Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 Patch Notes – Weapon Buffs, Nerfs & Changes Explained - VICE

Infinity Ward has released the Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 patch notes, which feature weapon buffs, nerfs, and major gameplay changes. From adjustments to the Hyeon Burst’s Apex Attachment to a Hardcore health reduction, here are the biggest changes explained.

The first season of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 is now live, and there are quite a few changes to get through. Alongside new maps and weapons, Infinity Ward has adjusted damage, range, and headshot multipliers across several weapon classes.

According to the official Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 patch notes, the Hyeon Burst’s Hyperbust Apex Attachment receives a substantial damage reduction. However, the base weapon actually gets a small buff, so the attachment distinction matters here.

The VEL 46 also has shorter damage ranges, although its minimum damage increases. Meanwhile, the APOC-338 receives reductions to both minimum damage and its headshot multiplier. Here is a breakdown of those weapon nerfs and their accompanying changes:

Of these changes, the Hyperbust damage reductions stand out the most. Its improved range is worth keeping in mind, but players using the attachment will still need to account for those lower damage values.

It isn’t all nerfs, though. In fact, the Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 update buffs a long list of weapons, including the M4, Kastov 762, and Wz.55 Striga.

The Striga gets several improvements, including higher maximum and minimum damage, alongside a stronger headshot multiplier. The M4 also receives a range increase and improved headshot damage, while the Axion gets faster bullets.

For players looking to revisit an older loadout, there are plenty of weapons worth trying again. However, these stat changes alone don’t establish which gun will become the best weapon in Season 1.

One of the biggest changes outside weapon balancing affects Hardcore. Maximum health in Modern Warfare 4 Hardcore modes has been reduced from 30 to 22. That gives players less health to work with and changes how weapon damage values line up against their targets.

Equipment and other combat tools have also been adjusted. Proximity Mines now arm in half the time, while Claymores activate faster and have a wider detection area.

Infinity Ward has also fixed an exploit that allowed players to attach Proximity Mines to Seeker Drones.

Of course, the Season 1 patch goes beyond balance changes. Multiplayer adds the new Backstab, Canyon, Shoot House, and the featured Kill Block: Crash combo maps. Grind and Drop Zone also return, while Gauntlet 1v1 is scheduled to arrive through the upcoming Wager Match Event.

The new weapons available at the start of the season are the Cronen Osprey assault rifle and CSG-35 SMG. Two more weapons and additional attachments are planned for later in Season 1.

Over in DMZ, players can explore X01, a new Exclusion Zone set in an underground GRANIT Arms facility beneath Hajin. The update also fixes duplication exploits, updates FOB vendors and crafting requirements, and addresses several mission and challenge tracking problems.

Finally, Season 1 makes Performance Mode available to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S players with 120Hz displays, even if their screen doesn’t support VRR. Infinity Ward still recommends VRR for the best experience.

That is a useful change for players who have a compatible 120Hz screen but previously couldn’t access the option. Between the expanded display support, Hardcore health adjustment, and extensive weapon tuning, there is more to this Modern Warfare 4 update than just a few gun nerfs.