Warzone Season 3 patch notes

Call of Duty Warzone has, once again, been updated and there’s even more great stuff to look forward to from Season 3 and beyond. We have everything you need to know about the Warzone Season 3 patch notes below – and it’s worth knowing about the balancing sweep that dropped before the Warzone Operation Monarch release date, too.

This season’s big talking point is, of course, the Warzone Godzilla event that’s just started – however, these Warzone Season 3 patch notes aren’t going to just focus on that. They’re dealing with all the technical game changes that are being made in an effort to balance the best Warzone guns and equipment, as well.

So, before you jump into the new Godzilla content, here’s everything you need to know about all the new content that’s arrived in Season 3, the balancing changes, and any mid-season tweaks Raven Software have recently released.

Here’s the latest – and the highlights – from the evolving Warzone Season 3 patch notes below:

Game Modes

[NEW] Operation Monarch
- 60-player, Resurgence rules, presence of Godzilla and Kong
Caldera Iron Trials
General Rules
- No free Loadout Drops
- ATVs, Tac Rovers, and Squad Transports only
- Buy Station prices are increased
- Cash retained on death increased
- Melee Finisher Damage capped at 150
Operator Rules
- Base Health increased
- Health Regeneration
  - Regeneration amount decreased
  - Delay timer increased
- Starting equipment adjusted
Loot Rules
- Epic and Legendary Weapons are harder to find
- Killstreak drop rates are reduced
- Large Cash piles are harder to find
- Removed Field Upgrades
  - Stopping Power
  - Dead Silence
Equipment Rules
- Sniper Rifle single shots only down Players up to a maximum of 90 meters
  - These ranges vary considerably between Sniper Rifles
- Stun Grenade stun duration decreased
- Medical Syringe regeneration rate decreased
Gulag Rules
- Exclusive Gulag Loadouts
  - No Akimbo
  - No Semi-Auto or Fully-Auto Shotguns
- Limited Tactical Equipment
- Players redeploy with remaining equipment
Plunder Changes
- Increased Carrying Limit
Rebirth Resurgence Adjustments
- Players no longer spawn with Handgun Charlie (BOCW) as a starting Weapon

Map Changes

New Gulag
- Hold
New Location
- Dig Site
New Skybox
- Dark and Stormy
Updated Locations
- Peak
  - New Constructs, Supply Boxes, Contracts, ascenders, and a fresh coat of paint
- Runway
  - New barracks, hangars, and other structural additions
- Lagoon
  - New sandbar, paths, and cover

Gameplay Changes

[NEW] SCREAM Device killstreak
- Allows players to harness the power of a Titan in Operation Monarch
Armored Truck
- Health – health and resistances decreased to be in-line but still greater than the Cargo Truck
- Turret – damage decreased by 40%
Sabotage Contract
- New in-game contract, vehicle target, rewards Armoured Truck Deployment
High Value Loot Zones (In Season)
- Appear on Tac Map with “$” and provide best looting opportunities
Gas Mask
- Will no longer interrupt a falling Player, thus allowing them to still be able to pull their parachute when falling to preserve their life.
- Won’t play animation when the Player is ADS and affected by the gas from Nebula V Rounds
Most Wanted Contract
- Timer reduction via the following…
  - Eliminating opponents reduces the timer by 20 seconds
  - Opening Supply Boxes reduces the timer by 5 seconds
  - We want this to be a Contract that both promotes and rewards aggressive play.
- Players can no longer use the Tac Map to ping an enemy Most Wanted target directly.
- The refresh rate of the Most Wanted target on the Tac Map has been increased, to counterbalance the removal of the above ping.
Bounty Contract
- Speed increase to Tac Map refresh rate
Deployable Buy Stations
- When a Player pings a Deployable Buy Station, there will now be dedicated audio/narration to better inform squad mates of the Players’ intentions
Redeploy Positioning Improvements
- Players who redeploy via Gulag victory or are bought back will now spawn in close proximity to their squad or Loadout
Caldera Loot Adjustments
- Added Perks
- Battle Hardened
- Engineer
- High Alert
- Restock
- Tempered
- Quick Fix
- Scavenger
- Pointman (Plunder Exclusive)
Rebirth Island Adjustments
- Spawn Protection Improvements
  - Removed the damage reduction scaling system that was based on ground distance
  - System is disabled if a Player is near the ground or an opponent
  - Players who have the shield icon will only take a flat 25% of the damage received
  - Spawn protection will no longer reduce gas circle damage
- Weapon Trade Station Adjustments
  - Reduced Specialist Token drop rate
  - The station will now look for empty space to drop your rewards

New Weapons

M1916 Marksman Rifle
Nikita AVT Assault Rifle

Weapon Adjustments – Assault Rifles

AK-47 (BOCW)
- Maximum Damage decreased to 34, down from 36
- Minimum Damage decreased to 30, down from 32
AS44 (VG)
- Initial Recoil decreased
- Maximum Damage Range increased to 29.8 meters, up from 28.4 meters
- Kovalevskaya 615mm
  - Maximum Damage Range increased by 20%, up from 15%
Assault Rifle Alpha (VG)
- Headshot Damage Multiplier increased to 1.58, up from 1.5
- Neck Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.19, down from 1.5
- Maximum Damage increased to 33, up from 30
- Minimum Damage increased to 30, up from 26
- 7.62 Gorenko 50 Round Mags
  - Fire Rate Multiplier decreased to 6%, down from 6.54%
- Krausnick 220mm Rapid
  - Sprint to Fire Speed increased by 6%, up from -15%
  - Movement Speed now increased by 1.3%
  - Initial Recoil penalty now begins at bullet 3, up from 2
  - Horizontal Recoil Control penalty decreased to 40%, down from 50%
  - Fire Rate Multiplier decreased to 15%, down from 20%
  - Maximum Damage Range now decreased by 8.6%
  - Damage now decreased by 10%
- Recoil Booster
  - Fire Rate Multiplier decreased to 1.5%, down from 5%
Assault Rifle Bravo (VG)
- Maximum Damage increased to 31, up from 29
- Minimum Damage increased to 26, up from 22
Assault Rifle Charlie (VG)
- Maximum Damage increased to 41, up from 40
- Minimum Damage increased to 36, up from 30
- CGC 27″ 2B Barrel
  - Maximum Damage Range increased by 20%, up from 15%
- Chariot 18″ Rapid Barrel
  - Damage now decreased by 10%
Assault Rifle Hotel (VG)
- Minimum Damage increased to 20, up from 19
Cooper Carbine (VG)
- Maximum Damage Range increased to 29.2 meters, up from 27.9 meters
- 22″ Cooper Custom
  - Damage Range now increased by 20%
  - Minimum Damage increased to 20, up from 19
EM2 (BOCW)
- Headshot Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.3, down from 1.5
- Maximum Damage decreased to 40, down from 41
- Minimum Damage decreased to 35, down from 37
KG M40 (VG)
- Maximum Damage Range increased to 33 meters, up from 31.1 meters
- Krausnick 700mm 01V
  - Damage Range now increased by 20%
  - Minimum Damage increased to 24, up from 22
Nikita AVT (VG)
- Magazine Capacity increased to 40, up from 35
- Minimum Damage increased to 21, up from 19
- .30-06 40 Round Fast Mags
  - Magazine Capacity increased to 40, up from 35
- 6.5 Sakura 60 Round Drums
  - Magazine Capacity increased to 60, up from 55
- 7.62x54mmR 50 Round Mags
  - Magazine Capacity increased to 50, up from 45
- 7.62x54mmR 40 Round Fast Mags
  - Magazine Capacity increased to 40, up from 35
NZ-41 (VG)
- Maximum Damage Range increased to 35.5 meters, up from 30.9 meters
- Minimum Damage increased to 32, up from 30
- 6.5mm Sakura 50 Round Mags
  - Damage penalty decreased to 15%, down from 30%
- Orbweaver Custom Barrel
  - Damage Range penalty removed
  - Horizontal Recoil Control penalty decreased to 30%, down from 50%
Volkssturmgewehr (VG)
- Minimum Damage increased to 22, up from 20
XM4 (BOCW)
- Headshot Damage Multiplier increased to 1.54, up from 1.5
- Maximum Damage decreased to 29, down from 30
Assault Rifle Alpha (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%
Assault Rifle Bravo (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
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

Weapon Adjustments – Handguns

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
Handgun Charlie (BOCW)
- Head Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.49

Weapon Adjustments – Light Machine Guns

Light Machine Gun Charlie (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%

Weapon Adjustments – Sniper Rifles

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)
  - Sniper Rifle Charlie (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)
  - Sniper Rifle Alpha (MW)
  - Sniper Rifle Charlie (BOCW)
- Sniper Rifle Charlie (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
  - Sniper Rifle Alpha (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
  - Marksman Rifle Charlie (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
  - Sniper Rifle Charlie (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

Weapon Adjustments – Submachine Guns

Armaguerra 43 (VG)
- Headshot Damage Multiplier increased to 1.58, up from 1.3
- Minimum Damage increased to 19, up from 15
- Neck Damage Multiplier increased to 1.32, up from 1.01
- Botti 315mm CII
  - Bullet Velocity now increased by 20%
- Botti 570mm Precisione
  - Bullet Velocity now increased by 40%
- Imerito 550mm 03P
  - Bullet Velocity now increased by 30%
M1912 (VG)
- Mid Damage increased to 22, up from 20
- Minimum Damage increased to 20, up from 18
- CGC 12″ Cooling Barrel
  - Bullet Velocity increased to 30%, up from 20%
- Chariot 5.5″ Barrel
  - Bullet Velocity now increased by 30%
Owen Gun (VG)
- Min Damage increased to to 24, up from 22
PPSh-41 (VG)
- Minimum Damage increased to 19, up from 17
- Empress 140mm
  - Bullet Velocity now increased by 20%
- ZAC 300mm
  - Bullet Velocity increased to 30%, up from 10%
Sten (VG)
- Mid Damage increased to 24, up from 22
- Min Damage increased to 21, up from 18
- Gawain 140mm Short
  - Bullet Velocity increased to 25%, up from 11%
- Hockenson 174mm B11S
  - Bullet Velocity now increased by 20%
Submachine Gun Charlie (VG)
- Minimum Damage increased to 22, up from 21
- Krausnick 317mm 04B
  - Bullet Velocity increased to 30%, up from 20%
- VDD 189mm Short
  - Bullet Velocity now increased by 20%
Type 100 (VG)
- Minimum Damage increased to 20, up from 18
- Sakura 196mm Light
  - Bullet Velocity penalty decreased to 10%, up from 12%
- Shiraishi Precision
  - Bullet Velocity increased to 40%, up from 20%
- Warubachi 134mm Rapid
  - Bullet Velocity now increased by 10%
Welgun (VG)
- Min Damage increased to 24, up from 23
- 120mm Gawain Short
  - Bullet Velocity penalty removed
- 240mm Hockenson 43
  - Now increases Bullet Velocity by 40%
Armaguerra 43 (VG)
- 8mm Kurz 72 Round Mags
  - Fire Rate decreased to 10%, down from 15%
  - Now increases Damage by 5%
- 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%
Submachine Gun Charlie (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

Weapon Adjustments – Marksman Rifle

M1 Garand (VG)
- Lower Limb Damage Multipliers increased to .8, from .7

You can check out the full Warzone Season 3 patch notes from Raven Software here.

Well, that’s everything we know about the Warzone Season 3 patch notes right now. We’ll be sure to update this guide with everything you need to know ahead of the update. For now, though, check out the latest on the Warzone meta here and our picks for the best Warzone loadouts for Caldera and Rebirth Island.