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All Weapon Buffs and Nerfs in the Warzone Season 4 Update

Image of a character shooting a shotgun in Warzone.
By Luke HintonGroup Guides Editor

Image of a character shooting a shotgun in Warzone.

The latest season of Warzone has finally arrived, and with it comes a bunch of tweaks to the game's weapon balance. As such, we're here to run through the Warzone Season 4 buffs and nerfs, so you know which guns to try out, and which to leave alone.

There are plenty of weapon meta changes this time around, especially to the likes of launchers and LMGs. This may persaude you to alter your approach to loadouts, but you can take a look at the stat changes for yourself to see which guns are more useable than ever before.

Elsewhere, feel free to check out the Warzone Season 4 update size, to clear some space if necessary. We've also got tips on how to get the Terminator skin in Warzone and Vanguard, on top of greater details on the new Fortune's Keep map.

Image of a character shooting an SMG in Warzone.
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Warzone Season 4 Buffs and Nerfs

Assault Rifles

Almost every assault rifle in Warzone is experiencing some sort of switch around in Season 4, with many facing changes to recoil and muzzle velocity. The biggest nerf probably goes to the Assault Rifle Alpha from Vanguard, with reduced minimum damage and lower damage multipliers. In terms of buffs, you'll probably want to give the KG M40, which has several recoil reductions as well as damage boosts.

AK-47 (BOCW)

  • Sustained Recoil slightly increased.

AS44 (VG)

  • Increased Standing Hip Fire Accuracy
  • Empress Falchion A
    • Horizontal Recoil Control increased to -25%, up from -30%
  • Kovalevskaya 615mm
    • Vertical Recoil Control now increased by 12%
  • 7.62x54mmR 40 Round Mags
    • Recoil Control increased to -22%, up from -25%
    • Damage Bonus Removed
    • Damage Range Increased to 30%, up from 20%
    • Muzzle Velocity increased to 30%, up from 10%
  • 7.62 Gorenko 50 Round Mags
    • Muzzle Velocity increased to -15%, up from -20%
    • Damage Penalty Removed
    • Damage Range decreased to -30%, down from -20%

Assault Rifle Charlie (VG)

  • Muzzle Velocity increased by 3.4%
  • Neck Damage Multiplier increased to 1.25, up from 1.1
  • CGC 30” XL
    • Recoil Control decreased to 28%, down from 35%
    • Visual Recoil increased
  • Chariot 18" Rapid
    • Recoil decreased
    • Recentering Speed increased by 3%
    • Visual Recoil decreased
  • .50 BMG 40 Round Mags
    • Muzzle Velocity decreased to 12%, down from 20%
  • .50 BMG 60 Round Mags
    • Muzzle Velocity decreased to 12%, down from 20%
    • Movement Speed decreased to -3.5%, down from 3%
    • Damage Range increased to 25%, up from 20%
  • 8mm Klauser 40 Round Mags
    • Muzzle Velocity increased to -15%, up from -20%
    • Damage Range increased to -15%, up from -20%
    • Rate of Fire Multiplier bonus 19%, down from 21%
    • Recoil Control decreased to 16%, down from 20%
  • Removed Stock
    • Vertical Recoil Control decreased to -12%, down from -10%

Cooper Carbine (VG)

  • Recoil intensity adjusted to account for less reliance on Tight Grip.
    • Max Damage increased to 25, up from 24
    • Min Damage Increased to 22, up from 20
  • Gracey Rapid
    • Headshot Damage Multiplier Increased to 1.12, up from 1.071
    • Upper Torso Damage Penalty Removed.
    • Horizontal Recoil penalty decreased to 30%, down from 33%
    • Vertical Recoil penalty decreased to 9%, down from 11%
  • Tight Grip
    • Recoil Control provided by Tight Grip has been decreased for the Cooper Carbine.
  • Compressed Rounds
    • Vertical Recoil now increased to 3.5%
    • Horizontal Recoil increased to 3.5, up from 2.4%

Assault Rifle Bravo (VG)

  • Muzzle Velocity increased by 11%
  • Upper Torso Damage Multiplier increased to 1.2, up from 1.1

Nikita AVT (VG)

  • Max Damage increased to 26, up from 23
  • Move Speed Scale increased to 0.86, up from 0.84
  • 7.62x54mmR 50 Round Mags
    • Movement Speed modifier removed
    • Reload Quickness penalty added
  • 6.5 Sakura 60 Round Drums
    • Movement Speed Modifier removed
    • Reload Quickness penalty slightly increased

KG M40 (VG)

  • Min Damage increased to 26, up from 24
  • Recoil intensity adjusted to account for less reliance on Tight Grip.
  • 6.5mm Sakura 40 Round Mags
    • Muzzle Velocity increased to -10%, up from -20%
    • Recoil Recovery penalty has been removed.
    • Global Damage increased to -4%, up from -10%
    • Damage Range increased to -15%, up from -20%
  • VDD 500mm LS
    • Muzzle Velocity increased to -10%, up from -12%
    • Vertical Recoil Control increased to -50%, up from -90%
  • Krausnick 700mm 01V
    • Damage Range increased to 25%, up from 20%
  • Nilsson 515mm Burst
    • Damage Range now increased by 25%
    • Muzzle Velocity now increased by 20%
    • Rate of Fire increased to 20%, up from 10%
    • Burst Fire Cooldown decreased to 200ms, down from 300ms
  • VDD 390mm Rapid
    • Fire Rate decreased to 18%, down from 21%
    • Global Damage decreased to -7%, down from -5%
  • Reisdorf 36SK
    • Hipfire Accuracy increased to -10%, up from -12.4%
  • Tight Grip
    • Recoil Control provided by Tight Grip has been decreased for the KGM40.

FFAR1 (BOCW)

  • Max Damage Range increased to 28.6 meters, up from 25.4 meters

NZ-41 (VG)

  • LOR MK1 Burst
    • Initial Firing Recoil control increased to 30%, up from 20%
    • Sustained Recoil control decreased to -12%, up from 10%
    • Burst-fire cooldown decreased to 265ms, down from 300ms
    • Burst fire now supports auto burst Mode. Hold fire to continue firing in bursts.
  • Orbweaver 360mm BC
    • Muzzle Velocity now increased by 40%
      • This was a note that previously was mentioned in Season Three reloaded but did not go live at the time.
  • Orbweaver Custom
    • Visual recoil decreased
    • Horizontal Recoil Control increased to -15%, up from -30%
  • Ravenwood 480mm No.2
    • ADS Initial Recoil Control increased to -20%, up from -30%
    • Hipfire Initial Recoil Control increased to -20%, up from -30%
  • 6.5mm Sakura 50 Round Mags
    • Vertical Recoil Control decreased to 40%, down from 45%
    • Visual Recoil Increased
  • LOR Mk3 SC
    • Sustained Fire Recoil Control decreased to 14%, down from 15%

Assault Rifle Alpha (VG)

  • Min Damage decreased to 28, down from 29
  • Muzzle Velocity decreased by 1.8%
  • Head Locational Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.45, down from 1.58
  • Neck Locational Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.18, down from 1.19
  • 7.62 Gorenko 50 Round Mags
    • Vertical Recoil Control decreased 24%, down from 29%
    • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to 25%, down from 30%
  • VDD 760mm 05B
    • Muzzle Velocity decreased to 45%, down from 50%
    • Damage Range decreased to 32%, down from 35%
    • Visual Recoil increased
  • 8mm Kurz 60 Round Drums
    • Movement Speed decreased to -2%, down from -1.3%

Vargo 52 (BOCW)

  • Muzzle Velocity increased by 3.7%
  • Raise Time decreased to 765ms, down from 833ms
  • 17.1 VDV Reinforced
    • Recoil Control increased to 3.5%, up from 2.5%
  • 18.6" Task Force
    • Recoil Control increased to 7%, up from 5%

Volkssturmgewehr (VG)

  • Visual recoil decreased

Launchers

All launchers in Warzone are experiencing buffs this season, so there really isn't a bad one to pick. These are all getting boosts to inner, mid, and outer damage, making them more effective than before.

  • Launcher Alpha (BOCW)
    • Inner Damage increased to 275, up from 250
    • Mid Damage increased to 155, up from 135
    • Outer Damage increased to 65, up from 50
  • RPG-7 (BOCW)
    • Inner Damage increased to 275, up from 250
    • Mid Damage increased to 155, up from 130
    • Outer Damage increased to 65, up from 50
  • M79 (BOCW)
    • Inner Damage increased to 275, up from 250
    • Mid Damage increased to 125, up from 100
    • Outer Damage increased to 100, up from 72
  • M1 Bazooka (VG)
    • Inner Damage increased to 275, up from 250
    • Mid Damage increased to 160, up from 130
    • Outer Damage increased to 70, up from 50
  • MK11 Launcher (VG)
    • Inner Damage increased to 250, up from 225
    • Outer Damage increased to 165, up from 140
  • Panzerschreck (VG)
    • Inner Damage increased to 275, up from 250
    • Mid Damage increased to 160, up from 130
    • Outer Damage increased to 70, up from 50
  • Panzerfaust (VG)
    • Inner Damage increased to 275, up from 250
    • Mid Damage increased to 160, up from 130
    • Outer Damage increased to 70, up from 50
  • RPG-7 (MW)
    • Inner Damage increased to 275, up from 250
    • Mid Damage increased to 155, up from 130
    • Outer Damage increased to 65, up from 50
  • PILA (MW)
    • Inner Damage increased to 275, up from 250
    • Mid Damage increased to 155, up from 130
    • Outer Damage increased to 65, up from 50
  • JOKR (MW)
    • Mid Damage increased to 175, up from 150
    • Outer Damage increased to 65, up from 50
  • STRELA-P (MW)
    • Inner Damage increased to 275, up from 250
    • Mid Damage increased to 100, up from 75
    • Outer Damage increased to 65, up from 50

Light Machine Guns

Not too many changes to LMGs this time around, though it's the MG42 that probably comes off best. There aren't any notable nerfs, so it's a good time to run LMGs in your loadout.

Whitley (VG)

  • Max Damage range increased to 40.2 meters, up from 38.1 meters
  • Max Damage increased to 39, up from 38
  • Min Damage increased to 33, up from 32
  • Muzzle Velocity increased by 10%
  • 28” Gracey Mk. 9
    • Damage Range now increased by 15%

DP27 (VG)

  • Muzzle Velocity increased by 8.4%

Light Machine Gun Charlie (VG)

  • Muzzle Velocity increased by 2.4%

Type 11 (VG)

  • Muzzle Velocity increased by 1.8%

MG42 (VG)

  • Recoil intensity adjusted to account for less reliance on Tight Grip.
  • Max Damage increased to 22, up from 20
  • Min Damage increased to 19, up from 17
  • ADS Transition In Time increased to 410ms, up from 360ms
  • ADS Transition Out Time increased to 400ms, up from 350ms
  • Muzzle Velocity increased by 1.8%
  • VDD 890mm 32M Luftschutz
    • Damage Range now increased by 15%
  • 6.5 Sakura 125 Round Drums
    • Damage Range increased to -10%, up from -20%
    • Muzzle Velocity increased to -10%, up from -20%
    • ADS Speed increased to 4%, up from 3.5%
  • Tight Grip
    • Recoil Control provided by Tight Grip has been decreased for the MG42 (VG).

Marksman Rifles

As with LMGs, there aren't any distinctive nerfs across the Marksman Rifles in Warzone. In terms of buffs though, the damage multipliers increased in the M1 Garand look especially notable.

  • Flinch has been decreased on Marksman rifles by 25%

M1 Garand (VG)

  • Upper Torso Damage Multiplier increased to 1.3, up from 1.1
  • Neck Damage Multiplier increased to 1.3, up from 1.1

SVT-40 (VG)

  • Lower Torso Damage Multiplier increased to 1.3, up from 1
  • Upper Extremities Damage Multiplier increased to 1.3, up from 1

Crossbow (MW)

  • Bolt Velocity increased by 27.2%

R1 Shadowhunter (BOCW)

  • Bolt Velocity increased by 12.5%

Melee Weapons

Handheld weapons were vastly underpowered in Warzone prior to this update, so they've got a buff this time around. The Sledgehammer probably has the best buff with a huge damage increase, but also got nerfed on lunge distance. As such, you'll want to take a closer look at the Kali Sticks.

Katana (VG)

  • Swing-time interrupt delay decreased to 620ms down from 1000ms
  • Movement Speed scale increased to 0.95, up from 0.948
  • Lunge Distance decreased to 1.91m, down from 2.16m

Sawtooth (VG)

  • Fatal Interrupt time decreased to 1000ms, down from 1500ms
  • Lunge Distance decreased to 1.78m, down from 2.04m

Skål Crusher (VG)

  • Swing-time interrupt delay decreased to 500ms down from 1500ms
  • Movement Speed scale decreased to 0.938, down from 0.94
  • ADS Movement Speed Scale increased to 0.97, up from 0.96
  • Lunge Distance decreased to 2.29m, down from 2.8m

Ice Axe (VG)

  • Swing-time delay decreased to 620ms down from 1000ms
  • Lunge Distance decreased to 2.04m, down from 2.52m

Sledgehammer (VG)

  • Damage increased to 150, up from 135
  • Movement Speed scale increased to 0.943, up from 0.942
  • Lunge Distance decreased to 1.98m, down from 2.19m

Sledgehammer (BOCW)

  • Swing Time decreased to 1300ms, down from 1500ms
  • Fatal Interrupt Time decreased to 1100ms, down from 1500ms
  • Damage increased to 150, up from 135
  • Movement Speed scale increased to 0.94, up from 0.93

Wakizashi (BOCW)

  • Movement Speed scale increased to 0.945, up from 0.93

Sai (BOCW)

  • Damage increased to 100, up from 70
  • Hits to Execute decreased to 3, down from 5

Kali Sticks (MW)

  • Damage increased to 90, up from 65
  • Hits to Execute decreased to 3, down from 4
  • Movement Speed scale increased to 0.95, up from 0.94

Ballistic Knife (BOCW)

  • Movement Speed scale increased to 0.955, up from 0.943
  • Now benefits from Aim Assist

Dual Kodachis (MW)

  • Movement Speed scale increased to 0.942, up from 0.875

Handguns

Very few changes to handguns in this new season update, though in general they've been nerfed. The Handgun Charlie has definitely suffered the most with huge damage reductions, though the AMP63 is also worse off.

AMP63 (BOCW)

  • Upper Torso damage multiplier decreased to 1.11, down from 1.2
  • Lower Torso damage multiplier decreased to 1.06, down from 1.1
  • Max Damage increased to 32, up from 31
  • Mid Damage decreased to 26, down from 28
  • Min Damage decreased to 20, down from 23

Handgun Charlie (BOCW)

  • Max Damage decreased to 30, down from 35
  • Mid Damage decreased to 27, down from 29

RATT (VG)

  • Empress 129mm B03TT
    • Max Damage increased to 35, up from 32
    • Min Damage increased to 28, up from 26
    • Rate of Fire increased to -38%, down from -50%

Submachine Guns

The H4 Blixen arrived in Warzone recently and already proved to be one of the best SMGs around, so it's understandably facing a nerf in Season 4. However, the Armaguerra 43 is getting a boost to compensate, making it more efficient in close-quarters gunfights.

Armaguerra 43 (VG)

  • Max Damage Increased to 27, up from 25
  • Max Damage Range decreased to 9.6 meters, down from 10.3 meters
  • Botti 315mm CII
    • Max Damage increased to 28, up from 26
    • Max Damage Range decreased to 10.5 meters, down from 11.5 meters
    • Vertical Recoil Control decreased to -38.5%, down from -40%
  • Perfetto Custom
    • Damage Range increased to 30%, up from 25%
    • Fire Rate Modifier decreased to -7%, down from -13%
  • Imerito 550mm 03P
    • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to 20%, down from 25%
    • Vertical Recoil Control decreased to 15%, down from 20%
  • .30 Russian Short 34 Round Mags
    • Locational damage penalties have been removed.
    • Damage Range increased to -18%, up from -20%
    • Fire Rate Modifier decreased to 8%, down from 10%
  • 8mm Kurz 72 Round Mags
    • Damage Bonus decreased to 7%, down from 10%
    • Fire Rate Modifier decreased to -8.5%, down from -15%
    • Vertical Recoil Control decreased to -25%, down from -20%
    • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to -20%, down from -18%
  • Botti DA
    • Recoil decreased to 11%, down from 14%

H4 Blixen (VG)

  • Mid Damage decreased to 34, down from 35
  • Movement Speed Scaler decreased to 0.9, down from 0.91
  • ADS Movement Speed Scaler decreased to 1.45, down from 1.5
  • Jönsson 9" RMK
    • Muzzle Velocity now increased by 20%
  • Karlsson 17" Custom
    • Muzzle Velocity now decreased by 10%
    • Recoil control decreased to -11%, down from -10%
  • Magnus 9" Bust TG
    • Muzzle Velocity now increased by 30%
  • Bergström 17” F3
    • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to 48%, down from 55%
  • 7.62 Gorenko 54 Round Mags
    • Headshot Damage Multiplier decreased to 18%, down from 25%

MAC-10 (BOCW)

  • Min Damage increased to 20, up from 19
  • Headshot Damage Multiplier increased to 1.33, up from 1.3
  • Max Damage Range increased to 15.6 meters, up from 14.7 meters

Owen Gun (VG)

  • Upper Torso Damage Multiplier decreased to 25%, down from 45%
  • Gawain 188mm Shrouded
    • Max Damage Range increased to 18.4 meters, up from 17.8 meters
    • Upper Torso Damage Multiplier decreased to 1, down from 1.034
    • Lower Torso Damage Multiplier decreased to 1, down from 1.034
    • Lower Extremities damage multiplier decreased to 0.9, down from 1.034
    • Vertical Recoil Control Decreased to -26% down from -25%

PPSh-41 (VG)

  • Recoil Intensity slightly decreased
  • 8mm Nambu 71 Round Mag
    • Muzzle Velocity increased to -15%, up from -20%

Sten (VG)

  • Min Damage increased to 23, up from 21
  • Max Damage increased to 30, up from 29
  • Mid Damage increased to 25, up from 24
  • Mid Damage Range decreased to 24.8 meters, down from 27.9 meters

Type 100 (VG)

  • Lower Extremities damage multiplier decreased to 0.95, down from 1.0
  • Warubachi 134mm Rapid
    • Vertical Recoil Control Now decreased by 2.5%
    • Fire Rate decreased to 18%, down from 20%

Welgun (VG)

  • Lower Extremities damage multiplier decreased to 0.9, down from 1.0

Sniper Rifles

No single sniper rifle has received a bigger boost than others in this update, with quite a few getting flinch reductions. Aside from that though, the 3-Line Rifle now has a faster ADS time.

  • he following “Aggressive” Snipers now adopt the lowest tier of flinch - these utilize the flinch settings that previously only the Marksman Rifle Charlie (MW) and Swiss K31 (BOCW) had access to. In addition, we’ve made a slight reduction of Flinch at this tier.
    • Marksman Rifle Charlie (MW)
    • SP-R 208 (MW)
    • Swiss K31 (BOCW)
    • Pelington 703 (BOCW)
    • LW3 - Tundra (BOCW)
    • Type 99 (VG)
    • Kar98k (VG)
  • Flinch has been decreased by 12% on all “Heavy” snipers.

Gorenko Anti-Tank Rifle (VG)

  • Rate of Fire increased to 0.5, up from 0.4
  • Base Recoil decreased significantly
  • Max Damage decreased to 110, down from 120
  • Min Damage decreased to 100, down from 102
  • Headshot Damage Multiplier increased to 3, up from 2.96
  • Upper Torso Damage Multiplier decreased to 1, down from 1.2
  • Lower Torso Damage Multiplier decreased to 1, down from 1.1
  • 240mm Zac Rapid
    • 10% increased vertical recoil
    • Fire Rate decreased to 10%, down from 20%
    • ADS Time increased to 6.5%, up from 5%
    • Movement Speed increased to 3%, up from 2%
  • 13mm AM 3 Round Fast Mags
    • Movement Speed now increased by 3%
  • Marksman Stock
    • Movement Speed increased to -2.5%, up from -4%
  • Reinforced Stock
    • ADS Speed increased to 4.5%, up from 4%

3-Line Rifle (VG)

  • ADS Transition In Time decreased to 506ms, down from 578ms
  • ADS Transition Out Time decreased to 514ms, down from 540ms
  • Empress 514mm F01
    • ADS Speed increased to 11%, up from 10%
  • Kovalevskaya 820mm R1MN
    • ADS Speed increased to -7%, up from -12%
  • Kovalevskaya 700mm
    • ADS Speed increased to 5%, up from 4%
  • 500mm MN Custom
    • ADS Speed increased to -3%, up from -8%
  • Empress 700mm TN02
    • ADS Speed increased to -5%, up from -10%
  • 270mm Voz Carbine
    • ADS Speed increased to 8%, up from 7%

Tactical Rifles

Only one tactical rifle is getting a change this season, being the Tactical Rifle Charlie with some useful damage buffs.

  • Tactical Rifle Charlie (BOCW)
    • Max Damage increased to 43, up from 40
    • Min Damage increased to 34, up from 32

That's it for the best buffs and nerfs in Warzone Season 4! While you're here, feel free to check out our full list of the patch notes from the new season.