How will Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 change Warzone?

As a seasoned Call of Duty player with over two decades under my belt, let me tell you, this Season 1 update is a game-changer! From the moment I set foot on Area 99, I could feel the nostalgia of Black Ops 6 pulsating through every cooling tower and bunker. The return of classic prestige, complete with the elusive Prestige Master, has me dusting off my old controller in anticipation.

In November 14th, 2022, the popular game Call of Duty: Warzone will experience significant changes as it combines with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 for the first time, marking the arrival of Warzone 2.0. This fusion includes the incorporation of novel movement mechanics and additional features from Black Ops 6 into Warzone, alongside a fresh Resurgence map.

Let’s delve deeply into the anticipated alterations for Call of Duty: Warzone as Battlefield 6 Season 1 begins.

Black Ops 6 x Warzone Season 1 release date and time

Starting this coming Thursday, November 14th, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’s Season 1 begins! From 9 AM Pacific Time (PT) or 12 PM Eastern Time (ET), all platforms will be live simultaneously. This launch marks the merging of Black Ops 6 and Warzone.

Do I need to reinstall Warzone for Black Ops 6?

As a tech enthusiast, I recently noticed that Call of Duty has separated Black Ops Cold War (BOCW) from Warzone. Since I already have Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone on my system, am I required to reinstall the Warzone component from BOCW?

If you’ve already got Call of Duty: Warzone on your device, the link-up with Black Ops Cold War will happen automatically once an update rolls out on November 14. If, however, you haven’t installed Warzone yet, you’ll first need to download the free Battle Royale game in order to enjoy the integration with Black Ops Cold War.

Is the Black Ops 6 update for Call of Duty: Warzone free?

Absolutely! Updates for Call of Duty: Warzone come at no cost during each season. The Battle Passes, which contain both free and premium content, are part of this package. Additionally, you can buy Operator Bundles and weapon blueprints using COD points. Some rewards, COD points, and operator bundles can also be earned for free. The entire update, encompassing new maps and the implementation of omnimovement, is accessible to all players without charge.

Black Ops 6 x Warzone—Omnimovement, inventory, and loadouts

As a thrilled fan, I’m excited about the integration of Black Ops 6 into Call of Duty: Warzone! This update brings a major overhaul, introducing the all-new movement system, Omnimovement. Say goodbye to MW3 slide canceling! With Omnimovement, players in Warzone can now move just like they do in Black Ops 6—sliding, diving, and even going supine prone will be seamlessly integrated. The Call of Duty team hasn’t confirmed whether the “Intelligent Movement” and accessibility features from Black Ops 6 will also be included, but considering the shared launcher, it’s likely these features will make their way to Warzone as well. Can’t wait to see how this shapes up!

Weapons and loadouts

In the game Warzone, just like Black Ops 6, the loadout system is also getting integrated. The most significant change is that the loadout menu will get a new interface to align with Black Ops 6’s sleeker weaponry and Gunsmith design. All players, no matter their platform, can now customize up to 10 loadouts – this is different from previous titles where PlayStation users had more loadout slots due to marketing agreements.

Players will be able to equip the following loadout slots in Warzone starting November 14:

A Primary Weapon
A Secondary Weapon
A Melee Weapon
Tactical Equipment
Lethal Equipment
Three Perks
A Wildcard

Quick Inventory

During the Call of Duty NEXT showcase in August, Treyarch and Raven Software unveiled the updated inventory system coming to Warzone with Black Ops 6 integration. The new quick inventory is a streamlined system that ditches the current backpack inventory and more closely resembles the original Warzone inventory. The inventory is divvied up as so:

Cash on hand
Gas Mask
Armor Plates
Killstreaks
Field Upgrade
Primary, Secondary, and Melee Weapons
Ammunition for your AR, SMG, Shotgun, Sniper, and Launcher

For those worried that the fresh inventory system might restrict their storage space, take comfort in knowing that reusable satchels will once again be a part of the game. These satchels function similarly to current armor vests, as they can be found as loot on the ground or in crates and provide extra slots for armor or increased ammunition capacity within your inventory.

Weapons

Equipment

No loadout is complete without lethals, tacticals, field upgrades, and kill streaks. Players can find ten tacticals, 11 lethals, 17 field upgrades, and 12 kill streaks in Warzone with the start of Season 1. Some will be available immediately, while others will require the player to progress their player level to gain access to them for their loadout. That said, any equipment found in ground and crate loot is fair game regardless of your level. Here is the equipment and unlock breakdown:

Perks and wildcards

In a change of pace, Call of Duty: Warzone is returning to the traditional “Pick-3” perks system, abandoning the intricate gear system that was introduced in Modern Warfare 3. Unlike before, players will select one perk from each color slot. Notably, the combat specialties seen in Black Ops 6 won’t be incorporated into Warzone. This means those who found the Recon specialty challenging can breathe a sigh of relief – it won’t feature in this game.

Just as with other gear, players must reach a particular level to access certain bonus features, which are only usable once unlocked. Players may select three such bonuses for their setup, and then discover extra bonuses hidden in containers or scattered across the terrain that can be combined with the primary setup perks.

Besides Shrouded, Irradiated, and Specialist items being found in-game, there will also be four more “pick-3” perk options added to the pool of available perks. Each season, the selected lootable perks will change. Furthermore, it’s anticipated that three more unannounced lootable perks will be introduced, but their details have not been disclosed yet.

During Warzone and BO6 Season 1, players will have access to four Wildcard options. Each player can choose to include just one of these Wildcards in their loadout, and it needs to be selected before the game begins, similar to perks. As the season progresses, additional discoverable Wildcards might become part of Warzone. Here are the Wildcards available for Season 1:

BO6 x Warzone—Maps

Urzikstan (Battle Royale, Plunder)

In Warzone, there hasn’t been a significant overhaul of the maps like we’ve seen in previous versions, but that doesn’t rule out changes to the current Urzikstan map. In an unexpected move, this map is being reverted back to its original state at the launch of Modern Warfare 3. This means undoing all the content additions and modifications made during the post-launch seasons, such as the destruction of the Popov Power Plant and access to bunkers. Additionally, the Atlas Superstore in Al-Sada Village will be taken down since it was built after the initial launch.

In Urzikstan, the epic battles unfold, hosting 120 combatants striving for the top spot. Although gameplay mechanics remain largely unchanged, this region will now support Omnimovement and Black Ops 6 weapon and loadout adjustments, which may subtly alter the game’s dynamics. Furthermore, the Plunder mode, where players strive to gather the maximum in-game money before the clock runs out, can now be played on Urzikstan. However, in Plunder, players will no longer be able to easily sell valuable items for a quick profit. If you aim to accumulate that cash, you’ll have to do so the challenging way.

Rebirth Island (Resurgence)

As a dedicated fan of Resurgence mode, I’m thrilled to hear that Rebirth Island is here to stay! On its debut in Season 1, it won’t undergo any significant changes. For Solos, Duos, and Quads matches, there will be 44 players on the map, while Trios games will have 45. In case I get eliminated during a match, my squadmates still alive can deploy me back into the fray if they hold out for the duration of the countdown timer. Engaging in combat, opening crates, and completing contracts can all speed up the time it takes for a teammate to redeploy.

Area 99 (Resurgence)

If you find 6v6 on Nuketown not intense enough, consider the excitement of 44-45 players in Area 99, which is like an expanded version of Nuketown. Located in the Nevada desert, Area 99 was a government nuclear testing site situated near Echo Ridge Weapons Station. This highly classified area, now infamous or love-hate worthy, was eventually decommissioned and wiped off the map after a nuclear reactor incident.

At Area 99, you’ll find a diverse set of attractions ranging from a factory where mannequins are assembled, an underground shelter, and all the way back to a reactor that resembles a bullseye – a location that’s likely to be in high demand for visits.

Area 99: Echo Ridge Weapons Station

From a distance, I find myself gazing upon Echo Ridge Weapons Station nestled in the vast Nevada desert, not far from the iconic town of Nuketown. This location, once buzzing with activity, has been shrouded in mystery after a catastrophic nuclear reactor incident at its core. Now, it stands as a chilling remnant of a 1950s retro-futuristic dream, transformed into a haunting battleground for squads to clash upon.

Area 99 POI: Reactor

Originally, the crumbling, bullseye-like reactor at the center of Sector 99 was its beacon of pride and the primary power source for an entire weapons facility. A mishap in 1962 resulted in its abandonment. Since then, the main reactor tower has been marred by cracks and continuous leaks, yet it’s undoubtedly a secure location for teams to descend. Gamers will encounter action within as well as outside the structure, with ascenders and staircases providing access to the core chamber. Curved pathways lead to the Turbines room and Hydro pumps. Outside, there lies a circular arrangement of buildings encompassing Research Station 02 and 01, general storage facilities, and a fuel station.

Area 99 POI: Pods

In a time long past, Echo Ridge Weapons Station was a vibrant hub of living and work. The area was equipped with futuristic pod residences for the worker community. Although these four colorful housing units remain standing, they are just shadows of their former grandeur. Inside each pod, there’s a central pillar with an elevator, from which living, kitchen, and sleeping quarters branch off. These dwellings, though mostly covered and deteriorated, offer good spots for sniping. However, be wary not to grow too comfortable in your surroundings as an enemy might sneak up the stairs or elevator shaft while you and your team are unaware.

Area 99 POI: Warehouse factory

Have you ever pondered where those iconic yellow and green houses from Nuketown are produced? Well, this very building is the factory! You might recognize the walls, interior designs, and even the distinctive Nuketown signage in various stages of construction here at the Warehouse. This two-part facility is as Black Ops-y as it gets, and it’s bound to be a must-visit spot for numerous teams.

Area 99 POI: Manufacturing factory

In the latter part of the factory lies the area that was once bustling with production activities. Here, players can discover conference rooms on the rooftops, lockers laden with loot, worker kitchens, and sections for building houses. Steeped in Nuketown’s rich history, this manufacturing sector of the factory offers plenty of chances for parkour and presents some distinct combat spots where mastering movement could significantly impact your battles.

Area 99 POI: Test site

The Test Site seems oddly recognizable, yet it once served as a place for experimental tests, featuring certain items that strangely resonate. Above the searing sands of the Nevada desert lies an observation deck for casual viewing, which leads to a subterranean war room.

Area 99 POI: Nuketown Shipping

The manufacturing plant isn’t only responsible for producing Nuketown components; it also needs to transport them elsewhere. Regrettably, the chaos caused by the reactor malfunction led everyone to abandon the site, leaving behind the remains of the shipping operation. As a result, players will now encounter a graveyard of dilapidated homes, partially buried under layers of time, and corroded vehicles.

Area 99 POI: Loading Bay

Over the idle loading area, where large trucks and various machinery stand still, soars a colossal crane, lifting an entire house aloft. This house serves as a vantage point for much of Area 99, and it’s probably a spot that many would be eager to claim, perhaps even engaging in fierce competition.

Area 99 POI: Mannequin Assembly

The mannequin manufacturing facility is located to the north of Zone 99. This place has an eerie, unsettling vibe due to excessive mannequin production over the years without regulation. Mannequin fragments are scattered all around, making the factory seem like a labyrinth of the uncanny.

Area 99 POI: Bunker

In the bunker, you may discover a vast arsenal, loading areas for explosives, and a war room filled with alarming strategies. There are two ways to access this hidden level: either through the main entrance or by using concealed metal trapdoors, which lead to the subterranean command center. Here, scientists and government officials devised their clandestine operations.

Area 99 POI: Cooling Towers

Between the reactor and the mock-up factory, there stands a group of cooling towers. These towers afford an elevated view of certain parts of the area, but they have been weathered over time by the harsh desert sun and sand. Be cautious about depending too much on those walls for full protection.

BO6 x Warzone—New cinematics, emotes, and sprays

In the lead-up to Black Ops 6, The Replacer stepped in for Graves in the Warzone introductory movie. Although this specific scene won’t appear in the game, fresh ones will debut with Season 1 of Warzone. You’ll find these new intros when you enter the gulag in Urzikstan, and there will be new entry and exit cinematics on Area 99. Lastly, instead of the usual final exit scene, Black Ops 6’s victory celebration, or ‘winner’s circle,’ will take its place. This allows players to display their victory emotions while their gameplay stats are showcased, similar to current practices.

Initially in the original Warzone, enthusiasts could add graffiti and designs across the map as a unique feature. However, this option was absent with the introduction of Warzone 2.0. Fast forward two years, and we’re welcoming back emotes and sprays in the free-to-play battle royale! Now, players can express themselves during gameplay and victory poses using emotes, and even customize their appearances with new emotes and sprays obtained through the battle pass or operator bundles. Excitingly, all 157 operators in Warzone will be capable of performing these emotes, including those from MW2 and MW3.

BO6 x Warzone Season 1—Classic prestige and player progression

Classic prestige has returned to Call of Duty, with Prestige Master kicking in to add an extra 1000 levels to attain after the classic grind is through. Black Ops 6 integration into Warzone will synchronize player progression across the two games. Starting on November 14, all players’ progression in Warzone will reset to match their Black Ops 6 prestige progression. Weapons, equipment, perks, and rewards will be tied to player levels. If you find Black Ops 6’s classic prestige and progression confusing, we have a helpful guide to explain prestiging and permanent unlocks.

Do I need Black Ops 6 to prestige in Warzone?

Starting with Season 1, Call of Duty’s leveling and progression system will be combined, but it’s not necessary to own Black Ops 6 in order to advance in Warzone. While some prestige rewards are unique unlocks specific to Black Ops 6, the experience points you earn will still help you progress towards Prestige Master, regardless of whether or not you possess Black Ops 6.

2024-11-09 13:40