Season 1 of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 brings a long list of weapon tuning, and almost all of it is a buff. According to the official patch notes, the Axion, M4, Kastov 762 and Patriot XMR assault rifles all get stronger, while the APOC-338 light machine gun takes the clearest nerf.
The notes say Season 1 starts on November 5, “later today”. MW4.gg lists the start as midnight Eastern on November 6, which is late on November 5 in the Pacific time zone.
Which weapons were buffed the most?
The notes list each change with the old and new value. These are the ones most players will notice:
- Axion: medium damage range 1 rises from 34.8 m to 38.61 m, and muzzle velocity from 415 to 470 m/s
- Kastov 762: medium damage 1 goes from 24 to 25, and its range from 40.13 m to 42.16 m
- M4: max damage range goes from 25.91 m to 27.94 m, and the head modifier from 1.25 to 1.3
- Patriot XMR: max damage range goes from 31.24 m to 33.53 m
- Wz.55 Striga: max damage 26 to 27, minimum damage 17 to 19, head modifier 1.3 to 1.4
- Oris 8.6: max damage range 19.05 m to 22.61 m, and minimum damage 58 to 63
- Rezi 12: minimum damage rises from 14 to 16, with longer damage bands
Other SMGs and the Type 73 LMG also get smaller bumps to range or damage.
What was nerfed?
The APOC-338 loses a little: minimum damage falls from 33 to 32, and its head modifier from 1.35 to 1.3. The VEL 46 SMG shortens its max damage range from 10.13 m to 9.65 m, though its minimum damage rises from 13 to 14.
The Hyeon Burst Hyperbust Apex variant is mixed. Its max damage drops from 30 to 23 and its minimum from 25 to 20, but its max damage range grows from 24.64 m to 30.99 m.
Equipment and streaks also change:
- Argonaut: health rises from 800 to 1,200
- Crossfire: bullet damage is cut by 50% and bullet radius by 25%, and it gains spawn protection
- Prox Mine: arming time falls from 1.5 to 0.75 seconds
- Claymore: arming time falls from 1 to 0.75 seconds, and its trigger cone widens from 60° to 80°
- Hardcore modes: max health drops from 30 to 22
What else arrives with Season 1?
The notes list two new maps, Backstab and Canyon, plus Shoot House in a new setting and the 6v6 Kill Block: Crash. Grind and Drop Zone return, and Gauntlet 1v1 is coming soon through the Wager Match Event.
New weapons are the Cronen Osprey assault rifle and the CSG-35 SMG, with two more weapons later in the season. A new 100-tier Battle Pass starts, and DMZ gets X01, an underground GRANIT Arms facility reached through Hajin.
On PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, a 120Hz Performance Mode is now available for players with compatible displays. The notes also say players running the Warzone Agent tool will be warned to close it, and lose Multiplayer access if they do not.
Prices
The patch notes list no price for Season 1, the Battle Pass or any bundle, and the sources we read give no figure in any currency. Prices differ by store and country, so check the store where you bought the game, such as Steam, the PlayStation Store or the Xbox store, for the Battle Pass cost in your local currency.
Who it suits
Assault rifle players. The Axion, Kastov 762, M4 and Patriot XMR all get range, velocity or head damage gains, so it is worth rebuilding your loadouts and testing them in a private match.
SMG players. The ISO Nightshade, PPSh-41, X-58 Nyx and Wz.55 Striga all gain damage or range, while the VEL 46 trades a little range for a higher minimum damage.
APOC-338 users. The LMG’s minimum damage and head modifier both drop, so expect it to feel slightly weaker at range.
Console players with a 120Hz display. The new Performance Mode on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S is the change that matters most to you, and DMZ fans get a fresh area in X01.
What is still unknown?
The notes do not say when the Gauntlet 1v1 queue or the two later weapons arrive, or what the Battle Pass costs. The PPSh-41 row also marks Medium Damage 1 as up 8% while listing the value as unchanged at 15, so treat that one line with caution until it is clarified. How these tweaks shift the meta will only show once players have used them for a few days.
What to do next
Read the full Season 1 patch notes on the official Call of Duty site, then test your main weapon in a private match before ranked play.
