GamingCall of Duty

Warzone Season 3 patch notes: PPSh & new guns, weapon balancing, Roze skin change, more

Albert Petrosyan

Activision and Raven Software have revealed the details for all the new content in Call of Duty: Warzone Season Three, including exciting new additions like the PPSh SMG, a new event called Hunt for Adler, and big changes coming to Verdansk.

With just hours to go before Season 3 launches in Black Ops Cold War and Warzone, players are waiting in anticipation to see what new content and changes Raven have in store for them.

Warzone Season 3 Roadmap

Activision
Full Season 3 Roadmap for Warzone and Black Ops Cold War!

Warzone Season 3 update patch notes & weapon balancing

GENERAL

  • NVIDIA DLSS is now available in Call of Duty®: Warzone on PC
    • Players with NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics cards can enable NVIDIA DLSS to boost performance and play at higher resolutions and graphics settings
  • End of game open mic has been turned off for modes with infinite respawn mechanics.
  • Player rank will now display the correct rank icons in the After-Action Report.

GAMEPLAY

  • Loot that spawns across Verdansk has once again been updated…
    • Now exclusively consists of Black Ops Cold War Weapons including the new Swiss K31 Sniper Rifle and PPSh-41 SMG
    • Only Legendary Weapons will spawn as Blueprints
  • Players no longer take armor-bypassing damage when using a riot shield and facing an active thermite grenade.
  • Sticking a player with Semtex will now always down them.

ACCESSIBILITY

  • Added Mono Audio to the Volume settings in Audio Options
    • Disabled (Default): Audio is split between left and right audio channels to provide directional sound.
    • Enabled: Left and right audio channels are combined into one channel 

BUG FIXES

  • Fixed a bug with most Cold War barrels where Hip Spread and ADS Idle Sway were being increased when they should not have been.
  • Fixed a bug with some ZRG 20mm optics that disabled the ability to hold breath.
  • Fixed a bug where some loot would drop in close proximity on death. 
  • Fixed a bug where if the player is downed while switching to a gunner seat, they would become invisible and/or invulnerable.
  • Fixed a bug causing the random Operator select option to only select Coalition Operators from Modern Warfare.
  • Fixed a bug causing Baker’s fourth Operator Mission Objective to not track properly (eliminate 15 enemies using a weapon with an attached 2x magnified scope or greater). 
  • Fixed a bug causing certain Operator models to appear headless while using the FFAR 1.

WEAPONS

  • Cold War weapons have had their ammo names updated.
  • The FFAR 1 crosshair has been updated to match other Assault Rifles.
  • New Weapons
    • PPSh-41: SMG (Launch Week)
      • Tier 15 of the Battle Pass.
    • Swiss K31: Sniper Rifle (Launch Week)
      • Tier 31 of the Battle Pass.
  • Two New Weapon Unlock Challenges
    • LC-10
      • Using SMGs, get 3 kills without dying in 15 different matches.
    • FARA 83
      • Using Assault Rifles, get 2 headshot kills in 15 different matches.
  • Assault Rifles
    • Cold War AK-47
      • Recoil pattern has been adjusted
      • The recoil pattern on the Cold War AK-47 had made its downsides far more apparent than its upsides. We have smoothed out its recoil to make it easier to control. If you are accurate, or skilled at recoil control you will now find the Cold War AK-47 quite effective at most ranges.
    • FARA 83
      • Minimum damage increased from 25 to 26
      • Maximum damage decreased from 33 to 31
      • Maximum damage range increased by 17%
      • Recoil pattern has been adjusted
      • As a fast-firing AR with relatively strong recoil, we felt there was too much of an identity overlap between the FARA 83 and the FFAR 1. We have smoothed out its recoil and pushed its damage profile out to be a more viable mid-long range AR option.
    • FFAR 1
      • Maximum damage decreased from 30 to 27
      • Maximum damage range decreased by 15%
      • Neck damage multiplier changed from 1.1 to 1
      • Upper torso damage multiplier changed from 1.1 to 1
      • ADS speed decreased slightly
      • With high damage, rate of fire, and a competitive mag size, the FFAR 1 has enjoyed a lengthy reign of terror on the short-to-mid range engagement space. When a weapon is so ruthlessly efficient that it pushes the entirety of a weapon category out of viability, it needs to be addressed. The FFAR 1 will remain a respectable option following this change, but it should now be a playstyle preference rather than a loadout necessity.
    • Groza
      • Recoil increased slightly
      • ADS speed decreased slightly
      • Upper torso damage multiplier changed from 1.3 to 1.1
      • This change is more of a precaution. We expect in the absence of the FFAR 1, that the Groza would rise to take its place. While there will always be a ‘meta’, we want the meta to exist in a TTK range that is a bit higher than where we are currently. In that regard, we believe the Groza was a bit of an outlier that, much like the FFAR 1, could have been detrimental to weapon diversity. Bringing the Groza down a notch should allow for some healthy competition in this weapon category.
    • Krig 6
      • Head damage multiplier changed from 1.4 to 1.5
      • Neck damage multiplier changed from 1 to 1.3
      • Upper torso damage multiplier changed from 1 to 1.1
      • Lower torso damage multiplier changed from 1 to 1.1
      • The Krig 6 has long been overshadowed by other all-stars in the AR category. We believe this change will allow for a more competitive Time to Kill given the shots are well placed.
    • QBZ-83
      • Move speed increased
      • ADS move speed increased
      • Neck damage multiplier changed from 1 to 1.2
      • Upper torso damage multiplier changed from 1 to 1.1
      • The QBZ-83 is a unique weapon that trades overall lethality for mobility. We aim to provide players with the tools to support a multitude of interesting playstyle options. Our goal is that with the right attachments, skillful maneuvering and rotations will be a hallmark of the QBZ playstyle. We have also given it a much-needed nudge in lethality if you can manage aiming and moving simultaneously.”
  • Submachine Guns
    • LC10
      • Bullet velocity increased slightly
    • Mac-10
      • Maximum damage decreased by 1
      • This is another precautionary change to promote diversity. The Mac-10 is both popular and fun to use. Part of what makes the Mac-10 feel fair to play against is that its upside feels comparative to its downside. That is where player skill comes in. Knowing when and what weapon to swap to during an engagement is a facet of skill expression we want to highlight whenever possible. While this change only brings the Mac-10’s Time to Kill up by about 10%, we think this is a good place to start to encourage exploration in the SMG category.
  • Sniper Rifles
    • Pelington 703
      • ADS speed increased
      • Raise time increased slightly
  • Tactical Rifles
    • Cold War Tactical Rifle Charlie
      • Time between bursts increased by 33%
      • Neck damage multiplier changed from 1.8 to 1.3
    • M16
      • Time between bursts increased by 10%
      • Neck damage multiplier changed from 1.8 to 1.1
    • The Cold War Tactical Rifle Charlie and the M16 were able to reach rates of fire that allowed the wielder to negate a requisite identity pillar of burst rifles—accuracy. With their extreme rates of fire and generous burst pattern, shots were not required to be well placed. You would inherit the high damage profile and range of burst rifles with minimal downside. With this change, and the change to Fire Rate barrels noted below, you will now need to aim deliberately if you intend to kill quickly.

ATTACHMENTS 

  • Position Concealment 
    • Position Concealment will reduce the time your position is visible on the compass and minimap after firing. This effect has been added as a pro on both the Flashguard and SOCOM/KGB Eliminator.
  • Barrels
    • 16.3” Rapid Fire (M16) 
      • Increase to rate of fire reduced by 58%
    • 18” Rapid Fire (Tactical Rifle Charlie) 
      • Increase to rate of fire reduced by 56%
    • 15.9” Strike Team (M16) 
      • Increase to rate of fire reduced by 66%
    • 18.2” Strike Team (Tactical Rifle Charlie) 
      • Increase to rate of fire reduced by 64%
    • 16.3” Titanium (M16) 
      • Increase to rate of fire reduced by 61%
    • 17” Titanium (Tactical Rifle Charlie) 
      • Increase to rate of fire reduced by 59%
    • Sorokin 140mm Auto (Sykov) 
      • Minimum damage reduced from 23 to 19
    • Sorokin 140mm Auto AND Akimbo (Sykov) 
      • Minimum damage reduced from 19 to 14 
        • This only affects the weapon when both the Sorokin 140mm Auto and the Akimbo attachment are equipped simultaneously.
    • The Sykov, when equipped with any permutation of the Sorokin 140mm Auto has been far more lethal at range than we would prefer. When secondary weapons can go toe-to-toe with, or even best a primary weapon consistently, we risk streamlining access to one of the most powerful Perks in the game—Ghost. While we continue to examine the impact that Ghost has on gameplay, providing easier access to it with negligible downside is not something we want to enable. 
  • Lasers 
    • Ember Sighting Point 
      • ADS speed penalty reduced by 20%
    • SOF Target Designator 
      • Flashlight is now visible during hip-fire and ADS 
  • Magazines
    • Salvo/VDV Fast Mag 
      • ADS speed penalty reduced by 20%
    • Speed Mag 
      • Pistols 
        • ADS speed penalty reduced by 40% 
      • SMGs 
        • ADS speed penalty reduced by 30% 
      • Snipers 
        • ADS speed penalty reduced by 20%
  • Muzzles
    • Flashguard 
      • Added Position Concealment pro
    • SOCOM/KGB Eliminator 
      • Added Position Concealment pro 
  • Optics
    • SUSAT MultiZoom 
      • ADS speed penalty reduced by 10
    • Ultrazoom Custom 
      • ADS speed penalty reduced by 20%
    • Vulture Custom Zoom 
      • ADS speed penalty reduced by 20%
  • Rear Grips
    • Increases to ADS speed reduced by roughly 10%  

We have begun the iterative process of tweaking values on attachments. We would like the diminution of weapon downside to be a build direction rather than a single attachment choice. As it stands, we feel most attachments need to have their values addressed in some regard to achieve this. We are hoping to make some previously nonviable options less so in addition to widening overall build variety. This may include increasing upsides or downsides on existing attachments. We are also actively looking at how we can create more compelling choices within the confines of attachment categories—chiefly, muzzles like the Monolithic and Agency Suppressor.

Given the magnitude of balance changes in this patch, we may make some adjustments shortly after Season 3 launch to ensure the meta is healthy and stable. As always, please continue to provide your feedback! 

OPERATORS

  • Roze
    • We’ve adjusted Roze in order to improve the Operators readability/visibility where sources of light are available. 
  • New Operators added:
    • Wraith: Warsaw Pact (Launch Week)  
      • Unlocked via Battle Pass 
         
    • Knight: Warsaw Pact (In-Season) 
      • Unlocked via Store Bundle 
         
    • Antonov: Warsaw Pact (In-Season)  
      • Unlocked via Store Bundle 

PRESTIGE

  • New Prestige Levels
    • Level 50
      • New Prestige, Emblem, Prestige Key, Weapon Blueprint, and Battle Pass Tier Ski
    • Level 100
      • New Prestige, Emblem, Prestige Key, and Battle Pass Tier Skip  
    • Level 150
      • New Prestige, Emblem, Prestige Key, and Battle Pass Tier Skip 
    • Level 190
      • All Season Challenges Available  
    • Level 200
      • New Prestige, Emblem, Prestige Key, Battle Pass Tier Skip, Master Prestige Calling Card 
    • Levels 250 – 1,000
      • New Prestige Key every 50 levels 

STORE

  • We have a fresh dose of new Store Bundles launching alongside Season Three, including some seriously sinister new villains, as well as Tracer Packs, Mastercraft and Reactive Weapon Blueprints, and more. 

What’s new in Warzone Season 3?

Verdansk nuked in Operation Rapid Sunder event

Operation Rapid Sunder, more commonly known as the Nuke Event, is very much underway in Warzone, and it’s already impacted the landscape of the game.

Right away, in the event’s first part, players got to experience the ‘Destruction of Verdansk Part 1’ playlist, which saw a nuclear missile blow up the map and leave it in a cloud of smoke and ashes.

The next phase of the event is underway on a brand-new night version of Rebirth Island (which also includes a new POI called Control Center). You can follow along live with our Warzone Nuke Event hub, which includes live updates on what’s happening.

Six new weapons: PPSH, Swiss K31, AMP63, more

There are a total of six new weapons coming to Warzone in Season 3 – two released right away at launch and a further four coming later on in the season. The big one is the PPSh-41, the iconic old-school SMG that’s making its way back into the CoD series. It will be released at launch along with the Swiss K31, a new bolt-action sniper rifle.

Activision / Treyarch
The PPSh-41 returns to Call of Duty in Warzone & Cold War!

As per usual, all three of these weapons are available to players for free and can be unlocked via the Battle Pass.

As for the other three other four – the CARV.2 Tactical Rifle, AMP63 Pistol, Ballistic Knife and Baseball Bat – those will be released at some point during the season.

Hunt for Adler event

Season 3 will start off with a new limited-time event called Hunt for Adler, during which players will have to look for Intel Challenges in both Warzone and Black Ops Cold War to try and discover the whereabouts of Russell Adler, the game’s protagonist that’s been missing since the end of Season 1.

Players will weapon charms, calling cards, and other rewards by completing the in-game challenges, and those who finish the full set will earn an exclusive Adler skin to use in both multiplayer and battle royale.

Activision
Warzone Season 3 will begin with the Hunt for Adler event.

When is the Warzone Season 3 update? Release date & file sizes

The Warzone Season 3 update will officially go live between April 21-22, depending on where you are in the world:

  • Wednesday, April 21
    • 9:00 PM PT
    • 11:00 PM CT
  • Thursday, April 22
    • 12:00 AM ET
    • 5:00 AM BST (UK)
    • 6:00 AM CEST (Europe)
    • 2:00 PM AEST (Australia)

Here are the confirmed download file sizes for the patch:

  • PlayStation 5: 25.6 GB
  • PlayStation 4: 25.6 GB
  • Xbox Series X / Xbox Series S: 25.9 GB
  • Xbox One: 25.9 GB
  • PC: 25.2 GB

As for what’s new in Black Ops Cold War, you can check out our BOCW Season 3 update hub here for all the info.

Everything you need to know about Verdansk ’84 & Warzone Season 3:

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