The Season 3 patch notes for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 have arrived, bringing a wealth of significant updates to Multiplayer, Zombies, and Warzone as Verdansk makes its much-anticipated return.
Activision has released a comprehensive breakdown on their official website, detailing all the changes and additions coming to players across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. The update, set to launch on Wednesday, April 2, at 9am PT, promises a sweeping overhaul of Black Ops 6’s gameplay across all modes.
Key highlights from the Black Ops 6 Season 3 patch notes include enhanced crossplay options that allow console players to fine-tune their player pool settings in both ranked and non-ranked modes. While this may affect matchmaking queue times, it offers players more control over their gaming environment.
Shotguns are poised to be major beneficiaries of the update, with a broad buff enhancing damage, range, and rate of fire for most weapons in the class. Alongside these improvements, players can look forward to new content, including the classic Multiplayer map Firing Range, the return of the Kilo 141 assault rifle, and the iconic Death Machine Scorestreak.
Zombies enthusiasts will have plenty to enjoy as well, with the introduction of a new map, Shattered Veil, and the return of the Raygun Mark II with three new variants. The fan-favorite Perk-A-Cola, Double Tap, makes a comeback, and both Multiplayer and Zombies modes will receive numerous bug fixes and adjustments to ensure a seamless launch experience.
Warzone's Season 3 update is set to launch a day later on April 3 and focuses on bringing back the iconic Verdansk map. This update will restore many features to their original 2020 state, blending nostalgia with modern gameplay elements like Omnimovement. Buy Stations will sport the original vertical UI design, and new features like the Redeploy All option will be introduced. Notably, the Precision Airstrike will now be harder to dodge due to the removal of its mini-map notification.
“We have removed the Precision Airstrike’s approximate path indicator on the mini-map in order to return back to how it worked in 2020, where part of its purpose was to surprise your enemies,” the patch notes explain. “We will monitor feedback, data and sentiment on this as we look to the weeks ahead.”
With just days until the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Season 3, players can stay informed with Activision’s latest anti-cheat update and learn about the limited-time mode and exclusive rewards welcoming players back to Verdansk. The full Season 3 patch notes are available 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 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.
Like always, stay up to date with what’s to come with our Season 03 launch, including details of new Multiplayer and Zombies Content and the latest balance adjustments, gameplay improvements, bug fixes, and more arriving tomorrow.
**New Multiplayer Maps**
Firing Range (6v6) - Firing Range makes its glorious return in Black Ops 6 in a faithful remaster of the fan-favorite map. Watch for crossfire down the long center Road as Operators fight for control of the vantage points in the Tower and the upper levels of the Shoot House and Garage. Shooting targets move back and forth on their tracks behind the Office and several other spots, adding a useful diversion while preparing for the next fight. Avoid the center chaos by branching off to the Dirt Road, keeping your guard up against ambush as you pass the Storage unit along the way.
Barrage (6v6) - Revisit 1968 Vietnam as you follow Hudson’s clues surrounding one Summit Watch at the front lines of battle. The trees have been cleared and the landscape flattened to make room for this base housing an artillery battery in active combat. The area has taken hits with large chunks blown off buildings, including the Command Center and Barracks, the damage opening new pathways through the map.
Nomad (6v6, 2v2) - The Pantheon moles were in Afghanistan, too, when Woods fought there in 1986. Fight in the ruins of a fortified settlement commandeered for the ensuing battle, a parked missile carrier facing out over the valley where a convoy lies in ruins on the narrow road leading up to the map.
**New Multiplayer Modes**
Sharpshooter - Flex your skills in this classic Black Ops free-for-all party mode where every Operator is assigned the same Loadout, which changes every 45 seconds. Each cycle introduces a new Primary and Secondary Weapon from scoped Sniper Rifles to akimbo Pistols, plus a new Dedicated Melee weapon and Tactical and Lethal Equipment. Use everything at your disposal to eliminate enemies while unlocking bonus abilities for going on a streak:
- 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 going to unlock double score and make a run for the top three. When you’re taken out, respawn and build up those bonuses again. A short countdown precedes each weapon swap. Adapt and win.
Demolition - Alternate between attacking and defending two bomb sites. The attacking team must destroy both bomb sites to win the round, gaining a time bonus after detonating the first site. All attacking Operators spawn with a bomb, and respawns are active for both teams throughout the match. Defense is all about running down the clock. Defuse planted bombs right away, as the match timer pauses whenever a bomb site is in active countdown. If one of the sites is destroyed, regroup and throw everything you have into defending the last one.
**New Weapons (Multiplayer & Zombies)**
Kilo 141 - Assault Rifle (Call of Duty: Warzone Login Reward) - Fully automatic assault rifle with an ergonomic design that improves handling, and a steady fire rate helps stay on target. The Kilo 141 is back and ready to tear it up across Multiplayer and Call of Duty: Warzone. The weapon’s smooth handling, manageable recoil, and steady fire rate give it room to shine in a variety of combat situations, leaving no doubt as to why the Kilo 141 was a favorite in Verdansk. Now that the location is back, it’s time to relive the glory days with this hard-hitting Primary Weapon. Players will automatically unlock the Kilo 141 for use in Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone after logging in to Call of Duty: Warzone at the launch of Season 03.
CR-56 - Assault Rifle (Battle Pass) - This lightweight 7.62 x 39mm full-auto assault rifle is compact and powerful. Built exclusively for military use, the standard issue rifle is deadly at mid-range combat and easily configured for a variety of assault tactics. Combining high-damage hits with a fast fire rate and good handling, the CR-56 AMAX is the perfect mid-range weapon for downing targets fast. Eliminate enemies in three to four shots up to 25 meters out, leaving plenty left over to chew through equipped armor. Quick reloads get you back into the action fast, a helpful trait no matter how you choose to customize the weapon via Gunsmith.
HDR - Sniper Rifle (Battle Pass) - Anti-material bolt action sniper rifle chambered in 12.7 x 108mm ammunition. Bullets have a lower muzzle velocity but remain devastating even at very long ranges. Veterans of Verdansk know the power of the HDR and the havoc a sniper can inflict with it when stationed in high vantage points like the infamous Airport Control Tower. The weapon’s long reach and heavy damage make it a favorite of sharpshooters, its distinctive firing sound sending squads running. Add the Reinforced Barrel attachment to further extend your damage range and bullet velocity, and don’t forget to hold your breath for difficult shots.
Kali Sticks - Melee (Event Reward) - Two-hit kill. Extremely fast attack speed. Short range. The infamous Kali Sticks return, dealing out damage with rapid swings that’ll take down your target in a flash. Smack them with fast follow-up hits using the weapon’s light attack or take them out in a more dramatic fashion by unleashing the heavy attack. Use Kali Sticks in Multiplayer with the new Close Shave Perk to deploy a quick whack against enemies without having to manually swap to your Dedicated Melee slot first.
Nail Gun - Special (In-Season) - Full-auto Nail Gun. High damage at close range with fast handling speeds and very low muzzle velocity. Stick it to them with this handy tool configured with a magazine of 15 nails that fires at full auto. The damage drops off quickly after 25 meters and performs best up close. The Nail Gun’s low muzzle velocity can make it difficult to land shots against fast-moving targets, so get them in your sights and unload before they know what hit them. This armament is a reward earned during the Black Ops Tribute Event.
**New Attachments**
Monolithic Suppressor (Battle Pass) - Monolithic Core provides superior sound suppression and increased range. Moderate weight increase affects agility. Available for 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. Equips a new default Barrel and Magazine and unlocks an exclusive 50-round extended Magazine. Blocks Barrel attachments.
C9 10mm Auto 30-Round Mags (In-Season) - Conversion kit to use higher caliber 10mm Auto ammunition for increased stopping power. Though the conversion results in some increased recoil and a slightly lower fire rate, the extra damage, range, and velocity make this attachment a worthy consideration when approaching enemies on bigger maps.
**New Multiplayer Perks**
Close Shave - Enforcer (Event Reward) - Automatically use your Dedicated Melee attack when you perform a weapon butt attack. Simply tap the Melee button to attack. Like the old days!
**New Scorestreak (Multiplayer & Zombies)**
Death Machine (In-Season) - Heavy minigun with a fast fire rate, high penetration, and a large ammunition capacity. Wield the infamous Death Machine, a powerful weapon with a single large magazine that fires high impact rounds at a blistering rate of fire. Score earned while using the Death Machine contributes to your current Scorestreak progress, making this a great tool for bumping up to 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 with S.A.M. at an old mansion in the forest which has been retrofitted to \[\[REDACTED\]\]. Only with the aid of S.A.M.’s synthetic mind can the team hope to unlock the ancient artifact’s mysteries and bring back Agent Maxis. What could possibly go wrong?
**New Zombies Perk-A-Cola**
Double Tap - The classic rapid-fire Perk returns for the first time in nearly a decade, dramatically increasing your weapon’s fire rate to chew through enemy hordes in record time. Research the 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 the other previously accessible Zombies Perks. Note that some of these Perk-a-Colas are only available via the Der Wunderfizz machine. Double Tap is available on The Tomb, Citadelle des Morts, Liberty Falls, and Terminus maps via the Der Wunderfizz machine.
Double Tap Augments
- Major
- Double Jeopardy - Normal zombies at low health have a chance to die immediately when shot.
- Double Impact - Double hits on the same target in quick succession deal more damage.
- Double Standard - All non-critical shots do double damage. Only applies to normal bullet weapons.
- Minor
- Double Time - Increases fire rate bonus.
- Double or Nothing - Weapons have a chance to do double damage but also have a chance to do zero damage.
- Double Play - Killing 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 Gun Mark II (+ 3 Variants) - Drop multiple zombies at once with the upgraded and modestly unstable Ray Gun Mark II. Recovered from the Dark Aether by Project Janus, this powerful laser armament delivers three-round bursts of energy, can be Pack-a-Punched, and doubles as a bludgeoning instrument if you’re running low on ammunition. Then there’s the three new variants. Provided you’ve \[\[REDACTED\]\], you can experiment with an additional three variants of the Ray Gun Mark II:
- Ray Gun Mark II-W - Offering similar bullet patterns to a submachine gun, this also has a random chance to ignite enemies.
- Ray Gun Mark II-P - Shooting ammunition like a shotgun, with a chance to spawn a sigil with the ability to grant invulnerability to the player standing on it for a limited time.
- Ray Gun Mark II-R - Dropping zombies with a Marksman Rifle-like discharge, expect a chance to spread a plague infection that can inflict area-of-effect damage.
Wunderwaffe DG-2 - Capable of striking down hordes with chain-lightning blasts, this has the bonus effect of stunning crowds of zombies, usually resulting in additional, and eventually terminal damage.
