The latest Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 update reintroduces Das Haus (of Vanguard infamy) as a small map - and we have a lot of optimized small map builds for you to try! Dome (originally debuted in MW3), Skidgrow, and Airborne (reskinned versions of Skidrow and Terminal, respectively) join the map pool as well! We’re also able to add the SOA Subverter Battle Rifle (of the BAS weapon platform) and the Soulrender melee weapon to our arsenal! Some exciting new Aftermarket Parts are the JAK Backsaw Kit, a high-capacity drum and double-barrel conversion kit for the Holger 556 Kit (unlockable now via Battle Pass!), and the JAK Outlaw-277 for the BAS-B – turning it into a lever-action rifle!

Let’s review some of the most important changes from this major update!

The Dune: Rule of Fate event has begun, featuring 10 tiers unlockable across 293,000 XP. While an Operator Skin is available for purchase to accelerate your completion of this XP grind event, you should definitely feel absolutely no pressure to do so as this event can be completed in under four hours. Don’t feed the machine!

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Sledgehammer made a crucial change to aim down sight behavior:

“Upon aiming down sight, the crosshair will now transition directly to the center of the player’s screen rather than easing into position.”

What this actually means, and why it’s VERY important:

Since Modern Warfare II, the Aiming Idle Sway property is active at all times – meaning that the random back-and-forth motion you see while holding ADS is actually in play while you aren’t ADS’d. Since this sway slowly drifts you off center, when you ADS, it is possible that you may actually be ADSing off-center due to the random sway and bob of Aiming Idle Sway – which is a crazy concept that is fun for absolutely no one and only makes the game more random. Controller players were affected by this property significantly less due to the gravitational pull of Aim Assist (and how AA Rotation will always pull to the enemy’s center, auto-correcting for Idle Sway), but this aspect of the game murdered mouse and keyboard players – who simply “got got” by the game’s RNG.

This change makes it so that when you ADS, Aiming Idle Sway is suddenly turned off and your gun pulls directly to where you are aiming and the ‘rebound’ effect (where your reticle launches slightly past the point of aim and rebounds) has been significantly weakened. In plain English, when you ADS now, you aim directly at… where you are pointing. It shouldn’t be a novel concept, but this was all part of Modern Warfare II’s “tacticool” design philosophy that sacrificed common sense for gritty realism – at the expense of literally everyone who played the game.

Integrated Challenge Tracking

Another excellent feature added is the ability to track challenges! You can now designate up to 5 Weekly, Weapon Camo, Calling Card, Prestige, Operator Unlock, and even Event Challenges to track and view your progress in-game! This can be especially helpful for Zombies challenges that require you to get 10 rapid kills, or Multiplayer challenges that require you to get 15 kills against stunned opponents – anything annoying that constantly has you wondering when it will be over… you don’t have to worry about anymore! You can now track your misery in real-time.

Weapon Balancing

With regard to weapon balancing, here’s a summary of what happened, categorized by whether it actually matters or not!

11 Impactful Changes

The BP50 received a laundry list of mobility nerfs that largely removed its movement king status, slightly slowed its ADS, and significantly increased its horizontal recoil – expect these changes to be very noticeable.
The SVA 545, the king of Multiplayer, only got better with buffs to its handling speed! I’d like to share our Mathematically Optimized build of the gun here!
The MTZ-762’s conversion kit, the JAK Heretic Carbine Kit, received a decent reduction to its horizontal recoil in exchange for more vertical kick – which is overall a good change because horizontal recoil cannot be proactively compensated for.
The Ram-9’s Speedway, Imperator, and Suppressed Barrels were net buffed across the board, which means that our Mathematically Optimized build just got better!
The AMR9’s conversion kit, the JAK Ettin Double Barrel Kit, now fires bullets in a two-round vertical burst instead of a two-round burst subject to bloom; this means that the conversion kit is now significantly more accurate since its bursts will no longer be subject to horizontal deviation.
The Lachmann Sub (MWII) received some truly impressive buffs to its damage range which scale the gun to participate in the MW3 conversation, but the inherent visual recoil and weaker MW2 attachment pool limitations for the Barrel, Stock, and Rear Grip categories are what truly hold the Lachmann Sub back from greatness. Regardless, the maximum damage range was supersized – buffed by 71% from 8.9 to 15.2 meters – which is outstanding. The subsequent ranges beyond were buffed as well, but what matters is that the Lachmann Sub’s 300ms TTK shredzone now extends out to 15 meters – which is great!
The Lockwood 680’s barrels are no longer glitched and pellet count no longer scales with tube capacity.
The Pulemyot 762 received a nerf to its Aiming Idle Sway, which will only affect longer gunfights; the longer you remain ADS’d, the stronger Aiming Idle Sway will drift your aim. It also received a completely forgettable and nearly-irrelevant nerf to its conversion kit, the JAK Annihilator Bullpup Kit’s Velocity.
The Bruen Mk9 received some incredible buffs to both movement speed and handling, so this LMG should suddenly feel a lot faster!
The XRK Stalker and Katt-AMR both had their ADS speed buffed by 5%, and this is especially great for the world’s slowest .50 Cal, the Katt.
Conversely, MWII’s SP-X 80 had its ADS time nerfed by 5%.

4 Forgettable Changes

The Bas-B received damage nerfs that didn’t actually affect its TTK, but had its ranges slightly reduced.
The Sidewinder received some laughable changes to mobility attachments that nobody was using because there is too much recoil on the gun. They also decreased recoil intensity during sustained fire, but the real culprit is first-shot kick.
The WSP-9 received slight buffs to its Hipfire and TacStance performance, but these fail to address the shortcomings of the gun itself (namely mobility).
The COR-45’s conversion kit, the XRK IP-V2 received a small Velocity nerf.

And One Change That Did Literally Nothing

The Rival-9’s conversion kit, the JAK Headhunter Carbine Conversion, had its second Damage Range massively increased, but this failed to change anything as its second and third Damage Ranges carried identical TTKs, so this change does… literally nothing.

There are plenty more changes in the full patch notes, but these were some of the changes I felt were most necessary to cover! The patch notes can be viewed in full here:

NEW MAPS
Das Haus (6v6) - A chaotic classic returns from Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021) with a fresh coat of paint.
Skidgrow (6v6) - An overgrown, limited-time variant of Skidrow.
Airborne (6v6) - A pestilence-ridden, limited-time variant of Terminal.
NEW WEAPONS
SOA Subverter (Battle Rifle) - Chambered in 7.62, this hard-hitting rifle dominates at mid to longer ranges thanks to a moderate rate of fire and predictable recoil.
Soulrender (Melee) - A ceremonial blade capable of razor-sharp cuts and deadly melee action in close-quarters combat.
NEW AFTERMARKET PARTS
JAK Backsaw Kit (Holger 556) - Attach a high-capacity drum magazine to the Holger 556 alongside a double-barrel configuration allowing the weapon to fire two bullets at a time.
JAK Outlaw-277 Kit (BAS-B) - Transform the BAS-B into a lever-action rifle, slowing its rate of fire while massively improving its accuracy for pinpoint precision.
NEW MODES
Bounty - Face off against the enemy in a Team Deathmatch–style game mode where players have unlimited lives and the first team to reach the elimination-based score limit wins.
Juggermosh - Prepare for heavy combat as players slug it out as imposing Juggernauts clad in Space Marines skins inspired by the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
NEW EVENTS
Dune: Rule of Fate - Take control of the throne of fate and earn XP to unlock exclusive rewards.
Warhammer 40,000: For the Emperor! - Take up arms and do your duty for the Imperium! Earn XP in-game to unlock rewards.
Vortex: Decay’s Realm - The Vortex is back and seeping with Decay’s blighted touch. Complete challenges across all games to unlock rotted rewards.
GLOBAL
GAMEPLAY
Upon aiming down sight, the crosshair will now transition directly to the center of the player’s screen rather than easing into position.
This change continues our improvements to the precision and responsiveness of aiming in Modern Warfare III and Warzone. Please continue to share your feedback and look for further changes in future game updates.
CUSTOMIZATION
Resolved an issue causing the Blueprints from the Spare Ribs Bundle to be less transparent than intended.
Adjusted colors of the Incision Blueprint for the Renetti to match its intended appearance.
Music from the Hans Zimmer MW2 Music Pack will once again play during matches.
Resolved an issue in Gunsmith in which Camos were not previewing properly on several Weapons.
Improved coverage of the Dissolver Camo on certain Weapons.
MULTIPLAYER
UIX
New Features
Added the ability to filter Attachments by Subcategories in the Gunsmith.
Optics: Hybrid, 4x, Thermal, Sniper Scope, 2.5x, Red Dot, Reflex, & Holo
Muzzles: Breachers, Flash Hiders, Suppressors, Comps & Brakes
Underbarrels: Hand Stops, Undermounted Weapons, Bipods, Vert Grips, & Angled Grips
Added the ability to track up to 5 Challenges to view outside the Challenge menu.
Tracked Challenges will appear on the in-game pause menu and lobby.
Added a Mark All Read button in the Social notification center
Bug Fixes
Add to Favorites button will no longer appear for locked Emblems.
Calling Cards unlockable only in Modern Warfare II will now state this information in the Customization menu.
In Free for All Modes, the local player will no longer appear as an enemy in the kill feed.
In Gunfight, placeholder images will no longer briefly appear in the Killcam.
Players can now Quick Equip content from the View New Content menu.
In Snipers Only Mode, restriction icons are now present for Weapons that aren't Sniper Rifles, allowing players to better discern which Weapons are restricted.
Fixed a bug that prevented Weapon Level from displaying in Gunsmith
Several inaccuracies with Weapon Attachment descriptions have been resolved.
PROGRESSION
Fixed several Season 2 Weekly Challenges that were not tracking progression properly.
Weapons in Semi-Auto fire mode will now properly progress associated Challenges.
MAPS
Scrapyard
Refined playable area boundary along the fence near the Helipad.
Shipment
By popular demand, Shipmas will permanently replace standard Shipment.
Vista
Set factions to Spetsnaz and Rangers, resolving an issue causing missing announcer voicelines.
Dome (MWII Carry-Forward)
Added to the pool of available Maps in Quick Play.
Operation Tin Man (War)
Decreased time to build a laser trap from 4s to 2.5s (-38%).
Added a score event upon killing an enemy with a laser trap.
At the start of Phase 2, the crate containing the MAW will now automatically open after 60s.
Improved interaction with Turrets while using Tap to Interact input option.
Players can no longer exit the playable area near the Resting Area using a Deployable Cover.
In Private Match, Bots will now properly parachute during the Infil sequence.
Refined geometry to improve spawn conditions near the Main Trail.
MODES
Gun Game
Addressed an issue that caused players to become stuck without a Weapon.
Headquarters
Fixed an issue allowing enemies to capture a contested HQ in Hardcore.
Training Course (Private Match)
Using a Cruise Missile outside the combat area will no longer halt course progression.
WEAPONS & ATTACHMENTS
» Assault Rifles «
BP50
Increased minimum hipfire spread from 2.2deg/s to 2.4deg/s (+9%).
Increased maximum hipfire spread from 6.3deg/s to 6.7deg/s (+6%).
Increased tactical stance spread from 2.8deg/s to 2.9deg/s (+4%).
Increased aim down sight time from 220ms to 230ms (+5%).
Decreased aim down sight movement speed from 3.4m/s to 3m/s (-12%).
Increased horizontal recoil from 10.6deg/s to 15.6deg/s (+48%).
Decreased vertical recoil from 44.4deg/s to 42deg/s (-5%).
Forbearer Heavy Stock
Increased recoil gun kick benefit from 11% to 16%.
Moat-40 Stock
Decreased aim down sight time benefit from 7% to 2%.
These changes ensure the BP50 remains a strong competitive option while aligning it better with its counterparts within the Assault Rifle class.
SVA 545
Decreased sprint to fire time from 210ms to 189ms (-10%).
Decreased aim down sight time from 250ms to 230ms (-8%).
» Battle Rifles «
BAS-B
Decreased maximum damage from 39 to 38 (-3%).
Decreased near-medium damage from 33 to 32 (-3%).
Decreased maximum damage range from 35.6m to 30.5m (-14%).
Decreased near-medium damage range from 43.2m to 40.6m (-6%).
Within the near-medium damage range, the BAS-B is now a 4-shot kill to the torso and above.
Sidewinder
Decreased recoil intensity during sustained fire slightly.
A90 Venom Stock
Decreased recoil gun kick penalty from 16% to 5%.
RB Rapidstrike Grip
Increased aim down sight time benefit from 9% to 11%.
Decreased recoil control penalty from 10% to 4%.
MTZ-762
JAK Heretic Carbine Kit
Decreased horizontal recoil from 11.9deg/s to 9.4deg/s (-21%).
Increased vertical recoil from 47.1deg/s to 47.9deg/s (+2%).
Incompatible Underbarrel Attachments can no longer be equipped.
» Submachine Guns «
RAM-9
Speedway v5 Short Barrel
Decreased aim down sight speed penalty from 15% to 10%.
Increased recoil gun kick benefit from 4% to 9%.
Increased recoil control benefit from 8% to 12%.
FSS Imperator Light Barrel
Increased damage range benefit from 12% to 20%.
Increased bullet velocity benefit from 15% to 20%.
Boreal-6C Suppressed Barrel
Decreased bullet velocity penalty from 20% to 12%.
Decreased damage range penalty from 20% to 12%.
AMR9
JAK Ettin Double Barrel Kit
Bullets are now fired in a vertical column rather than a randomized spread.
WSP-9
Decreased minimum standing hipfire spread from 2deg/s to 1.8deg/s (-10%).
Decreased maximum standing hipfire spread from 6.2deg/s to 5.6deg/s (-10%).
Decreased tactical stance spread from 3.4deg/s to 3.1deg/s (-9%).
Rival-9
JAK Headhunter Carbine Conversion
Increased near-medium damage range from 30m to 45.7m (+38%).
PDSW 528 (MWII)
Improved alignment of the default iron sight optic.
Lachmann Sub (MWII)
Increased maximum damage range from 8.9m to 15.2m (+71%).
Increased near-medium damage range from 16.5m to 20.6m (+25%).
Increased medium damage range from 23.1m to 31m (+30%).
Increased far-medium damage range from 36.1m to 40.6m (+13%).
Most noticeably, the 5-shot kill damage range has been increased to ~20m. Additionally, within the maximum damage range, 1 headshot now results in a 4-shot kill.
» Shotguns «
Lockwood 680
Barrel Attachments
Damage pellet count now remains at 6, regardless of ammo capacity.
» Light Machine Guns «
Pulemyot 762
Increased strength of aim down sight idle sway.
JAK Annihilator Bullpup Kit
Decreased bullet velocity from 760m/s to 660m/s (-13%).
Bruen Mk9
Decreased aim down sight time from 450ms to 410ms (-9%).
Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 1.05x to 1.1x (+5%).
Increased movement speed from 3.9m/s to 4.4m/s (+13%).
Increased crouch movement speed from 1.6m/s to 2.1m/s (+31%).
Increased tactical sprint speed from 6.3m/s to 6.4m/s (+2%).
Increased aim down sight movement speed from 1.9m/s to 2.4m/s (+26%).
» Sniper Rifles «
XRK Stalker
Added new Optic Attachment: XRK Stalker Factory Iron Sight
Unlocked via Armory Unlocks.
Decreased aim down sight time from 610ms to 580ms (-5%).
KATT-AMR
Decreased aim down sight time from 760ms to 720ms (-5%).
SP-X 80 (MWII)
Increased aim down sight time from 545ms to 570ms (+5%).
» Handguns «
COR-45
XRK IP-V2 Conversion Kit
Increased bullet velocity from 525m/s to 600m/s (+14%).
Renetti
JAK Ferocity Carbine Kit
Resolved an issue causing specific Attachment combinations to corrupt the Weapon’s appearance.
Detailed Stats in the Gunsmith will no longer display an improper Tactical Stance Spread value.
9mm Daemon (MWII)
Daemon Hand Rear Grip
Added missing Pistol Fastdraw benefit.
» Launchers «
Stormender
EMP effects will now properly apply to enemies in Free for All Modes.
» Attachments «
Hybrid Optics
Incompatible Attachments can no longer be equipped on MWII Shotguns.
Underbarrel Launchers
Addressed an exploit that allowed players to fire unlimited projectiles.
JAK Limb Ripper
Increased movement speed while revving by 25%.
Increased damage range from 1.1m to 1.4m.
Increased damage from 36 to 50 (+39%).
Players will no longer damage themselves in Free for All Modes.
Resolved a compatibility issue with the JAK Raven Kit.
EQUIPMENT
Stun Grenade (Tactical)
Resolved an issue causing the movement reduction effect to be removed upon sprinting.
EMD Grenade (Tactical)
Added additional UI elements to better communicate when an enemy is tracked.
Tracked enemies will now appear as a constant ping on the minimap.
Resolved an issue preventing enemies from being tracked in Free for All Modes.
Players can no longer die unexpectedly when an EMD is thrown at vehicles or doors.
FIELD UPGRADES
A.C.S.
Improved detection of objective flags near sloped surfaces in Domination Mode.
KILLSTREAKS
Cluster Mine
Resolved a bug that prevented players from deploying the Cluster Mine Killstreak
Remote Turret
Players with the Tap to Interact option set will no longer become unable to reload their Weapon while a Remote Turret is active.
MWIII RANKED PLAY
Content Restrictions
Weapon Restrictions
Melee Weapons
Soulrender

Bug Fixes
Addressed an issue that prevented players from earning SR after completing a match.
Addressed an issue that prevented the Top 250 Camo from animating when previewing the reward in-game.
Reminder: Seasonal Division Rewards will be distributed at the end of Season 2. Payers competing to earn Top 250 Division rewards must end Season 2 in the Top 250 Division.

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