Warzone Season 3 update patch notes: Caldera map changes, Gas Mask animation fix, Sniper nerfs

General Adjustments

• Gas Mask
  
  • Will no longer interrupt a falling Player, thus allowing them to still be able to pull their parachute when falling to preserve their life.
  • Won’t play animation when the Player is ADS and affected by the gas from Nebula V Rounds

The Gas Mask remains a continued focus for our Quality of Life efforts. It plays an important role both in gameplay and the visceral Call of Duty feeling, but we felt that we had seen one too many videos of Players jumping from high heights into the Gas and the game incorrectly prioritizing the Gas Mask animation over the parachute… and we all know how that scenario ends.

• “Most Wanted” Contract
  
  • Timer reduction via the following…
    • Eliminating opponents reduces the timer by 20 seconds
    • Opening Supply Boxes reduces the timer by 5 seconds
    • We want this to be a Contract that both promotes and rewards aggressive play.
  • Players can no longer use the Tac Map to ping an enemy Most Wanted target directly.
    • We felt this method was unfairly punishing and provided too great a degree of accuracy that was almost impossible to be countered by the target.
  • The refresh rate of the Most Wanted target on the Tac Map has been increased, to counterbalance the removal of the above ping.
    • This brings balance and still allows tracking of the approximate location of the target.

We reviewed the data for the Most Wanted Contract and we felt that improvements needed to be made to increase its engagement and success rate, whilst still retaining the all-important risk/reward that it offers.

• “Bounty” Contract
  
  • Speed increase to Tac Map refresh rate
    • This is especially noticeable when a target is in a vehicle to better inform Players that a vehicle chase may be required.

• Deployable Buy Stations
  
  • When a Player pings a Deployable Buy Station, there will now be dedicated audio/narration to better inform squad mates of the Players’ intentions.

• Redeploy Positioning Improvements
  
  • Players who redeploy via Gulag victory or are bought back will now spawn in close proximity to their squad or Loadout.

Caldera Adjustments

Loot that spawns across Caldera has been adjusted…

• Added Perks
  • Battle Hardened
  • Engineer
  • High Alert
  • Restock
  • Tempered
  • Quick Fix
  • Scavenger
  • Pointman (Plunder Exclusive)

• Notes:
  • Only one of each Perk can be equipped at any one time.
  • Lootable Perks can be pinged to communicate to your squad.
  • Lootable Perks are additive to Loadout Perks.
  • All Perks are unequipped on death but do not drop.

We want to further increase the value and rewards of looting during the mid-game. It’s important for both pacing and movement in Battle Royale that there are always new rewards to be found for Players who rotate through locations for greater loot advantages, and our first step on this path is to bring single Perks into loot.

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From our internal testing, this change has brought a wealth of new Player stories and we will continue to roll out additional Perks in this manner as we review player feedback and data on how it improves the pacing and experience of Battle Royale. These lootable perks will launch first in Caldera, and then to Rebirth Island at a later date.

Rebirth Island Adjustments

Activision

Rebirth Island is undergoing more changes in Season 3.

• Spawn Protection Improvements
  
  • Removed the damage reduction scaling system that was based on ground distance
  • System is disabled if a Player is near the ground or an opponent
  • Players who have the shield icon will only take a flat 25% of the damage received
  • Spawn protection will no longer reduce gas circle damage

Whilst Spawn Protection plays an important role in any multi-life game mode, we felt it needed some extra refinement to make sure it cannot be exploited by Players. We will continue to monitor Player behavior in this area and make further changes throughout the season if required.

• Weapon Trade Station Adjustments
  
  • Reduced Specialist Token drop rate
    • We’ve enjoyed the engagement Players have been having with the Weapon Trade Station and the Specialist Token reward, but felt it was slightly on the high side so have made a reduction.
  • The station will now look for empty space to drop your rewards
    • We found it a bit annoying to pick up loot after you traded your weapon so we’ve polished this moment. The system will now always look for an empty space when dropping your rewards

Later this season…

• Footstep Audio Improvements
  • We are looking to bring in additional audio improvements to footsteps during the season as a priority.

• Slide Camera Lock Improvement
  • We have heard from our community that the camera lock that can occasionally happen while sliding down a vertical descent can be frustrating and lead to a negative outcome in a combat encounter. We are pleased to announce that this will be addressed soon.

• Private Matches are temporarily disabled due to stability issues.

Assault Rifles

• Assault Rifle Alpha (VG)
  • .30 Russian Short 45 Round Mags
    • Damage Range decreased to 10%, down from 20%
    • Horizontal Recoil Control penalty decreased to -23%, down from -25%
    • Vertical Recoil Control penalty decreased to -18%, down from 20%
    • Visual Recoil decreased
  • 7.62 Gorenko 50 Round Mags
    • Damage Range penalty removed
    • Bullet Velocity penalty removed
  • Krausnick 620mm Precision
    • Bullet Velocity increased to 40%, up from 30%
    • Now increases Damage Range by 20%
  • VDD 320mm 02B
    • Bullet Velocity increased to 30%, up from -12%
    • Damage Range increased to 10%, up from -10%
    • Horizontal Recoil Control penalty decreased to -18%, down from -25%
    • Initial Firing Recoil penalty decreased to -10%, down from -20%
  • VDD 760mm 05B
    • Damage Range increased to 35%, up from 15%
    • Bullet Velocity increased to 50%, up from 40%

• Assault Rifle Bravo (VG)
  
  • .303 British Round Mags 
    • Capacity increased to 36, up from 32
  • 6.5 Sakura Round Mags
    • Capacity increased to 28, up from 24
  • 8mm Klauser Round Fast Mags
    • Capacity increased to 24, up from 20
  • 8mm Klauser 38 Round Drum Mags
    • Capacity increased to 42, up from 38

The Assault Rifle Bravo (VG) has considerable close to mid-range potential–however, as a fast-firing burst Weapon, it would often burn through its magazine capacity rather quickly, leaving the wielder outgunned in longer distance or larger-scale engagements.

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With this change, we are aiming to minimize one of the Weapon’s more obvious disadvantages and inch it ever closer to viability.

• Volkssturmgewehr (VG)
  
  • 7.62 Gorenko 30 Round Mags
    • Bullet Velocity penalty removed
    • Damage Range penalty removed
  • 7.62 Gorenko 40 Round Mags
    • Bullet Velocity penalty removed
    • Damage Range penalty removed
  • Krausnick 428mm 05V
    • Bullet Velocity increased to 50%, up from 40%
  • Reisdorf 407mm Custom
    • Now increases Bullet Velocity by 30%
    • Now increases Damage Range by 26%
  • VDD 287mm
    • Bullet Velocity increased to -10%, up from -12%
    • Horizontal Recoil Control penalty decreased to -21%, down from -25%
    • Vertical Recoil Control penalty decreased to -12%, down from -50%

• Vargo 52 (BOCW)
  • 17.1” VDV Reinforced Barrel
    • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to 2.5%, down from 4%
    • Vertical Recoil Control decreased to 2.5%, down from 4%
  • 17.9” Takedown Barrel
    • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to 7%, down from 8%
  • 18.6” Task Force Barrel
    • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to 5%, down from 8%
    • Vertical Recoil Control decreased to 5%, down from 8%
  • 19.8” Liberator Barrel
    • Vertical Recoil Control decreased to 7%, down from 8%
    • Vertical Recoil Control decreased to 7%, down from 8%
  • Foregrip
    • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to 5%, down from 10%
  • Spetsnaz Grip
    • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to 5%, down from 20%
    • Vertical Recoil Control decreased to 5%, down from 6%

• XM4 (BOCW)
  • Minimum Damage decreased to 26, down from 27
  • Maximum Damage Range increased to 880, up from 850

Handguns

• Top Break (VG)
  • Max Damage increased to 46, up from 45
  • Mid Damage increased to 38, up from 34
  • Min Damage increased to 28, up from 26

• Handgun Charlie (BOCW)
  • Head Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.49

Handgun Charlie (BOCW) has been a truly dominant Secondary Weapon. Due to its substantial headshot multiplier, Handgun Charlie (VG) was able to achieve Primary Weapon TTKs with little downside. We will be closely monitoring the Weapon’s performance and make further adjustments if necessary.

Light Machine Guns

• Light Machine Gun Charlie (VG)
  
  • Max Damage decreased to 32, down from 34
  • Min Damage decreased to 28, down from 30
  • 6.5 Sakura 40 Round Mags
    • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to 14%, down from 20%
    • Vertical Recoil Control decreased to 14%, down from 18%
  • Queen’s 775m Scepter
    • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to 23%, down from 40%
    • Vertical Recoil Control decreased to 20%, down from 40%
  • Queen’s 705mm Royal
    • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to 31%, down from 38%
  • Tight Grip
    
    • Recoil Control greatly decreased

Light Machine Gun Charlie (VG) has overstayed its welcome as the go-to long range choice. Its high damage profile paired with the ability to load it out to remove most recoil made for a nasty combination. By addressing some of the major outliers of the weapon, we’re left with a strong choice for those that can control it effectively.  

• Whitley (VG)
  • Min Damage increased to 31, up from 30
  • ADS Speed decreased to 0.460, down from 0.475
  • .303 British 45 Round Mags
    • Fire Rate increased to 18%, up from 15%
  • 28″ Gracy MK. 9 Barrel
    • ADS Speed penalty decreased to -11%, down from -18%

Sniper Rifles

The following Weapons will one-shot to the head only while inside of their Max Damage Range:

• Marksman Rifle Charlie (MW)
• SP-R 208 (MW)
• Pelington 703 (BOCW)
• Swiss K31 (BOCW)
• Type 99 (VG)
• Kar98k (VG)

The following Weapons will one-shot to the head at any Range:

• HDR (MW)
• Sniper Rifle Charlie (MW)
• ZRG 20mm (BOCW)
• 3-Line Rifle (VG)
• Gorenko Anti-Tank Rifle (VG)

The following Weapons do not have one-shot potential to the head:

• Rytec AMR (MW)
• Sniper Rifle Alpha (MW)
• Sniper Rifle Charlie (BOCW)

Please see below for the full list of changes to Snipers, and keep in mind that attachments that provide Range Bonuses can drastically change the Base Weapons Max Range:

• Sniper Rifle Charlie (MW)
  • Can one-shot to the head at any range
  • Max Damage Range increased to 3400, up from 3072
  • Head Damage Multiplier increased to 3.2

• Sniper Rifle Alpha (MW)
  • Cannot one shot
  • Max Damage Range decreased to 1375, down from 2500
  • Min Damage increased to 60, up from 50
  • Max Damage increased to 80, up from 70

• HDR (MW)
  • Can one-shot to the head at any range
  • Max Damage Range decreased to 3400, down from 4000
  • Head Damage Multiplier increased to 3.2

• Marksman Rifle Charlie (MW)
  • Can one-shot to the head within max damage range
  • Max Damage Range decreased to 1425, down from 2400
  • Head Damage Multiplier increased to 3.2
  • Min Damage increased to 75, up from 50
  • Max Damage increased to 95, up from 86

• SP-R 208 (MW)
  • Can one-shot to the head within max damage range
  • Max Damage Range increased to 1300, up from 900
  • Head Damage Multiplier increased to 3.2
  • Max Damage increased to 94, up from 93

• Swiss K31 (BOCW)
  • Can one-shot to the head within max damage range
  • Max Damage Range increased to 1650, up from 900
  • Head Damage Multiplier increased to 2.31
  • Max Damage increased to 130, up from 95

• ZRG 20mm (BOCW)
  • Can one-shot to the head at any range
  • Max Damage Range increased to 4000, up from 3072
  • Head Damage Multiplier increased to 3.2

• Sniper Rifle Charlie (BOCW)
  • Cannot one shot
  • Max Damage Range increased to 2675, up from 2600
  • Min Damage decreased to 96, down from 99

• Pelington 703 (BOCW)
  • Can one-shot to the head within max damage range
  • Max Damage Range decreased to 1900, down from 2000
  • Head Damage Multiplier increased to 2.4
  • Min Damage decreased to 95, up from 99
  • Max Damage increased to 125, up from 102

• LW3 – Tundra (BOCW)
  • Can one-shot to the head within max damage range
  • Max Damage Range decreased to 1675, down from 4000
  • Head Damage Multiplier increased to 2.5
  • Max Damage increased to 120, up from 102

• Rytec AMR (MW)
  • Cannot one shot
  • Max Damage Range decreased to 2650, down from 2800
  • Min Damage decreased to 96, down from 99
  • Head Damage Multiplier increased to 2.1

• Type 99 (VG)
  • Can one-shot to the head within max damage range
  • Max Damage Range decreased to 1350, down from 4092
  • Head Damage Multiplier increased to 2.4
  • ADS Transition In Speed decreased to 0.45, down from 0.48
  • ADS Transition Out Speed decreased to 0.42, down from 0.5

• Kar98k (VG)
  • Can one-shot to the head within max damage range
  • Max Damage Range decreased to 1850, down from 3800
  • Max Damage increased to 100, up from 92
  • ADS Transition In Speed decreased to 0.43, down from 0.455
  • ADS Transition Out Speed decreased to 0.4, down from 0.476

• 3-Line Rifle (VG)
  • Can one-shot to the head at any range
  • Max Damage Range decreased to 3225, down from 4092
  • Head Damage Multiplier increased to 3.15
  • Max Damage increased to 115, up from 95
  • Min Damage increased to 96, up from 79
  • ADS Transition In Speed increased to 0.532, up from 0.517
  • ADS Transition Out Speed increased to 0.54, up from 0.52
  • Movement speed scaler decreased to 0.80, down from 0.83

• Gorenko Anti-Tank Rifle (VG)
  • Can one-shot to the head at any range
  • Max Damage Range decreased to 3700, down from 4092
  • Head Damage Multiplier increased to 3.0
  • Upper Torso Multiplier increased to 1.2
  • Upper Torso Multiplier increased to 1.1
  • ADS Transition Out Speed decreased to 0.5, down from 0.66
  • Now Has Access to Lengthened, Armor Piercing, Subsonic, Frangible and Hollow Point Ammunition.

Submachine Guns

• Armaguerra 43 (VG)
  • 8mm Kurz 72 Round Mags
    • Fire Rate decreased to 10%, down from 15%
    • Now increases Damage by 5%
  • Imerito 180mm Short Barrel
    • Bullet Velocity penalty decreased to -10%, down from -12%
    • Recoil Control penalty decreased to -10%, down from -15%
    • Visual Recoil decreased.

• Type 100 (VG)
  • Visual Recoil decreased
  • 8mm Kurz 48 Round Drums
    • Damage Multiplier decreased to 6.5%, down from 14%
    • Movement Speed decreased to -4%, down from -3%

The 8mm Kurz 48 Round Drums were holding too much of the Type 100’s overall damage potential. We’ll be monitoring the Type 100 this update and make adjustments to the base weapon if any are required. This Magazine is still very powerful with the increased rate of fire it provides and the damage bonus still results in one less bullet to kill.

• Owen Gun (VG)
  
  • 7.62 Gorenko 33 Round Mags
    • Neck Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.17, down from 1.3
  • 7.62 Gorenko 72 Round Drums
    • Head Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.47, down from 1.5
    • Neck Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.17, down from 1.3
  • Hockenson 142mm Rapid
    • Fire Rate decreased to 16%, down from 19%

• Submachine Gun Charlie (VG)
  • VDD 189mm Short Barrel
    • Min Damage decreased to 23, down from 24
    • Upper and Lower Torso Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.04, down from 1.1

The VDD 189mm short barrel has been a huge boon for the Submachine Gun Charlie (VG) and would often shred the target’s Upper Body far outside of its maximum damage range. The VDD still provides a large bonus against extremities and still increases both the min damage and optimal damage range of the MP40. We expect continued use of this attachment, even with these adjustments.