As a dedicated Call of Duty player, I was thrilled when I logged into Modern Warfare 3 and saw the festive decorations pop up for the Lunar New Year. It’s 2026 now, and these seasonal events remain one of the best ways to show off your dedication and earn some truly unique gear. The Year of the Dragon event is back, and it's a fantastic opportunity to dive into Multiplayer, Warzone, or MWZ and work towards some exclusive cosmetics. For me, the highlight is always the final reward—a weapon camo that becomes a badge of honor for the grind.
What Exactly Is This Event? 🐉
From my experience, the Year of the Dragon is a limited-time, in-game celebration. It’s a straightforward concept: you play the game, earn XP, and progress through a special reward track. It’s like a miniature, hyper-focused Battle Pass dedicated solely to the Lunar New Year theme. I remember checking my Challenges tab and seeing the progress bar slowly fill up—it’s a satisfying visual of your effort paying off. The event runs for a short window, so you have to be somewhat committed, but the rewards are worth it. All your XP, whether from fragging in Multiplayer, surviving in Warzone, or tackling missions in MWZ, counts towards this track. It’s the perfect excuse to use up those Double XP tokens I’ve been hoarding in my inventory like a digital dragon sitting on a pile of treasure!
My Breakdown of the Rewards & The Grind 💎
The event offers a total of 11 rewards. Here’s the thing: you need to earn 573,500 XP to claim everything. Compared to some past events, this feels manageable. It’s like training for a marathon versus an ultramarathon—still a challenge, but one you can realistically complete with consistent play over the event's duration.
Let me walk you through the loot table. The rewards are a mix of cosmetic flair and helpful boosters:
| Reward | XP Required | My Take |
|---|---|---|
| Majestic Warrior Sticker | 10,000 XP | A nice little appetizer to start the feast. |
| 1-Hour Double XP Token | 23,600 XP | Fuel for the rest of your grind! |
| Lantern Nights Large Decal | 42,100 XP | Starts adding some visual flair to your profile. |
| 1-Hour Double Weapon XP Token | 67,250 XP | Perfect for leveling up those new guns. |
| Jade Guardian Charm | 101,460 XP | A sleek little accessory for your weapon. |
| Prosperity In Hand Large Decal | 148,000 XP | More profile customization options. |
| The Golden Emperor Emblem | 211,300 XP | Now we're getting into the prestigious stuff. |
| Dragon's Glow Calling Card | 297,350 XP | This one really makes your lobby presence known. |
| 1-Hour Double Battle Pass XP Token | 348,900 XP | A huge help for the main seasonal progression. |
| Winged Fire Weapon Sticker | 414,350 XP | A detailed sticker for your favorite weapon. |
| 1-Hour Double Weapon XP Token | 452,550 XP | Another booster for the final push. |
| DRAGON SCALES Weapon Camo | 573,500 XP | The grand prize. The crown jewel. |
The star of the show is undoubtedly the Dragon Scales weapon camo. Unlocking this felt like finally solving an intricate puzzle where every match was a piece. It’s a static camo, meaning it covers the entire weapon in a beautiful pattern of orange scales with elegant jade-green accents. It doesn’t animate or flash, but that’s part of its charm—it’s a classic, high-quality finish that looks incredible on almost any weapon. Equipping it is like wrapping your gun in the ancient, weathered hide of a mythical beast; it tells other players you put in the work.
My Personal Tips for Conquering the Event ⚔️
Based on my grind, here’s how I tackled those 573,500 XP:
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Play Your Favorite Mode: Since all XP counts, stick to the mode you’re best at. For me, that’s Multiplayer Hardpoint. More score per minute equals faster progress.
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Stack Those Boosters! This is crucial. Pop a Double XP token (from the event or your stash) at the start of a long gaming session. It’s like attaching a jetpack to your progress bar.
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Focus on Challenges: Don’t just play mindlessly. Try to complete daily and weekly challenges simultaneously. The bonus XP from these adds up faster than whispers in a warzone.
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Squad Up: Playing with friends often gives you an XP bonus for teamwork. Plus, it makes the grind feel less like a chore and more like a shared mission.
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MWZ is a Dark Horse: If you enjoy Zombies, don’t sleep on MWZ. Completing contracts and surviving to high rounds can generate massive amounts of XP, like striking oil in a digital desert.
In the end, the Year of the Dragon event is a celebration of play. It’s a focused, rewarding grind that respects your time compared to some endless seasonal challenges. Earning that Dragon Scales camo gave me a real sense of accomplishment—a tangible, shiny reward for my dedication. It’s more than just a skin; it’s a memory of a specific time in the game’s life, a trophy from the Lunar New Year of 2026. So gear up, deploy those tokens, and get ready to earn your scales. Good luck, and happy hunting! 🎯