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All Warzone Buffs and Nerfs in Season 3 Reloaded

By Noam Radcliffe

Warzone's buffs and nerfs in Season 3 Reloaded target several snipers and two SMGs.
Warzone's buffs and nerfs in Season 3 Reloaded target several snipers and two SMGs. / Photo courtesy of Activision

All the Warzone buffs and nerfs in Season 3 Reloaded were detailed Wednesday in patch notes released by development studio Raven Software. The changes targeted six of the weapons in the game: the AK-74u, the LW3 – Tundra, the PPSh-41, the Swiss K31, Sniper Rifle Charlie (Semi-Auto), and the ZRG 20mm.

Of the guns receiving balance changes in the update, the AK-74u is the only one not to receive a buff. Raven Software decided it was too powerful for an SMG, and worked to pull it back in line with the rest of the guns in its class. Everything else, meanwhile, saw power bumps of varying sizes.

See all the balance changes below, with notes from Raven in italics.

All Warzone Buffs and Nerfs in Season 3 Reloaded: SMGs

AK-74u

  • Neck multiplier increased from 1 to 1.4
  • Sprint to Fire Speed increased by 20%
  • Bullet Velocity decreased by 15%
  • Maximum damage range decreased by 25%

The AK-74u's stats were well beyond what one might expect from a Submachine Gun. We are reining it back in line with other Weapons in its classless Bullet Velocity, less Damage Range, and more Sprint to Fire Speed. While some of these changes may make it seem like the AK-74u had received a drastic reduction in efficacy, we believe these stats are not as meaningful to the SMG class when compared to handling and Time to Kill. With unparalleled maximum damage, locational multipliers, and an unforgiving rate of fire, the AK-74u is now the epitome of high-risk, high-reward SMGs.

PPSh-41

  • Maximum damage increased from 27 to 28
  • Maximum damage range increased by 3.8%

We believe the PPSh-41 is on the brink of being able to contest some of the strongest Submachine Guns. This damage bump will undoubtedly have the PPSh-41 joining other high tier SMGs as a contender for that top spot.

All Warzone Buffs and Nerfs in Season 3 Reloaded: Sniper Rifles

  • All Black Ops Cold War Sniper base optics have been adjusted.

Sniper Rifle Charlie (Semi-Auto)

  • Bullet Velocity increased by 14%
  • Extremity multipliers increased from .9 to 1
  • Rate of Fire decreased from .33 to .83

We have found that the Sniper Rifle Charlie feels much more satisfying to use as a heavier duty semi-auto Sniper. We will continue to push it in this direction until we strike a satisfactory balance between its identity and efficacy.

LW3 - Tundra

  • Aiming Stability increased

The LW3 – Tundra did not have much holding it back beyond its ADS Speed and Aiming Stability. With this change to its base Aiming Stability and the availability of ADS Speed Attachments, the LW3 – Tundra will most assuredly become an excellent, versatile option for those that prefer to keep their enemies at a distance.

Swiss K31

  • Flinch Resistance greatly increased
  • ADS Speed increased slightly
  • Aiming Stability increased

Snipers like the Swiss K31 excel at aggressive, mid to long-range play. However, its poor Flinch Resistance overshadowed and played counter to some of its other great qualities. These changes in conjunction with the adjustments to Sniper Attachments will make Swiss K31 feel a lot more like the lightweight, fast-handling, high-skill Weapon it was meant to be.

ZRG 20mm

  • Bullet Penetration increased
  • Upper Torso multiplier increased from 1.25 to 1.7
  • Lower Torso multiplier increased from 1.15 to 1.25
  • Extremity multipliers increased from .9 to 1
  • ADS Speed decreased by 4%
  • Bullet Velocity decreased by 2%
  • Move Speed decreased by 2%
  • ADS Move Speed decreased by 1%

The feel of a Weapon is important to us and the ZRG 20mm, while fun, was not quite where we wanted it. We are doubling down on its identity as the highest caliber Sniper in Verdansk. We want you to really feel like you are firing anti-materiel rounds. In order to achieve this, we made the Weapon ‘heavier’ and increased its Bullet Penetration. Now players on the receiving end of the ZRG 20mm will need to consider the width of objects that they use for cover. We find this gets both the wielder and their opponent to think about the game in different and interesting ways—which is something we always aim to promote.

All Warzone Buffs and Nerfs in Season 3 Reloaded: Attachments

Muzzles

Flash Guard

  • Vertical Recoil Control increased slightly

Suppressor

  • No longer reduces Bullet Velocity
  • Now increases Bullet Velocity
  • Now increases ADS Speed
  • Now increases Sprint to Fire Speed

We expect this relatively unassuming change to have widespread effects. The Suppressor now offers you another viable attachment choice in the muzzle category with a focus on different stats. For example, where Effective Damage Range is less of a priority (e.g., Submachine Guns) you would almost certainly take the Suppressor. Or perhaps you have more than enough Bullet Velocity (e.g., ZRG 20mm) and you want to shore up a weakness in handling. These are the types of compelling decisions we want to continue to develop.

Lasers

SOF Target Designator (Snipers)

  • No longer increases Effective Damage Range
  • Now increases Aiming Stability
  • ADS Move Speed multiplier increased

Ember Sighting Point (Snipers)

  • No longer increases Effective Damage Range
  • Now greatly increases Aiming Stability
  • ADS Move Speed multiplier increased

Steady Aim Laser (Snipers)

  • No longer decreases Hip Spread
  • Now increases ADS Speed

Swat 5mW Laser Sight (Snipers)

  • No longer decreases Hip Spread
  • No longer decreases ADS Speed
  • Now increases Aiming Stability
  • Now greatly increases ADS Speed

Black Ops Cold War Snipers desperately needed more ‘value’ Attachments—namely, more Attachments that provide stats that are relevant to Snipers. We feel the changes to these Attachments and base Sniper optics will make Black Ops Cold War Snipers far more competitive and enjoyable to use.

Rear Grips

  • Airborne/GRU Elastic Wrap
  • Aiming Stability increased

Generally, we are pleased with the level of Weapon diversity we have observed. As we look forward, at the top of our list is the look and feel of Black Ops Cold War optics in Warzone. We think some additional adjustments there will continue to push Weapon diversity even further. Additionally, we will be continuing our efforts in identifying and addressing attachment categories that do not support meaningful exploration and build diversity.

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