Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2 Season 3 weapon balancing - All buffs and nerfs

Warzone 2 player holding assault rifle
Credit: Activision

Warzone 2 player holding assault rifle
Credit: Activision

The Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2 Season 3 weapon balancing brings a wealth of changes to the vast majority of the multiplayer and battle royale weapon arsenal. Whether you're dominating Shipment in Modern Warfare 2 or becoming the last one standing in Warzone 2, developers often apply numerous buffs and nerfs in a bid to maintain balance.

The Season 3 update comes with plenty of new content including a new Battle Pass, the Cronen Squall battle rifle, and Alejandro as one of two playable Operators. Just like most updates, you're probably wondering if your favourite guns have received a performance boost or a downgrade.

Before we take a closer look at the Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2 Season 3 weapon balancing, don't forget to take a look at our other guides showcasing the best Modern Warfare 2 ranked play loadouts and when the next Warzone 2 double XP event takes place.

Warzone 2 and MW2 Season 3 buffs and nerfs

Thanks to the patch notes, there are numerous changes that affect some of the most popular weapons in Call of Duty. Here's a closer look at all of the buffs and nerfs.

» Assault Rifles «

ISO Hemlock

  • All Damage Ranges reduced
  • Lower Torso Damage reduced

M13B

  • Headshot Damage slightly reduced
  • Lower Torso Damage increased
  • Mid-range Damage distance increased
  • Upper Torso Damage slightly reduced

STB 556

  • Headshot Damage increased
  • Leg Damage increased
  • Lower Torso Damage increased
  • Mid-range Damage distance increased
  • Mid-range Damage reduced

TAQ-56

  • Headshot Damage Increased

» Battle Rifles «

FTAC Recon

  • Movement Speed increased
  • Semi-Auto Leg Damage increased
  • Semi-Auto Minimum Armor Damage increased | Warzone 2.0 Only
  • Semi-Auto Upper Torso Damage increased

Lachmann 762

  • Movement Speed increased

SO-14

  • Movement Speed increase
  • Semi-Auto Minimum Armor Damage increased | Warzone 2.0 Only

TAQ-V

  • Minimum Armor Damage increased | Warzone 2.0 Only
  • Movement Speed increased
  • Semi-Auto Lower Leg Damage increased

» Handguns «

Basilisk

  • Minimum Armor Damage reduced | Warzone 2.0 Only

» Light Machine Guns «

RAAL MG

  • Headshot Damage reduced
  • Minimum Armor Damage added to Semi-Auto Firing Mode | Warzone 2.0 Only
  • Semi-Auto Headshot Damage increased
  • Semi-Auto Upper Torso Damage increased
  • Semi-Auto Lower Torso Damage increased

RPK

  • Close-mid Damage slightly reduced
Warzone 2 players shooting each other
expand image
Credit: Activision

» Marksman Rifles «

Tempus Torrent

  • All Damage Ranges reduced slightly
  • Close-mid Damage reduced slightly
  • Headshot Damage reduced

» Submachine Guns «

  • Submachine Gun Hip Spread accuracy increased

BAS-P

  • ADS Move Speed increased
  • All Damage Ranges increased
  • Minimum Armor Damage added to Semi-Auto Firing Mode | Warzone 2.0 Only

Lachmann Sub

  • Headshot Damage decreased
  • Burst-Fire Leg Damage increased
  • Burst-Fire time between shots decreased
  • Burt-Fire Torso Damage increased

MX9

  • Sprint to Fire Speed increased

Vaznev-9K

  • Headshot Damage decreased

VEL 46

  • Headshot Damage decreased

Perhaps the most notable changes impact the TAQ-56 assault rifle and the Vaznev 9K submachine gun. The nerf for the Vaznev's headshot damage means overall performance is worse than in Season 2 while the TAQ-56's buff to headshot damage will result in you having the ability to score headshots easily.

When is the next Warzone 2 and MW2 weapon balancing?

The next dose of weapon balancing for Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2 is likely to take place as part of the Season 3 Reloaded. Intel on what the mid-season update has in store remains a mystery but as soon as we hear more, be sure to check our Call of Duty pages for the latest intel.

That's all there is to know about the Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2 Season 3 weapon balancing. For more, check out our guides showcasing the current Warzone 2 meta and how to unlock the Valeria Operator.