CoD BO6 Season 3 early patch notes: Console-only crossplay and more changes confirmed

by

In the thrilling world of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, I always eagerly await the arrival of a fresh season, and Season 3 is no exception! As usual, there’s a tidal wave of updates to sift through, but that just adds to the excitement.

This update has everything from new maps and returning weapons to balance changes.

So if you’re wondering what’s changed in the latest update to Black Ops 6, we’ve got you covered.

Console-only crossplay confirmed for CoD BO6 Season 3

To combat cheating effectively, Activision now allows for console-exclusive crossplay matchmaking.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got some news straight from the horse’s mouth – or rather, Activision. They’ve confirmed through their anti-cheat system, Ricochet, that the bulk of cheaters are PC gamers out there. Now, here’s the kicker: this issue has had a ripple effect on console players like me due to crossplay.

They propose a change where Multiplayer Ranked Play, Battle Royale Ranked Play, and Multiplayer Casual will each have individual crossplay settings.

  • On: Enables matchmaking with all gaming platforms when playing in the selected playlists.
  • On (Consoles Only): Enables matchmaking only with other consoles when playing in selected playlists
  • Off: Restricts matchmaking to your current gaming platform only in selected playlists.

As a gamer, I’ve noticed that when I opt for stricter crossplay settings, my matchmaking wait times might become longer due to the limited pool of players who share the same settings.

What other changes are in the CoD BO6 Season 3 early patch notes?

Leading the pack, we’ve got three new maps making their way into the game.

In these team battles (6 versus 6), we’ll be seeing the additions of Firing Range (6 versus 6), Barrage (6 versus 6), and Nomad (6 versus 6, as well as 2 versus 2). Among them, the much-loved Firing Range is making a comeback as a top choice.

Alongside these maps, we’ve got a couple of new multiplayer modes: Sharpshooter and Demolition.

In this game setting, known as “Sharpshooter”, all players receive identical equipment that rotates every 45 seconds. The main objective of this mode is to accumulate kill streaks.

On the contrary, demolition resembles strategic shooting games such as Counter-Strike and Valorant; one team safeguards the bomb locations, whereas the other aims to dismantle them.

Additionally, some fresh weapon options are being introduced into the game, emphasizing powerful long-range firearms as a counterbalance to the dominance of Submachine Guns (SMGs).

The new weapons include:

  • Kilo 141 Assault Rifle (Warzone Login Reward)
  • CR-56 Assault Rifle (Battle Pass)
  • HDR Sniper Rifle (Battle Pass)
  • Kali Sticks Melee (Event Reward)
  • Nail Gun Special Weapon (In-Season)

With new guns, comes some new attachments too:

  • Monolithic Suppressor (Battle Pass)
  • SWAT 5.56 Grau Conversion (Battle Pass)
  • C9 10mm Auto 30-Round Mags (In-Season)

We also have four new Operators joining the fight:

  • R0-Z3 (BlackCell, Crimson One, Launch)
  • Hudson (Battle Pass, Rogue Black Ops, Launch)
  • Mace (Battle Pass, Crimson One, Launch)
  • John Black Ops (Event Reward for Black Ops 6 owners, In-Season)

To round things up, a fresh advantage called “Close Shave” is being added to multiplayer. This perk allows you to employ your Special Melee weapon whenever you execute a gun stock attack.

Additionally, there’s plenty of fresh material on its way for the Zombies mode, with the standout addition being the brand-new Shattered Veil map. For more details about this map, be sure to check out our specialized guide.

Full list of CoD BO6 Season 3 early patch notes

Here is the full list of patch notes and balance changes for CoD BO6 Season 3:

UI/UX

Pre-Loading Shaders Improvements

  • Improved menu framerate stability while compiling shaders.
  • The Pre-Loading Shaders warning has been split per game mode.
  • Significantly reduced the time required to compile shaders before launching a match.
  • A new menu widget was added in the lobby to indicate the progress of Pre-Loading Shaders to let you know when you are ready to play!

PC Benchmark

  • ICYMI: The PC Benchmark remains a useful tool to optimize your gaming experience. Located in the Graphics Settings menu of Black Ops 6 Multiplayer, it simulates a multiplayer match to help you fine-tune your graphics for optimal performance and higher framerates.

Global

  • Entering Prestige will no longer reset Operator, Calling Card, Emote, Spray, or Gobblegum customization.
  • Addressed an issue where Finishing Move audio would continue to play after scrolling to a new tier in the Battle Pass.

Challenges

BlackCell

  • BlackCell Daily Challenge
    • BlackCell owners can now complete an additional Daily Challenge in Multiplayer, Zombies, and Call of Duty: Warzone for an added 7,500 XP each. The BlackCell Daily Challenge counts toward the 3 challenges needed to earn the Daily Challenge Bonus XP.

Weapons (Multiplayer and Zombies)

In Season 3, we’re focusing a significant part of our weapon balance adjustments on fostering more diverse gameplay experiences. Most attachments that influence a weapon’s fundamental characteristics are being enhanced to boost their effectiveness in the current meta. Our aim is to make sure all existing and upcoming weapon modifications feel enjoyable and potent to use, promoting a balanced and engaging game environment.

In this update, we’re focusing on improving semi-automatic firearms. Our goal is to make them more user-friendly and competitively balanced, while also enhancing the unique gameplay experience offered by these quicker primary semi-autos.

modifications have been made to the Jackal PDW. For a comprehensive explanation of our reasoning, please refer to the additional information provided. Our approach when it comes to weapon balancing is cautious with regards to adjustments that weaken weapons, and we always look for opportunities to boost other weapons as well. In this instance, we believe that reducing the power of the Jackal PDW will contribute positively to the overall balance and diversity of the game’s weapon selection in the long run.

Shotguns

Each of the three shotguns has been enhanced in terms of their secondary ammunition options: Dragon’s Breath and Slug Rounds. Specifically, Dragon’s Breath now deals slightly increased damage over time, as well as extends its range. Moreover, pellet damage is being optimized for different distances. The aim is to create a long-range alternative for Dragon’s Breath that still maintains the classic shotgun sensation.

The ammunition known as Slug Rounds is receiving substantial enhancements aimed at providing distinct secondary playstyles for each shotgun. The Marine SP Slugs now offer an impressive increase in range, combined with improved headshot damage, transforming them into a weapon that requires precision and offers high rewards but carries significant risk. The ASG-89 Slugs boast increased damage, making them an effective semi-automatic mid-range slugger. Lastly, the Maelstrom Slugs have been boosted with higher damage and range, making them behave more like a slow-firing rifle.

Marksman Rifles

In the broader discussion, Semi-automatic Marksman Rifles are receiving enhancements to allow them to compete effectively against other types of weapons. The key adjustment being made is an increase in Rate of Fire, which not only reduces Time to Kill but also makes it less severe when shots miss their mark.

Movement Updates

  • Increased crouch to stand speeds by 15%.
  • Increased crouch to stand speeds while ADS by 39%.
  • Increased directional sprint animation blend speeds for improved fluidity.

Modes

  • Sharpshooter
    • Classic Black Ops free-for-all Party Game where every Operator is assigned the same Loadout, which changes every 45 seconds.
    • Each cycle introduces a new Primary and Secondary Weapon, plus a new Dedicated Melee weapon and Tactical and Lethal Equipment.
    • Eliminate enemies while unlocking bonus abilities for going on a streak:
      • 1st Elimination: Increased movement speed.
      • 2nd Elimination: Increased reload speed.
      • 3rd Elimination: Increased sprint recovery speed.
      • 4th Elimination: Increased ADS speed.
      • 5th Elimination: Earn double score for eliminating enemies.
    • Keep the streak going to unlock double score.
    • NOTE: Sharpshooter will be added to the new Party Games menu later in the season after it leaves the Featured Playlist selection.
  • Demolition (Launch Window)
    • Alternate between attacking and defending two bomb sites. The attacking team must destroy both bomb sites to win the round, gaining a time bonus after detonating the first site.
    • All attacking Operators spawn with a bomb and respawns are active for both teams throughout the match. The match timer pauses whenever a bomb site is in active countdown.
    • The first team to win two rounds wins the match. If the score reaches 1-1, players enter a tie-breaking final round where both teams race to detonate a single neutral bomb site.

General Playlist Updates

  • Season 03 Moshpit
    • Play respawn modes on the newest Season 03 maps: Barrage, Nomad, and Firing Range.
  • Firing Range 24/7
    • Moshpit of respawn modes on Firing Range.
  • Party Games
    • Added Party Games option in Featured Playlists with options to play Infected, Gun Game, Prop Hunt, or Gunfight.
    • Any additional Party Games will be added to this menu in the future.
  • Gunfight
    • Moved to the Party Games menu going forward.

Spawns

  • Addressed an issue where players could spawn at active Shock Charge placements.

Perks

  • Close Shave (Launch Window)
    • Automatically use your Dedicated Melee attack when you perform a weapon butt attack. Simply tap the Melee button to attack. Like the old days!
  • Dispatcher
    • Increased the score bonus for Interceptors from 100 to 125.

Scorestreaks

  • Death Machine (Launch Window)
    • Heavy minigun with a fast fire rate, high penetration, and a large ammunition capacity.
  • Interceptors
    • Reduced score cost from 1150 to 1025.
  • War Machine
    • Reduced score cost from 1300 to 1150.

Movement Updates

  • Reduced slide in max speed scale from from 1.6 to 1.55.
  • Reduced slide max time from .7 to .65.

Ranked Play

In the upcoming Season 03, we’ll carry on with the Ranked Play, offering fresh prizes for players and introducing updated Fairness Mechanisms to ensure a level playing field for everyone participating in competitive matches.

New Ranked Play Systems

  • Retroactive SR Adjustments
    • To help reverse the impact cheaters have on the Ranked Play SR system, retroactive SR adjustments will be made starting in Season 03.
      • When a Ranked Play cheater is banned, anyone they’ve recently beaten will receive a SR refund for those matches.
      • Players who we detect playing with cheaters may have SR for those wins taken away.
    • Rejoin Matches in Progress
      • Starting with Season 03, players will be able to rejoin Ranked matches if they disconnect.
      • Players will have five minutes to rejoin the match in progress and avoid quit penalties and suspensions. Teammates will receive a reduced SR Loss if a matchmade teammate rejoins and they lose the match.

Season 03 Rank Setback

  • Competitors who are continuing their conquest in Ranked Play from Season 02 will notice that their accounts may have been set back as outlined in previous notes.
    • Every new Season, your Rank may be rolled back based on where you ended the previous season, as follows:
      • Bronze or Silver Rank players are not impacted by the Seasonal setback and will be able to pick up where they ended Season 02 with no SR deduction.
      • Gold or Platinum Rank players will start Season 03 in Tier I of Gold or Platinum respectively.
      • Diamond Rank and above players will start the Season 03 at Diamond I.

Demotion Protection

  • Demotion Protection will be active for everyone’s first 3 Ranked Play losses in Season 03, and players can expect 1 free loss per day via Daily Loss Forgiveness like in Season 02.
  • Competitors that are returning after an extended period of inactivity may need to Win 10 Matches to requalify for Ranked Play in Season 03.
  • New Ranked Play competitors will need to win 50 match-made multiplayer matches like previous seasons.

Ranked Play Season 03 Rewards

  • Ranked Play Season 03 Rewards
    • Rank Weapon Blueprints: Jackal PDW SMG
      • Each Rank Gold and above has a unique Rank-themed Weapon Blueprint that you can earn to show off your rank.
        • Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Crimson & Iridescent: Start in (or above) or reach the applicable Rank anytime in Season 03 to instantly earn the corresponding Jackal PDW Blueprint.
        • Top 250: Finish Season 03 in the Top 250 to earn the “Top 250 Issue Jackal PDW” Blueprint.
      • Rank Calling Cards
        • Each Rank Silver and above has a unique Calling Card reward:
          • Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Crimson, Iridescent: Start in (or above) or reach the applicable Rank anytime in Season 03 to instantly earn the corresponding Season 03 Rank Calling Card..
          • Top 250: Finish Season 03 in the Top 250.
          • Top 250 Champion: One-of-a-kind Calling Card awarded to the single player who finishes Season 03 in the #1 position on the Top 250.
        • Pro Issue AMES 85 Weapon Blueprint: Unlocked by winning 10 Ranked Play matches in Season 03.
        • 100 Season 03 Wins Large Decal: Unlocked by winning 100 Ranked Play matches in Season 03.

Challenges

  • “Hard and Fast” Prestige Master Challenge: the description now mentions the Fast Hands Perk, which also needs to be equipped to progress the Challenge.

UI

  • Addressed an issue where the Scoreboard would be blank when opening it at the end of a round or match.
  • Addressed an issue where Forward Intel Perk would produce inconsistent minimap zoom functionality.
  • Added a timer to the Winner’s Circle that counts down the delay before Emotes can be performed. An Emote triggered during the countdown will automatically play as soon as the timer ends.
  • Addressed a Private Match issue where Game Setup was unresponsive after queuing for Gun Game.
  • Addressed an issue where the winning map would be displayed as vetoed after the Veto Vote concludes in Ranked Play.

Stability

  • Addressed various stability issues.

Read More

2025-04-03 15:37