Highlights

  • The latest patch for Call of Duty: Warzone 2 brings weapon balance changes, nerfing the Signal 50 sniper and TAQ-V battle rifle while buffing the M16 and FR Avancer assault rifles.
  • Snipers, like the MCPR-300 and Signal 50, are popular in Warzone 2 due to the game's larger maps and long-range engagements.
  • The patch also includes bug fixes, targeting DMZ-specific issues and exploits, along with addressing issues with the battle pass and buy stations. The haunted floating door on the Vondel map remains.

The latest patch for Call of Duty: Warzone 2 is currently live, bringing down the lethality of a few overperforming weapons, including a fan-favorite sniper, as well as a ton of buffs for underused weapon platforms and several critical bug fixes. Balance patches for live service games are necessary to keep the evolving ecosystem stable, even more so for games like Call of Duty: Warzone 2, where the weapon is as crucial as player skill.

In most shooter games, Sniper Rifles occupy a critical role in long-range combat, albeit with a few downsides, such as a low rate of fire, longer reload speeds, and so on. Crafty players have often used snipers to execute trick shots and innovative kills in past Call of Duty titles. With modern titles embracing bigger maps and incorporating large-scale Battle Royale game modes, Snipers have become the preferred choice for extreme long-range engagements. Based on several player statistics, Snipers are among the most popular Call of Duty: Warzone 2 weapons, with MCPR-300 and Signal 50 seeing a high amount of use in every game mode.

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The latest patch of Call of Duty: Warzone 2, released in preparation for the upcoming Shadow Siege reveal event for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, also included a surprise weapon balance pass. According to the patch notes, the Signal 50 sniper and the TAQ-V battle rifle have been nerfed, with the former having its upper body damage multiplier decreased and the latter being hit by a damage reduction across the board. The .300 Blackout ammunition for ISO Hemlock assault rifles also had its damage potential decreased. The balance pass isn't all doom and gloom, as the M16 and FR Avancer assault rifles have received a damage boost in all ranges. Several other weapons have also been given a facelift, including Fennec 45, MX Guardian, and Chimera.

The community's response regarding this balance pass has been mixed, consistent with most weapon balance changes. Famous Call of Duty content creator JGOD has revealed that the increased TTK for TAQ-V might result in a new battle rifle taking the crown for mid to long-range engagements, possibly the Cronen Squall, while savvy players might use the Lachmann-762 instead. Many players feel that despite the nerfs, TAQ-V and ISO Hemlock will continue to dominate Warzone 2's meta.

The patch also included several bug fixes, mainly targeting a few DMZ-specific issues and an exploit for going prone instantly. The patch also fixed an issue where players wouldn't get the battle pass after spending COD points, and the Battle Royale pre-lobby showing buy stations beforehand. The haunted floating door of Warzone 2's Vondel map is still in action and will possibly continue to scare unsuspecting players as the Lockdown game mode returns this week.

Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2 August 16 Update

GENERAL

Events

  • This patch contains necessary updates and content for the Shadow Siege event. Tune in for the global reveal of Modern Warfare III at 10:30am PT on August 17th in Warzone.

Weapon Tuning

  • The benefit of tuning for Recoil Control related stats has been reduced slightly

BUG FIXES

  • Fixed an issue where some Players could not access the Battle Pass, but would still lose CP after purchasing it
  • Fixed an exploit allowing Players to go prone instantly
  • Fixed an issue where Akimbo challenge progress was not tracking correctly for the FTAC Siege
  • Fixed an issue where an invisible object could interact with lethals, tacticals, and explosives on Mercado Las Almas
  • Fixed an issue affecting key binds when adding settings as Quick Settings
  • Fixed an issue where the buttons for 'Preview' and 'Quick Equip' hide when trying to press them by mouse input in the Events tab
  • Fixed an issue where the Tonfa melee weapon had outdated unlock conditions
  • Fixed an issue where the SFX from the Semtex dropped by the Chain Reaction modifier in Havoc would not play as intended
  • Fixed an issue where equipping the “Battle Buddy AI” Gun Screen could cause an error

WARZONE

WEAPONS

The following Weapon and Attachment changes are reflected in Warzone only.

Weapon Balancing

» Assault Rifles «

  • Chimera
    • Mid Damage increased
    • Neck Damage Multiplier increased
    • Upper Torso Damage Multiplier increased

  • FR Avancer
    • Maximum Damage decreased
    • Close-mid Damage increased
    • Head Damage Multiplier increased
    • Neck Damage Multiplier increased
    • Upper Torso Damage Multiplier increased
    • Lower Torso Damage Multiplier increased

  • Lachmann-556
    • Head Damage Multiplier increased

  • M16
    • Maximum Damage increased
    • Close-mid Damage increased
    • Limb Damage Multipliers increased

» Battle Rifles «

  • FTAC Recon
    • Maximum Damage increased
    • Maximum Damage Range increased

  • Lachmann-762
    • Limb Damage Multiplier increased

  • SO-14
    • Head Damage Multiplier increased
    • Neck Damage Multiplier increased
    • Upper Torso Damage Multiplier increased

  • TAQ-V
    • Maximum Damage decreased
    • Close-mid Damage decreased
    • Minimum Damage decreased
    • Neck Damage Multiplier decreased
    • Upper Torso Damage Multiplier decreased
    • Lower Torso Damage Multiplier decreased
    • Limb Damage Multipliers decreased

» Marksman Rifles «

  • Lockwood MK2
    • Mid Damage increased
    • Minimum Damage increased
    • Upper Torso Damage Multiplier increased
    • Lower Torso Damage Multiplier increased
    • Limb Damage Multipliers increased

» Shotguns «

  • Expedite 12
    • Mid Damage increased
    • Mid-far Damage increased
    • Close-mid Damage Range increased

  • Lockwood 300
    • Close-mid Damage increased
    • Mid Damage increased
    • Maximum Damage Range increased
    • Close-mid Damage Range increased

  • MX Guardian
    • Maximum Damage increased
    • Close-mid Damage increased
    • Mid-far Damage Range decreased

» Submachine Guns «

  • Fennec 45
    • Maximum Damage increased
    • Close-Mid Damage increased
    • Minimum Damage increased

» Sniper Rifles «

  • Signal 50
    • Neck Damage Multiplier decreased
    • Upper Torso Damage Multiplier decreased

Attachments

  • Ammunition
    • ISO Hemlock
      • .300 Blackout (All Types)
        • Close-mid Damage decreased
        • Mid Damage decreased

BUG FIXES

  • Fixed an issue preventing some players from entering DMZ
  • Fixed an issue where some PS4 Players would experience a game freeze in a specific section of Al Mazrah
  • Fixed an issue where Buy Station icons could display on the Tac Map during the Battle Royale pre-lobby
  • Fixed an issue in DMZ where a Tac Map image could display on the ground near Al-Safwa Quarry in Al Mazrah
  • Fixed an issue where Players could become stuck in an ATV near a UAV tower in DMZ
  • Fixed an issue that caused the Player’s screen to remain affected by the Plutonium element despite not being near it
  • Fixed an issue where Players would not be kicked for being idle in Vondel Lockdown (look for this mode to return in this week's Playlist update)
  • Fixed an issue in Warzone Ranked Play where the Top 250 button was locked

Call of Duty Warzone 2 are now available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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Source: Call of Duty