Call of Duty

Every weapon buff & nerf in MW3 & Warzone Season 2

Nathan Warby
MW3 and Warzone Operator aiming weaponActivision

The Warzone and Modern Warfare 3 Season 2 has arrived and it’s bringing with it another huge slate of weapon balancing changes. Here’s a breakdown of all the buffs and nerfs in MW3 and Warzone Season 2.

The Call of Duty updates have been coming thick and fast, and Warzone and Modern Warfare 3 Season 2 is here to deliver even more content. Players have a new Walking Dead crossover to get stuck into, as well as new guns like the RAM-9 and BP50.

On top of the fresh arrivals, the devs have also taken this opportunity to adjust the existing lineup of weapons. Some meta picks have been given a slight nerf, while some outsiders have been handed improvements that could see their popularity rise.

Here are all the weapon buffs and nerfs in MW3 and Warzone Season 2.

All buffs & nerfs in Warzone & MW3 Season 2

warzone operator next to zombies power-upActivision
The Season 2 update also brings zombie-themed content to both games.

Check out the full slate of weapon balancing changes in the Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone Season 2 update, as revealed by the devs in the official patch notes:

Modern Warfare 3

WEAPONS & ATTACHMENTS

  • Decreased melee lunge distance of all MWIII Weapons to align with MWII standards.
  • Increased movement speeds of all MWII Weapons to align with MWIII standards.
  • Added gun kick control and recoil control benefits in Tactical Stance for all Weapons.

» Assault Rifles «

  • Holger 556
    • Increased aim down sight time from 260ms to 270ms (+4%).
  • MCW
    • Increased aim down sight time from 240ms to 265ms (+10%).
    • Increased sprint to fire time from 241ms to 252ms (+5%).
    • JAK Raven Kit
      • Increased maximum damage from 31 to 33 (+6%).
      • Decreased medium damage from 23 to 22 (-4%).
      • Decreased minimum damage from 22 to 20 (-9%).
      • Decreased maximum damage range from 20.3m to 19.8m (-3%).
      • Increased near-medium damage range from 29m to 35.6m (+23%).
      • Increased medium damage range from 40.6m to 45.7m (+13%).
      • Increased headshot damage multiplier from 1.4x to 1.5x (+7%).
      • Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 1.01x to 1.1x (+9%).
      • Decreased hipfire spread while sliding.
      • Decreased recoil and gun kick significantly.

» Battle Rifles «

  • BAS-B
    • Increased sprint to fire time from 231ms to 252ms (+9%).
    • Increased aim down sight time from 260ms to 270ms (+4%).
    • Increased hipfire spread minimum from 2.3deg/s to 2.9deg/s (+26%).
  • Sidewinder
    • Increased bullet velocity from 540m/s to 600m/s (+11%).
    • Decreased recoil and gun kick significantly.
    • JAK Thunder LMG Kit
      • Increased delay before accelerated rate of fire begins to decay from 200ms to 500ms (+150%).
      • Decreased accelerated rate of fire decay rate from 300rpm/s to 240rpm/s (-20%).
      • Increased gun kick control and recoil control by 35%.
  • TAQ-V (MWII)
    • Increased maximum damage range from 35.6m to 43.2m (+21%).
    • Increased near-medium damage range from 48.3m to 55.9m (+16%).

» Submachine Guns «

  • Striker
    • Increased near-medium damage range from 19.1m to 21.6m (+13%).
    • Increased medium damage range from 25.4m to 27.9m (+10%).
  • AMR9
    • JAK Ettin Double Barrel Kit
      • Added missing hipfire crosshair.
  • WSP-9
    • Decreased aim down sight time from 240ms to 220ms (-8%).
    • Increased maximum damage range from 16.5m to 18.5m (+12%).
    • Increased near-medium damage range from 22.9m to 25.1m (+10%).
    • Broodmother .45 Kit
      • Decreased aim down sight time from 270ms to 241ms (-11%).
      • Decreased movement speed penalties by 50%.

» Shotguns «

  • Lockwood 680
    • Lockwood Defender Heavy Long Barrel
      • Increased sprint to fire time penalty from 8% to 30% (+22%).
  • KV Broadside (MWII)
    • Decreased sprint to fire time from 210ms to 189ms (-10%).
    • Decreased aim down sight time from 330ms to 240ms (-27%).

» Light Machine Guns «

  • TAQ Eradicator
    • Increased sprint to fire time from 210ms to 252ms (+20%).
    • Increased aim down sight time from 330ms to 340ms (+3%).
  • RAAL MG (MWII)
    • Decreased sprint to fire time from 216ms to 199ms (-8%).
    • Decreased aim down sight time from 390ms to 330ms (-15%).
  • 556 Icarus (MWII)
    • Decreased sprint to fire time from 250ms to 235ms (-6%).
  • RPK (MWII)
    • Decreased aim down sight time from 410ms to 380ms (-7%).

» Marksman Rifles «

  • MCW 6.8
    • Decreased aim down sight time from 271ms to 245ms (-10%).
    • Decreased all damage ranges by 18%.
    • Decreased bullet velocity from 1016m/s to 930m/s (-8%).
    • Decreased hipfire spread minimum from 5deg/s to 4.1deg/s (-18%).
    • Decreased hipfire spread maximum from 12.1deg/s to 10deg/s (-17%).
  • DM56
    • Decreased near-medium damage from 42 to 41 (-2%).
    • Decreased minimum damage from 39 to 38 (-3%).
  • MTZ Interceptor
    • Increased sprint to fire time from 252ms to 262ms (+4%).
    • Increased aim down sight time from 265ms to 280ms (+6%).
    • Decreased neck damage multiplier from 1.62x to 1x (-38%).
  • SP-R 208 (MWII)
    • Decreased maximum damage range from 19.6m to 13m (-34%).
    • Increased upper-arm damage multiplier from 1.15x to 1.5x (+30%).

Damage multiplier increase allows for one-shot kills to the upper-arm.

  • Lockwood Mk2 (MWII)
    • Increased maximum damage from 110 to 125 (+14%).
    • Decreased maximum damage range from 8.9m to 6.4m (-29%).

Damage increase allows for one-shot kills to the upper-torso within the maximum damage range.

  • LM-S (MWII)
    • Decreased intensity of aim down sight idle sway.
  • SA-B 50 (MWII)
    • Increased maximum damage from 110 to 120 (+9%).
    • Decreased maximum damage range from 14.2m to 10.4m (-27%).

Damage increase allows for one-shot kills to the upper-torso within the maximum damage range.

» Sniper Rifles «

  • Longbow
    • Decreased aim down sight time from 550ms to 520ms (-5%).
  • Signal 50 (MWII)
    • Decreased maximum damage range from 48.5m to 35.1m (-28%).
  • SP-X 80 (MWII)
    • Increased aim down sight time from 521ms to 545ms (+5%).

» Handguns «

  • Renetti
    • JAK Ferocity Carbine Kit
      • Decreased movement speed penalties by 50%.
  • Basilisk (MWII)
    • Increased maximum damage range from 6.9m to 8.4m (+22%).
    • Increased near-medium damage range from 15.2m to 22.9m (+50%).
    • Increased medium damage range from 22.9m to 35.1m (+53%).
    • Increased far-medium damage range from 35.1m to 41.9m (+20%).
    • Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 1x to 1.2x (+20%).

Damage range increase allows for one-shot kills to the head at a further distance.

» Launchers «

  • Stormender
    • Addressed an issue preventing some Killstreaks from being destroyed and/or disabled.

» Melee «

  • Gutter Knife
    • Decreased melee lunge distance by 30%.
  • Karambit
    • Decreased melee lunge distance by 30%.
  • Combat Knife (MWII)
    • Decreased melee lunge distance by 30%.
  • Dual Kodachis (MWII)
    • Decreased melee lunge distance by 30%.
  • Dual Kamas (MWII)
    • Decreased melee lunge distance by 30%.
  • Pickaxe (MWII)
    • Decreased melee lunge distance by 30%.

» Attachments «

  • JAK BFB Muzzle
    • Decreased gun kick control benefit from 60% to 55% (-5%).
    • Decreased vertical recoil control benefit from 40% to 35% (-5%).
    • Increased aim down sight time penalty from 12% to 15% (+3%).
    • Increased sprint to fire time penalty from 11% to 14% (+3%).
    • Increased aim walking speed penalty from 14% to 17% (+3%).
    • Added 18% bullet velocity penalty.

Warzone

» General «

  • We’ve reduced the recoil on all weapons while using them in Tac Stance.
  • A number of improvements have been made to Modern Warfare II weapons:
    • Assault Rifles
      • Increased movement speed while aiming down sights.
    • Battle Rifles
      • Increased movement speed while aiming down sights and while crouched.
    • Marksman Rifles
      • Increased movement speed while aiming down sights and while crouched.
    • Light Machine Guns
      • Increased movement speed while aiming down sight, while crouched, and while strafing.
    • Sniper Rifles
      • Increased movement speed while aiming down sight, while crouched, and while strafing.

» Assault Rifles «

  • RAM-7 (MWIII)
    • Mid Damage reduced to 24, down from 28.
    • Min Damage reduced to 22, down from 25.
  • MCW (MWIII)
    • Increased aim down sight time to 265ms, up from 240ms.
    • Increased sprint to fire time to 252ms, up from 241ms.
  • Holger 556 (MWIII)
    • Increased aim down sight time to 270ms, up from 260ms.
  • TR-76 Geist (MWII)
    • Headshot Damage Modifier reduced to 1.25x, down from 1.3x.
    • Upper Torso Damage Modifier increased to 1.15x, up from 1.05x.
    • Arm and Hand Damage Modifier increased to 1.15x, up from 0.96x.

» Battle Rifles «

  • BAS-B (MWIII)
    • Max Damage reduced to 30, down from 35.
    • Increased sprint to fire time to 252ms, up from 231ms.
    • Increased aim down sight time to 270ms, up from 260ms.
    • Increased hipfire spread minimum to 2.9deg/s, up from 2.3deg/s.
  • MTZ-762 (MWIII)
    • Semi-Auto damage override has been removed.
      • The weapon now does the same damage in semi-auto as it does in automatic.
  • Sidewinder (MWIII)
    • Increased bullet velocity to 600m/s, up from 540m/s.
    • Decreased recoil and gun kick significantly.
    • JAK Thunder LMG Kit
      • Increased delay before accelerated rate of fire begins to decay to 500ms, up from 200ms.
      • Decreased accelerated rate of fire decay rate to 240rpm/s, down from 300rpm/s.
      • Increased gun kick control and recoil control by 35%.

» SMGs «

  • HRM-9 (MWIII)
    • Max Damage Range reduced to 12.9m, down from 16.5m.
  • WSP-9 (MWIII)
    • Max Damage Range increased to 18m, up from 16.5m.
    • Near-Mid Damage Range increased to 26.7m, up from 22.9m.
    • Decreased aim down sight time 220ms, down from 240ms.
    • Broodmother .45 Kit 
      • Decreased aim down sight time to 241ms, down from 270ms.
      • Decreased movement speed penalties by 50%.

» Shotguns «

  • Lockwood 680 (MWIII)
    • Mid Damage reduced to 30, down from 44.
    • Defender Heavy Long Barrel
      • Increased sprint to fire time penalty to 30%, up from 8%.
  • Haymaker (MWIII)
    • 12 Gauge Dragon’s Breath
      • Max Damage Range decreased to 2.9m, down from 3.5m.
      • Near-Mid Damage Range decreased to 4.1m, down from 4.8m.
  • Riveter (MWIII)
    • Near-Mid Mid Damage Range reduced to 5.5m, down from 6.3m.
    • .410 Gauge Incendiary
      • Max Damage Range decreased to 2.5, down from 3.0m.
      • Near-Mid Damage Range decreased to 3.3, down from 3.8m.
  • Bryson 890 (MWII)
    • Mid Damage Range reduced to 10.4m, down from 13.2m.
  • KV Broadside (MWII)
    • Decreased sprint to fire time to 189ms, down from 210ms.
    • Decreased aim down sight time to 240ms, down from 330ms.
  • Lockwood 300 (MWII) 
    • 12 Gauge Dragon’s Breath
      • Max Damage Range decreased to 2.6m , down from 3.3m.
      • Near-Mid Damage Range decreased to 5.3m, down from 7.1m. 
  • MX Guardian (MWII)
    • 12 Gauge Dragon’s Breath
      • Max Damage Range decreased to 2.9m, down from 3.5m.
      • Near-Mid Damage Range decreased to 4.8m, down from 5.5m.

» LMGs «

  • Pulemyot 762 (MWIII)
    • Jak Annihilator Bullpup Kit
      • Near-Mid Damage set to 32. New Variable
      • Near-Mid Damage Range set to 38.1m. New Variable
      • Min Damage reduced to 30, down from 34.
  • TAQ Evolvere (MWIII)
    • Max Damage increased to 34, up from 26.
    • Max Damage Range reduced to 30.5m, down from 45.8m.
    • Near-Mid Damage 29. New Variable
    • Near-Mid Damage Range 45.8m. New Variable
    • Min Damage increased to 26, up from 20.
  • TAQ Eradicator (MWIII)
    • Increased sprint to fire time to 252ms, up from 210ms.
    • Increased sprint to fire time to 340ms, up from 330ms.
  • 556 Icarus (MWII)
    • Decreased sprint to fire time to 235ms, down from 250ms.
  • RAAL MG (MWII)
    • Decreased sprint to fire time to 199ms, down from 216ms.
    • Decreased aim down sight time to 330ms, down from 390ms.
  • RPK (MWII)
    • Decreased aim down sight time to 380ms, down from 410ms.

» Marksman Rifles «

  • KVD Enforcer (MWIII)
    • Decreased headshot multiplier to 1.4x, down from 1.8x.
  • MTZ Interceptor (MWIII)
    • Increased sprint to fire time to 262ms, up from 252ms.
    • Increased aim down sight time to 280ms, up from 265ms.
    • Decreased neck multiplier to 1.0x, down from 1.62x.
  • MCW 6.8 (MWIII)
    • Decreased aim down sight time to 245ms, down from 271ms.
    • Decreased hipfire spread minimum to 4.1deg/s, down from 5deg/s.
    • Decreased hipfire spread maximum to 10deg/s, down from 12.1deg/s.
    • Decreased bullet velocity to 930m/s, down from 1,016m/s.
  • LM-S (MWII)
    • Reduced intensity of aim down sight idle sway.
  • Crossbow (MWII)
    • Neck Damage Multiplier increased to 3x, up from 1.2x.
    • Lower limb Damage Multipliers increased to 1x, up from 0.9x. 

We’ve standardized the hit locations on the Crossbow, by making the profile more even and widening the one-shot location of the head to include the neck. 

» Sniper Rifles «

  • XRK Stalker (MWIII)
    • Now one-shot downs to the head within its Max Damage Range
    • Max damage range increased to 50.8 meters. 
  • Longbow (MWIII)
    • Min Damage reduced to 73, down from 75.
    • Decreased aim down sight time to 520ms, down from 550ms.
  • Signal 50 (MWII)
    • Near-Mid Damage Range reduced to 62.3m, down from 67.4m.
  • SP-X 80 (MWII)
    • Increased aim down sight time to 545ms, up from 521ms.

» Handguns «

  • Renetti (MWIII)
    • JAK Ferocity Carbine Kit
      • Reduced movement speed penalties by 50%.
  • WSP Stinger (MWIII)
    • Max Damage increased to 24, up from 20.
    • Near-Mid Damage increased to 22, up from 16.
    • Min Damage increased to 20, up from 14.
  • .50 GS (MWII)
    • Max Damage increased to 78, up from 72.
  • Basilisk (MWII)
    • Lower Torso Damage Modifier increased to 1.2x, up from 1.0x.

» Melee «

  • Gutter Knife (MWIII)
    • Decreased melee lunge distance by 30%.
  • Karambit (MWIII)
    • Decreased melee lunge distance by 30%.
  • Combat Knife (MWII)
    • Decreased melee lunge distance by 30%.
  • Dual Kodachis (MWII)
    • Decreased melee lunge distance by 30%.
  • Dual Kamas (MWII)
    • Decreased melee lunge distance by 30%.
  • Pickaxe (MWII)
    • Decreased melee lunge distance by 30%. 

  •  JAK BFB Muzzle
    • Decreased gun kick control benefit to 55%, down from 60%.
    • Decreased vertical recoil control benefit to 35%, down from 40%.
    • Increased aim down sight time penalty to 15%, up from 12%.
    • Increased sprint to fire time penalty to 14%, up from 11%.
    • Increased aim walking speed penalty to 17%, up from 14%.
    • Added 18% bullet velocity penalty.

Those were all of the buffs in MW3 and Warzone Season 2. For more on both games, be sure to take a look at some of our guides:

How to fix packet burst in Modern Warfare 3 | Best FOV settings for Modern Warfare 3 | Best Ranked Play loadouts for Modern Warfare 3 | Best Warzone controller settings | Best Warzone PC settings | Best Assault Rifles in Warzone | Best SMGs in Warzone | Best FOV settings for Warzone | Best audio settings for Warzone

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