Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 Patch Notes: All Weapon Buffs, Nerfs, New Maps and Updates

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 arrives on November 6, 2026, bringing new Multiplayer maps, weapons, modes, and a substantial round of weapon balancing changes.

While the new content expands the game's Multiplayer offering, the weapon adjustments are particularly important for players who have already settled on their preferred loadouts. Several Assault Rifles and SMGs receive improvements to their damage profiles, while certain attachments and weapons face targeted nerfs.

The official Season 1 patch notes also outline changes to equipment, Killstreaks, stability, and numerous gameplay issues.

Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 Weapon Buffs and Nerfs

Season 1 introduces adjustments across Assault Rifles, SMGs, LMGs, Shotguns, Marksman Rifles, and Pistols.

Rather than making sweeping changes to every weapon, the update primarily modifies damage ranges, individual damage values, and hit-location multipliers. Some weapons receive straightforward improvements, while others have their effectiveness redistributed across different engagement distances.

Assault Rifle Changes: M4, Kastov 762, and Hyeon Burst

Several established Assault Rifles receive meaningful improvements.

M4

The M4 gains additional effective range and improved headshot damage:

• Maximum damage range increased from 25.91 to 27.94 meters (+8%).
• Headshot damage multiplier increased from 1.25x to 1.30x.
• The Hurricane Apex Attachment's maximum damage range increases from 10.49 to 11.68 meters.

These changes extend the distance at which the M4 retains its maximum damage, while increasing the potential benefit of accurate headshots.

Kastov 762

The Kastov 762 receives improvements that could make it more attractive for medium-range engagements:

• Medium-range damage increased from 24 to 25.
• Medium damage range extended from 40.13 to 42.16 meters.
• Headshot multiplier increased from 1.33x to 1.35x.
• Neck and upper-torso multipliers increased from 1.08x to 1.10x.

Unlike a simple range extension, the Kastov's changes combine increased damage with improvements to several hit locations. The resulting effect on shots required to eliminate an opponent will depend on distance and where those shots land.

Hyeon Burst

The standard Hyeon Burst receives a modest increase to its first medium-range damage value, from 24 to 25.

However, the Hyperburst Apex Attachment receives much more substantial changes:

• Maximum damage reduced from 30 to 23.
• Maximum damage range extended from 24.64 to 30.99 meters.
• The first medium damage band has been removed.
• Minimum damage reduced from 25 to 20.

This is one of the more significant attachment adjustments in the update. Although the maximum damage range increases, the substantial reductions to damage values mean players should not interpret the range extension as an overall buff.

Other Assault Rifle adjustments include increased bullet velocity for the Axion, a stronger headshot multiplier for the Han 86, and a longer maximum damage range for the Patriot XMR.

SMG Balancing: Wz.55 Striga Buffed, VEL 46 Range Reduced

Submachine Guns receive several notable changes, with the Wz.55 Striga, PPSh-41, ISO Nightshade, VEL 46, and X-58 Nyx all affected.

Wz.55 Striga

The Striga receives several offensive improvements:

• Maximum damage increased from 26 to 27.
• Minimum damage increased from 17 to 19.
• Headshot multiplier increased from 1.30x to 1.40x.
• The second medium damage band has been removed.

The revised damage profile gives the weapon higher damage at both ends of its listed range distribution. However, the removal of an intermediate damage band also changes how its damage progresses over distance.

PPSh-41

The PPSh-41 benefits from improved damage beyond its closest engagement range:

• Second medium-range damage increased from 13 to 14.
• Minimum damage increased from 12 to 13.

Its maximum damage remains unchanged at 18, meaning these confirmed improvements are concentrated on engagements outside its highest-damage range.

ISO Nightshade

The ISO Nightshade receives two improvements:

• Maximum damage range increased from 10.54 to 11.68 meters.
• Minimum damage increased from 13 to 14.

The extended maximum damage range allows the weapon to retain its strongest damage value over a slightly longer distance.

VEL 46

The VEL 46 receives a mixed adjustment:

• Maximum damage range reduced from 10.13 to 9.65 meters.
• First medium damage range reduced from 17.27 to 16.51 meters.
• Second medium damage range reduced from 25.15 to 24.13 meters.
• Minimum damage increased from 13 to 14.

The VEL 46 now transitions between its damage bands at shorter distances, although its minimum damage has improved.

Players who primarily use the weapon near the edge of its previous maximum damage range may notice the range reductions more than those taking engagements farther away.

X-58 Nyx

The X-58 Nyx also receives improvements to its lower damage bands:

• Second medium damage increased from 15 to 16.
• Minimum damage increased from 13 to 14.

Its maximum damage and maximum damage range remain unchanged.

Shotguns, LMGs, and Marksman Rifles Also Receive Changes

Beyond Assault Rifles and SMGs, Season 1 introduces several adjustments to other weapon categories.

The Rezi 12 Shotgun receives extended damage ranges and increased minimum damage. Its third medium damage range grows from 8.76 to 10.29 meters, while minimum damage increases from 14 to 16.

The Enforcer Apex Attachment also receives smaller improvements to its damage ranges and minimum damage.

For Light Machine Guns, the Type 73 gains a slightly longer maximum damage range and a stronger headshot multiplier. Its Assault Apex Attachment additionally benefits from increased medium damage and longer damage ranges.

The APOC-338 moves in the opposite direction, with minimum damage reduced from 33 to 32 and its headshot multiplier lowered from 1.35x to 1.30x.

Marksman Rifles receive targeted improvements:

• Mosin-Nagant: Maximum damage range increased from 36.83 to 40.13 meters.
• Oris 8.6: Maximum damage range extended from 19.05 to 22.61 meters, with minimum damage increased from 58 to 63.

Finally, the Krait P68 Pistol gains longer maximum and medium damage ranges, alongside an increased lower-torso damage multiplier.

These figures establish which weapons have changed, but they do not automatically establish a new Multiplayer meta. Rate of fire, health, attachment configurations, and hit-location requirements remain essential when evaluating actual time-to-kill differences.

Four Multiplayer Map and Playlist Additions

Season 1 expands Modern Warfare 4's Multiplayer rotation with three 6v6 maps and a featured Kill Block combination.

The additions are:

• Backstab (6v6): A snow-covered, war-torn town.
• Canyon (6v6): An environment featuring open spaces, natural terrain, and elevation changes.
• Shoot House (6v6): The returning three-lane map, reimagined in a new setting.
• Kill Block: Crash (Featured Combo 6v6): A dedicated combination built around the Kill Block format.

Shoot House's return gives players a familiar three-lane environment, while Backstab and Canyon introduce different map layouts and engagement conditions.

Additional Multiplayer maps are planned for later in the season.

Grind, Drop Zone, and Gauntlet 1v1 Join Multiplayer

Season 1 also expands the available game modes.

Grind returns with its familiar objective: collect Dog Tags from eliminated players and deposit them to score points.

Drop Zone challenges teams to control a rotating objective, rewarding successful control with Killstreak drops.

The update also introduces additional 6v6 modes on Kill Block.

Later in the season, Gauntlet 1v1 Gunfight will arrive through the Wager Match Event.

In this format, players compete in individual confrontations using trophies as the event currency. The victorious player remains to face another opponent.

More modes are planned for the mid-season update.

Two New Weapons Arrive With the Season 1 Battle Pass

Season 1 introduces two new firearms at launch, both obtainable through the Battle Pass.

Cronen Osprey Assault Rifle

The Cronen Osprey is a 5.56 Assault Rifle designed around a high rate of fire.

According to Activision's Season 1 announcement, it features:

• Fire rate: 882 RPM.
• Standard magazine: 30 rounds.
• Battle Pass unlock: Tier 16.

The weapon offers a rapid firing rate for an Assault Rifle, although its recoil rises upward and toward the right during sustained fire.

Its performance and attachment options will need to be evaluated against the updated Assault Rifle roster once Season 1 becomes playable.

CSG-35 SMG

The CSG-35 joins the SMG category with an exceptionally high firing rate.

Its confirmed characteristics include:

• Fire rate: 1,200 RPM.
• Standard magazine: 28 rounds.
• Battle Pass unlock: Tier 36.

The CSG-35 is designed primarily for close-range combat, with its recoil becoming more difficult to manage at longer distances.

Its CSG Crossfire Apex Attachment allows an Akimbo configuration, providing a different option for players who prefer dual-wielded weapons.

Both new base weapons are included in the Battle Pass's free reward tiers.

Two additional weapons, the JAK 12 Shotgun and ZLR Talonhawk melee weapon, are scheduled to arrive later in Season 1.

Battle Pass Changes, Equipment Updates, and Bug Fixes

Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 introduces a linear 100-tier Battle Pass featuring Operator Skins, Weapon Blueprints, Finishing Moves, Calling Cards, COD Points, and other rewards.

Premium Battle Pass owners also benefit from a catch-up system that automatically advances their reward eligibility to the corresponding day of the season, up to Day 50.

Several equipment and Killstreak adjustments accompany the new content.

The Proximity Mine's arming time decreases from 1.5 to 0.75 seconds, while the Claymore's arming time falls from 1 second to 0.75 seconds. The Claymore also gains a larger forward trigger range and a wider activation cone.

The Argonaut Killstreak receives an increase in health from 800 to 1,200. Crossfire receives spawn protection alongside reductions to bullet radius and damage.

On the technical side, 120Hz Performance Mode becomes available to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players using compatible 120Hz displays, even without VRR support. Activision continues to recommend VRR for the best experience.

The update also addresses various problems involving weapon attachments, Hardpoint objective registration, Search and Destroy bomb defusing, Killstreak behavior, spawn-related issues, and game stability.

What the Season 1 Changes Mean for Multiplayer Loadouts

The most important distinction in Modern Warfare 4's first seasonal balance update is that not every weapon adjustment works in the same way.

The M4 and Kastov 762 receive improvements that support their effectiveness at specific distances or hit locations. The Wz.55 Striga gains higher damage values, while the VEL 46 sacrifices some range in exchange for improved minimum damage.

Meanwhile, the Hyeon Burst's Hyperburst Apex Attachment undergoes a substantial restructuring that deserves particular attention from players currently using that configuration.

For anyone preparing new Multiplayer loadouts, the patch notes provide a clear starting point: review the updated damage ranges and attachment behavior before assuming that an existing build will perform exactly as it did before Season 1.

Whether these adjustments produce major changes to competitive weapon preferences will depend on their actual in-game performance following the November 6 update.