Black Ops 6 Season 3 update patch notes

Black Ops 6 Season 3 is set to be another huge update for multiplayer, bringing fan-favorite weapons,

Season 3 is coming to breathe new life into Warzone, with Verdansk finally making its long-awaited comeback. But while multiplayer won’t benefit from the return of the iconic map, there’s still plenty for BO6 players to get excited about.

Here’s everything we know about Black Ops 6 Season 3 so far including its start date and content.

Black Ops 6 Season 3 start date

Black Ops 6 Season 3 was initially scheduled to launch on April 3, but Treyarch confirmed on the Call of Duty Podcast that the season will start early on April 2 at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET / 5 PM BST.

While the original launch was set for a fortnight prior, on March 20, Activision announced a rare delay in its seasonal roadmap. Admitting it’s a “big moment” for the franchise as a whole, devs are “taking the time” to polish a little more over the additional weeks.

RICOCHET Anti-Cheat

Cross-play settings

In Season 03, we’re giving console players more granular options by separating the MP Ranked Play and Call of Duty: Warzone Ranked Play settings and adding a new Multiplayer-only setting for Quickplay, Featured, and Party Games matches.

Each of these three settings (Multiplayer Ranked Play, Call of Duty: Warzone Ranked Play, and Multiplayer Unranked) will include the following options:

• 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.
  • May negatively impact matchmaking queue times.
• Off: Restricts matchmaking to your current gaming platform only in selected playlists.
  • Will negatively impact matchmaking queue times.

Additional details on how these settings interact with party members who are on different platforms.

• Players in a party who all belong to the same console platform will matchmake with the party leader’s preferred cross-play settings.
• Players who have selected “Cross-Play Off” and create a mixed platform party that includes a different console platform will have their cross-play settings temporarily adjusted to “Cross-Play On (Consoles Only)” to enable matchmaking. This temporary adjustment enables matchmaking for the duration of the mixed platform party, and disbanding this party will result in preferred matchmaking settings being restored.
• Players who have selected “Cross-Play Off” and create a mixed platform party with a PC player will have their cross-play settings temporarily adjusted to “Cross-Play On.” This enables matchmaking for the duration of the mixed platform party, and disbanding this party will result in preferred matchmaking settings being restored.
• Reminder: Adjusting Cross-Play settings may negatively impact matchmaking queue times.

Firing Range & other new maps

Activision

• Firing Range (6v6)
  • Firing Range makes its glorious return in Black Ops 6 in a faithful remaster of the fan-favorite map. Watch for crossfire down the long center Road as Operators fight for control of the vantage points in the Tower and the upper levels of the Shoot House and Garage. Shooting targets move back and forth on their tracks behind the Office and several other spots adding a useful diversion while preparing for the next fight. Avoid the center chaos by branching off to the Dirt Road, keeping your guard up against ambush as you pass the Storage unit along the way.
• Barrage (6v6)
  • Revisit 1968 Vietnam as you follow Hudson’s clues surrounding one Summit Watch at the front lines of battle. The trees have been cleared and the landscape flattened to make room for this base housing an artillery battery in active combat. The area has taken hits with large chunks blown off buildings including the Command Center and Barracks, the damage opening new pathways through the map.
• Nomad (6v6, 2v2)
  • The Pantheon moles were in Afghanistan, too, when Woods fought there in 1986. Fight in the ruins of a fortified settlement commandeered for the ensuing battle, a parked missile carrier facing out over the valley where a convoy lies in ruins on the narrow road leading up to the map.

Returning game modes

Activision

Sharpshooter

• Flex your skills in this classic Black Ops free for all party mode where every Operator is assigned the same Loadout which changes every 45 seconds. Each cycle introduces a new Primary and Secondary Weapon from scoped Sniper Rifles to akimbo Pistols, plus a new Dedicated Melee weapon and Tactical and Lethal Equipment.
• Use everything at your disposal to 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 and make a run for the top three. When you’re taken out, respawn and build up those bonuses again. A short countdown precedes each weapon swap. Adapt and win.

Demolition

• 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.
• Defense is all about running down the clock. Defuse planted bombs right away, as the match timer pauses whenever a bomb site is in active countdown. If one of the sites is destroyed, regroup and throw everything you have into defending the last one.

Fan-favorite MW19 weapons return

Activision

• Kilo 141 – Assault Rifle (Call of Duty: Warzone Login Reward)
  • Fully automatic assault rifle with an ergonomic design that improves handling, and a steady fire rate helps stay on target.
  • The Kilo 141 is back and ready to tear it up across Multiplayer and Call of Duty: Warzone. The weapon’s smooth handling, manageable recoil, and steady fire rate give it room to shine in a variety of combat situations, leaving no doubt as to why the Kilo 141 was a favorite in Verdansk. Now that the location is back, it’s time to relive the glory days with this hard-hitting Primary Weapon.
  • Players will automatically unlock the Kilo 141 for use in Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone after logging in to Call of Duty: Warzone at the launch of Season 03.
• CR-56 – Assault Rifle (Battle Pass)
  • This lightweight 7.62 x 39mm full-auto assault rifle is compact and powerful. Built exclusively for military use, the standard issue rifle is deadly at mid-range combat and easily configured for a variety of assault tactics.
  • Combining high-damage hits with a fast fire rate and good handling, the CR-56 AMAX is the perfect mid-range weapon for downing targets fast. Eliminate enemies in three to four shots up to 25 meters out, leaving plenty left over to chew through equipped armor. Quick reloads get you back into the action fast, a helpful trait no matter how you choose to customize the weapon via Gunsmith.
• HDR – Sniper Rifle (Battle Pass)
  • Anti-material bolt action sniper rifle chambered in 12.7 x 108mm ammunition. Bullets have a lower muzzle velocity but remain devastating even at very long ranges.
  • Veterans of Verdansk know the power of the HDR and the havoc a sniper can inflict with it when stationed in high vantage points like the infamous Airport Control Tower. The weapon’s long reach and heavy damage make it a favorite of sharpshooters, its distinctive firing sound sending squads running. Add the Reinforced Barrel attachment to further extend your damage range and bullet velocity, and don’t forget to hold your breath for difficult shots.
• Kali Sticks – Melee (Event Reward)
  • Two-hit kill. Extremely fast attack speed. Short range.
  • The infamous Kali Sticks return, dealing out damage with rapid swings that’ll take down your target in a flash. Smack them with fast follow-up hits using the weapon’s light attack or take them out in a more dramatic fashion by unleashing the heavy attack. Use Kali Sticks in Multiplayer with the new Close Shave Perk to deploy a quick whack against enemies without having to manually swap to your Dedicated Melee slot first.
• Nail Gun – Special (In-Season)
  • Full-auto Nail Gun. High damage at close range with fast handling speeds and very low muzzle velocity.
  • Stick it to them with this handy tool configured with a magazine of 15 nails that fires at full auto. The damage drops off quickly after 25 meters and performs best up close. The Nail Gun’s low muzzle velocity can make it difficult to land shots against fast moving targets, so get them in your sights and unload before they know what hit them. This armament is a reward earned during the Black Ops Tribute Event.

New attachments

• Monolithic Suppressor (Battle Pass)
  • Monolithic Core provides superior sound suppression and increased range. Moderate weight increase affects agility.
  • Available for Assault Rifles (except AS VAL), SMGs, Shotguns, LMGs, Marksman Rifles, Sniper Rifles, and Pistols.
• SWAT 5.56 Grau Conversion (Battle Pass)
  • Convert the SWAT 5.56 into a fully automatic weapon with lower damage and range but improved accuracy, mobility, and handling. Equips a new default Barrel and Magazine and unlocks an exclusive 50-round extended Magazine. Blocks Barrel attachments.
• C9 10mm Auto 30-Round Mags (In-Season)
  • Conversion kit to use higher caliber 10mm Auto ammunition for increased stopping power. Though the conversion results in some increased recoil and a slightly lower fire rate, the extra damage, range, and velocity make this attachment a worthy consideration when approaching enemies on bigger maps.

New Perks and Scorestreak

Perks

• Close Shave (Perk Slot 1, Enforcer Type): Automatically use your Dedicated Melee attack when you perform a weapon butt attack. Simply tap the Melee button to attack. Like the old days!
• Vendetta (Perk Slot 2, Recon Type): On respawn, mark your killer’s last known position for a short duration. Get a bonus score for eliminating that enemy. The Vigilance Perk counters being marked by Vendetta.

Scorestreak

Death Machine (825 Score): Wield the infamous Death Machine, a powerful weapon with a single large magazine that fires high impact rounds at a blistering rate of fire. Score earned while using the Death Machine contributes to your current Scorestreak progress, making this a great tool for bumping up to the next streak.

Weapon attachments

The Monolithic Suppressor returns in Season 3 and is unlocked on Battle Pass Page 7. The attachment can be equiped on every AR except the AS Val, SMGs, Shotguns LMGs, Marksman Rifles, Sniper Rifles, and Pistols.

Monolithic Core provides superior sound suppression and increased range. Moderate weight increase affects agility. The ideal attachment for extending your damage range on big maps like Verdansk while retaining the concealment provided by a suppressor.

SWAT 5.56 Grau Conversion (Battle Pass Page 5 Reward): Convert the SWAT 5.56 into a fully automatic weapon with lower damage and range but improved accuracy, mobility, and handling. Equips a new default Barrel and Magazine and unlocks an exclusive 50-round extended Magazine. Blocks Barrel attachments.

Base Blueprint Swap and Camo Hub

Activision

Base Blueprint Swap

You’re now able to customize any Black Ops 6 base weapon or Weapon Blueprint with a skin you’ve unlocked or purchased, across Multiplayer, Zombies, and Call of Duty: Warzone.

1. For Base Weapons, you can only change the skin of the Base Weapon, not any Attachments.
2. For Blueprints, you can customize the skins with other existing Attachments.

Camo Hub

This new user-interface section is planned to be added shortly after launch, available in the Barracks > Challenges Menu. This allows you to view the challenges you need to complete to unlock Weapon Camos in a single location, with weapons sorted by furthest camo unlocked. Simply visit the Camo Hub to start planning out the next steps on your journey to Dark Matter and Nebula.

Operators

• R0-Z3 (BlackCell, Crimson One, Launch)
• Hudson (Battle Pass, Rogue Black Ops, Launch)
• Mace: (Mace (Battle Pass, Crimson One, Launch)

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

Ranked Play

Ranked Play continues in Season 03 with new rewards to claim and new Competitive Integrity systems to keep Ranked Play fair for all competitors.

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.

 

We’ll start to learn more about what’s coming to Black Ops 6 in Season 3 when we get the official patch notes. In the meantime, you can check out the best guns in the game and everything we know about Call of Duty 2025.