Warzone Sept. 23 Update Buffs Krig 6, Nerfs Gallo

Warzone's Sept. 23 update brings important weapon balance changes to the game.
Warzone's Sept. 23 update brings important weapon balance changes to the game. / Photo courtesy of Activision

Call of Duty: Warzone's Sept. 23 update is the latest to adjust the game's balance, this time by nerfing the Bullfrog and Gallo while buffing the Krig 6. The update also brings changes to the Iron Trials mode.

The Bullfrog had its ADS speed decreased by 9%, its movement speed decreased by 1% and its ADS movement speed decreased by 2%. The nerf to ADS speed is the most significant attempt to bring the weapon in line with its competitors in the SMG category, as will a bug fix for excessive recoil reduction tied to the Bullfrog.

The Gallo, also known as the Shotgun Bravo, had its maximum damage range decreased from 4.5 meters to 3.5 meters, its second damage range decreased from 8.1 to 5.5 meters, and its third damage range decreased from 13.2 to 9.9 meters. Development studio Raven Software says these changes will make it feel "more like a Shotgun and less like a Sniper."

Meanwhile, the Krig 6 received buffs to its recoil management attachments.

On the Iron Trials '84 front, Raven has added a Specialist Token to Buy Stations. These Tokens give players all the perks in the game. Supply Run discounts are also now 50% on every item except Team Redeploy (100%), Loadout Drop Marker (10%), and Specialist Token (10%).

For the rest of the changes in the update, see the full patch notes below.

Warzone Sept. 23 Update Patch Notes

Modes

Iron Trials '84

The following changes are exclusive to the Iron Trials '84 mode:

Buy Stations

  • The Specialist Token has been added
  • Supply Run discounts are now 50% on every item except Team Redeploy (100%), Loadout Drop Marker (10%), and Specialist Token (10%)
  • The Hardline Perk now gives a 25% discount to every item except Self Revive (20%), Loadout Drop Marker (10%), and Specialist Token (20%)

We suspect very few people will be able to say they’ve purchased a Specialist Token. However, we do feel there is an opportunity to provide high tier Players with additional impactful outlets for their hard earned resources. Additionally, further enabling purchasing power with Hardline is something we would like to continue to explore.

Contracts

  • Contract Cash rewards (per Player) have been reduced. Multiplier values are unchanged.

Recon

  • $1,300 down to $1,100

Scavenger

  • $2,500 down to $1,600

Bounty

  • $3,800 down to $2,500

Supply Run

  • $1,300 down to $1,200

We recognize that this may be a polarizing change, but we feel it is a necessary one. When we gate access to Loadouts behind a large price tag, as is the case, we force players to continue moving around the map. This works to disincentivize camping. While we do not anticipate this change will have a large impact on the most skilled Players - those who stay put and avoid engagements will find themselves resource strained and quickly falling behind. This is part of how we subtly encourage map movement and fighting. Additionally, we feel scavenging, being resourceful, and barely scraping by is part of what adds to the charm and intensity of the Trials. This dynamic makes room for, and emphasizes other facets of skill like movement, teamwork, strategy, and map knowledge. By delaying Loadout acquisition, we are further smoothing out player power such that each increase to it is much more noticeable and allows more room for those secondary skillsets to shine. We will be monitoring the mode and Player feedback closely to ensure this change is having the intended effect.

Gulag

  • Light Machine Guns (except the RPD (BOCW)) and all Tactical Rifles have been removed from Gulag Loadouts.

We feel an emphasis on Submachine Guns and Assault Rifles better suits this version of the Gulag.

Melee

  • Weapons will no longer deal more than 120 damage per melee hit.

Loot

  • Armor Satchel, Gas Mask, and Self Revive drop rates have been reduced
  • Ground Loot XM4 (BOCW) attachments have been updated
  • Ground Loot Bullfrog (BOCW) attachments have been updated

The XM4 (BOCW) and Bullfrog (BOCW) Attachments are now more closely aligned with popular builds.

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed additional collision issues with various elements on Rebirth Island allowing Players to exploit/peek/shoot through them.
  • Fixed an issue with the Bullfrog (BOCW) that reduced recoil while firing.

Weapons

Submachine Guns

Bullfrog (BOCW)

  • ADS Speed decreased by 9%
  • Movement Speed decreased by 1%
  • ADS Movement Speed decreased by 2%

The Bullfrog (BOCW) is a true jack of all trades. It has great Mobility, Effective Damage Range, Handling, and base Magazine Capacity - which would often act as a free Attachment. These changes, in conjunction with a Recoil bug fix, will bring the Bullfrog (BOCW) much closer to the competition.

Shotgun Bravo (BOCW)

  • Maximum Damage Range decreased from 4.5 to 3.5 meters
  • Second Damage Range decreased from 8.1 to 5.5 meters
  • Third Damage Range decreased from 13.2 to 9.9 meters

The Shotgun Bravo (BOCW) has been incredibly dominant due to its Effective Damage Range, Magazine Capacity, Mobility, and Rate of Fire. By reducing its Effective Damage Ranges, the Shotgun Bravo (BOCW) will begin to feel more like a Shotgun and less like a Sniper.

Attachments

Barrels

Krig 6 (BOCW)

19.7” Takedown

  • Horizontal Recoil Control increased from 8% to 9%

19.7” Ranger

  • Vertical Recoil Control increased from 8% to 9%

15.5” Contour

  • Horizontal Recoil Control increased from 4% to 5%
  • Vertical Recoil Control increased from 4% to 5%

15” CMV Mil-Spec

  • Horizontal Recoil Control increased from 8% to 9%
  • Vertical Recoil Control increased from 8% to 9%

Given the Krig 6’s (BOCW) most recent adjustments, we felt it was appropriate to increase the effectiveness of its Recoil Control Attachments slightly.

AK-47 (BOCW)

18.2” Takedown

  • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased from 11.1% to 10%

20” Liberator

  • Vertical Recoil Control decreased from 11.1% to 10%

18.2” VDV Reinforced

  • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased from 5.5% to 4%
  • Vertical Recoil Control decreased from 5.5% to 4%

20” Spetsnaz RPK Barrel

  • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased from 9% to 8%
  • Vertical Recoil Control decreased from 9% to 8.5%

XM4 (BOCW)

13.7” Takedown

  • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased from 11.3% to 10%

13.7” Ranger

  • Vertical Recoil Control decreased from 11.3% to 10%

13.5” Reinforced Heavy

  • Horizontal Recoil Recoil Control decreased from 5.5 to 4%

13.5” Task Force

  • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased from 9% to 8%
  • Vertical Recoil Control decreased from 9% to 8%