All weapon buffs and nerfs in Black ops 7 & Warzone Season 5 Reloaded

The launch of the Season 5 Reloaded update for Black Ops 7 and Warzone marks a significant turning point in the current competitive cycle, introducing a sweeping array of balance adjustments designed to decentralize the power of certain dominant armaments while elevating underutilized tools. Activision’s development teams have deployed this mid-season patch not only to refresh the gameplay loop but to address community feedback regarding the "power creep" observed following the initial Season 5 launch earlier this month. This update follows the introduction of the FG42 assault rifle and the Jubilee map, and it arrives alongside the highly anticipated Rex Infernus Zombies experience.

The mid-season update is a traditional fixture in the Call of Duty ecosystem, serving as a corrective measure to ensure that no single weapon remains an absolute "must-pick" for an extended period. By analyzing millions of matches and engagement metrics, the developers have targeted specific damage profiles, recoil patterns, and attachment benefits to foster a more diverse meta.

Chronology of Season 5 Developments

The journey to Season 5 Reloaded began on August 1, with the debut of the primary Season 5 content. This initial phase introduced the FG42, which quickly rose to the top of the tier lists in both Multiplayer and Battle Royale modes due to its forgiving recoil and high damage-per-second (DPS) output. Simultaneously, players were introduced to the Jubilee map, which favored mid-range engagements, further cementing the dominance of versatile assault rifles.

On August 14, the developers teased the "Reloaded" expansion, hinting at a "rebalancing of the scales." On August 19, the full patch notes were released, detailing the specific mathematical shifts for dozens of weapons. The update officially went live on August 20, bringing with it the Rex Infernus Zombies map and the weapon tuning detailed below.

Warzone: A Shift in Long-Range Dominance

In the high-stakes environment of Warzone, the Season 5 Reloaded update has significantly altered the viability of several assault rifles. The most notable beneficiary is the AN-94. Previously considered a secondary choice for long-range fights, the AN-94 has received a comprehensive buff package. Its maximum damage has been increased from 38 to 41, and its maximum range has been extended from 40 meters to 45 meters. Furthermore, the developers reduced reticle shake and vertical recoil by 10%, making it a much more stable platform for precision fire.

Conversely, the MXR-17 has been hit with a series of nerfs intended to curb its overperformance at extreme distances. Its maximum damage was lowered from 48 to 46, and its effective range was shortened from 52 meters to 45 meters. To further balance the weapon, its recoil was increased by 10%, and its bullet velocity was reduced from 900m/s to 880m/s. This change forces MXR-17 users to be more deliberate with their shots rather than relying on the weapon’s previous "laser-like" accuracy.

Other Warzone assault rifle adjustments include:

• EGRT-17: Received a range buff (0-42m up from 0-38m) but suffered a 10% recoil increase and a slight decrease in bullet velocity.
• M15 Mod 0: Saw minor buffs to bullet velocity and specific barrel attachments, such as the 20" Delta-F2 Barrel, which now offers a 40% range benefit.
• MK35 ISR: A major winner in this patch, receiving buffs to its effective range (now >58m) and its bullet velocity (920m/s).

Warzone SMG and LMG Rebalancing

The close-quarters meta in Warzone is also seeing a transition. The Gremlin SMG, which struggled to compete with faster-firing alternatives, received a damage increase (14 to 15) and a range extension (0-12.5m). Its magazine capacity via the Procural Extended Mag was also increased from 40 to 50 rounds, providing the sustained fire necessary for squad-based modes.

The Mammoth LMG has been repositioned as a powerhouse for suppression. Its maximum damage saw a massive jump from 55 to 63, and its headshot multiplier was increased from 1.1x to 1.2x. With bullet velocity now sitting at 870m/s, the Mammoth is poised to become a top-tier choice for players who favor a defensive, stationary playstyle.

The SG-12 shotgun also received significant attention, particularly its 12 Gauge Slug ammunition. The slug’s bullet velocity was more than doubled, moving from 240m/s to 600m/s, effectively turning the shotgun into a high-skill, short-to-mid-range projectile weapon.

Black Ops 7 Multiplayer: Addressing the FG42

In the fast-paced Multiplayer environment of Black Ops 7, the primary objective of the Season 5 Reloaded patch was to reel in the FG42. Since its introduction, the FG42 had dominated the "kill-feed," boasting an ADS speed and damage range that outclassed almost every other rifle.

The nerf to the FG42 is extensive: its maximum range was slashed from 21.6m to 15.2m, and its ADS time was increased from 290ms to 300ms. Additionally, a 15% ADS firing movement speed penalty was introduced, significantly reducing the weapon’s efficacy for aggressive "strafe-heavy" players.

While the FG42 was brought down, the AN-94 in Multiplayer underwent a complex "power shift." While its base damage and range were reduced to prevent it from becoming the new "broken" weapon, its headshot multiplier was increased from 1.15x to 1.35x. This rewards players with high accuracy, emphasizing a "skill-gap" rather than raw statistical superiority.

Specialist and Marksman Adjustments

The M34 Novaline (Garand Conversion) has been tuned to be more lethal but harder to handle. Its maximum damage was increased to 80, but its effective range was reduced, and its "View Kick" (visual recoil) was increased. This change ensures that the Novaline remains a potent two-tap machine at mid-range but prevents it from being used as a makeshift sniper rifle across larger maps.

In the sniper category, the XR-3 Ion (Vulcan Minigun) saw a nerf to its ADS spread and effective range. This was a response to players using the Vulcan’s high fire rate to "spray" at distances where traditional snipers should require more calculated timing.

Official Responses and Developer Rationale

While Activision rarely provides long-form commentary on every individual stat change, internal memos and developer blogs suggest a philosophy of "dynamic parity." The goal, as stated in recent community updates, is to ensure that every weapon category has a viable "path to victory."

"Season 5 Reloaded is about refining the ecosystem we built at the start of the month," a spokesperson for the development team noted during a recent briefing. "We saw that certain weapons, particularly the FG42 and the MXR-17, were stifling creativity in loadout selection. By adjusting these outliers and bringing up underperformers like the Gremlin and the AN-94, we are encouraging players to experiment with new strategies."

Pro players and analysts have generally reacted positively to the AN-94 buffs, noting that the weapon’s unique two-round burst feature (the "hyperburst") now feels more impactful. However, some concern remains regarding the Mammoth LMG’s damage buff, with some fearing it may lead to a "camp-heavy" meta in certain Warzone regions.

Broader Impact and Competitive Implications

The implications of these changes will be felt immediately in both ranked play and casual lobbies. In Warzone, the "long-range meta" is now wide open. With the MXR-17 nerfed and the AN-94 and MK35 ISR buffed, players will likely spend the coming weeks testing which rifle offers the best balance of "time-to-kill" (TTK) and ease of use.

In Black Ops 7 Multiplayer, the nerf to the FG42 will likely see a resurgence of submachine guns on smaller maps, as the rifle can no longer out-react SMGs in close-quarters combat. The buff to the Gremlin’s reload speed (20% faster) further supports this shift toward high-mobility gameplay.

As the community dives into the Rex Infernus Zombies map, the weapon changes will also affect survival strategies. The buffs to LMG damage and shotgun slug velocity are expected to be particularly useful against the new "Elite" zombie variants introduced in this update.

In conclusion, Season 5 Reloaded represents a meticulous re-calibration of the Call of Duty experience. By targeting specific mechanical attributes—ranging from "gunkick" to "dive-to-fire" times—the developers have signaled their commitment to a balanced, competitive environment that rewards both tactical planning and mechanical skill. As the season progresses toward its finale, these changes will serve as the foundation for the next chapter of the Black Ops and Warzone saga.