition is designed for players who want the full seasonal content from day one—skipping the grind for battle pass tiers and getting exclusive weapon blueprints. In 2024, Microsoft added Call of Duty to Game Pass on the same day as the retail release, which changed how players think about buying the game.

What You Get in the Standard Edition

The full base game (campaign, multiplayer, and Zombies or Spec Ops, depending on the title).
Cross-gen access on consoles (Xbox One/Series X|S or PS4/PS5).
Early access to the campaign (usually a week before the official release).
No battle pass, no bonus weapons, and no exclusive operator skins.

Standard is the bare-bones option. You pay for the game and nothing else. If you play casually and don’t care about cosmetics or seasonal content, this is the most cost-effective choice. On Game Pass, you get exactly this version—no extra perks.

What You Get in the Vault Edition

The Vault edition is the premium tier, and it includes everything in Standard plus a set of extras that are worth real money if bought separately:

Season 1 Battle Pass and 20 Tier Skips (so you start 20 levels into the pass).
An operator pack with 4 exclusive skins (e.g., the “BlackCell” or “Nemesis” operators).
Weapon blueprints with unique designs and tracer effects.
2 bonus weapons that unlock early (like the FJX Horus SMG or the AMR-9).
1,100 Call of Duty Points (about $10 worth of in-game currency).
Exclusive emblems, calling cards, and finishing moves.

Vault costs roughly $30–$40 more than Standard, but the contents are worth about $60 if bought piecemeal. The real value is the time saved—you don’t have to grind through 100 battle pass levels to get the cool stuff.

What You Get with Game Pass

Game Pass (Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass) includes the Standard edition of the latest Call of Duty on day one. You get the full game, but you do not get any Vault bonuses. If you want the Vault content, you have two options:

Buy the Vault Edition upgrade separately (usually around $30) while playing through Game Pass.
Or buy the full Vault Edition outright (which includes the game, so you wouldn’t need Game Pass for that title).

Game Pass is the best deal if you play many games, but for Call of Duty specifically, you’ll still need to pay for the battle pass each season if you want it. The subscription does not include premium currency or seasonal content.

How to Choose: Standard vs. Vault vs. Game Pass

Your choice depends on how much you play and how much you care about cosmetics:

Casual player (less than 5 hours/week): Standard or Game Pass is fine. You’ll get the full game, and you can ignore the battle pass.
Regular player (5–15 hours/week): Vault edition saves you time and money if you plan to complete the battle pass. The 20 tier skips and bonus weapons give you a head start.
Hardcore player (15+ hours/week): Vault is almost essential because you’ll want the battle pass anyway, and the extra operators/blueprints add variety.
Game Pass subscriber: Play the Standard edition for free, then buy the Vault upgrade if you get hooked. This is the most flexible option.

If you’re on a budget, Game Pass is the winner. If you want the full premium experience without recurring subscriptions, Vault is the way to go.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

“Game Pass includes the Vault edition”—this is false. Game Pass only gives you Standard. You have to pay extra for Vault content.
“Battle pass is a one-time purchase”—also false. Each season (about 2 months) has a new battle pass. Vault gives you one season only, not all future ones.
“Vault edition weapons are overpowered”—they are not. They are cosmetic variants of existing weapons. The stats are identical to the base versions.
“I can buy Vault edition and play without Game Pass”—yes, but you’re paying full price. If you already have Game Pass, the upgrade is cheaper than buying the full Vault edition.

Cost Comparison and Value

As of the 2024–2025 releases, the typical prices are:

Standard Edition: $69.99 (consoles) / $69.99 (PC)
Vault Edition: $99.99 (consoles) / $99.99 (PC)
Game Pass Ultimate: $19.99/month (but often discounted)
Vault Edition Upgrade for Game Pass: $29.99–$39.99

If you play Call of Duty for 6 months, Game Pass costs $120, but you also get hundreds of other games. If you only play CoD, buying Standard at $70 is cheaper long-term. The Vault edition is the most expensive upfront, but if you would have bought the battle pass ($10) and some COD points ($10) anyway, the extra $30 is justified.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Game Pass include the Vault edition?

No. Game Pass includes only the Standard edition. The Vault edition content (battle pass, operator skins, bonus weapons) must be purchased separately, either as an upgrade or as the full Vault edition.

Can I upgrade from Standard to Vault later?

Yes. On most platforms, you can buy the Vault Edition upgrade at any time during the game’s lifecycle. The upgrade costs the difference between Standard and Vault, and it grants all the Vault bonuses retroactively.

Is the battle pass worth it?

If you play enough to reach level 100 in the pass (roughly 30–50 hours per season), the battle pass pays for itself—you earn 1,300 COD points, which covers the next season’s pass. If you play less, you’re better off skipping it.

Do Vault edition weapons carry over to future games?

No. Each Call of Duty has its own battle pass and weapon progression. Vault bonuses are tied to that specific game. They do not transfer to the next annual release.

What happens to my Vault content if I cancel Game Pass?

If you bought the Vault upgrade while using Game Pass, you keep the Vault content only as long as you have access to the game. If you cancel Game Pass, you lose access to the game and its content until you resubscribe or buy the game separately.

Is the Vault edition a good gift?

Yes, if the recipient plays CoD regularly. The extra weapons and skins are a nice surprise, and the COD points let them buy the next season’s battle pass. But if they’re a casual player, Standard or a Game Pass subscription is a safer bet.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

More cards in this drawer

The whole Numbers and Powers drawer →