"Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Season 3 Patch Notes Released"

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Season 3 patch notes have arrived, bringing a wave of significant changes across Multiplayer, Zombies, and Warzone as Verdansk returns in glory.

Activision has released a comprehensive breakdown on their website, detailing the updates for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox players. This hefty update will transform the gameplay experience when Season 3 launches on Wednesday, April 2, at 9am PT.

Shotguns are set to dominate following the update, as they receive a universal boost to damage, range, and rate of fire. Alongside these improvements, players can enjoy new content, including the classic Multiplayer map Firing Range, the return of the Kilo 141 assault rifle, and the iconic Death Machine Scorestreak.

Zombies mode sees exciting additions as well, with the new map Shattered Veil and the return of the Raygun Mark II featuring three new variants. The beloved Perk-A-Cola, Double Tap, is also making a comeback, adding more firepower to your undead encounters. Both Multiplayer and Zombies modes have been fine-tuned with numerous bug fixes and gameplay adjustments to ensure a smooth launch.

Black Ops 6 Tier List: Best Guns Ranked

Warzone's patch notes stand out this season, heralding the return of Verdansk, one of the most iconic maps in Call of Duty history. Set to relaunch on April 3, the Warzone Season 3 update aims to bring back the classic feel of Verdansk from 2020, while incorporating modern features like Omnimovement. You can find a detailed comparison of the new and old Verdansk here.

This update means Warzone will evoke a sense of nostalgia, with some elements reverting to their original state. For example, Buy Stations will feature the original vertical UI for quicker purchases, and the Precision Airstrike will once again be a surprise attack without a mini-map indicator.

“We have removed the Precision Airstrike’s approximate path indicator on the mini-map to return to how it worked in 2020, surprising your enemies,” the patch notes state. “We will monitor feedback, data, and sentiment as we move forward.”

With Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Season 3 just days away, you can delve into Activision’s latest anti-cheat update here. Also, check out how Call of Duty is welcoming players back to Verdansk with a limited-time mode and a collection of exclusive rewards. For the complete Season 3 patch notes, see below.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Season 3 Patch Notes

WELCOME TO SEASON 03

“Did Hudson figure out the Pantheon silver bullet all the way back in 89?” - Frank Woods

In a video recorded before his death, Special Agent Jason Hudson warns of the Pantheon moles who have been working in the shadows for decades ever since Vietnam. They’ve managed to avoid detection throughout the years, using conflict and chaos to cover their tracks. With some new leads in play, however, their secrecy is no longer certain. Time to pick up the trail tomorrow with the launch of Season 03.

Stay informed about what’s coming with our Season 03 launch, including details on new Multiplayer and Zombies content, balance adjustments, gameplay improvements, bug fixes, and more, all arriving tomorrow.

New Multiplayer Maps

Firing Range (6v6)Firing Range makes a triumphant return in Black Ops 6, faithfully remastered for fans. Watch for crossfire down the long center road as Operators vie for control of vantage points in the Tower and upper levels of the Shoot House and Garage. Moving targets add a fun distraction while preparing for your next engagement. Avoid the center chaos by branching off to the Dirt Road, staying alert for ambushes near the Storage unit.Barrage (6v6)Step back into 1968 Vietnam as you follow Hudson’s clues surrounding one Summit Watch at the front lines of battle. The landscape has been cleared and flattened to accommodate this artillery base in active combat. The area has sustained damage, with large chunks blown off buildings like the Command Center and Barracks, opening new pathways through the map.Nomad (6v6, 2v2)The Pantheon moles were also in Afghanistan when Woods fought there in 1986. Battle in the ruins of a fortified settlement commandeered for combat, with a parked missile carrier overlooking the valley where a convoy lies in ruins on the narrow road leading up to the map.New Multiplayer Modes

Sharpshooter

Test your skills in this classic Black Ops free-for-all mode where every Operator starts with the same Loadout, which changes every 45 seconds. Each cycle introduces a new Primary and Secondary Weapon, ranging from scoped Sniper Rifles to akimbo Pistols, along with a new Dedicated Melee weapon and Tactical and Lethal Equipment. Rack up eliminations to unlock bonus abilities:1st Elimination: Increased movement speed.2nd Elimination: Increased reload speed.3rd Elimination: Increased sprint recovery speed.4th Elimination: Increased ADS speed.5th Elimination: Earn double score for eliminating enemies.Keep the streak alive to unlock double score and aim for the top three. Respawn and rebuild your bonuses after each elimination. A short countdown precedes each weapon swap, so adapt and dominate.Demolition

Switch between attacking and defending two bomb sites. The attacking team must destroy both sites to win the round, earning a time bonus after detonating the first. All attacking Operators spawn with a bomb, and respawns are active for both teams throughout the match. Defenders need to run down the clock, defusing bombs promptly as the timer pauses during countdowns. If one site is destroyed, regroup and defend the last one with everything you've got.New Weapons (Multiplayer & Zombies)

Kilo 141 - Assault Rifle (Call of Duty: Warzone Login Reward)This fully automatic assault rifle boasts an ergonomic design that enhances handling, with a steady fire rate to keep you on target. The Kilo 141 returns to dominate in Multiplayer and Call of Duty: Warzone. Its smooth handling, manageable recoil, and consistent fire rate make it a versatile choice for various combat scenarios. Log in to Call of Duty: Warzone at the launch of Season 03 to unlock the Kilo 141 for use in Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone.CR-56 - Assault Rifle (Battle Pass)A lightweight 7.62 x 39mm full-auto assault rifle designed for military use, the CR-56 AMAX is powerful and compact. It excels at mid-range combat and can be customized for various assault tactics. With high-damage hits, a fast fire rate, and good handling, the CR-56 AMAX is perfect for quickly downing targets within 25 meters. Its quick reloads keep you in the fight, no matter how you configure it via Gunsmith.HDR - Sniper Rifle (Battle Pass)An anti-material bolt action sniper rifle chambered in 12.7 x 108mm ammunition, the HDR delivers devastating damage at long ranges despite its lower muzzle velocity. Veterans of Verdansk know the power of the HDR, especially from high vantage points like the Airport Control Tower. Extend your damage range and bullet velocity with the Reinforced Barrel attachment, and don't forget to hold your breath for those tricky shots.Kali Sticks - Melee (Event Reward)The infamous Kali Sticks return, delivering a two-hit kill with their extremely fast attack speed, effective at short range. Unleash rapid swings for a quick takedown or go for a dramatic finish with the heavy attack. Use Kali Sticks in Multiplayer with the new Close Shave Perk to deploy a swift strike without manually switching to your Dedicated Melee slot.Nail Gun - Special (In-Season)This full-auto Nail Gun deals high damage at close range with fast handling speeds, though its very low muzzle velocity makes it challenging to hit fast-moving targets. With a magazine of 15 nails, it's perfect for close encounters. Earn this armament during the Black Ops Tribute Event.New Attachments

Monolithic Suppressor (Battle Pass)This attachment provides superior sound suppression and increased range, though it adds moderate weight, affecting agility. It's compatible with Assault Rifles (except AS VAL), SMGs, Shotguns, LMGs, Marksman Rifles, Sniper Rifles, and Pistols.SWAT 5.56 Grau Conversion (Battle Pass)Convert the SWAT 5.56 into a fully automatic weapon with lower damage and range but improved accuracy, mobility, and handling. It comes with a new default Barrel and Magazine, unlocking an exclusive 50-round extended Magazine but blocking other Barrel attachments.C9 10mm Auto 30-Round Mags (In-Season)This conversion kit uses higher caliber 10mm Auto ammunition for increased stopping power. While it results in increased recoil and a slightly lower fire rate, the extra damage, range, and velocity make it a valuable option for larger maps.New Multiplayer Perks

Close Shave - Enforcer (Event Reward)

Automatically use your Dedicated Melee attack when performing a weapon butt attack. Just tap the Melee button to strike, just like in the old days!New Scorestreak (Multiplayer & Zombies)

Death Machine (In-Season)Wield the powerful Death Machine, a heavy minigun with a fast fire rate, high penetration, and a large ammunition capacity. Its single large magazine fires high-impact rounds, and score earned while using it contributes to your current Scorestreak progress, making it a great tool for reaching the next streak.New Zombies Map: Shattered Veil

With the Sentinel Artifact in hand, the crew heads to the remote wooded hills above Liberty Falls to meet S.A.M. at an old mansion in the forest, retrofitted to [[REDACTED]]. Only with S.A.M.’s synthetic mind can the team unlock the artifact’s mysteries and bring back Agent Maxis. What could possibly go wrong?

New Zombies Perk-A-Cola

Double TapThe classic rapid-fire Perk returns after nearly a decade, dramatically increasing your weapon’s fire rate to mow down enemy hordes quickly. Research this iconic Perk for powerful enhancements like an even faster fire rate and the chance to inflict double damage. Double Tap is available in Shattered Veil along with other Zombies Perks, some accessible via the Der Wunderfizz machine. It's also available on The Tomb, Citadelle des Morts, Liberty Falls, and Terminus maps via the Der Wunderfizz machine.Double Tap AugmentsMajorDouble JeopardyNormal zombies at low health have a chance to die immediately when shot.Double ImpactDouble hits on the same target in quick succession deal more damage.Double StandardAll non-critical shots do double damage. Only applies to normal bullet weapons.MinorDouble TimeIncreases fire rate bonus.Double or NothingWeapons have a chance to do double damage but also have a chance to do zero damage.Double PlayKilling two enemies in quick succession has a chance to return two rounds to your magazine. Only applies to normal bullet weapons.New Zombies Wonder Weapons

Ray GunMark II (+ 3 Variants)Unleash multiple zombies with the upgraded and unstable Ray Gun Mark II. Recovered from the Dark Aether by Project Janus, this laser armament delivers three-round bursts of energy, can be Pack-a-Punched, and doubles as a melee weapon if you're low on ammo. Experiment with three new variants:Ray Gun Mark II-W: Similar bullet patterns to a submachine gun, with a chance to ignite enemies.Ray Gun Mark II-P: Shoots ammunition like a shotgun, with a chance to spawn a sigil granting temporary invulnerability.Ray Gun Mark II-R: Discharges like a Marksman Rifle, with a chance to spread a plague infection causing area-of-effect damage. Wunderwaffe DG-2This weapon can strike down hordes with chain-lightning blasts, stunning crowds of zombies and dealing additional, terminal damage. New Zombies Enemies

Elder DiscipleStrange, floating apparitions known as Elder Disciples have been spotted around the sprawling gardens and mansion estate. These powerful enemies empower zombies and summon more undead, using dark magic to accelerate their evolution into more sinister forms. Keep your distance to avoid their scream, and eliminate them quickly before their forces grow too strong.Toxic ZombiesAs a sickly yellow fog descends across the mansion, the inhabitants take on a more revolting appearance. Easily identified by their greenish hue and skeletal exterior, Toxic Zombies sprint toward their prey and explode, leaving a damaging pool of acid. Listen for their shriek and take them out before they get too close.New GobbleGums

Tactical Diffusion (Rare)Disables the next Nuke Power-Up explosion and gives everyone 2,000 Essence instead.Support Group (Legendary)Acquire the ARC-XD, Mangler Cannon, Sentry Gun, and Mutant Injection Support items with this tasty GobbleGum.Die Pitched (Whimsical)Zombies have high-pitched voices for three minutes.New Features

Camo HubThe Camo HUB will be added shortly after launch, offering a wealth of Camo information to help players achieve Dark Matter and Nebula. Accessible via the Barracks > Challenges Menu, the Camo HUB provides comprehensive Camo details:View all available Weapons by Weapon Class, sorted by furthest Camo progressView the Next Camo Challenge for each WeaponView the 2 available Special Camos for each WeaponView the next unearned Camo Mastery Calling Card rewardTrack/Untrack a Weapon’s Next CamoSelect a Weapon to go to that Weapon’s full Camo screenThe “Tracked & Near Complete” tab now serves as the new home for manually tracked or automatically surfaced near-complete Camo ChallengesNew Operators

R0-Z3 (BlackCell, Crimson One, Launch)R0-Z3 returns as a top BlackCell operative, ready to leave no witnesses in Verdansk.Hudson (Battle Pass, Rogue Black Ops, Launch)Special Agent Jason Hudson, CIA operative and handler to Alex Mason, returns after being KIA during Operation False Profit.Mace (Battle Pass, Crimson One, Launch)The Special Forces Army Ranger turned PMC is back, ready to cause serious damage in Verdansk.John Black Ops (Event Reward for Black Ops 6 owners, In-Season)This mysterious Operator, clad in a gray jumpsuit, tactical goggles, and helmet, is anonymous, unassuming, yet deadly.New Events

Black Ops Tribute (In-Season)Don’t miss this legendary tribute to Black Ops, packed with rewards honoring the series' history. Earn XP in any mode to progress the Event and unlock Black Ops themed rewards, with additional exclusive rewards for Black Ops 6 owners. Earn cosmetic content and functional equipment, including the Nail Gun (Special Weapon), C9 10mm Auto 30-Round Mags (Attachment), Thermite (Lethal in Call of Duty: Warzone), Death Machine (Scorestreak in MP/Support in Zombies), Close Shave (MP Perk), an Emote, GobbleGums, and the fan-requested Operator, “John Black Ops”.GLOBAL

RICOCHET Anti-Cheat

This season, our focus remains on combating cheat makers, banning bad actors, and ensuring a great player experience. Our anti-cheat roadmap extends beyond this season, and the latest Progress Report highlights recent results and upcoming security-focused updates for Season 03.

Check out the Season 03 RICOCHET Anti-Cheat Update here.

Console Cross-Play Settings

In Season 03, we're giving console players more granular options by separating the MP Ranked Play and Call of Duty: Warzone Ranked Play settings and adding a new Multiplayer-only setting for Quickplay, Featured, and Party Games matches.

Each of these three settings (Multiplayer Ranked Play, Call of Duty: Warzone Ranked Play, and Multiplayer Unranked) will include the following options:

On: Enables matchmaking with all gaming platforms when playing in the selected playlists.On (Consoles Only): Enables matchmaking only with other consoles when playing in selected playlists.May negatively impact matchmaking queue times.Off: Restricts matchmaking to your current gaming platform only in selected playlists.Will negatively impact matchmaking queue times.Additional details on how these settings interact with party members who are on different platforms.

Players in a party who all belong to the same console platform will matchmake with the party leader’s preferred cross-play settings.Players who have selected "Cross-Play Off" and create a mixed platform party that includes a different console platform will have their cross-play settings temporarily adjusted to "Cross-Play On (Consoles Only)" to enable matchmaking. This temporary adjustment enables matchmaking for the duration of the mixed platform party, and disbanding this party will result in preferred matchmaking settings being restored.Players who have selected "Cross-Play Off" and create a mixed platform party with a PC player will have their cross-play settings temporarily adjusted to "Cross-Play On." This enables matchmaking for the duration of the mixed platform party, and disbanding this party will result in preferred matchmaking settings being restored.Reminder: Adjusting Cross-Play settings may negatively impact matchmaking queue times.UI/UX

Pre-Loading Shaders Improvements

Improved menu framerate stability while compiling shaders.The Pre-Loading Shaders warning has been split per game mode.Significantly reduced the time required to compile shaders before launching a match.A new menu widget was added in the lobby to indicate the progress of Pre-Loading Shaders, letting you know when you're ready to play!PC Benchmark

ICYMI: The PC Benchmark remains a useful tool to optimize your gaming experience. Located in the Graphics Settings menu of Black Ops 6 Multiplayer, it simulates a multiplayer match to help you fine-tune your graphics for optimal performance and higher framerates.Global

Entering Prestige will no longer reset Operator, Calling Card, Emote, Spray, or Gobblegum customization.Addressed an issue where Finishing Move audio would continue to play after scrolling to a new tier in the Battle Pass.Challenges

BlackCellBlackCell Daily ChallengeBlackCell owners can now complete an additional Daily Challenge in Multiplayer, Zombies, and Call of Duty: Warzone for an added 7,500 XP each. The BlackCell Daily Challenge counts toward the 3 challenges needed to earn the Daily Challenge Bonus XP.Weapons

Multiplayer & Zombies

*Our weapon balance changes in Season 3 aim to enable more gameplay variety. Almost every attachment that modifies weapon behavior is receiving improvements to enhance viability in the meta. Our goal is to ensure all existing and future weapon mods feel fun and powerful to use.

Semi-auto weapons are another focus for buffs this patch, aiming to make them more accessible and competitive, creating distinct gameplay feels.

Lastly, the Season 3 patch includes adjustments to the Jackal PDW. Our weapon balance philosophy is to be conservative with nerfs, always considering elevating other weapons instead. We believe tuning down the Jackal PDW will benefit the overall weapon meta.*

Shotguns

*All three shotguns receive improvements to their alternate ammo types: Dragon’s Breath and Slug Rounds. Dragon’s Breath now has a slightly higher damage over time and longer range, with improved pellet damage at various ranges. The goal is to make Dragon’s Breath a longer-range alternative while retaining a classic shotgun feel.

Slug Rounds receive significant buffs to give each shotgun a unique alternate playstyle. The Marine SP Slugs have a massive range improvement, turning it into a high-risk, high-reward precision weapon. The ASG-89 Slugs have much higher damage, converting it into a mid-range semi-auto slugger. Finally, the Maelstrom Slugs have higher damage and ranges, making it akin to a slow-fire rifle.*

Shotgun Attachment Adjustments

Dragon’s BreathBurn damage increased from 25 to 30.Marksman Rifles

As noted, semi-auto Marksman Rifles are getting buffs to help them compete with other weapon classes. Rate of Fire is the main tool here, improving TTK and making missed shots more forgiving.

Movement Updates

Increased crouch to stand speeds by 15%.Increased crouch to stand speeds while ADS by 39%.Increased directional sprint animation blend speeds for improved fluidity.