Call of Duty: Warzone

Every weapon buff & nerf in Warzone Season 3 update

Luca Di Marzo
Warzone Pacific Season 3 Operator

The Warzone Pacific Season 3 update arrived on April 27 and brought with it some major weapon balancing changes, so here’s every buff and nerf from the update.

The Warzone Season 3 update delivers many changes when it comes to weapons and attachments in the battle royale. This is certainly one of the biggest weapon balancing updates we’ve seen in Warzone for over two years.

Players will need to come to grips with the incredible amount of changes in Season 3 as the weapon meta undergoes a huge transformation. This is particularly true for Snipers as the most popular weapons in the class received major nerfs on April 27, but let’s take look at every buff and nerf in Warzone Season 3.

Warzone Season 3 weapon buffs and nerfs

Warzone Kar98k

In the patch notes, the devs explained their thought process behind the unavoidable nerf to Snipers in Warzone. Snipers were still capable of one-shot killing players despite the increase to 150 health in Warzone.

Unfortunately for Sniper experts, this left the devs no choice but to alter how one-shot potential is defined, “Snipers may now use damage ranges as a defining characteristic of their one-shot potential.” When it comes to light weapons like the Kar98k and Swiss, players will need to pick attachments that increase damage range if they want to retain one-shot potential.

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)
  • AX-50 (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)
  • Dragunov (MW)
  • M82 (BOCW)
  • AX-50 (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
  • Dragunov (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
  • Kar98k (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
  • M82 (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. 
STG44 Warzone Pacific

The STG44 is a popular Warzone weapon and the Assault Rifle had some of its attachments tweaked. Some attachments were nerfed while others were buffed, so it might be worthwhile to have a look at your loadout to see what’s changed.

Meanwhile, the Volk benefited from some hefty buffs which could see its usage increase drastically, but unfortunately, the Vargo 52 got hit pretty hard with recoil control nerfs.

Assault Rifles 

  • STG44 (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%
         
  • ITRA Burst (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
        • Attachment name will be corrected in a future update
  • 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

While the Top Break received a generous buff, the powerful Diamatti managed to avoid nerfs it probably deserved. As it stands, the Diamatti only had its head damage multiplier decreased. However, the devs stated that they’re aware of the weapon’s incredible TTK and will be monitoring it throughout Season 3.

  • 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
       
  • Diamatti (BOCW)
    • Head Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.49
vanguard bren warzone

The Bren will no longer be the powerhouse and mainstay in Warzone that it once was. The devs stated that the weapon has overstayed its welcome as the top long-range option. Nerfs to the Bren will make it more difficult to control at greater distances.

In addition, the Whitley received some great buffs to damage, ADS speed, and fire rate. Perhaps the weapon can transform into the monster it was in Vanguard’s Season 2 multiplayer.

Light Machine Guns

  • Bren (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
  • 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%

Marksman Rifle

  • M1 Garand (VG)
    • Lower Limb Damage Multipliers increased to .8, from .7
Owen Gun Warzone SMG

We also got some major meta-shifting changes for the SMG category. Many top Warzone players had been using the Owen Gun since the start of Season 2, but that could change as the weapon had its fire rate and damage multiplier nerfed for certain attachments.

The MP40‘s VDD Short Barrel also received a considerable nerf alongside the Type 100‘s 8mm Kurz 48 Round Drums. Keep an eye on your loadouts if you use these particular attachments.

Submachine Guns

  • Armaguerra 43 (VG) 
    • 8mm Kurz 72 Round Mags
      • Fire Rate decreased to 10%, down from 15%
      • Now increases Damage by 5%
      • The 8mm Kurz 72 Round Mags simply didn’t have a fair pro for con trade. We’ve slowed its rate of fire down some while providing a damage increase that results in targets being eliminated 1 bullet faster.
    • 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%
  • 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%
         
  • MP40 (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

Warzone Season 3 attachment buffs and nerfs

Most of the attachment changes were addressed above as they pertain to specific weapons. There were far fewer general attachment adjustments in the Season 3 update than we’ve seen in the past.

However, the update did provide changes to three attachments across the board regardless of which weapon you’re using. Subsonic ammo no longer has a bullet velocity penalty and the Mercury Silencer had its damage range penalty removed. Lastly, the MX Silencer will now decrease sprint to fire speed in favor of a 10% increase in damage range.

Ammunition

  • Subsonic
    • Bullet Velocity penalty removed

Muzzles

  • Mercury Silencer
    • Damage Range penalty removed
  • MX Silencer
    • Now Decreases Sprint to Fire Speed by 2% 
    • Now Increases Damage Range by 10%

That covers every weapon buff & nerf in Warzone Season 3 as well as every attachment change. You might want to give your top loadouts a look and see how your favorite weapons were affected.

For more Warzone Season 3 news, check out how to get the Kong, Godzilla, and Mechagodzilla Operator bundles.

Source: Raven Software

Image Credit: Activision / Raven Software

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