In a turn of events as twisted as a ricocheting bullet, Call of Duty: Warzone has dampened the firepower of three beloved handguns, potentially throwing a spanner in the works for players who are pistol-prone in the heat of battle.
COD MW2: The Balance Shaker – Three Handguns Nerfed
Ever since the launch of the latest season, Activision has been as busy as a gunsmith’s apprentice, rolling out patch after patch like machine-gun fire. The advent of Season 4 Reloaded brought Temp-V superpowers into the fray for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2.0, stirring the pot with fresh content and eye-catching aesthetics. However, with each new tweak and twist, Activision has found themselves having to rapidly release patches to modify the game’s balance, as if playing whack-a-mole with every unanticipated issue that pops up.
After being compelled to tone down the new field upgrade not long after its debut, squishing a plethora of bugs that scurried into sight, and layering on more rules to Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone ranked play, yet another patch has hit the deck, wielding a new set of nerfs.
Just yesterday on July 24th, a freshly minted Call of Duty: Warzone update did a number on the damage of the Basilisk, FTAC Siege, and X13 Auto handguns. The Basilisk felt the sting of this nerf specifically when kitted out with Snakeshot and Akimbo, whereas the other two pistols had their max damage curtailed across the board.
Patch Notes In Full For Season 4 of COD MW2/Warzone 2
| Category | Sub-Category | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Global | Bug Fixes | Fixed an issue impacting some players receiving Battle Pass rewards correctly |
| Fixed an issue where some players couldn’t open the Battle Pass | ||
| Fixed an issue where the Player couldn’t access Division Rewards in Career & Rewards in Warzone Ranked Play | ||
| Warzone | Weapons (Assault Rifles) – Lachmann-556 | Maximum Damage decreased |
| Mid-far Damage increased | ||
| Headshot Multiplier decreased | ||
| Neck Multiplier decreased | ||
| Upper Torso Multiplier decreased | ||
| Weapons (Assault Rifles) – M4 | Upper Torso Multiplier decreased | |
| Lower Torso Multiplier decreased | ||
| Weapons (Assault Rifles) – TAQ-56 | Headshot Multiplier decreased | |
| Weapons (Assault Rifles) – Tempus Razorback | Minimum Damage increased | |
| Limb Multipliers increased | ||
| Weapons (Battle Rifles) – Cronen Squall (Full Auto) | Maximum Damage decreased | |
| Close-mid Damage decreased | ||
| Damage step added at Mid-range | ||
| Minimum Damage decreased | ||
| Headshot Multiplier decreased | ||
| Weapons (Handguns) – Basilisk | Fixed an issue with the Akimbo Snakeshot Basilisk where its damage profile was higher than intended | |
| Weapons (Handguns) – FTAC Siege | Maximum Damage decreased | |
| Weapons (Handguns) – X13 Auto | Fixed an issue that caused the X13 Auto’s damage profile to be higher than intended | |
| Maximum Damage decreased | ||
| Weapons (Shotguns) – MX Guardian | Maximum Damage decreased | |
| Close-mid Damage decreased | ||
| Mid Damage decreased | ||
| Mid-far Damage decreased | ||
| Minimum Damage decreased | ||
| Weapons (Submachine Guns) – ISO 45 | Fixed an issue with the ISO 45 causing its upper right leg damage to be lower than intended | |
| Attachments – Ammunition (KV Broadside) | 12 Gauge Dragon’s Breath | |
| Close-mid damage decreased | ||
| Attachments – Ammunition (MX Guardian) | 12 Gauge Dragon’s Breath | |
| Maximum Damage decreased | ||
| Close-mid Damage decreased | ||
| Mid Damage decreased | ||
| Maximum Damage Range increased | ||
| Close-mid Damage Range increased | ||
| Mid Damage Range decreased | ||
| Minimum Damage Range decreased | ||
| Bug Fixes | Fixed an issue where Snipers with High Explosive rounds could be found from Ground Loot in Ranked Play matches | |
| Fixed an issue where, after the Player’s squad was eliminated, the Player left the match and received a prompt to rejoin the match | ||
| Fixed an issue where Players were able to have infinite Super Jumps by using a second Temp V field upgrade | ||
| Fixed an issue where equipping the Semi-Auto Trigger on the MX Guardian shotgun will cause the range to reduce severely while fighting AI in DMZ | ||
| Fixed an issue where the Squad Loadout crate is missing the in-world icon until it is pinged | ||
| Fixed an issue that prevented Players from being able to use the Gulag Token if they lost the Gulag previously in the match |
A scan of the patch notes suggests that the adjustments to the Basilisk and X13 Auto were necessary bug fixes, given these weapons were doling out more damage than was originally intended. Conversely, the FTAC Siege seems to have taken a hit purely because its strength, even in its unmodified form, was a touch too much to handle.
This latest patch has brought with it a mixed bag of nerfs and buffs for a host of weapons, as well as a sprinkling of bug fixes for both Warzone and Call of Duty. The three pistol nerfs, though, could be a blow to operators who relish the rapid-fire, sprint-and-spray approach of dual-wielded pistols. None of these weapons are necessarily the crème de la crème of close-combat tools in Warzone, but each has its loyal fanbase and has proven useful in its own right, especially as backup firepower.
Call of Duty Warzone 2: New Recommendations Post-Nerfing – Sniper Rifles, Shotguns, and SMGs
Currently, it appears that sniper rifles, shotguns, and SMGs have largely dodged the nerf bullet in this latest update, so they could prove to be the perfect substitutes. Shotguns might particularly appeal to those who previously preferred Basilisk pistols with Snakeshot, given their similar functionality and purpose.
Season 4 Reloaded and it’s innovative Call of Duty x The Boys crossover may signify a new direction, but it’s clear that Activision is still in the process of ironing out the creases. It wouldn’t be a shock if a flurry of further updates were released, complete with their own set of nerfs and buffs, to ensure gameplay balance and smooth out any bumps that crop up. As the battlefield of Call of Duty: Warzone 2 continues to evolve, players will need to stay on their toes and adapt to the shifting sands of gameplay.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2 is now available for Windows PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: Call of Duty
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Stephen is the proud owner of a popular gaming news website GLN, where he provides the latest updates on everything gaming-related. With a passion for video games that dates back to his childhood, Stephen is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with fellow gamers around the world.