Warzone and Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 Reloaded buffs and nerfs

Warzone player standing inside control tower while holding rifle with explosions in background
Credit: Activision
By Jon NicholsonFPS Editor

Warzone player standing inside control tower while holding rifle with explosions in background
Credit: Activision

The Warzone and Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 Reloaded buffs and nerfs have sparked significant shifts in the multiplayer and battle royale meta.

With Season 1 Reloaded for Warzone and Modern Warfare 3 in full swing, players are already loading into the action to see how their favourite weapons perform following a widespread dose of weapon balancing affecting the majority of the arsenal. Everything from assault rifles to launchers has been adjusted.

Before we take a closer look at all the Season 1 Reloaded buffs and nerfs, check out how to unlock the TAQ Evolvere and the latest Warzone playlist update information.

Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 Reloaded buffs and nerfs

The MCW assault rifle has received a significant nerf which is bound to impact the casual and competitive meta. In addition, a number of popular SMGs have also received adjustments. Here's the full breakdown:

Assault rifles

SVA 545

  • Increased maximum damage from 29 to 30 (+3%).

Holger 556

  • Increased sprint to fire time from 231ms to 252ms (+9%).

DG-56

  • Decreased maximum damage range from 35.6m to 20.3m (-43%)
  • Decreased medium damage range from 44.5m to 30.5 (-31%).

FR 5.56

  • Increased medium damage from 36 to 40 (+11%).

MCW

  • Increased sprint to fire time from 220ms to 241ms (+10%).
    • 16.5" MCW Cyclone Long Barrel
    • Decreased damage range benefit by 6%.
    • Decreased bullet velocity benefit by 7%.
    • Increased sprint to fire time penalty by 1%.
    • Decreased hipfire spread penalty by 5%.
    • Decreased tactical stance spread penalty by 5%.
    • RB Regal Heavy Stock
    • Decreased gun kick control benefit by 11%.
    • Decreased horizontal recoil control benefit by 5%.
    • Decreased vertical recoil control benefit by 5%.
    • Increased sprint speed penalty by 3%.
    • Increased tactical sprint speed penalty by 3%.
    • Increased sprint to fire speed penalty by 1%.

JAK Raven Kit

  • Increased arm damage multiplier from 1x to 1.1x (+10%).
  • Increased hand damage multiplier from 1x to 1.1x (+10%).

STB-556 (MWII)

  • Increased maximum damage range from 15.2m to 30.5m (+100%).
  • Increased near-medium damage range from 29.5m to 39.4m (+34%)
  • Increased medium damage range from 47m to 54.6m (+16%).

Kastov 762 (MWII)

  • Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 0.96x to 1.1x (+15%).
  • Increased leg damage multiplier from 0.96x to 1.1x (+15%).
  • Increased foot damage multiplier from 0.96x to 1.1x (+15%).

Chimera (MWII)

  • Increased near-medium damage from 28 to 29 (+4%).

Tempus Razorback (MWII)

  • Increased maximum damage from 28 to 29 (+4%).
  • Increased maximum damage range from 12.7m to 22.9m (+80%).
  • Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 1x to 1.1x (+10%).

FR Avancer (MWII)

  • Increased maximum damage from 25 to 29 (+16%).
  • Decreased maximum damage range from 34.9m to 24.8m (-29%).

M16 (MWII)

  • Decreased upper-torso damage multiplier from 1.2x to 1x (-17%).
  • Decreased arm damage multiplier from 1.2x to 1x (-17%).
  • Decreased hand damage multiplier from 1.2x to 1x (-17%).
  • Decreased sprint to fire time from 210ms to 189ms (-10%).
  • Decreased aim down sight time from 290ms to 240ms (-17%).

Kastov-74u (MWII)

  • Increased minimum damage from 19 to 22 (+16%).
  • Increased near-medium damage range from 22.9m to 30.5m (+33%).
  • Increased medium damage range from 36.8m to 47m (+28%).

Kastov 545 (MWII)

  • Increased maximum damage from 32 to 34 (+6%).
  • Decreased maximum damage range from 24.9m to 15.2m (-39%).
  • Decreased aim down sight time from 240ms to 225ms (-6%).

Battle rifles

Sidewinder

  • Decreased recoil and gun kick while firing.

Lachmann-762 (MWII)

  • Increased maximum damage from 44 to 52 (+18%)
    • Full-Auto Fire Typ
    • Decreased upper-torso damage multiplier from 0.95x to 0.9x (-5%)
    • Decreased lower-torso damage multiplier from 0.95x to 0.9x (-5%).
    • Increased arm damage multiplier from 0.75x to 0.9x (+20%).
    • Increased hand damage multiplier from 0.75x to 0.9x (+20%).

Cronen Squall (MWII)

  • Increased maximum damage from 31 to 32 (+3%).

FTAC Recon (MWII)

  • Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 1x to 1.3x (+30%).
  • Decreased aim down sight time from 270ms to 250ms (-7%)
    • Full-Auto Fire Type
    • Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 0.9x to 1x (+11%).
    • Increased arm damage multiplier from 0.85x to 1x (+18%)
    • Increased hand damage multiplier from 0.85x to 1x (+18%).
    • Increased leg damage multiplier from 0.85x to 1x (+18%).
    • Increased foot damage multiplier from 0.85x to 1x (+18%).

SO-14 (MWII)

  • Increased maximum damage from 41 to 46 (+12%)
    • Full-Auto Fire Typ
    • Decreased neck damage multiplier from 0.85x to 0.8x (-6%).
    • Decreased upper-torso damage multiplier from 0.85x to 0.8x (-6%).
    • Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 0.74x to 0.8x (+8%).
    • Increased arm damage multiplier from 0.63x to 0.8x (+27%).
    • Increased hand damage multiplier from 0.63x to 0.8x (+27%).
    • Increased leg damage multiplier from 0.59x to 0.8x (+36%).
    • Increased foot damage multiplier from 0.59x to 0.8x (+36%).

Submachine guns

WSP Swarm

  • Increased maximum damage range from 4.6m to 6.6m (+50%).
  • Increased near-medium damage range from 7.9m to 11.7m (+48%).

Rival-9

  • Decreased horizontal recoil slightly
  • MTZ Marauder Stock
    • Decreased firing aim stability benefit by 5%.

Striker 9

  • Increased maximum damage from 27 to 29 (+7%).

Lachmann Shroud (MWII)

  • Increased maximum damage from 30 to 38 (+27%).
  • Increased near-medium damage from 28 to 32 (+14%).
  • Decreased maximum damage range from 12.2m to 10.7m (-13%).
  • Decreased headshot damage multiplier from 1.4x to 1.2x (-14%).
  • Decreased neck damage multiplier from 1.2x to 1.02x (-15%).
  • Decreased upper-torso damage multiplier from 1.2x to 1.02x (-15%).
  • Decreased arm damage multiplier from 1.2x to 1.02x (-15%).
  • Decreased hand damage multiplier from 1.2x to 1.02x (-15%)

ISO 9mm (MWII)

  • Incompatible Underbarrel Attachments can no longer be equipped.

Fennec 45 (MWII)

  • Increased maximum damage range from 10.7m to 12.7m (+19%).
  • Increased leg damage multiplier from 1x to 1.1x (+10%).
  • Increased foot damage multiplier from 1x to 1.1x (+10%).
  • Decreased aim down sight time from 200ms to 190ms (-6%).
  • Decreased sprint to fire time from 110ms to 99ms (-10%).

BAS-P (MWII)

  • Decreased maximum damage range from 18.8m to 16.3m (-14%)
  • Increased leg damage multiplier from 0.95x to 1x (+5%).
  • Increased foot damage multiplier from 0.95x to 1x (+5%).

Lachmann Sub (MWII)

  • Increased near-medium damage from 28 to 29 (+4%).
  • Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 1x to 1.1x (+10%).

MX9 (MWII)

  • Increased upper-leg damage multiplier from 0.9x to 1.04x (+16%).
  • Increased foot damage multiplier from 0.9x to 1.04x (+16%).
  • Decreased aim down sights time from 220ms to 200ms (-9%).
  • Decreased sprint to fire time from 110ms to 88ms (-20%).

Shotguns

Lockwood 680

  • Increased sprint to fire time from 184ms to 200ms (+9%)
    • Sawed Off Mod Stock
    • Decreased movement speed benefit by 2%.
    • Decreased sprint to fire time benefit by 5%.
    • Decreased aim down sight time benefit by 3%.
    • Decreased recoil control penalties by 10%.
    • Decreased hipfire spread benefits by 6%.

Lockwood 300 (MWII)

  • 12 Gauge Slug Ammunition
    • Decreased minimum damage from 75 to 57 (-24%).
  • Maelstrom Dual Trigger Action
    • Decreased maximum damage range from 3m to 2.3m (-25%).
    • Decreased near-medium damage range from 6.4m to 5.3m (-16%).

Expedite 12 (MWII)

Increased medium damage range from 10.4m to 12.4m (+20%).

  • Decreased pellet spread while aiming down sight by 20%.

Bryson 800 (MWII)

  • Decreased sprint to fire time from 182ms to 145ms (-20%).
  • Decreased aim down sight time from 350ms to 300ms (-14%).

Bryson 890 (MWII)

  • Increased rate of fire from 150rpm to 164rpm (+9%).

Light Machine Guns

Holger 26

  • Increased minimum damage from 25 to 29 (+16%).

DG-58 LSW

  • Decreased sprint to fire time from 294ms to 231ms (-21%).
  • Decreased aim down sight time from 370ms to 320ms (-14%).

Bruen Mk9

  • Incompatible Underbarrel Attachments can no longer be equipped.

Sakin MG38 (MWII)

  • Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 1x to 1.15x (+15%)
  • Decreased aim down sight time from 430ms to 410ms (-5%).

HCR 56 (MWII)

  • Decreased sprint to fire time from 250ms to 225ms (-10%).
  • Decreased aim down sight time from 390ms to 310ms (-21%).

Marksman rifles

DM56

  • Increased sprint to fire time from 168ms to 199ms (+19%).

MTZ Interceptor

  • Decreased head damage multiplier from 2x to 1.62x (-19%).
  • Decreased neck damage multiplier from 2x to 1.62x (-19%).

EBR-14 (MWII)

  • Decreased sprint to fire time from 270ms to 216ms (-20%).
  • Decreased aim down sight time from 255ms to 240ms (-6%).

Lockwood Mk2 (MWII)

  • Incompatible Underbarrel Attachments can no longer be equipped.
  • Decreased aim down sight time from 250ms to 240ms (-4%).
  • Decreased hipfire spread while standing by 10%.

Tempus Torrent (MWII)

  • Increased leg damage multiplier from 0.95x to 1x (+5%).
  • Increased foot damage multiplier from 0.95x to 1x (+5%).

Crossbow (MWII)

  • Increased minimum damage from 100 to 125 (+25%)
  • Brightblaze 20” Bolts
    • Increased maximum damage from 85 to 105 (+24%).
    • Increased upper-torso damage multiplier from 0.98x to 1.2x (+22%).
    • Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 0.95x to 1.2x (+26%).
    • Increased arm damage multiplier from 0.95x to 1.2x (+26%).
    • Increased hand damage multiplier from 0.95x to 1.2x (+26%).
    • Increased leg damage multiplier from 0.9x to 1.2x (+33%).
    • Increased foot damage multiplier from 0.9x to 1.2x (+33%).

LM-S (MWII)

  • Decreased sprint to fire time from 210ms to 189ms (-10%).
  • Decreased aim down sight time from 270ms to 245ms (-9%).

Sniper rifles

KATT-AMR

  • Zang-34 Barrel
    • Decreased damage range benefit by 9%.
    • Decreased bullet velocity benefit by 8%.

KV Inhibitor

  • Added medium damage at 129 to 61m.
  • Decreased minimum damage from 129 to 99 (-23%).
  • Decreased maximum damage range from 38.1m to 30.5m (-20%).
  • Decreased near-medium damage from 58.4m to 48.3m (-17%).

Victus XMR (MWII)

  • Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 1.05x to 1.5x (+43%).

Carrack .300 (MWII)

  • Increased recoil center speed by 100%.

Handguns

Renetti

  • JAK Ferocity Carbine Kit
    • View will no longer be obstructed while aiming down sight with certain Optic Attachments equipped.

TYR

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  • Increased near-medium damage from 90 to 100 (+11%).
  • Increased minimum damage from 70 to 75 (+7%).
  • Decreased near-medium damage range from 15.2m to 11.4m (-25%).
  • Increased upper-torso damage multiplier from 1.3x to 1.5x (+15%).
  • Decreased lower-torso damage multiplier from 1.3x to 1x (-23%).
  • Decreased arm damage multiplier from 1.3x to 1x (-23%).
  • Decreased hand damage multiplier from 1.3x to 1x (-23%).
  • Decreased trigger action delay from 150ms to 90ms (-40%).
  • Incompatible Chrios Holo Optic Attachment can no longer be equipped
  • Ullr's Fury Trigger Action
    • Decreased trigger action delay from 70ms to 60ms (-14%).
    • Odin's Judgement Trigger Action
    • Decreased trigger action delay from 210ms to 150ms (-29%).

9mm Daemon (MWII)

  • Added far-medium damage at 26 to 31m.
  • Increased maximum damage from 34 to 40 (+18%)
  • Increased near-medium damage from 30 to 34 (+13%).
  • Increased medium damage from 26 to 30 (+15%)
  • Decreased maximum damage range from 9.4m to 7.4m (-22%).
  • Decreased near-medium damage range from 20.6m to 11.4m (-44%).
  • Decreased medium damage range from 31m to 20.6m (-34%).

Launchers

Stormender

  • EMP effects will now disable and/or destroy the following items
    • Drill Charge (Lethal)
    • Smoke Airdrop (Field Upgrade)
    • Inflatable Decoy (Field Upgrade)
    • Swarm (Killstreak)
Modern Warfare 3 players aiming down sights of rifles with artistic mural in background
expand image
Credit: Activision

Warzone Season 1 Reloaded buffs and nerfs

Just like Modern Warfare 3, Raven Software has applied its own set of weapon balancing to maintain some kind of level playing field within the battle royale. Here are all the changes:

Weapons

Assault Rifle

  • Holger 556 (MWIII)
    • Max Damage increased to 35, up from 32
  • M13B (MWII)
    • Max Damage reduced to 23, down from 25
    • Near-Mid Damage reduced to 21, down from 24
    • Min Damage reduced to 19, down from 22
  • MCW (MWIII)
    • Max Damage increased to 28, up from 24
    • Near-Mid Damage increased to 24, up from 20
    • 16.5” MCW Cyclone Long Barrel
      • Damage range benefits reduced by 6%
      • Velocity benefits reduced by 7%
      • Hip fire and tac-stance penalty reduced by 5%
      • Sprint to Fire penalty increased by 1%
    • RB Regal Heavy Stock
      • Gun kick benefit reduced by 11%
      • Horizontal and vertical benefit reduced by 5%
      • Mobility penalties increased by 3%
      • Sprint to Fire penalty increased by 1%

Battle Rifle

  • MTZ 762 (MWIII)
    • Max Damage reduced to 42, down from 45
    • Near-Mid Damage reduced to 38, down from 42
    • Min Damage reduced to 34, down from 37

Light Machine Gun

  • Bruen MK9 (MWIII)
    • Max Damage reduced to 28, down from 32
    • Min Damage reduced to 26, down from 28
  • DG LSW (MWIII)
    • Max Damage reduced to 29, down from 33
    • Min Damage reduced to 27, down from 29
  • Pulemyot 762 (MWIII)
    • JAK Annihilator Bullpup Kit
      • Max Damage reduced to 38, down from 40
      • Min Damage reduced to 34, down from 36
  • TAQ Eradicator (MWIII)
    • Max Damage reduced to 28, down from 33
    • Min Damage reduced to 24, down from 25

Submachine Gun

  • AMR9 (MWIII)
    • Max Damage increased to 31, up from 28
    • Near-Mid Damage increased to 27, up from 25
    • Min Damage increased to 25, up from 23
  • ISO 9mm (MWII)
    • Max Damage reduced to 21, down from 24
    • Near-Mid Damage reduced to 17, down from 19
    • Mid Damage reduced to 15, down from 16
    • Far-Mid Damage reduced to 12, down from 13
  • Rival-9 (MWIII)
    • Slight reduction in horizontal recoil
    • MTZ Marauder Stock
      • Fire aim stability benefit reduced by 5%
  • Striker 9 (MWIII)
    • Near-Mid Damage increased to 27, up from 25
    • Min Damage increased to 23, up from 20

Sniper Rifle

  • KATT-AMR (MWIII)
    • ZANG-34 Barrel
      • Damage Range Benefits reduced by 9%
      • Velocity Benefit reduced by 8%

There you have it, that's all there is to know about the Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone Season 1 Reloaded buffs and nerfs. For more, check out the best MW3 ranked play loadouts and the best Warzone DG-56 loadout to use in the battle royale.

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