Warzone Season 1 patch notes are out, detailing all the changes coming with the Modern Warfare 4 integration. Season 1 includes two new maps, new weapons, gameplay system updates, returning modes, and more. There’s also a Ricochet anti-cheat update that tackles the use of unauthorized third-party software that provides an unfair advantage.
To read the Warzone Season 1 patch notes, continue below.
Call of Duty Warzone Season 1 patch notes
The new chapter of Warzone arriving with the Modern Warfare 4 integration offers a fresh experience with lots of changes coming with the Season 1 launch. Here are a few things you should check out in the patch notes:
- New maps and features
- New game modes
- Gameplay updates
- Ground ops
- Progression changes
Here are the Warzone Season 1 patch notes, as mentioned in the official blog post.
RICOCHET ANTI-CHEAT
Unauthorized Third-Party Software
Warzone Agent is an unauthorized, paid third-party application that enables “lobby shopping,” allowing players to assess lobby skill levels during pre-match warm-ups and avoid more competitive matches in favor of easier ones. While Warzone Agent does not provide traditional cheating functionality, such as aimbots or wallhacks, it creates an unfair advantage, undermines competitive integrity, and violates our Terms of Use.
- Beginning with Season 1, we are implementing the following enforcement measures:
- Software Detection: Players attempting to launch or access Warzone while running Warzone Agent will receive a notification instructing them to close the unauthorized software.
- Access Restrictions: Players who do not close Warzone Agent will be prevented from accessing Multiplayer modes. Campaign access will remain unaffected.
- Enforcement: Players who attempt to circumvent these restrictions and continue using the software may face temporary or permanent account and/or hardware bans.
“Maintaining a fair and competitive environment is a priority for us. While unauthorized tools may not always resemble traditional cheats, any software that provides an unfair advantage undermines the experience for other players. We’ll continue taking action against tools and behaviors that compromise the integrity of Warzone.”
MAPS
Hajin NEW
New Large Map
- Featuring 13 major Points of Interest spanning North and South Korea, Hajin offers a diverse range of combat environments, from dense urban districts and industrial facilities to open farmland, rivers, and mountainous terrain.
New Gulag
- Hajin introduces an all-new Gulag featuring two distinct arena variants.
- Mantling: Players can mantle over a wide variety of obstacles throughout the arena, creating additional opportunities for movement and repositioning.
- Spectating: Players can spectate from ground level at certain angles.
- Weather: Local weather conditions affect the Gulag environment, introducing additional variation between matches.
Weather Scenarios
- Hajin introduces dynamic weather scenarios, with one of six conditions randomly selected at the beginning of each match.
- These scenarios introduce additional environmental variety while maintaining visibility as a key consideration across the map.
Zodiac NEW
- Introducing Zodiac, a new Resurgence map set within the DRC Advanced Systems drone manufacturing headquarters in South Korea.
- The map features 10 Points of Interest, combining industrial interiors, elevated rooftops, underground passages, moving trains, and interactive environmental hazards.
Improvements Since Beta
- Visibility and Lighting
- Improved Operator visibility across Zodiac, particularly around the Sentinel Overpass, Old Mines, and sewer routes.
Audio
- Improved footstep audio and ambient sound occlusion to provide clearer and more consistent audio cues.
Legendary Loot Economy
- Train spawn rates have been reduced by approximately 25% to address the abundance of high-tier loot.
- Each Train can contain between 0 and 5 Legendary Supply Boxes and between 4 and 12 Basic Supply Boxes.
Breakable Crate Loot
- Lethal and Tactical Equipment has been added to breakable crates.
- Reduced the likelihood of finding Perks, Killstreaks, and Drop Kits in these containers to accommodate the expanded loot pool.
Loot Clutter
- Reduced lingering loot clutter around Supply Boxes, making nearby items easier to identify and collect.
Interactable Objects NEW
New physics-based objects introduce additional opportunities for environmental manipulation, tactical positioning, and creative gameplay. Identified by a distinctive “X” marking, these objects can be repositioned to create cover, block enemy routes, reach elevated areas, or establish traps.
Bollard
- A heavy, orange traffic bollard that can be repositioned to restrict vehicle access, create choke points, and establish defensive positions.
Concrete Cylinder
- A rolling piece of cover that players can crouch behind or climb inside and then push, providing mobile protection when entering or disengaging from combat.
Dumpster
- A wheeled object that can be repositioned to provide mobile cover, block doorways, or serve as a weapon mounting point.
Fuel Barrel
- An explosive barrel that can be pushed or moved with melee attacks to set traps and create environmental hazards for enemies.
Wooden Box
- A versatile piece of cover that can be used to block exits, reach elevated areas, or establish defensive positions. Can also be transported onto rooftops using the Grabber Drone.
Wooden Wedge
- A movable ramp that can be pushed or repositioned with melee attacks to help vehicles traverse obstacles and access otherwise difficult-to-reach areas.
Wire Spool
- A heavy industrial object that requires additional effort to reposition but provides substantial cover for players looking to establish defensive positions.
NOTE: During Season 1, only Fuel Barrels will be available on Rebirth Island.
MODES
Rally Point NEW
Rally Point introduces a new way to explore Warzone’s gameplay systems, experiment with different strategies, and earn exclusive rewards. Set on Zodiac, this 20-player mode features no Gas Circle, unlimited Resurgence, and drop-in/drop-out functionality, allowing players to explore and engage at their own pace. Explore the map, complete objectives, engage Hostile Soldiers, and build your Cash reserves while deciding how to approach each encounter.
- Explore, Earn, and Connect
- Discover: Explore the map, learn the rules, and discover new ways to play.
- Earn: Accumulate Cash and decide when and where to spend it.
- Connect: Play solo, squad up, or form alliances with other players.
- Gameplay Features
- Explore Zodiac, complete Contracts, eliminate Hostile Soldiers, and compete to beat your personal elimination record.
- Earn Kill Rewards that grant Supply Caches containing increasingly valuable loot as your score increases.
- Encounter special events, including Hostile Choppers, Bombing Drones, JLTV Deliveries, and Elite Hostile reinforcements.
- Neutral Grounds
- Neutral Grounds are designated ceasefire zones offering additional ways to prepare for your next engagement.
- Loadout Stations: Change your equipped Loadout.
- Redeploy Stations: Immediately redeploy to another location on the map.
- Payout Stations: Receive Cash based on your current high score.
- Squad Formation: Join forces with other players mid-match, with squads supporting up to four players.
- Purchasable Nuke
- A single Nuke is available for purchase each match.
- Coordinate with your squad to accumulate enough Cash to purchase it at a Buy Station.
- The Nuke is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Rewards
- Earn one exclusive Weapon Blueprint and two Weapon Camos through Rally Point.
- Aerial Scanner
- A Killstreak unique to Rally Point that reveals enemy positions through walls within an area of effect.
PLAYLIST
- Private Match
- At launch, Warzone Private Match will be disabled for the duration of Season 1. Fret not! Good things come to those who wait!
- Private Match returns in Season 2 with expanded customization options and new ways to make every match your own. A wide range of tunables will let you shape the match around your ideas. We’re excited to share more information about this evolution of Private Match later on.
- First Time User Experience (FTUE)
- We’ve refreshed the First-Time User Experience (FTUE) to help new and returning players get into Warzone more quickly and build confidence from their first drop.
- Eligible players can opt into a new protected Resurgence experience, offering a more approachable introduction before transitioning into regular Warzone playlists.
GENERAL
Platform Support
- Nintendo Switch 2
- With the launch of Season 1, Call of Duty: Warzone expands to Nintendo Switch 2, bringing the new Modern Warfare 4 experience to an additional platform.
- Players can access Warzone’s new maps, weapons, modes, and progression systems as part of the Season 1 experience.
- Console Support
- With the launch of Season 1, Call of Duty: Warzone will no longer be supported on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
- Players transitioning to a supported platform can continue their progression by signing in with the same linked Activision account.
Legacy Content
- Operator Toggle
- Added a new setting that allows players to display only Modern Warfare 4 Operator Skins during gameplay.
- This setting does not affect the appearance of the player’s own selected Operator.
- Legacy Weapons
- With the launch of Season 1, previously available Weapons and cosmetic content will carry forward into Warzone.
- Available Legacy Content
- Weapons and Weapon Blueprints
- Operators and Operator Skins
- Finishing Moves
- Calling Cards and Emblems
- Emotes and Sprays
- Parachutes and Contrails
- Legacy Weapons
- Legacy Weapons allow players to use previously available Weapons and purchased Blueprints in their Loadouts.
- Legacy Weapons feature preset builds optimized for Warzone, providing ready-to-use configurations without additional Gunsmith customization.
- Legacy Weapons and Blueprints cannot be customized through Gunsmith.
- Legacy Weapons do not support Modern Warfare 4 Mastery Camos, Reticle Challenges, Cosmetic Gunsmithing, or Build Sharing.
- Unlocking Legacy Weapons
- Navigate to Armory Unlocks to view available Legacy Weapons and their associated XP requirements.
- Earn the required XP to unlock each Weapon’s preset Warzone build.
- Once unlocked, Legacy Weapons become available in Loadouts and are identified by a unique icon and “Legacy” designation.
- Equipping Legacy Weapons
- Navigate to Create-a-Class and select a Primary or Secondary Weapon slot.
- Open the Legacy tab to view available Weapons.
- Select a Legacy Weapon to equip its preset Warzone build or an available Blueprint.
- Additional Information
- Since Legacy Weapons use a preset build, build sharing does not function for these.
GAMEPLAY
» All Modes «
- Air Assassinations
- Added a ground-proximity check to prevent Air Assassinations from being initiated too close to the ground, reducing the risk of fatal fall damage during the animation.
- Ally Dragging
- Improved turning and aiming responsiveness while dragging a downed teammate during the revive process.
- Enemy Dragging
- Downed enemies can now give up while being dragged.
- This functionality was unavailable during the Beta.
» Battle Royale, Resurgence «
“Compared to the previous Chapter, these adjustments reduce overall match time by nearly 5.5 minutes. Our goal is to minimize downtime during the middle stages of a match and bring players into the action more quickly.
We’ve also taken care to ensure that the Gas Circle does not move faster than players can travel, maintaining its role as a source of pressure rather than an unavoidable threat.”
» Resurgence «
- Drop Kits
- Drop Kits are new consumable loot items designed to make eliminations less punishing and redeployments more rewarding in Resurgence.
- Available exclusively in Resurgence modes.
- Affect only the Operator who equips them.
- Consumed upon redeployment.
- Only one Drop Kit can be equipped at a time. Picking up another replaces the currently equipped Kit.
- Four Drop Kits are available:
- Insured Drop Kit: Redeploy faster while retaining all Cash.
- Armored Drop Kit: Redeploy with full Armor, bonus Armor Plates, and a Self-Revive Kit.
- Loadout Drop Kit: Redeploy with your current Loadout.
- Radar Drop Kit: Redeploy with an active Radar Ping, UAV, and Supply Sweep.
» Hajin «
- Night Vision Toggle
- On Hajin, players can toggle night vision with a key press, giving them a tactical advantage in the map’s darkest areas.
MOVEMENT
Following the Beta, we heard your feedback and identified several opportunities to improve the fluidity and responsiveness of movement in Warzone.
One of the most consistent requests was the return of Tactical Sprint. We’ve brought it back as part of the default movement system, giving players more flexibility in how they navigate the map and approach engagements.
Beyond Tactical Sprint, we’ve adjusted movement penalties, transitions, and responsiveness to reduce unnecessary restrictions and allow players to chain actions together more naturally.
Our goal is to deliver movement that feels fluid, intuitive, and rewarding, giving players greater control over traversal and combat.
The following adjustments have been made since the Beta:
- Tactical Sprint
- Tactical Sprint returns as part of Warzone’s default movement system.
- Base Sprint speed remains unchanged.
- Provides approximately 0.5 m/s of additional movement speed, depending on the equipped Weapon.
- Can be sustained for up to four seconds at full stamina.
- Does not consume stamina while a Melee Weapon is equipped, allowing unlimited Tactical Sprint.
- Jumping
- Reduced the consecutive Jump slowdown window by 150 ms.
- Sliding
- Reduced the minimum Sprint duration required to initiate a Slide by 50 ms.
- Reduced the cooldown between Slides by 400 ms.
- Removed the ADS Slide distance penalty.
- Reduced the Slide-to-Jump delay by 200 ms.
- Reduced the Slide-to-Jump height penalty by 25%.
- Removed the Slide-to-Sprint delay.
- Improved the Slide-to-Crouch transition.
- Improved Slide-to-Fire speed.
- Diving
- Improved Dive-to-Fire speed.
- Parachuting
- Reduced momentum loss when landing with a Parachute.
- Ascenders
- Increased Ascender dismount speed to more closely align with Black Ops 7.
BUY STATIONS
Buy Stations have been updated with new inventory options, purchase opportunities, and an upgrade system that rewards players for completing Supply Run Contracts.
Standard Buy Stations
- Certain purchase options remain locked until a Buy Station is upgraded through a Supply Run Contract.
- Available inventory differs between Battle Royale and Resurgence.
Upgraded Buy Stations
- Completing a Supply Run Contract upgrades the targeted Buy Station, unlocking additional high-tier purchase options for all squads for the remainder of the match.
- Unlocked purchase options feature a distinct visual treatment.
- Upgraded Buy Stations have the same inventory across Battle Royale and Resurgence.
- Upgraded Buy Stations feature unique Tac Map icons and distinct in-world appearances, including additional props.
Mobile Buy Stations
- Mobile Buy Stations are deployed exclusively through the Fly Buy Public Event, offering powerful equipment and upgrades unavailable at Standard and Upgraded Buy Stations.
- Cannot be targeted by Supply Run Contracts.
- Benefit from Fire Sales.
- Share the same inventory across Battle Royale and Resurgence.
LOOT & ECONOMY
Season 1 introduces several changes to Warzone’s loot and economy systems, creating more diverse opportunities to acquire valuable resources. With the introduction of Ground Ops and updates to Contracts, Public Events, and High Value Loot Zones, our goal is to encourage strategic decision-making while striking a healthier balance between guaranteed and randomized rewards.
We’ve also removed the Contract Cash Multiplier to prevent excessive Cash accumulation through repeated Contract completions. Ground Ops generally emphasize individual rewards, while Contracts provide greater squad-wide benefits. Meanwhile, updated Buy Station inventories introduce powerful, high-value purchases that give players more meaningful ways to spend their Cash.
Finally, we’ve reduced the number of active High Value Loot Zones from three to one per match. By concentrating players in a single location and introducing more desirable rewards, including a chance to earn Specialist, we aim to encourage early engagements and create a more compelling high-risk, high-reward experience.
» Battle Royale «
- High Value Loot Zones
- Reduced the number of active High Value Loot Zones to one.
- High Value Loot Zones are now randomized each match rather than rotating seasonally.
- High Value Supply Boxes
- Introduced High Value Supply Boxes, offering rewards that exceed those found in Legendary Supply Boxes.
- Exclusively carried by Loot Drones patrolling above High Value Loot Zones.
- One randomly selected High Value Supply Box per match contains a Specialist bonus.
» Resurgence «
Phone EXE
- A lootable electronic device that periodically awards Cash while held by an Operator.
Weapon Trade Station
- Exchange your currently equipped Weapon for a random Weapon of higher rarity.
- Fire Sales improve the value received when trading Weapons.
Biometric Scanner
- The rewards earned from exchanging Biometric Keycards at Buy Stations have been improved.
Breakable Crates
- Available on Rebirth Island and Zodiac, providing quick access to valuable loot.
- Have a chance to contain a Phone EXE.
PERKS NEW
General
Season 1 introduces an updated Perk selection featuring 15 Base Perks across three Loadout slots and three new Elite Perks acquired during matches.
Perk Feedback System
- The new Perk Feedback System provides real-time visibility into the status of equipped Perks, making it easier to identify when their benefits are available or actively providing an effect.
- Perks now display one of three states:
- Inactive: The Perk icon is dimmed, indicating that its activation conditions have not been met and its benefits are not currently applied.
- Passive: The Perk icon appears at full opacity, indicating that its always-on benefits are being applied.
- Active: The Perk icon is highlighted, indicating that a conditional effect has been triggered and is currently active.
- For example, Drill Instructor’s squad sprint speed bonus is always applied and will display as Passive. After a brief period of sustained sprinting, its Health regeneration effect triggers, transitioning the Perk to Active.
Cooperative Benefits
- This chapter places greater emphasis on Perks that provide squad-wide benefits, creating more opportunities for players to contribute to their team’s success beyond direct combat.
- These benefits range from providing individual Scavenger supply packs to squad members to reducing the cost of redeploying a fallen teammate.
- Our goal is to encourage a wider variety of playstyles while giving players more meaningful ways to support their squad.
Lootable Perks
Lootable perks are available in legendary chests, high-value supply boxes found in high-value loot zones, and rarely in basic chests. They include:
- Adaptive
- Drill Instructor
- Field Medic
- Survivor
Lootable perks are also available in contract and ground ops loot:
- Adaptive
- Drill Instructor
- Tempered
- Wingman
Elite Perks
Season 1 introduces Elite Perks, a new category of powerful Perks designed to serve as the capstone of your playstyle. Occupying a dedicated fourth Perk slot, Elite Perks provide impactful benefits that further define how you approach each match. Players can equip only one Elite Perk at a time, with each available for purchase using Cash through Buy Stations or acquired through Supply Run Contracts.
The selection of Elite Perks available through these sources will rotate over time, encouraging players to experiment with different combinations and adapt their strategies throughout the season. The three Elite Perks introduced in Season 1 are outlined below.
Athleticism NEW
- Improves agility while strafing, crouching, and aiming down sights.
- Reduces ADS penalties when jumping or sliding.
Athleticism is designed for players who want to stay mobile without sacrificing accuracy. It pairs particularly well with Adaptive, making it a strong choice for movement-focused playstyles.
Fieldcraft NEW
- Rapidly regenerates Armor and Equipment to support sustained combat.
Fieldcraft is built for players who want to keep the pressure on, whether pushing an enemy position or holding their ground. It pairs particularly well with Stocked for a more equipment-focused playstyle.
Phantom NEW
- Prevents detection by enemy Recon Killstreaks, Equipment, and Perks.
- Advanced UAVs can reveal the player’s last known position but will not display their heading.
- No movement requirement is necessary to remain hidden from standard UAVs.
Phantom is built around ultimate stealth, allowing players to avoid detection without the usual movement requirements. Advanced UAVs remain its primary counter. It pairs particularly well with Incognito for those looking to fully embrace a stealth-focused playstyle.
Base Perks
Season 1 introduces four new Base Perks, expanding the options available across all three Perk slots. From enhancing mobility and Equipment effectiveness to improving stealth and squad support, these additions offer new ways to tailor your Loadout to your preferred playstyle. Each new Perk is designed to complement the existing selection, encouraging players to experiment with different combinations and discover new strategies.
Incognito [Slot 1] NEW
- Reduces the duration of enemy radar reveals and Hunter outlines.
- Prevents standard enemy pings, allowing only Danger Pings.
- Delays the activation of enemy traps.
A sly perk that makes you difficult to pin down.
Stocked [Slot 1] NEW
- Allows players to carry one additional Lethal and Tactical Equipment item.
- Displays Equipment trajectories.
- Increases explosive damage dealt by Equipment and Launchers.
- Grants full Primary and Secondary Weapon ammunition reserves when obtaining a Loadout containing this Perk.
Stocked brings together several familiar benefits in a new package, giving equipment-focused players more ways to make the most of their arsenal.
Deft Hands [Slot 2] NEW
- Increases Armor Plate insertion speed.
- Increases Equipment throw speed.
- Increases crate capture speed.
- Grants a temporary movement speed boost when inserting Armor Plates.
Sometimes, a fraction of a second can make all the difference. Deft Hands helps minimize the time spent managing Armor and Equipment, allowing players to stay focused on the fight.
Wingman [Slot 3] NEW
- Reduces the cost of redeploying squadmates.
- Prevents redeployments from producing a visible flare for enemies.
We all have that one teammate who can’t resist charging headfirst into a fight. Wingman makes bringing them back a little easier, while helping keep your squad’s position concealed in the process.
RETURNING
EQUIPMENT NEW
Lethal Equipment
Tripwire Mine NEW
- Throwable explosive trap that deploys a detonation wire upon landing.
- Multiple Trip Wires can be linked together to create a connected network of explosives.
When Claymores and Proximity Mines aren’t quite the right fit, the Trip Wire offers a more flexible alternative. Its ability to connect multiple traps opens up creative ways to defend locations, control routes, and catch opponents off guard.
Tactical Equipment
Screamer Mine NEW
- Proximity-triggered mine that suppresses and marks all enemies within range.
The Screamer Mine occupies a unique space between Flash and Concussion Equipment, offering similar disruption in a stationary package. It’s particularly useful for anticipating enemy pushes and creating opportunities to counterattack.
RETURNING
ADJUSTMENTS
- Equipment Placement
- Players can have up to two placed items from each Equipment category active at a time.
- Placing a third item from the same category automatically removes the oldest item.
KILLSTREAKS
NEW FEATURE
- Threat Indicator
- Added a new Threat Indicator that displays incoming lethal Killstreaks on the minimap, including their icons and directional indicators to help players identify where threats are approaching from.
NEW KILLSTREAKS
Artillery Beacon NEW
• Deployable beacon that calls in heat-seeking missiles that track its location.
Similar to the Cluster Strike, Artillery Beacon offers another way to pressure enemy positions, with beacon-based targeting introducing new tactical possibilities.
Bomb Glider NEW
- Handheld glider equipped with an explosive payload.
Bomb Glider excels at punishing enemies caught out of position, particularly when used to coordinate attacks with your squad. A well-timed strike can be devastating.
Bombing Run NEW
- Calls in an aerial bombing run that strikes the targeted location twice.
Bombing Run serves a similar purpose to the Precision Airstrike, delivering two passes of explosive drone strikes rather than a single attack. This makes it particularly effective for maintaining pressure on an enemy position.
Combat Drone NEW
- Remote-controlled anti-personnel drone.
Combat Drone offers an aggressive way to distract enemies and support a coordinated squad push. Getting in close is key to making the most of its offensive capabilities.
Impact Warhead NEW
- Explosive payload that drills through multiple floors.
Impact Warhead shares some similarities with the Bunker Buster but emphasizes immediate explosive damage rather than lingering area denial. It delivers greater explosive firepower without the additional Gas effect.
Insight NEW
- Reveals the next safe circle if one is not already visible.
- Only available through Recon Contracts.
Insight is the evolution of Foresight, offering greater flexibility in how players use information about upcoming Gas Circles. Earned through Recon Contracts, this new Killstreak allows players to choose when to reveal the next safe zone, giving squads more control over how they plan their next move.
RETURNING
ADJUSTMENTS
- Bomb Glider
- Reduced damage to below 300, preventing it from instantly eliminating a fully armored Player.
- Significantly reduced its ability to highlight enemy Players.
- Improved danger notifications.
- Killstreak Activation
- Artillery Strikes and Bombing Runs now approach their target area from behind the Killstreak owner for greater consistency.
- Counter UAV
- Added a “Radar Disrupted” notification when an enemy Counter UAV is active and within range.
- Launchers can now destroy Counter UAVs with a single rocket.
- This does not apply to Grenade Launchers.
FIELD UPGRADES NEW
Zipline Launcher NEW
- Exclusive to Warzone, the Zipline Launcher allows players to deploy vertical or horizontal ascender lines up to approximately 100 meters, providing new ways to reach elevated positions, cross gaps, and create flanking routes.
- Holds two charges, allowing players to establish multiple routes for their squad.
- Deployed lines remain active until destroyed. Deploying a third line removes the oldest.
- Available in all Warzone modes.
The Zipline Launcher introduces a new layer of tactical freedom to Warzone, allowing squads to create their own routes and approach engagements from unexpected angles. However, these routes aren’t exclusive to your team. Enemy players can take advantage of deployed ziplines as well, creating opportunities for both aggressive flanks and unexpected counterattacks. Be extra mindful of where you place them and who’s following behind.
Grabber Drone NEW
- The Grabber Drone is a claw-equipped Field Upgrade that allows players to remotely interact with objects and transport items across the map.
- Open loot crates and doors from a distance.
- Pick up and transport items to teammates or other locations.
- Lift, carry, and drop friendly or enemy players.
- Purchase items from Buy Stations and deliver them remotely.
- The Grabber Drone cannot currently pick up downed enemies; this ability will be implemented in Season 2.
The Grabber Drone opens Warzone up to a whole new horizon of possibilities, from retrieving hard-to-reach loot to repositioning environmental objects and helping downed teammates reach safety. That said, its rarity and limited battery life encourage players to think carefully about how they use it. We’re particularly excited to see the inventive ways players put this new tool to work. You could, for example, fly your friend around while they fire RPGs down upon your enemies.
Perk Supply Box NEW
- Deploy a Perk Supply Box that provides a random lootable Perk for you and your squad.
- Each player receives a Perk they do not already have from the available loot pool.
- Players who already have all available Perks will still receive a random Perk that can be collected by a teammate.
We want to provide more opportunities for players to acquire lootable Perks throughout a match. Perk Supply Box offers a reliable way to strengthen your squad, making it a particularly valuable find during the early stages of a match.
Smoke Wall NEW
- A handheld rocket that deploys a long trail of dense smoke, providing extended visual cover.
- Can also extinguish Molotovs and Fire Barrels, similar to Smoke Grenades.
Smoke Screen proved to be a valuable tool for creating cover in the previous chapter. Smoke Wall brings similar utility to the Field Upgrade category, giving players access to extended smoke coverage without occupying a Killstreak slot.
SAM Airburst Turret NEW
- A portable missile turret that intercepts aerial threats, including Drones and Helicopters.
SAM Airburst Turret provides a valuable defensive option against aerial vehicles and select Killstreaks, helping squads protect their positions from threats overhead.
RETURNING
CONTRACTS
Season 1 introduces several updates to Contracts, with a focus on improving reward visibility, streamlining objectives, and creating more meaningful opportunities for squad coordination. These changes also introduce new rewards and interactions that give players greater flexibility in how they approach Contracts throughout a match.
- Updated the Contract Widget to highlight the primary reward earned upon completion.
- Improved Contract icon visibility and contrast on the Tac Map and minimap.
- Contracts now display their primary reward when hovered over on the Tac Map.
- Contract Loot Cards now display the primary reward and Cash earned.
RETURNING
GROUND OPS
Ground Ops introduce a new discoverable reward system alongside Contracts, rewarding players who stay mobile, remain observant, and adapt their strategies to secure valuable resources and tactical advantages.
Our goal is to introduce another layer of opportunity, risk, and strategic decision-making that encourages varied engagements and coordinated teamwork. Whether your squad chooses to stick together and take the fight to the enemy or split up to pursue Ground Ops and Contracts simultaneously, the choice is yours.
Overview
- Ground Ops are discovered through proximity and appear on the Tac Map and minimap once revealed.
- Hovering over a Ground Op on the Tac Map displays its primary reward, allowing players to assess the potential risks and rewards before engaging.
- Multiple Ground Ops can be completed simultaneously by different squad members or enemy players, allowing squads to split up or work together.
- Ground Op locations vary between matches, with spawn locations suited to their surrounding environments.
- For example, Safes are typically found in urban areas, while Radioactive Caches are more common in wooded areas.
- Ground Ops can be completed alongside Contracts, providing additional opportunities to earn rewards throughout a match.
NEW
Drone Intercept NEW
- Shoot down drones carrying valuable equipment caches.
- Guaranteed rewards include Killstreaks and Legendary Weapons.
Surveillance NEW
- Activate a Surveillance Tower to reveal nearby enemy locations, valuable loot caches, and additional Ground Ops.
- Enemy-activated Surveillance Towers appear on the Tac Map and minimap once discovered.
- Surveillance Towers enter a cooldown period after activation, temporarily preventing reuse.
Radioactive Cache NEW
- Locate a Geiger Counter and use it to uncover a buried barrel containing valuable equipment and cash.
Guaranteed rewards include:
- Solos: 1 Gas Mask
- Duos, Trios, and Quads: 2 Gas Masks
Safe Crack NEW
- Breach a safe containing valuable equipment and Cash, triggering an audible alarm.
Guaranteed rewards include:
- Solos: 1 Armor Satchel
- Duos, Trios, and Quads: 2 Armor Satchels
PUBLIC EVENTS
Supply Drop NEW
- Multiple Supply Crates containing high-tier weapons and equipment are airdropped across the map.
- Each crate provides enough loot to fully equip one player, including Legendary Weapons, a Gas Mask, an Armor Satchel, Self-Revive, and a Perk Box.
- Available in both Battle Royale and Resurgence.
Specialist Drop NEW
- A single Specialist Crate is airdropped onto the map, with a countdown indicating its arrival.
- Contains enough Specialist rewards to equip an entire squad, scaled to the playlist’s squad size.
- Available in both Battle Royale and Resurgence.
RETURNING
ADJUSTMENTS
Unique Reward Crate Visuals
- Updated Reward Crates with distinct visuals in-world and on the Tac Map, making it easier for players to identify their source and quickly determine which rewards to pursue.
Automatic Ping Transfer – Crate Drops
- Pinging a Public Event Plane now automatically transfers the Ping to its dropped Reward Crate, allowing players to track high-value airdrops without needing to Ping them again.
WEAPONS
Our approach to Weapon balance this year is centered on one core principle: every Weapon should have a distinct identity, a clear purpose, and a meaningful place in Warzone.
We want each Weapon to feel unique and rewarding to use, with strengths and weaknesses that help define its role. This philosophy extends across Weapon classes, where we’re focused on creating meaningful distinctions in performance, effective engagement ranges, and supported playstyles. At the same time, it’s important that Weapons retain the characteristics that define their Modern Warfare identity while still feeling at home in Warzone.
Player choice is equally important to us. Whether you’re picking up Ground Loot, selecting a Default Loadout, or bringing in a custom-built Weapon, our goal is to ensure each provides a capable and viable option. We want players to feel confident experimenting with different Weapons and builds rather than feeling compelled to rely on a narrow selection of choices.
Maintaining a healthy and evolving Weapon meta will remain a major focus throughout the year. We’ll continue to closely monitor Weapon performance, gameplay data, and player feedback, using seasonal and mid-season updates to introduce meaningful balance adjustments, encourage Weapon diversity, and keep the meta feeling fresh.
Weapon Augments NEW
Weapon Augments introduce a valuable new item for players to earn throughout a match, extending weapon progression beyond securing a Loadout or finding a Legendary ground loot weapon. Whether you want to build on your weapon’s existing strengths or better tailor it to your preferred playstyle, Augments provide another meaningful way to improve your weapon as the match progresses.
Augments can be equipped to weapons to further enhance their performance, with each providing multiple stat benefits. Only one Augment can be equipped to a weapon at a time, and once equipped, it remains attached to that weapon even if it is dropped.
Launch Augments:
- Breacher
- Focused on improving your close-quarters performance with improved ADS speed, sprint-to-fire, hip-fire recoil, and aiming movement speed.
- Sharpshooter
- Helps you be more consistent at long-range engagements with improved velocity, damage range, horizontal recoil, and idle sway.
- Gunslinger
- Designed to help improve your overall weapon performance and handling, with improved reload speed, rechamber speed, slide-to-fire speed, first shot recoil control, weapon bob, and flinch.
New Weapons – Season 1
Cronen Osprey Assault Rifle
- Availability Criteria: Battle Pass Tier 16, Tier 87 Battle Pass Blueprint
- Precision-engineered for relentless performance, this 5.56 rifle delivers a best-in-class fire rate without sacrificing control, accuracy, or mobility.
- Apex Attachment: Cronen Helix Mk. II
- A unique double-barrel receiver transforms this 5.56 rifle into a dual-fire weapon platform. Firing on both trigger pull and release, it delivers punishing damage with an unmatched rate of fire among semi-automatic weapons.
CSG-35 SMG
- Availability Criteria: Battle Pass Tier 36, Tier 73 Battle Pass Blueprint
- Featuring the highest fire rate in its class, pumping out rounds at a blazing 1200 RPM, the CSG-35 excels at putting down targets fast at close ranges.
- Apex Attachment: CSG Crossfire
- Dual-wield akimbo CSG-35 SMGs and trade accuracy for a wave of downrange chaos.
APEX Attachments – Season 1
Hyeon Auto Apex Attachment (In-Season)
- Converted to fully automatic fire, the Hyeon Auto was built for laying down stable, rapid fire. Offering a substantial increase in continuous RPM over the burst fire/semi-automatic variant, this weapon relies on firepower over precision.
- Weapon: Hyeon Burst Assault Rifle
- Unlocked via Wager Match Event Reward
Kastov 545 Apex Attachment (In-Season)
- The Kastov 545 fires 5.45x39mm rounds, offering smooth handling and rapid follow-up shots without sacrificing combat effectiveness.
- Weapon: Kastov 762 Assault Rifle
- Unlocked via Wager Match Event Reward
New Gunsmith Feature
- Gunny
- Gunny will be available in Gunsmith to help guide players through different Weapon builds and customization options.
MW4 Weapons
ADJUSTMENTS
Bullet Velocity
- Improved Bullet Velocity on base weapons and attachments.
Flinch
- Reduced weapon flinch behavior as part of the post-Beta tuning pass.
Melee Ready Speeds
- Adjusted Knife ready speeds following a comparison with Black Ops 7 behavior.
Weapon Bob
- Reduced weapon bob across several interactions to improve visibility and weapon handling.
- Made additional adjustments to Sniper Rifle ADS and rechambering motion.
Weapon Motion
- Weapon movement at the hip when turning and strafing has been reduced.
- Weapon motion when sliding or jumping has been reduced.
Recoil
- Screen shake and weapon shake while firing have been reduced.
- Reticle bounce while firing has been reduced.
Swap Speeds
- Weapon raise and swap speed have been made quicker.
ADS Movement Speeds
- Movement speed while in ADS has been made faster.
Knockdown
- The ability to knock down enemies has been removed from the RPG-7, Astaroth .57 sniper, and some Apex attachments.
Battle Royale Redeploy Loadouts
- Redeploy Loadouts in Battle Royale have been adjusted to match the current Gulag weapon. Players who are bought back will now redeploy with the weapon associated with that match’s Gulag Loadout.
VEHICLES
Season 1 introduces an updated vehicle lineup, offering a variety of options for traversing Warzone by land, sea, and air. Each vehicle brings its own strengths and trade-offs, providing different opportunities for traversal and combat. We’ve also introduced critical damage points and adjusted vehicle health based on squad size to create a more balanced experience across playlists.
Sedan: A compact civilian sedan designed for daily commutes. While not suitable for combat, this car is a quick fix for battlefield mobility.
Grizzly: A battle-proven vehicle built on a rugged Russian design. Light on armor but quick and agile, it excels at hit-and-run engagements.
Polaris DAGOR A1: A battle-tested tactical vehicle engineered for rapid deployment and extreme off-road mobility. Capable of carrying a full squad and their equipment across the toughest combat environments.
Aston Martin Dreadnought: A high-performance all-wheel-drive tactical SUV by Aston Martin, combining advanced armor, exceptional off-road capability, and the speed and agility needed to operate in hostile environments.
Cargo Truck: A battle-proven modular vehicle platform powered by a reliable diesel engine, capable of supporting a broad spectrum of military operations. Features a covered cargo bed.
LTV: A versatile light combat platform engineered for rapid deployment, rugged environments, and unconventional warfare.
Heli: A twin-engine combat helicopter built for rapid deployment, aerial fire support, and unmatched battlefield mobility.
RHIB: A high-speed, Special Operations inflatable boat engineered for precision maneuvering, rapid deployment, and aggressive maritime engagements.
ADJUSTMENTS
- Critical Damage Point
- Vehicles now have crit points that deal 30% more damage to the vehicle when shot.
- Squad Size Balancing
- Vehicle health has been tuned per squad size to ensure a fair experience for each playlist.
PROGRESSION NEW
Grinding for Royalty
- Grinding for Royalty introduces a new seasonal progression system that challenges players to outperform their own personal records.
- Available through the Events tab, this system allows players to set goals based on their performance, complete challenges, and continue progressing throughout the season.
- Personal Challenges: Complete objectives based on Kills, Damage, Eliminations/Death Ratio, Contracts, and Placement.
- Adaptive Goals: Each completed challenge increases the difficulty of the next, providing unlimited progression opportunities.
- Shared Progress: Earn progress across Battle Royale and Resurgence, including both Casual and Regular playlists. Limited-Time Modes (LTMs) are not included.
- XP Rewards: Earn 1,000 XP for each completed challenge.
- Getting Started: Complete one match to unlock your personal challenges.
- Seasonal Reset: Challenges reset at the beginning of each season and are scaled based on your performance in the previous seasons.
Seasonal Camo Rewards
- Complete 10 challenges to unlock the first exclusive Camo.
- Complete 25 total challenges to unlock the second exclusive Camo.
UI/UX
Season 1 introduces a wide range of UI/UX improvements focused on readability, visual clarity, and ease of use across Warzone. From expanded squad communication tools and improvements to combat feedback to a more streamlined HUD and updated menus, these changes aim to make important information easier to access while reducing unnecessary visual clutter.
Ping Wheel
- Overhauled the Ping Wheel to improve communication and coordination between squadmates.
- Added access to Modern Warfare 4 Operator Skin variants through the Ping Wheel.
- Added quick communication options, including Yes, No, Thank You, and Get Out.
- Added options to request support, traversal assistance, or transportation.
- Requests display an overhead marker at the requesting player’s current position, making it easier for squadmates to identify and respond.
Perk Tray Layout
- Updated the Perk Tray at the bottom of the HUD to organize equipped Perks into three distinct groups, separated by dividers.
- Looted Perks: Up to six slots, filled individually as Perks are collected.
- Elite Perk: One dedicated slot. Only one Elite Perk can be equipped at a time.
- Loadout Perks: Three slots, filled together when a Loadout is acquired.
Combat Feedback
- Updated Hit Markers and Death’s Door feedback to use the Black Ops 7 visual treatment for improved readability.
- Restored the Black Ops 7-style Downed icon.
- Updated Damage Direction Indicators to use the Black Ops 7 visual treatment.
- Restored the Armor Break visual treatment, including the blue Armor Plate animation within the Squad Widget.
Squad Widget
- Updated the Squad Widget to improve readability, reduce unnecessary visual clutter, and make important team information easier to identify at a glance.
- Removed Operator images.
- Applied squad colors to player names and updated the Squad Number treatment.
- Increased the size of the Player Widget to improve readability.
- Moved Revive, Redeploy, and related information to the right side of the Squad Widget.
- Reduced vertical spacing for a more compact presentation.
- Updated Equipment icons to fill dynamically from left to right, eliminating unnecessary gaps.
- Left-aligned total squad Cash.
- The Loadout Drop icon now changes to a Player Redeploy icon when the squad has enough Cash to buy back an eliminated teammate.
Loadouts & Operators
- Updated the Loadout and Operator interfaces to improve navigation, customization, and equipment visibility.
- Updated Create-a-Class navigation with preview screens for selected Loadouts and Operators.
- Default Loadouts are now visible in the Front End.
- The Perk selection interface now displays Elite Perks available during matches.
- Added preview images for Perks.
- Players can now rotate Weapons across all applicable screens using the right stick.
- Legacy Weapons can no longer be customized.
- Added preview images for Tactical and Lethal Equipment above their descriptions.
Playlists
- Updated the Playlist interface to improve mode discovery and make important matchmaking information easier to access.
- Improved Map Previews and Map Rotation information.
- Added additional Mode information when hovering over a playlist.
- Players can hide playlist details to reveal an unobstructed view of the background and Operator.
- Updated menu buttons to more clearly display available squad sizes.
- Updated the Lobby loading screen to display Mode information and matchmaking timing.
HUD Motion
- Removed HUD movement and screen shake effects to provide a more stable visual experience during gameplay.
Killfeed
- Updated the Killfeed to improve readability and reduce its overall footprint.
- Reduced the maximum number of displayed lines to four.
- Adjusted text backgrounds and shadows to improve legibility.
- Returned the Killfeed to its previous position above the Squad Widget.
Map & Contract Iconography
- Updated Contract and minimap icons to improve readability and contrast.
- Adjusted map icon sizing and layering, including issues identified in Battle Royale.
Player Pings
- Improved Player Ping visibility to make them easier to identify during gameplay.
Weapon Widget
- Reduced Weapon Widget background elements to simplify its appearance.
Loot Feed
- Adjusted the speed of the Loot Feed.
- This change was implemented during the Beta and remains in place for launch.
AFK Warning
- Added a warning notification for players at risk of being removed from a match due to inactivity.
Combat Record & Leaderboards
- Combat Record and Leaderboard statistics will be tracked beginning with Season 1.
- These features will become available to players in Season 2.
CHALLENGES
With the addition of a brand new Warzone comes brand new challenges! At the launch of Season 1, players can expect the following new challenges in Warzone.
Calling Cards
The following calling card sections will unlock and allow players to start grinding away in Warzone.
WZ Mode Mastery
- Completing all of these calling card challenge sets will unlock the WZ Mode Mastery calling card.
- WZ Basic Mastery Set of 6 challenges.
- WZ Contract Mastery Set of 6 challenges.
- WZ Feat Mastery Set of 6 challenges.
- WZ Gear Mastery Set of 6 challenges.
- WZ Performance Mastery Set of 6 challenges.
- WZ Veteran Mastery Set of 6 challenges.
WZ Elite Mastery
- Completing all 4 calling card challenges in this category will unlock the Elite WZ Mastery calling card.
Camos
- Players will now be able to grind their weapon camos in Warzone!
- Camo unlocks will be shared between Warzone and all other modes!
- Special and Completionist Camos will have Warzone-specific completion targets and criteria, but DMZ and MP camo challenges may also be progressed in Warzone!
- Once a player has finished the completionist camos on all 33 weapons, they will be able to complete the Warzone Mode Mastery challenges.
- These challenges can only be progressed in Warzone.
Daily Challenges
- Warzone will launch with a separate set of daily challenges from MP.
- These challenges will be able to be completed separately from the MP daily challenges every day.
- Daily re-roll is still present and separate from MP re-roll.
KNOWN ISSUES
We are currently aware of and investigating the following issues:
- Activating a Double XP Token may cause the menu to become unresponsive until the player exits and re-enters it.
- Multiple Legacy Emotes are temporarily unavailable.
- Rapidly pressing the Map and Esc buttons may cause players to be kicked from a match.
- Platinum Camo progression for Marksman Rifles does not display correctly in the frontend, causing the Camo to be locked.
- New players may encounter an issue where changes to their Custom Loadouts are not saved during a match.
- Grinding for Royalty challenges may not appear as completed after finishing a match until the game is restarted.
- The in-game notification may not appear after completing an Armory Challenge to unlock a weapon.
- In rare cases, players may receive a “Playlist Unavailable” message when attempting to queue for another playlist after leaving an active match.
- There is no legacy blueprint available for the ROC 20MM.
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Edited by Sankalpa Das
