Warzone Pacific changes: Dead Silence nerf, Heartbeat Sensors, Kali Sticks, more

Luca Di Marzo
Warzone pacific caldera

Warzone Pacific Season 1 is set to bring some significant changes to the table. Here are some of the most important updates and additions players can expect on December 8.

As eager Call of Duty fans anticipate the groundbreaking launch of Vanguard Season 1 and Warzone Pacific, Activision has released some brand new patch notes for players to sift through.

It’s safe to say that players will be diving into a completely different Warzone experience than what they are used to. With many changes to dissect here are some of the highlights that you won’t want to miss.

Warzone Pacific Season 1 changes

Post-Gulag weapons & equipment

Warzone pacific launch graphic

Caldera will deliver a more forgiving Gulag experience. Previously, winning your Gulag gunfight meant dropping back into Verdansk with a pistol in hand. Warzone Pacific is making it so players drop back in with the loadout used to win their Gulag. In other words, players will have access to at least one weapon, if not two, and possibly any equipment that remains after the duel.

Players familiar with the Iron Trials ’84 Warzone game mode will already be accustomed to this new gameplay mechanic.

Equipment balancing & Loadout Drop purchase

loadout drop marker warzone pacific

Several elements are being tuned prior to Caldera’s launch. Most of these elements correspond to player loadouts. For starters Stopping Power Rounds have been completely removed from the game as a Field Upgrade. In addition, the Dead Silence Field Upgrade is receiving a considerable nerf.

Raven Software has also promised to reduce the effectiveness of Stun Grenades, Heartbeat Sensors, and dual-wield melee weapons. These components were all widely used at one point in the Warzone cycle. It makes sense to pinpoint overpowered elements for players to start Caldera on even footing.

Another massively important change to note is the inability to call in a Loadout Drop from a Buy Station prior to the Loadout Drop event falling across the map. This will have a huge impact on strategy as many high-level players aim to purchase their Loadout Drop as quickly as possible in order to get a head start on the competition. That will no longer be possible. Also, when playing the Vanguard Royale playlist, Loadouts can only contain Vanguard weapons.

Alongside the nerf to some overpowered equipment, players can expect a buff to equipment that has gotten less love over the years. For starters, most equipment will deal more damage. Secondly, the Snapshot Grenade is receiving an increase in effective range. Stim equipment will now provide a momentary boost to movement speed and the Decoy Grenade will pack rubber bullets that deal a small amount of damage to enemies.

Gas Mask buff

gas Mask warzone pacific

One of Warzone’s most prominent complaints is finally getting a fix. It seems as though Gas Masks will no longer interrupt the majority of your actions in Caldera.

In the past, the animation of removing or applying a mask has left players vulnerable when engaged in a gunfight. This change will also make plating within gas a more fluid experience.

Walk through water

Lagoon Warzone Pacific

Players will be able to take to the water in Caldera. Although Operators still cannot swim in deep waters, shallow areas such as the Lagoon will inhibit players to swim through water. Players walking in water will be harder to track even when the Tracker Perk is equipped.

Furthermore, crouching in water will give you the effects of Cold Blooded. Lastly, when fire-based equipment makes contact with water, layers of smoke will appear. Each of these elements adds a new layer of strategy when traversing the map.


These are the major changes expected on December 8. Warzone players sure have a lot to get used to. This transition period will be an exciting one, stay tuned for more Vanguard Season 1 and Warzone Pacific: Caldera news before its release.

Image Credit: Activision

About The Author

Luca is an Associate Editor at CharlieIntel. An accomplished, writer with interests in sports and gaming alike, Luca is focused on Call of Duty and FIFA as a content creator. After earning his BA in English Literature at Concordia University, he began writing for Gamelevate, OddsShark, and H4X. Luca joined CharlieIntel in 2021. You can reach Luca at [email protected], or via X @TheLucaDiMarzo.