Modern Warfare 2 Season 3 patch notes: TAQ-56 buff, Vaznev nerf, Gunfight returns, more
Infinity Ward has come out swinging in Season 3 for Modern Warfare 2, delivering a wide variety of fresh multiplayer content for the upcoming season,with major weapon balancing changes, new maps, and the return of the Gunfight game mode.
A segment of theModern Warfare 2community slammedSeason 2for adding an “all-time low” amount of content. Perk changes, a beta map, and a Dome remake weren’t enough to satiate the hunger, expecting more. Infinity Ward listened to feedback and pushed up the release of Himmelmatt Expo inSeason 2 Reloaded.
Season 3 builds on that momentum, re-introducing Gunfight, and bringing four new multiplayer maps on the first day of the new season. Here are the biggest changes and full patch notes.
New multiplayer maps in MW2 Season 3
As well as the return of NVG (nightvision goggles) maps & modes, there are a number of new maps arriving in Season 3, both at launch and in-season:
Pelayo’s Lighthouse will also feature a segment of the map that is a throwback to MW2 2009’s Estate, incorporating the iconic house into a different environment.
Weapon balancing: STB 556 buff, ISO Hemlock nerf & more
There were a number of weapon balancing changes in the Season 3 update, including (but not limited to) a nerf to the ISO Hemlock and a buff for the entire battle rifle class.
There have also been changes to the STB 556, RPK, Lachmann Sub (MP5), TAQ 56, Vaznev, and more as developers Infinity Ward look to shake up the meta and keep the new maps and modes feeling as fresh as ever.
Gunfight returns in Modern Warfare 2
Gunfight is making its way back to Call of Duty having been first introduced in Modern Warfare (2019).
All weapon buffs and nerfs in Warzone & Black Ops 6 Season 5
Warzone Season 5 update patch notes
Black Ops 6 Zombies Season 3 update patch notes
For those unfamiliar with the mode: Each round, two duos spawn on either side of a map with the same random Loadout. A duo wins a round when they kill the enemy players or, if this is not done before the round timer expires, the first duo who captures an Overtime flag at the center of the map wins. Ties can occur if duos have the same health and the Overtime flag is not captured at the end of a round’s overtime period, at which point both duos will be awarded a “round win” for scoring purposes. The first duo to win six rounds wins the match.
Here are all the Gunfight maps in Modern Warfare 2:
Full MW2 Season 03 patch notes
BATTLE PASS
There is still the option to unlock Battle Pass sectors manually, and players can switch between Automatic and Manual pathing at any time during the season, which is great for those who don’t mind what other rewards they earn after they get their favorites.
For more details, visit theSeason 03 Battle Pass blog.
PROGRESSION
Progression has been updated for Season 03:
CHALLENGES
WEAPON BALANCING
Season 03’s changes add more responsiveness to movement and the fluidity of combat including a reduction to the intensity of damage feedback (e.g., camera shake and HUD overlays). We have also decreased the magnitude on some of the more punitive Attachment cons. We feel this will result in an expansion in Attachment viability that will enable a broader spectrum of playstyles to excel—Including a change to Explosive Ammo, which allows Bolt-Action Sniper Rifles to down players in one shot. As we head into Season 03 Reloaded, we will be keeping a close eye on Weapons, Equipment, Killstreaks—among other mechanics, to ensure fair, fun, and strategically rich gameplay.
In the context of the below changes—when a Minimum Armor Damage value is added to a Weapon or Attachment, it is an increase to effectiveness. When a Maximum Armor Damage value is added, it is a decrease to effectiveness.
Assault Rifles
Battle Rifles
Light Machine Guns
Marksman Rifles
Submachine Guns
ATTACHMENTS
Ammunition
Barrel, Stock, and Magazine Attachment stats are affected according to how ‘Large’, ‘Small’, ‘Heavy’, ‘Light’, ‘Long’, or ‘Short’ they are relative to other Attachments. In essence, the below changes increase the upsides of most Attachments stats while decreasing their downsides—resulting in an overall increase to Attachment power level.
Small Magazines
FIELD UPGRADES
KILLSTREAKS
GLOBAL BUG FIXES
PC SETTINGS
MULTIPLAYER BUG FIXES
RANKED PLAY
Ranked Play continues in Season 03, featuring NEW Seasonal Rewards! So whether you’re jumping into your first Ranked Play match or continuing your Season 02 Grind, there’s plenty to unlock and lots of competition to face. Here are the important details to keep in mind for new players. For returning players, consider this a refresher:
Competitive Game Modes, Maps, and Settings
SR (Skill Rating)
Test yourself against your peers and track that progress with a visible SR (Skill Rating) that determines your place across 8 Skill Divisions.
Ranks & Rewards
Competitive Integrity Features
Be sure to also check out ourWarzone 2 Season 3 patch notesandDMZ Season 3 patch notes.
