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All Modern Warfare 3 launch buffs and nerfs

Modern Warfare 3 players carrying a range of weapons with helicopter in background
Credit: Activision
By Jon NicholsonFPS Editor

Modern Warfare 3 players carrying a range of weapons with helicopter in background
Credit: Activision

The Modern Warfare 3 launch weapon buffs and nerfs have already impacted various parts of the weapon arsenal.

Modern Warfare 3 is finally here and between the beta and the release, Sledgehammer Games has implemented the first dose of weapon balancing that affects several guns and weapons. With so many to choose from, maintaining a somewhat level playing field is key to creating plenty of weapon variety when playing on your favourite maps and game modes.

Before we reveal the full list of Modern Warfare 3 launch update buffs and nerfs, check out our walkthrough hub containing everything there is to know about the latest Call of Duty title.

All Modern Warfare 3 launch update buffs and nerfs

Thanks to the day one patch notes, we've got all the details on which weapons have received a buff and those that have been hit with a nerf:

WEAPONS & ATTACHMENTS

  • SVA 545 (Assault Rifle)
    • Increased bullet velocity by 19%.
    • Increased rate of fire from 632 RPM to 682 RPM (+8%).
    • Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 1x to 1.1x.
    • Decreased recoil to veer less to the right.
  • MTZ-556 (Assault Rifle)
    • Increased bullet velocity by 18%.
    • Increased maximum damage range from 23m to 27m (+17%).
  • MCW (Assault Rifle)
    • Increased bullet velocity by 18%.
    • Increased recoil during sustained fire.
    • Decreased minimum damage from 24 to 21 (-13%).
  • Striker (Submachine Gun)
    • Decreased maximum damage from 42 to 36 (-14%).
    • Decreased near-medium damage from 33 to 27 (-18%).
    • Decreased fear-medium damage from 27 to 25 (-7%).
    • Decreased minimum damage from 21 to 20 (-5%).
    • Decreased aim down sights time from 250ms to 240ms (-4%).
  • Holger 26 (Light Machine Gun)
    • Increased bullet velocity by 13%.
  • Pulemyot 762 (Light Machine Gun)
    • Increased bullet velocity by 16%.
    • Decreased maximum damage from 47 to 45 (-4%).
    • JAK Annihilator Bullpup Kit (Conversion Kit)
      • Increased bullet velocity by 29%.
      • Decreased rate of fire from 666 RPM to 571 RPM (-14%).
  • MTZ Interceptor (Marksman Rifle)
    • Increased bullet velocity by 15%.
    • Increased hipfire spread during sustained fire.
    • Decreased aim down sights time from 330ms to 265ms (-20%).
  • MCW 6.8 (Marksman Rifle)
    • Increased bullet velocity by 12%.
    • Increased hipfire spread during sustained fire.
    • Decreased aim down sights time from 260ms to 245ms (-6%).
  • Longbow (Sniper Rifle)
    • Increased bullet velocity by 13%.
    • Swapped full-auto crosshair for expected semi-auto crosshair.
    • Increased flinch when shot by an enemy player to align with other Sniper Rifles.
    • Increased hipfire spread while moving and during sustained fire.
  • KV Inhibitor (Sniper Rifle)
    • Increased bullet velocity by 5%.
    • Increased hipfire spread while moving.
    • Increased flinch when shot by an enemy player by 18%.
  • WSP Stinger (Handgun)
    • Swapped semi-auto crosshair for expected full-auto crosshair.
    • Decreased maximum damage from 25 to 24 (-4%).
    • Decreased maximum damage from 27 to 25 (-7%).
    • Decreased maximum damage range from 12m to 6m (-50%).
    • Decreased upper-torso damage multiplier from 1.1x to 1x.
    • Decreased hipfire spread during sustained fire.
  • Renetti (Handgun)
    • Swapped semi-auto crosshair for expected burst-fire crosshair.
    • Slightly increased recoil during sustained fire.
    • Decreased minimum damage.
    • JAK Ferocity Carbine Kit (Conversion Kit)
      • Swapped semi-auto crosshair for expected full-auto crosshair.
      • Increased aim down sight time 200ms.
      • Increased sprint to fire time from 80ms to 100ms (+25%).
  • COR-45 (Handgun)
    • Decreased maximum damage range from 9m to 6m (-33%).
    • Decreased near-medium damage range from 20m to 10m (-50%).
Modern Warfare 3 player aiming with assault rifle with player and burning building in background
expand image
Credit: Activision

  • High Velocity (Ammunition)
    • Decreased bullet velocity multiplier from 1.2x to 1.15x.
    • Decreased Sniper Rifle bullet velocity multiplier from 1.3x to 1.17x.
  • Low Grain Rounds (Ammunition)
    • Decreased damage range penalty.
    • Decreased bullet velocity penalty.
    • Decreased recoil control advantage.
  • High Grain Rounds (Ammunition)
    • Decreased recoil control penalty.
    • Decreased bullet velocity advantage.
    • Decreased damage range advantage.
  • Optics (Attachment)
    • Decreased aim down sights time penalty across multiple Optic types.
      • Dots & Holographics: 30ms to 0ms (-100%).
      • 2.5x: 70ms to 15ms (-79%).
      • 4x & Hybrids: 40ms to 20ms (-50%).
      • Scopes: 100ms to 50ms (-50%).
  • Muzzles (Attachment)
    • Slightly increased aim down sight penalty for Flash Hider, Compensator, and Muzzle Break types.

There you have it, that's all of the Modern Warfare 3 launch update buffs and nerfs. For more Call of Duty, check out the best SMG and all there is to know about the impending arrival of Ranked play.