In WARDOGS you level a progression track by doing that role’s job: there are no classes to pick, and XP flows into whichever track matches what you buy and how you play. Build to level Support, revive and heal to level Medic, drive to level Driver, fly to level Pilot, and scout to level Recon, while an overall Career level climbs alongside them.
Below we cover how the tracks work, the fastest honest way to level each one, the Season 1 XP curve, and the unlocks worth chasing.
How Progression Works
BULKHEAD’s official “Top Questions” post describes roles as player-defined: you buy specialist items to build a loadout and earn XP “across six progression tracks.” In a devlog the studio put it more simply: the way you play determines what you unlock.
The official Season 1 changelog names these tracks in its unlock lists: Career, Medic, Support, Driver, Pilot and Recon. Players also commonly refer to an Assault track for frontline combat, though we have not seen BULKHEAD’s own posts list it by that name.
Unlocks are gated two ways: you reach the level on the right track, then you pay a one-time unlock price in cash. After that, the item appears at the vendor for its normal per-life price.
How to Level Each Track Faster
- Support: buy a hammer and build. Construction earns Support XP, and building at a Forward Operating Base is the steady way to farm it. Our FOB guide covers hammers and buildables. The Large Hammer, which builds everything, unlocks at Support 8.
- Medic: carry healing gear and revive everyone you can. Revives are some of the most common actions in a busy Control Zone, and they pay cash too.
- Driver: drive teammates to the zone and run logistics. Early Driver unlocks come fast: the URAL at Driver 3, Kodiak Assault at 6, Dune Buggy at 8 and Kodiak Flatbed at 10.
- Pilot: fly transport runs and supply drops. Our helicopter guide covers the controls; practice in the firing range before risking an expensive aircraft.
- Recon: spot constantly with binoculars and play long range. Spotting pays cash as well, so Recon levels while you earn.
The tip that matters most: stay in or near the Control Zone. That is where the revives, kills, transport drop-offs and builds happen, so every track levels faster there. The Hot Zone also pays double cash, which funds the gear you need for the next track.
The Season 1 XP Curve
BULKHEAD slowed levels 10 to 20 and flattened the curve from 35 onward before launch. The official XP totals per level are:
| Level | XP required |
|---|---|
| 10 | 35,000 |
| 15 | 110,000 |
| 20 | 250,000 |
| 25 | 325,000 |
| 30 | 400,000 |
| 35 | 500,000 |
| 40 | 650,000 |
| 45 | 800,000 |
| 50 | 1,000,000 |
For pacing, BULKHEAD says its median player at 20 to 25 hours of play is around level 20, while the top 5% of players chasing the big-ticket items “will need to grind.”
Notable Season 1 Unlocks
- Career: Sports Parachute at 35, Large Backpack at 55, Deagle at 85, Artillery Tank at 90 ($500,000 to unlock).
- Driver: Large Supply Crate at 16, URAL Covered at 18, URAL Attack at 25, Humvee with minigun at 30, Heavy Tank at 35.
- Medic: PP-19 50-round drum magazine at 29.
- Support: Large Hammer at 8.
These levels can change between seasons: BULKHEAD says each season has a different XP curve and item order. See our season reset guide.
Do Not Farm XP
BULKHEAD tracks the servers every account joins, and per Patch 0.11, joining a known XP-farming server for “more than a few minutes” earns a permanent ban. Exploit abuse also resets your cash and XP to zero. Legitimate grinding on official or community servers is the only safe route.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many progression tracks does WARDOGS have? BULKHEAD says XP is earned across six progression tracks, with an overall Career level on top. The patch notes name Career, Medic, Support, Driver, Pilot and Recon.
How do you level up Support fast in WARDOGS? Build. Buy a hammer, set up at a FOB near the zone, and construct useful structures. Building earns Support XP and cash at the same time.
Does XP reset in WARDOGS? Yes, XP progression resets at the end of each season, and the unlock order can change. Cash converts to Gold Bars, which you keep.
How long does it take to hit level 20? BULKHEAD’s own estimate is that a median player reaches around level 20 after 20 to 25 hours.
Can you level up faster with the Supporter Edition? No. The Supporter Pack is cosmetic only, and BULKHEAD says there is no monetization during Early Access beyond it. Our beginner guide covers the editions, and our WARDOGS guides hub lists every guide.