Warzone Season 3 patch notes: Verdansk returns, Grappling Hook added & Iron Gauntlet revamp

by isenews 1 April 2026 0 Comment

Warzone Season 3 patch notes are here, and it’s one of the biggest updates the game has seen in a while. The new season brings Verdansk back into the big map rotation alongside Avalon, Grappling Hooks and Wall Jump expanding into core playlists, a revamped Iron Gauntlet, four new weapons, and sweeping balance changes across weapons, perks, equipment, and economy.

The Season 2 Reloaded update delivered Black Ops Royale, the Voyak KT-3, new perks, and a heavy round of weapon tuning. Season 3 builds on that with one of the most anticipated Warzone updates in recent memory.

Here are the full Warzone Season 3 patch notes.

Warzone Season 3 start date & time

The Warzone Season 3 update went live on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Warzone Season 3 patch notes

Global Events

The Lost Outpost Event

Collect Beacons dropped by eliminated Operators to progress through milestone rewards. The event runs across all modes.

Rewards include:

Strider 300 Sniper Rifle (new weapon)
“Southpaw” Samuels Operator Skin
Weapon Camos
Legendary “Vandal” Akita Shotgun Weapon Blueprint
Emblem
Calling Card
Weapon Charm
Loading Screen
Double XP Tokens and additional rewards

General

File Management UI

The “Manage Files” screen on console has been streamlined to display a single tab per game, listing all installed content in one place for easier navigation and a clearer overview of installed packages.

Motion Sickness Reduction Preset

The “Motion Reduction Preset” has been renamed to better reflect its purpose. The updated preset now includes a Dot Grid overlay (Standard, 60% opacity, Regular), a setting shown to help reduce motion sickness symptoms for some players. Additional related settings can be adjusted for further customization.

Maps

New: Battle Royale Map Rotation (In-Season)

Big Map rotation is being introduced during Season 3, featuring both Avalon and Verdansk. Maps will rotate on a 10-minute timer, matching the existing Resurgence map rotation playlist.

New: Gulag (In-Season)

New Gulag features and layouts have been introduced to deliver a refreshed respawn experience with improved readability. Automatic doors now open based on player proximity and weapon damage, and select openings now feature non-breakable security glass to improve tactical visibility.

The following three variants are included:

Server — A lane-centric layout set within a high-security GUILD server room
Cryo — An asymmetrical layout featuring mirrored side lanes flanking a central Cryo workspace
Meeting — A cat-and-mouse arena centered around a modern meeting room

New: Launch Pad Point-of-Interest (Verdansk)

The Launch Pad serves as the origin point for missile-based events that can target locations across Verdansk. Located just south of Promenade along the shoreline, the facility is composed of multiple key structures: the Control Tower, Hangar, Gantry, Depot, and Vats.

Adjusted: Terrain & Water Traversal (Avalon)

New landmasses, sandbar crossings, ziplines, and boats have been added to improve traversal options across coastal areas and increase route variety.

Adjusted: Stadium — Activate Bay Gates (Verdansk)

The number of required breakers has been reduced from 10 to 5, simplifying the completion path for this Easter Egg to improve accessibility and reduce friction during match flow.

Modes

New: Launch Squad Limited-Time Mode

Players drop into a high-stakes battle at a rocket launch facility as incoming nukes threaten the map. Squads must collect launch codes through eliminations and special events in order to initiate the launch sequence. Activating the launch sequence begins a global countdown and marks the initiating player for all squads on the map. Additional launch codes can be collected to accelerate the countdown timer and secure victory more quickly. If the activating player is eliminated, the launch sequence is canceled and must be restarted. Players must successfully complete the launch before the countdown expires or risk total elimination.

Returning: Iron Gauntlet [Beta] (In-Season)

Iron Gauntlet returns with significant updates based on player feedback:

Now supports Trios and has moved to Avalon, maintaining a 150-player experience
Base health increased from 300 to 350 to better align time-to-kill with player feedback
Grappling Hook availability significantly increased, allowing for more frequent traversal opportunities
Match economy heavily reduced, lowering overall cash availability and contract rewards to create more meaningful decision-making
Loot and gameplay restrictions updated to better align with the Ranked Play ruleset and competitive environment
Leaderboards integrated using a WSOW-style scoring system to support competitive play
Rewards now based on placement within leaderboard brackets rather than match-by-match outcomes

Achievement Rewards

Win Streaks

Black Ops Royale now has a dedicated Win Streak track. Win Streak rewards have been updated for Season 3. Prior Season 2 rewards are no longer obtainable.

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

Season 3 introduces improvements to Private Match that enhance lobby control, post-match flow, and clarity for competitive and community play.

Persistent Lobbies — Private match lobbies will no longer automatically disband after a match ends. Players can remain in the same lobby to queue into subsequent matches together.
Match Code Visibility — Hosts can toggle the visibility of the private match join code at any time. Codes are hidden by default when a lobby is created.
Squad Name Editing — Players can update their squad name during private matches. Updated names are reflected across the entire lobby for all participants.
Gamertag Obscuring — Hosts can enable a setting that anonymizes player identities across the lobby. Randomized aliases will appear in both the killcam and kill feed.
End-of-Match Scoreboard — The scoreboard has been expanded to include more detailed stat tracking. A per-squad breakdown view allows players to inspect individual performance across teams.

Ranked Play

New: Map Rotation

Haven’s Hollow and Rebirth Island now rotate evenly, with each map having an equal chance of being selected per match.

Adjusted: Restrictions

The following items have been 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

New: Grappling Hook & Wall Jump

Grappling Hooks and Wall Jump are now available in Battle Royale and Resurgence. Following strong player reception in limited-time modes, these mechanics have been expanded into core playlists to offer additional traversal options and improve skill expression. Wall Jump remains disabled in the Gulag.

Adjusted: Wingsuit Keyboard & Mouse Controls

Wingsuit controls on keyboard and mouse have been updated to better match controller behavior. Forward input now allows for smoother lift and sustained glide rather than immediate velocity loss, enabling more consistent traversal.

Adjusted: Wingsuit Close Surface Behavior

When attempting to deploy a wingsuit too close to a surface, the parachute will now deploy instead. The on-screen prompt will update to “Deploy Parachute” to reflect this change.

Loot & Economy

Black Ops Royale

Exotic Weapons

New exotic weapons will begin appearing in-season and will continue to expand in future updates. Future iterations aim to be more impactful and rewarding as high-value chase items.

Ground Loot Weapons

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

Weapon Builds

Mantis Submachine Gun builds now use the FANG HoverPoint ELO optic in place of the 2x optic.

Battle Royale & Resurgence

Loot Pool Changes

The following items have been removed from the loot pool:

Concussion Grenade
Thermite
Recon Drone
Care Package

The following items have been added:

Grappling Hook
Molotov
Deployable Buy Station
RC-XD

Weapon Spawn Rates

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

Weapon Pool

The Shadow SK has been replaced by the VS Recon.

Buy Station

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 from each of the following pools is selected per match:

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

Death Tax

	Keep	Dropped on Death	Tax
Battle Royale	50%	40%	10%
Resurgence	50%	30%	20%

Previously, players would keep 50% and drop 50% of their Cash across both modes.

Contract Multiplier

Each contract completion now grants 20%, reduced from 30%
The maximum bonus has been reduced from 150% to 100%

Public Events

New: Flashpoint (Battle Royale)

A missile will launch from the Launchpad POI toward a random location within the safe zone. A countdown begins before impact, allowing players time to reposition. The strike eliminates all players within the target area, and a temporary gas cloud forms after impact preventing access for a limited time.

New: Classified Weapon (Battle Royale)

A single crate containing a powerful weapon will spawn once per match. The weapon grants Specialist and a persistent UAV effect while equipped. The holder’s position is revealed globally, with visibility increasing as eliminations are earned. The Classified Weapon public event is designed to create a high-impact opportunity that encourages engagements while maintaining counterplay through constant vulnerability.

Equipment

EMP Grenade (In-Season)

The EMP Grenade, which was originally announced for Season 3 launch, has been delayed and will be introduced later in the season.

New: Counters

Concussion and Flashbang grenades now temporarily disable a wide range of placed equipment, including mines, drones, and deployables. Items affected include:

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

Perks

Berserker

Subtle visual and audio feedback has been added when the perk is active.

Momentum

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

Hunter

Activating a UAV now reveals enemy heading direction to squadmates.

New Weapons

MK35 ISR Assault Rifle

A full-auto assault rifle with low recoil, offering strong accuracy and reliable handling in mid-range engagements.

Unlock: Battle Pass HVT Pages 3 and 12
Prestige Attachment: 19″ MFS Nightfall Suppressed Barrel — features an integrated suppressor that removes firing signature from the minimap; improves damage range and hipfire spread

VST Submachine Gun

A lightweight submachine gun designed for high mobility and flexible caliber configurations.

Unlock: Battle Pass HVT Pages 6 and 15
Prestige Attachment: MFS 5.56 MINSAS Conversion — converts the weapon to 5.56x30mm ammunition for improved damage and range; improves recoil control while reducing fire rate, mobility, and handling

Strider 300 Sniper Rifle (In-Season)

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

Unlock: The Lost Outpost Event
Prestige Attachment: MFS Ballast Guard Stabilizer — significantly reduces idle sway and improves aiming stability; removes the ability to hold breath; reduces handling and flinch resistance

1911 Pistol (In-Season)

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

Unlock: Weekly Challenges
Prestige Attachment: MFS Overdrive Auto-Brake — converts the weapon to full-auto with a significantly increased fire rate; reduces hipfire accuracy

New Attachments

VAS Convergence Foregrip

An underbarrel foregrip that improves recoil stabilization and bullet deviation for a more predictable firing pattern. Unlockable via Battle Pass Page 7.

Shadow SK 12-Gauge Masterkey (In-Season)

A semi-automatic underbarrel shotgun attachment designed for close-range engagements. Improves recoil control and flinch resistance while reducing overall weapon handling. Unlockable via Weekly Challenges.

X9 Maverick Javelin Assembly (In-Season)

Launches a high-speed projectile capable of piercing enemies. Unlockable via Weekly Challenges.

Weapon Adjustments

Assault Rifles

DS20 Mirage

Damage Range	Pre-Patch Damage	Pre-Patch Range	Post-Patch Damage	Post-Patch Range
Maximum	38	0 – 30m	38	0 – 36m ↑
Medium	30	30 – 55m	30	36 – 60m ↑
Minimum	27	>55m	27	>60m ↑

Additional Adjustments (All Modes):

Arm and Hand multipliers increased from 1x to 1.2x
Aim Down Sight speed improved from 240ms to 230ms

Attachment Adjustments (BR/RES):

Griffon Reserve Extended II: Reload Speed improved by 10%
18.9″ Westerlies Barrel: Mid 1 Damage Range benefit improved from 35% to 40%

M15 MOD 0

View Kick and Gun Kick strength and deviation increased by approximately 5%.

MXR-17

Damage Range	Pre-Patch Damage	Pre-Patch Range	Post-Patch Damage	Post-Patch Range
Maximum	48	0 – 35m	48	0 – 40m ↑
Medium	41	35 – 52m	42 ↑	40 – 55m ↑
Minimum	38	>52m	38	>55m ↑

Additional Adjustments:

Lower Arm and Hand multipliers increased from 1x to 1.07x
Aim Down Sight speed improved from 245ms to 235ms

Attachment Adjustments:

Rhodes Drum Mag: Reload Speed improved by 10%
MXR-17 ANVL Conversion: Final (slowest) Fire Rate improved from 333 RPM to 400 RPM; number of bullets to reach final Fire Rate increased from 18 to 22; time for Fire Rate to fully reset improved from 370ms to 240ms

Voyak KT-3

Damage Range	Pre-Patch Damage	Pre-Patch Range	Post-Patch Damage	Post-Patch Range
Maximum	40	0 – 40m	38 ↓	0 – 40m
Medium	34	40 – 55m	34	40 – 55m
Minimum	30	>55m	30	>55m

Additional Adjustments (All Modes):

Bullet Velocity reduced from 915m/s to 890m/s
Horizontal Recoil increased by 8%

Attachment Adjustments (BR/RES):

17.6″ LTI Grav-4 Barrel: Recoil Control benefit reduced from 20% to 15%
V-Last Control Pad: Recoil Control benefit reduced from 30% to 20%
Contorso Pad: Recoil Control benefit reduced from 25% to 15%

X9 Maverick

Additional Adjustments (All Modes):

Aim Down Sight speed improved from 245ms to 235ms

Attachment Adjustments (BR/RES):

14.9″ Tourville Sprint Barrel: Mid 1 Damage Range benefit improved from 35% to 40%
Monolithic Suppressor: Bullet Velocity benefit improved from 20% to 25%; Damage Range benefit improved from 12% to 18%
Bolt Carrier: Now also improves Burst Fire Cooldown by 6%; Recoil penalties increased

Submachine Guns

Carbon 57

Attachment Adjustments:

Hammer Platoon Pad: Aim Down Sight movement speed benefit improved from 19% to 25%
Oberon Tactical Pad: Aim Down Sight speed benefit improved from 12% to 18%
8.5″ VAS Radiant Barrel: Aim Down Sight speed benefit improved from 14% to 20%
8.6″ Orbital Light Barrel: Aim Down Sight speed benefit improved from 14% to 22%

Dravec 57

Horizontal recoil increased by approximately 5% (BR/RES).

Kogot-7

Attachment Adjustments:

Cinder Stock: Aim Down Sight speed benefit improved from 11% to 18%
EMT3 Radix Stock: Aim Down Sight speed penalty reduced from 19% to 6%; Aim Down Sight movement speed penalty reduced from 12% to 5%
Malaise-64 Stock: Aim Down Sight speed penalty reduced from 13% to 5%
11.7″ Cinerous Barrel: Aim Down Sight speed benefit improved from 10% to 16%; Aim Down Sight movement speed penalty reduced from 6% to 4%
Balter Control Grip: Vertical and Horizontal Recoil Control benefit reduced from 8% to 6%; First Shot Recoil Control benefit reduced from 60% to 55%
3mW Motion Laser: Recoil Stabilization reduced by approximately 5%
EAM Steady-90 Grip: Horizontal Recoil Control benefit reduced from 20% to 15%
VAS Drift Lock Foregrip: Horizontal Recoil Control benefit reduced from 30% to 24%
Vitalize Handstop: Horizontal Recoil Control benefit reduced from 20% to 17%

Razor 9mm

Damage Range	Pre-Patch Damage	Pre-Patch Range	Post-Patch Damage	Post-Patch Range
Maximum	31	0 – 13m	31	0 – 12.2m ↓
Medium	27	13 – 21m	25 ↓	12.2 – 21m ↓
Minimum	20	>21m	20	>21m

Additional Adjustments (All Modes):

Slide to Fire time improved from 360ms to 350ms
Dive to Fire time improved from 440ms to 430ms

Attachment Adjustments (BR/RES):

Wildfire: Now reduces Hip Spread while sprinting by 15%

RK-9

Additional Adjustments (All Modes):

Slide to Fire time improved from 320ms to 310ms
Dive to Fire time improved from 400ms to 390ms

Attachment Adjustments (BR/RES):

Enhanced Cycle System: Damage Range penalty reduced from 20% to 10%; Vertical Recoil penalty reduced from 20% to 10%; Horizontal Recoil penalty reduced from 25% to 12%

Ryden 45K

Additional Adjustments (All Modes):

Headshot multiplier decreased from 1.18x to 1.14x
Upper Torso multiplier decreased from 0.95x to 0.92x
Lower Torso multiplier decreased from 0.95x to 0.88x
Slide to Fire time improved from 340ms to 330ms
Dive to Fire time improved from 420ms to 410ms

Additional Adjustments (BR/RES):

Horizontal Recoil increased by 8%

Shotguns

Echo 12

Attachment Adjustments:

Echo 12 Backlash: Detonation delay after bounce reduced from 200ms to 150ms

Light Machine Guns

Handling and mobility have been improved across all BO7 LMGs to help them better compete with other weapon classes and feel less restrictive.

MK.78

Additional Adjustments (All Modes):

Sprinting Speed increased from 6.8m/s to 7m/s
Firing ADS movement speed penalty reduced from 30% to 25%

Additional Adjustments (BR/RES):

Reload Speed improved by 12%

Sokol 545

Additional Adjustments (All Modes):

Sprinting Speed increased from 6.8m/s to 7m/s
Firing ADS movement speed penalty reduced from 20% to 17.5%

Additional Adjustments (BR/RES):

Reload Speed improved by 12%

Marksman Rifles

M34 Novaline

Attachment Adjustments:

Fire Rate within the burst improved from 600 RPM to 750 RPM

M8A1

Attachment Adjustments:

Bolt Carrier: Now improves Burst Fire Delay by 6%

Swordfish A1

Additional Adjustments (All Modes):

Sprint to Fire time increased from 230ms to 240ms
Tac Sprint to Fire time increased from 360ms to 270ms
Slide to Fire time increased from 430ms to 440ms
Dive to Fire time increased from 510ms to 520ms

Attachment Adjustments (BR/RES):

Adept Skiff Stock: Movement Speed improvement slightly reduced; Crouch Movement Speed improvement reduced; Sprinting Movement Speed improvement slightly reduced
Modus-R Underbarrel: Sprinting Movement Speed improvement slightly reduced

Launchers

A.R.C. M1

Attachment Adjustments:

Assault Frame: Aim Down Sight movement speed benefit increased from 50 to 70; Charge Time reduced from 0.5s to 0.45s

Gulag Weapons

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

Default Loadout Adjustments

Enforcer

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

Infiltrator

Voyak KT-3 replaces the Maddox RFB

Bug Fixes

Gameplay

Fixed an issue where the final squad in a Casual playlist was unable to win because a bot was not properly removed from the match
Fixed an issue where the match would not end after the final player was eliminated
Fixed an issue that caused the Berserker Perk reload speed bonus to not apply correctly
Fixed an issue where players could receive placement credit without meeting requirements
Fixed an issue where players could remain outside the combat area without dying on Haven’s Hollow
Fixed an issue where players could become stuck when sliding into specific geometry on Rebirth Island
Fixed an issue where the JOKR launcher missile would disappear before impact, causing inconsistent visuals and damage feedback
Fixed an issue where players could move Loadout Drop crates using a Breacher Drone
Fixed an issue where players could spawn as an unintended character (Rhino) instead of their selected Operator
Fixed an issue where the spectator camera could move underneath the map after elimination

Weapons

Fixed an issue where weapon attachments would not apply in-game after prestiging a weapon
Fixed an issue where a restricted Conversion Kit attachment could be removed while its associated magazine remained equipped, causing visual and gameplay inconsistencies
Fixed an issue where weapon loot cards could display incorrect icons (e.g., fists instead of the weapon type)

Contracts & Progression

Fixed an issue where Scavenger Contracts did not reward an Armor Satchel upon completion in Resurgence matches
Fixed an issue where Scavenger Contract crates could spawn in unreachable locations, preventing completion
Fixed an issue where the ‘Thermal Breach’ camo challenge did not properly track completion requirements
Fixed an issue where Progress Hub Easter Egg rewards were not granted despite checklist completion

UI / UX

Fixed an issue where the After Action Report (AAR) could display 0 XP earned incorrectly
Fixed an issue where players could be kicked from the Loadout menu when rapidly switching weapon categories
Fixed an issue where the map information widget displayed blank or overlapping elements when hovering certain playlists
Fixed an issue where exotic weapon splash notifications were missing proper UI icons
Fixed an issue where weapon upgrade path UI did not display correctly when inspecting certain weapons
Fixed an issue where the Last Stand UI displayed incorrect health values in Black Ops Royale
Fixed an issue where a Trauma Kit incorrectly displayed as already equipped
Fixed an issue where the enemy UAV minimap border appeared with lower-than-intended opacity

Audio

Fixed an issue where pickup audio would repeatedly play during Resurgence infil
Fixed an issue where the Smoke Screen killstreak VO could be heard at unintended distances across the map
Fixed an issue where contract audio could play during the exfil cutscene

Maps & Environment

Fixed an issue where Easter Egg bunker monitors appeared blank on Rebirth Island
Fixed an issue where map geometry allowed players to access unintended areas or become stuck

End-of-Match / Flow

Fixed an issue where the Winner’s Circle could display a black screen or fail to show Operators after a match
Fixed an issue where the Final Killcam did not display correctly when the final elimination involved a vehicle

If you’re looking for the Black Ops 7 & Zombies patch notes, they’re here.

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