Raven Nerfs Akimbo Double Barrel Shotguns, Says Bren and MP-40 Changes are Coming to Warzone Pacific

The Akimbo Double Barrel shotguns have been nerfed in Warzone Pacific, and it appears the beloved Bren and MP-40 are up next.

Raven Software's second Warzone patch since their holiday break is now live. After fixing the dreaded invisible skin glitch, the devs wasted little time identifying and taking action to balance some of the most overpowered weapons in the current meta.

After announcing on Jan. 5 that the akimbo Double Barrel shotguns would indeed be toned down, here are the official changes Raven have now made to the weapon:

• Sawed-Off barrel: Move Speed decreased to 1.03, down from 1.04.
• Akimbo: Damage Multiplier decreased to .55, down from 1. Damage Range Multiplier increased to 1, up from .6. Move Speed decreased to .985, down from 1. Hip Spread increased to 1.32, up from 1.28.

The Akimbo Double Barrel (VG) was able to consistently achieve lethality at extreme ranges. While we agree that Shotguns should be the most lethal option within close quarters, once that range begins to encroach on Submachine Gun territory, we must intervene. It may seem peculiar that we are removing the Damage Range downside from the Attachment given previous statements, however a more significant reduction to its overall Damage will make the Akimbo Double Barrel (VG) feel less oppressive at extreme ranges while maintaining its effectiveness in close quarters.

- Raven Software

As can be seen here, it does appear Raven is trying to that fine line of balancing a weapon, and making it irrelevant altogether.

Additionally, Raven added another note to address players' concerns with spending time to level a weapon only for it to be nerfed and made useless.

"We would like to take a moment to discuss some of our upcoming plans as well as how our Weapon balance philosophy will be changing in Caldera," Raven said in their updated patch notes. "We will be looking to take on a more incremental approach to Weapon nerfs. We understand it can be frustrating to commit a great deal of time to a Weapon to have its viability completely stripped in an unexpected balance patch. We would like to reiterate that our north star is Weapon diversity."

Raven went on to mention that in hopes of getting closer to reaching that goal, their sights are now set on "Light Machine Gun Charlie (VG)" (Bren) and "Submachine Gun Charlie (VG)" (MP-40) "with the intent of closing the gap between these two weapons and their competitors."

Lastly, Raven said they will also be taking steps to tone down the "visual recoil" on Vanguard assault rifles to help promote a "healthier, more diverse pool of mid to long-range weapons."