Season 3 weapon balancing arrives April 2

Warzone and Black Ops 7 Season 3 goes live on April 2, 2026, and it is not exactly a gentle adjustment pass. This update includes one of the largest weapon balancing sweeps the game has seen in a while, with the Swordfish A1 taking a serious nerf after weeks of outperforming the competition. A few neglected SMGs, meanwhile, are getting the kind of attention that can move them from “never used” to “maybe worth a look.”

For everything else in the update, the full Warzone Season 3 patch notes and Black Ops 7 Season 3 patch notes cover the rest of the changes. Because of course one patch note page is never enough when there are balance numbers to publish.

All buffs and nerfs in BO7 and Warzone Season 3

Warzone

BO7 Weapon Patch: Buffs & Nerfs April 2026

Overview of the update

The latest BO7 patch brings major weapon balancing changes, including buffs, nerfs, and attachment tweaks. The goal is clear: create a more diverse and competitive meta, especially for long-range engagements.

Assault Rifles: Winners and losers

DS20 Mirage buffed

The DS20 Mirage gets a solid range buff (up to 36m), making it stronger in mid-range fights. ADS speed and limb multipliers are also improved.

MXR-17 dominates long range

The MXR-17 is now a top-tier long-range option thanks to better damage and range values, plus improved fire rate behavior.

Voyak KT-3 nerfed

The Voyak KT-3 loses damage and gains recoil, reducing its dominance as a low-recoil AR.

X9 Maverick smoother

The X9 Maverick gets ADS and attachment buffs, improving overall consistency.

SMGs: Faster but weaker

Razor 9mm and Ryden 45K are nerfed, while mobility-focused SMGs receive buffs.

LMGs improved

LMGs now have better mobility and handling, making them more viable.

Meta impact

The patch promotes long-range gameplay, reduces easy weapons, and increases build variety.

The update is framed as a broad pass across the weapon sandbox, with changes touching multiple categories in both games. The headline, though, is clear enough: the Swordfish A1 is being pulled back, while a handful of weaker SMGs are being pushed upward.

That kind of reshuffling tends to do two things at once. It gives the meta a nudge, and it reminds players that no overperforming gun gets to stay comfortable for very long.