Are there any gameplay relevant benefits of prestiging on COD:BO?

Solution 1:

There is a prestige playlist, which you have to have prestige'd at least once to enter. This isn't exactly a game play benefit, but you will theoretically be playing with better players. Here are the current options on that playlist:

• Prestige TDM is unlocked right away.
• Prestige Hardcore is unlocked after going prestige 10 times.
• Prestige Pure is unlocked after going prestige 15 times.

As Aardvark said unlocking the all the custom classes can be particularly helpful if you want to run similar weapon sets but with different equipment. For example, starting a round with marathon+lightweight and you favorite weapon. Then after the initial points have been captured swapping to scavenger, warlord, and your favorite weapon.

And although this isn't exactly a game play benefit you can pay $50,000 after going prestige to unlock the prestige leader board. However, this is lost once you prestige again.

Lastly, there is the (laughable) intimidation factor (What do you mean no one cares?)

Solution 2:

The only value of prestige in black-ops is the extra class slots. All other benefits are strictly cosmetic. For some players, having 10 classes means they have a situational class to respond to most situations.

However, for most players it means throwing away the guns they are good with, the perks they have gotten pro on, and getting destroyed for every level it takes to level back up. Overall, players who do not go prestige tend to have higher k/d's as they have the best equipment available every game.

If you do see value in the extra classes, 9th prestige is the highest you need to go to unlock all classes, every thing after that is cosmetic

Hope this helps!

Solution 3:

I believe there are certain game modes that are only open to players of a certain prestige level.