Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Season 3 Patch Notes Unveiled
The Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Season 3 patch notes have arrived, showcasing a wealth of exciting updates across Multiplayer, Zombies, and Warzone. With the triumphant return of Verdansk, players on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox can dive into a season filled with substantial changes and new content. The patch notes were released today by Activision, detailing everything players need to know before the Season 3 launch on Wednesday, April 2, at 9am PT.
One of the standout features in the Season 3 update is the enhanced crossplay options for console players. Now, you can fine-tune your player pool settings in both ranked and non-ranked modes. While this may affect matchmaking times, it offers a personalized experience. Meanwhile, shotgun enthusiasts will be thrilled with the universal damage, range, and rate of fire buffs that elevate this weapon class.
In Multiplayer, classic maps like Firing Range make a comeback alongside new additions such as Barrage and Nomad. New modes like Sharpshooter and Demolition will keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. The Kilo 141 assault rifle returns, and players can unlock it by logging into Warzone. Zombies mode introduces the new Shattered Veil map and the return of the fan-favorite Raygun Mark II with three new variants, along with the classic Perk-A-Cola, Double Tap.
The spotlight in Warzone shines on the much-anticipated return of Verdansk, set to launch on April 3. This update reverts some features to their 2020 state, blending nostalgia with modern Call of Duty mechanics like Omnimovement. Buy Stations now feature a vertical UI design with a new "Redeploy All" option, and the Precision Airstrike has lost its mini-map notification for a surprise element, as was intended in the original Verdansk.
Activision's latest anti-cheat update promises to continue the fight against cheaters, ensuring a fair gameplay experience. As Verdansk returns, players can participate in a limited-time mode and earn exclusive rewards. For those eager to see all the changes, the full Season 3 patch notes are provided 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 since Vietnam. With new leads emerging, their secrecy is at risk. Join the chase with the launch of Season 03.
Stay updated with our Season 03 launch, which brings new Multiplayer and Zombies content, balance adjustments, gameplay improvements, bug fixes, and more.
**New Multiplayer Maps**
Firing Range (6v6): Firing Range makes a glorious return in Black Ops 6 with a faithful remaster. Watch out for crossfire on the central road as Operators vie for control of vantage points in the Tower, Shoot House, and Garage. Moving targets add a fun diversion, while the Dirt Road offers a quieter path with potential ambushes near the Storage unit.
Barrage (6v6): Step back into 1968 Vietnam, following Hudson's clues about the Summit Watch. This new map features a flattened landscape for an artillery base, with damaged buildings like the Command Center and Barracks creating new pathways.
Nomad (6v6, 2v2): Fight in the ruins of Afghanistan from 1986, where Pantheon moles were active during Woods' operations. Navigate through a fortified settlement, using the parked missile carrier and ruined convoy as strategic points.
**New Multiplayer Modes**
Sharpshooter: This classic Black Ops free-for-all mode assigns the same Loadout to all players, changing every 45 seconds. Adapt to new Primary and Secondary Weapons, Melee weapons, and Tactical and Lethal Equipment. Unlock bonus abilities with eliminations: Increased movement speed, reload speed, sprint recovery speed, ADS speed, and double score for eliminating enemies.
Demolition: Alternate between attacking and defending two bomb sites. The attacking team must destroy both to win, gaining a time bonus after the first site. All attackers spawn with a bomb, and both teams respawn throughout the match. Defenders must defuse planted bombs quickly, as the timer pauses during active countdowns.
**New Weapons (Multiplayer & Zombies)**
Kilo 141 - Assault Rifle (Call of Duty: Warzone Login Reward): This ergonomic, fully automatic assault rifle offers smooth handling and a steady fire rate. Ideal for various combat scenarios, it's a favorite returning with Verdansk. Unlock it by logging into Call of Duty: Warzone at Season 03 launch.
CR-56 - Assault Rifle (Battle Pass): A lightweight 7.62 x 39mm full-auto rifle, perfect for mid-range combat and customizable for different tactics. High-damage hits and fast fire rate make it a formidable choice, with quick reloads to keep you in the fight.
HDR - Sniper Rifle (Battle Pass): An anti-material bolt-action sniper rifle chambered in 12.7 x 108mm, devastating at long ranges. Ideal for sharpshooters, its distinctive sound strikes fear. Enhance its reach with the Reinforced Barrel and steady your aim for difficult shots.
Kali Sticks - Melee (Event Reward): These fast-attacking melee weapons can take down targets in a flash. Use light attacks for quick hits or heavy attacks for a dramatic finish. Pair them with the Close Shave Perk for seamless melee combat.
Nail Gun - Special (In-Season): A full-auto nail gun with high damage at close range. Its low muzzle velocity makes it challenging against fast targets, but it's perfect for close encounters. Earn it during the Black Ops Tribute Event.
**New Attachments**
Monolithic Suppressor (Battle Pass): Provides superior sound suppression and increased range, with a moderate weight increase affecting agility. Available for various weapon classes.
SWAT 5.56 Grau Conversion (Battle Pass): Converts the SWAT 5.56 into a fully automatic weapon with improved accuracy, mobility, and handling, but lower damage and range. Equips a new default Barrel and Magazine.
C9 10mm Auto 30-Round Mags (In-Season): A conversion kit for increased stopping power using 10mm Auto ammunition, with slight increases in recoil and fire rate reduction.
**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, reminiscent of the old days.
**New Scorestreak (Multiplayer & Zombies)**
Death Machine (In-Season): Wield this heavy minigun with a fast fire rate, high penetration, and large ammunition capacity. It contributes to your current Scorestreak progress, making it a powerful tool for advancement.
**New Zombies Map: Shattered Veil**
With the Sentinel Artifact in hand, the crew heads to a remote mansion above Liberty Falls to meet S.A.M. and unlock the artifact's mysteries. What could possibly go wrong?
**New Zombies Perk-A-Cola**
Double Tap: This classic rapid-fire Perk dramatically increases your weapon's fire rate, perfect for tearing through zombie hordes. Enhance it for even faster fire rates and the chance to inflict double damage. Available in Shattered Veil and other 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): This upgraded laser weapon delivers three-round bursts of energy, can be Pack-a-Punched, and doubles as a melee weapon. Experiment with three new variants:
- Ray Gun Mark II-W: Similar to a submachine gun, with a chance to ignite enemies.
- Ray Gun Mark II-P: Shoots like a shotgun, with a chance to spawn a sigil granting temporary invulnerability.
- Ray Gun Mark II-R: Fires like a Marksman Rifle, with a chance to spread a plague infection.
Wunderwaffe DG-2: Capable of striking down hordes with chain-lightning blasts, stunning crowds of zombies for additional damage.
**New Zombies Enemies**
Elder Disciple: These floating apparitions empower zombies and summon more undead. Eliminate them quickly to prevent their forces from growing too powerful.
Toxic Zombies: Identifiable by their greenish hue and skeletal appearance, these zombies sprint and explode, leaving damaging acid pools. Listen for their shriek to take them down before they close in.
**New GobbleGums**
Tactical Diffusion (Rare): Disables the next Nuke Power-Up explosion and gives everyone 2,000 Essence instead.
Support Group (Legendary): Acquires the ARC-XD, Mangler Cannon, Sentry Gun, and Mutant Injection Support items.
Die Pitched (Whimsical): Zombies have high-pitched voices for three minutes.
**New Features**
Camo Hub: Coming shortly after launch, the Camo HUB will provide comprehensive Camo information and assist in achieving Dark Matter and Nebula. Available via the Barracks > Challenges Menu.
**New Operators**
R0-Z3 (BlackCell, Crimson One, Launch): R0-Z3 reclaims her status as a top BlackCell operative in Verdansk.
Hudson (Battle Pass, Rogue Black Ops, Launch): Special Agent Jason Hudson, CIA operative, and handler to Alex Mason, returns.
Mace (Battle Pass, Crimson One, Launch): The Special Forces Army Ranger turned PMC is back to inflict serious damage.
John Black Ops (Event Reward for Black Ops 6 owners, In-Season): A mysterious Operator clad in a gray jumpsuit, tactical goggles, and helmet.
**New Events**
Black Ops Tribute (In-Season): A legendary tribute to Black Ops with themed rewards. Earn XP in any mode to progress and unlock cosmetics, functional equipment, and the "John Black Ops" Operator.
**GLOBAL**
RICOCHET Anti-Cheat: Season 3 focuses on combating cheat makers and ensuring a great player experience. Check out the Season 03 RICOCHET Anti-Cheat Update here.
Console Cross-Play Settings: Console players now have more granular options for crossplay, affecting matchmaking in Multiplayer and Warzone. Be aware that disabling crossplay may impact queue times.
**UI/UX**
Pre-Loading Shaders Improvements: Enhanced menu framerate stability, split warnings per game mode, and reduced shader compilation time. A new widget indicates shader loading progress.
PC Benchmark: A useful tool for optimizing your gaming experience, simulating a multiplayer match to fine-tune graphics for performance and framerates.
Global: Entering Prestige no longer resets Operator, Calling Card, Emote, Spray, or Gobblegum customization. Fixed an issue with Finishing Move audio.
**Challenges**
BlackCell: BlackCell owners can complete an additional Daily Challenge in Multiplayer, Zombies, and Warzone for 7,500 XP, counting toward the Daily Challenge Bonus XP.
**Weapons**
Multiplayer & Zombies: Season 3 focuses on enhancing weapon variety, with buffs to nearly all attachments and semi-auto weapons. Shotguns receive significant improvements to alternate ammo types, and the Jackal PDW sees adjustments for a healthier weapon meta.
**Movement Updates**
Increased crouch to stand speeds by 15%, crouch to stand speeds while ADS by 39%, and directional sprint animation blend speeds for improved fluidity.