Warzone Season 3 patch notes bring Verdansk back, Grappling Hook to core playlists, and a reworked Iron Gauntlet

Season 3 arrives April 2

Warzone Season 3 goes live on Thursday, April 2, 2026, and it is not bothering with subtlety. The update brings a rotating big-map playlist featuring Verdansk and Avalon, expands Grappling Hook and Wall Jump into core Battle Royale and Resurgence playlists, overhauls Iron Gauntlet, adds four new weapons, and adjusts just about every system the game can touch without filing paperwork.

Season 2 Reloaded had already introduced Black Ops Royale, the Voyak KT-3, new perks, and a broad balance pass. Season 3 follows that with one of the biggest Warzone updates in recent memory.

Global event: The Lost Outpost

The season’s main event is The Lost Outpost, which asks players to collect Beacons dropped by eliminated Operators. Progress unlocks milestone rewards across all modes.

Rewards include:

• Strider 300 Sniper Rifle
• “Southpaw” Samuels Operator Skin
• Weapon camos
• Legendary “Vandal” Akita Shotgun blueprint
• Emblem
• Calling Card
• Weapon Charm
• Loading Screen
• Double XP Tokens and more

General updates

File management on console

The Manage Files screen has been cleaned up on console so each game now has a single tab. All installed content is listed in one place, which should make it easier to see what is actually taking up space.

Motion sickness preset

The Motion Reduction Preset has been renamed to better match what it does. The updated setting now includes a Dot Grid overlay at Standard, 60 percent opacity, Regular, which is intended to help reduce motion sickness symptoms for some players. More related settings can still be adjusted for further customization.

Maps

Big map rotation

Season 3 introduces Battle Royale map rotation during the season, with Verdansk and Avalon swapping on a 10-minute timer, similar to the existing Resurgence rotation system.

New Gulag layouts

The Gulag gets a refresh with improved readability and new layouts. Automatic doors now open based on player proximity and weapon damage, and some openings now use non-breakable security glass to improve visibility. The three variants are:

• Server: a lane-focused layout inside a high-security GUILD server room
• Cryo: an asymmetrical setup with mirrored side lanes around a central Cryo workspace
• Meeting: a close-quarters arena centered on a modern meeting room

Verdansk: Launch Pad

A new Launch Pad point of interest appears on Verdansk, just south of Promenade along the shoreline. It acts as the origin point for missile-based events that can hit locations across the map. The facility includes the Control Tower, Hangar, Gantry, Depot, and Vats.

Avalon traversal changes

Avalon gets new landmasses, sandbar crossings, ziplines, and boats to improve movement along coastal areas and create more route options.

Stadium Easter Egg adjustment

At Verdansk Stadium, the Activate Bay Gates Easter Egg now needs 5 breakers instead of 10. Less busywork, which is apparently a seasonal gift.

Modes

Launch Squad limited-time mode

A new Launch Squad LTM drops players into a rocket launch site while incoming nukes threaten the map. Squads must collect launch codes through eliminations and special events to start the launch sequence.

Once activated:

• a global countdown begins
• the initiating player is marked for all squads
• additional launch codes can shorten the timer
• if the starter is eliminated, the launch is canceled and must be restarted
• the squad must finish the launch before time runs out or face total elimination

Iron Gauntlet returns

Iron Gauntlet [Beta] is back with major changes shaped by player feedback:

• It now supports Trios and has moved to Avalon, while keeping the 150-player format
• Base health rises from 300 to 350 to better match time-to-kill expectations
• Grappling Hook availability is much higher
• The in-match economy has been cut back sharply, with less cash and lower contract rewards
• Loot and gameplay restrictions now line up more closely with the Ranked Play ruleset
• Leaderboards now use a WSOW-style scoring system
• Rewards are tied to placement within leaderboard brackets rather than match-by-match results

Achievement rewards

Win streak rewards

Black Ops Royale now has its own dedicated Win Streak track, and Season 2 rewards are no longer available.

Black Ops Royale

• 10 consecutive wins: Blossom Anew Static Camo
• 25 consecutive wins: Sakura Animated Camo

Battle Royale

• 10 consecutive wins: Superstructure Static Camo
• 25 consecutive wins: Cosmic Web Animated Camo

Resurgence

• 30 consecutive wins: Stardust Static Camo
• 50 consecutive wins: Astronomic Animated Camo

Private Match improvements

Private Match gets a batch of quality-of-life changes for community and competitive play:

• Persistent lobbies no longer disband after a match
• Join code visibility can be toggled by hosts, and codes are hidden by default
• Squad names can be edited during private matches and update for everyone in the lobby
• Gamertag obscuring lets hosts anonymize players with random aliases in the killcam and kill feed
• The end-of-match scoreboard now shows more detailed stats, including per-squad breakdowns

Ranked Play

Map rotation

Haven’s Hollow and Rebirth Island now rotate evenly, with each map having the same chance of being selected.

Restricted items

These items are now restricted in Ranked Play:

• Akimbo Attachment
• Nembus Sticky Launcher
• Vulture Underbarrel Attachment
• Explosive Crossbow Attachment
• Bunker Buster Killstreak
• Deadeye Drone Killstreak
• Flashpoint Public Event
• Classified Weapon Public Event

Movement

Grappling Hook and Wall Jump

Grappling Hook and Wall Jump are now available in Battle Royale and Resurgence after strong reception in limited-time modes. The idea is to give players more traversal options and a little more room for skill expression. Wall Jump remains disabled in the Gulag, because apparently even season updates have boundaries.

Wingsuit changes

Keyboard and mouse wingsuit controls have been adjusted to behave more like controller inputs. Forward input now allows smoother lift and sustained glide instead of an immediate loss of speed, which should make traversal more consistent.

If you try to wingsuit too close to a surface, the game will now deploy the parachute instead. The prompt now says Deploy Parachute to match.

Loot and economy

Black Ops Royale

Exotic weapons

Exotic weapons will start appearing in-season and are expected to expand in future updates. The goal is to make them more meaningful high-value targets over time.

Ground loot changes

• Swordfish A1 added with Scout and Widow builds
• MXR-17 replaced by the Voyak KT-3 with Covert and Recon builds
• M15 MOD 0 replaced by the MK35 ISR with Covert and Recon builds
• Kogot-7 replaced by the VST with Burner and Stalker builds

Weapon build update

• Mantis Submachine Gun builds now use the FANG HoverPoint ELO optic instead of the 2x optic

Battle Royale and Resurgence

Loot pool changes

Removed from the loot pool:

• Concussion Grenade
• Thermite
• Recon Drone
• Care Package

Added to the loot pool:

• Grappling Hook
• Molotov
• Deployable Buy Station
• RC-XD

Spawn rate changes

• Light Machine Gun spawn rates reduced by 7%
• Assault Rifle, Submachine Gun, and Sniper spawn rates increased by 2% each
• Shotgun spawn rates increased by 1%

Weapon pool swap

• Shadow SK replaced by VS Recon

Buy Station changes

• Smoke Bombardment added for $4,000
• Grappling Hook added for $500

High value loot zones

Verdansk: Launch Pad, Stadium, Quarry

Avalon: High Value Loot Zones are now randomized each match. One POI is selected from each of these groups:

• Trinity Stadium, Fort, or Casino
• Car Factory, Heliport, or Old Arsenal
• Winery, Colosseum, or Resorts

Death Tax and contract multipliers

The patch notes note that players previously kept 50% and dropped 50% of their cash across both modes.

The Contract Multiplier now works like this:

• Each completed contract grants 20%, down from 30%
• The maximum bonus is reduced from 150% to 100%

Public events

Flashpoint

A new Flashpoint event lands in Battle Royale. A missile launches from the Launch Pad toward a random point inside the safe zone, followed by a countdown before impact so players can reposition. Anyone in the target area is eliminated, and a temporary gas cloud forms afterward to block access for a short time.

Classified Weapon

Another new Battle Royale event introduces a single crate that spawns once per match and contains a powerful weapon. While carrying it, the player gets Specialist and a persistent UAV effect. Their position is revealed globally, and the visibility ramps up as eliminations are earned. In other words, a very powerful item that still insists on making the user the center of attention.

Equipment

EMP Grenade delayed

The EMP Grenade, originally planned for Season 3 launch, has been delayed and will arrive later in the season.

Counter effects added

Concussion and Flashbang grenades can now temporarily disable a wider set of deployed equipment, including:

• C4
• Point Turret
• Needle Drone
• Decoy Grenade
• Shock Charge
• Proximity Mine
• Claymore
• Echo Unit

Perks

Berserker

Berserker now has more noticeable visual and audio feedback when active.

Momentum

• Jump ADS speed reduced by 30%
• Slide ADS speed reduced by 30%

Hunter

Using a UAV now reveals enemy heading direction to squadmates.

New weapons

MK35 ISR assault rifle

A full-auto assault rifle with low recoil and strong mid-range consistency.

• Unlock: Battle Pass HVT Pages 3 and 12
• Prestige Attachment: 19" MFS Nightfall Suppressed Barrel. This includes an integrated suppressor that removes firing signature from the minimap and improves damage range and hipfire spread.

VST submachine gun

A lightweight SMG built for mobility and flexible caliber setups.

• Unlock: Battle Pass HVT Pages 6 and 15
• Prestige Attachment: MFS 5.56 MINSAS Conversion. This converts the weapon to 5.56x30mm ammo for better damage and range, while improving recoil control and reducing fire rate, mobility, and handling.

Strider 300 sniper rifle

A bolt-action sniper with fast handling and one-shot headshot potential within a defined range.

• Unlock: The Lost Outpost Event
• Prestige Attachment: MFS Ballast Guard Stabilizer. This greatly reduces idle sway and improves aiming stability, but removes the ability to hold breath and lowers handling and flinch resistance.

1911 pistol

A semi-automatic pistol with manageable recoil and moderate magazine size.

• Unlock: Weekly Challenges
• Prestige Attachment: MFS Overdrive Auto-Brake. This turns the gun into full-auto with a much higher fire rate, at the cost of hipfire accuracy.

New attachments

• VAS Convergence Foregrip: an underbarrel foregrip that improves recoil stabilization and bullet deviation, unlockable on Battle Pass Page 7
• Shadow SK 12-Gauge Masterkey: a semi-automatic underbarrel shotgun attachment for close-range fights, unlockable via Weekly Challenges
• X9 Maverick Javelin Assembly: launches a fast projectile that can pierce enemies, also unlockable via Weekly Challenges

Weapon adjustments

Assault rifles

DS20 Mirage

• Arm and hand multipliers increased from 1.0x to 1.2x
• ADS speed improved from 240ms to 230ms
• BR/RES attachment buffs:
• Griffon Reserve Extended II reload speed improved by 10%
• 18.9" Westerlies Barrel mid-range damage bonus improved from 35% to 40%

M15 MOD 0

• View kick and gun kick increased by about 5%

MXR-17

• Lower arm and hand multipliers increased from 1.0x to 1.07x
• ADS speed improved from 245ms to 235ms
• BR/RES attachment buffs:
• Rhodes Drum Mag reload speed improved by 10%
• MXR-17 ANVL Conversion now reaches its slowest fire rate faster, with final rate improving from 333 RPM to 400 RPM
• Shots required to reach the final fire rate increased from 18 to 22
• Full reset time improved from 370ms to 240ms

Voyak KT-3

• Bullet velocity reduced from 915m/s to 890m/s
• Horizontal recoil increased by 8%
• BR/RES attachment nerfs:
• 17.6" LTI Grav-4 Barrel recoil control bonus reduced from 20% to 15%
• V-Last Control Pad reduced from 30% to 20%
• Contorso Pad reduced from 25% to 15%

X9 Maverick

• ADS speed improved from 245ms to 235ms
• BR/RES attachment changes:
• 14.9" Tourville Sprint Barrel damage-range bonus improved from 35% to 40%
• Monolithic Suppressor bullet velocity bonus improved from 20% to 25%, damage range bonus from 12% to 18%
• Bolt Carrier now also improves Burst Fire Cooldown by 6%, while recoil penalties have been increased

Submachine guns

Carbon 57

• Several attachment bonuses improved, including ADS movement speed benefits on the Hammer Platoon Pad, Oberon Tactical Pad, 8.5" VAS Radiant Barrel, and 8.6" Orbital Light Barrel

Dravec 57

• Horizontal recoil increased by about 5% in BR/RES

Kogot-7

• Multiple stock, barrel, grip, laser, and handstop values were adjusted, mostly reducing overly strong handling and recoil bonuses

Razor 9mm

• Slide to Fire improved from 360ms to 350ms
• Dive to Fire improved from 440ms to 430ms
• Wildfire now reduces hip spread while sprinting by 15%

RK-9

• Slide to Fire improved from 320ms to 310ms
• Dive to Fire improved from 400ms to 390ms
• Enhanced Cycle System now has lighter penalties to damage range and recoil

Ryden 45K

• Headshot multiplier reduced from 1.18x to 1.14x
• Upper torso multiplier reduced from 0.95x to 0.92x
• Lower torso multiplier reduced from 0.95x to 0.88x
• Slide to Fire improved from 340ms to 330ms
• Dive to Fire improved from 420ms to 410ms
• Horizontal recoil increased by 8% in BR/RES

Shotguns

Echo 12

• Backlash detonation delay after a bounce reduced from 200ms to 150ms

Light machine guns

BO7 LMGs across the board get better handling and mobility so they do not feel quite so stubborn to use.

MK.78

• Sprinting speed increased from 6.8m/s to 7m/s
• Firing ADS movement speed penalty reduced from 30% to 25%
• Reload speed improved by 12% in BR/RES

Sokol 545

• Sprinting speed increased from 6.8m/s to 7m/s
• Firing ADS movement speed penalty reduced from 20% to 17.5%
• Reload speed improved by 12% in BR/RES

Marksman rifles

M34 Novaline

• Burst fire rate improved from 600 RPM to 750 RPM

M8A1

• Bolt Carrier now improves Burst Fire Delay by 6%

Swordfish A1

• Sprint to Fire slowed from 230ms to 240ms
• Tac Sprint to Fire improved from 360ms to 270ms
• Slide to Fire slowed from 430ms to 440ms
• Dive to Fire slowed from 510ms to 520ms
• BR/RES attachment mobility bonuses were trimmed on the Adept Skiff Stock and Modus-R Underbarrel

Launchers

A.R.C. M1

• Assault Frame now improves ADS movement speed from 50 to 70 and reduces charge time from 0.5s to 0.45s

Gulag weapons

• Sturmwolf 45 replaces the Dravec 45
• VST replaces the Kogot-7

Default loadouts

Enforcer

• MK35 ISR replaces the Voyak KT-3
• VST replaces the REV-46

Infiltrator

• Voyak KT-3 replaces the Maddox RFB

Bug fixes

Gameplay

Fixes include:

• A bug where the final squad in Casual could not win because a bot was left in the match
• A bug where the match would not end after the last player was eliminated
• Berserker not applying its reload speed bonus correctly
• Players receiving placement credit without meeting the requirements
• Players surviving outside the combat area on Haven’s Hollow
• Sliding into specific geometry on Rebirth Island and getting stuck
• The JOKR missile disappearing before impact
• Loadout Drop crates being moved by a Breacher Drone
• Players spawning as Rhino instead of their selected Operator
• The spectator camera moving under the map after elimination

Weapons

• Attachments not applying in-game after weapon prestige
• Restricted Conversion Kit attachments being removed while the matching magazine stayed equipped
• Loot cards showing the wrong icons, including fists instead of weapon types

Contracts and progression

• Scavenger Contracts not awarding an Armor Satchel in Resurgence
• Scavenger crates spawning in unreachable locations
• The Thermal Breach camo challenge not tracking properly
• Progress Hub Easter Egg rewards not being granted after checklist completion

UI and UX

• The After Action Report showing 0 XP incorrectly
• Players being kicked from the Loadout menu when rapidly switching categories
• Blank or overlapping map info widgets on certain playlist hovers
• Missing UI icons for exotic weapon splash notifications
• Broken weapon upgrade path UI when inspecting certain weapons
• Incorrect health values in the Black Ops Royale Last Stand UI
• A Trauma Kit showing as already equipped
• The enemy UAV minimap border being too faint

Audio

• Pickup audio repeating during Resurgence infil
• Smoke Screen killstreak VO being audible from too far away
• Contract audio playing during the exfil cutscene

Maps and environment

• Blank bunker monitors in Rebirth Island Easter Eggs
• Map geometry allowing unintended access or trapping players

End-of-match flow

• The Winner’s Circle displaying a black screen or missing Operators
• The Final Killcam breaking when the last elimination involved a vehicle

If you were hoping for Black Ops 7 and Zombies patch notes instead, those are being handled elsewhere, because one patch note pile was clearly not enough.