Finally, there are more details about the new map “Caldera” and the Pacific update for Call of Duty: Warzone. Included are 5 interesting changes to gameplay, balance adjustments, and some information about what will remain the same. MeinMMO has the details.
What’s going on with Warzone? The free battle royale Call of Duty: Warzone is just about to receive its largest update yet. On December 8, the Pacific update will come with a new map, enhanced graphics, and nearly 40 new weapons.
So far, details on gameplay adjustments have been missing to piece together a complete picture of the revamped Warzone after the update. Thanks to a new blog post (via callofduty.com), we now know much more, and there were indeed some surprises that we will present here.
5 Unexpected Gameplay Changes
Let’s start with the new features. The developers announce that this is just the “first wave” of innovative changes that will come into play with the Pacific update. More will follow later.
However, there have already been announcements that few were probably expecting:
- Gulag adjustment
- Loadout boxes
- Water mechanics
- Gas cans
- New contracts
Gulag adjustment: The crazy respawn mechanic will remain in the game as expected. But if you win the duel, you will no longer return to the match with a pistol. As in the popular “Iron Trials ’84”, you will keep your weapons and gear from the Gulag in regular game modes.
Loadout boxes: Until the first free loadout appears shortly before the end of the first circle, you cannot buy a loadout on Caldera. Until then, you will have to make do with ground loot and cannot acquire perks like “Ghost.”
Water mechanics: Swimming will not be possible on Caldera either. However, you can walk in shallow waters. This even impacts perks, and players with the “Tracker” ability will not be able to track enemy footprints in water as easily.
If you crouch in knee-deep water, you additionally receive the bonuses from the “Cold-Blooded” perk. However, lying down does not work in the water.
Additionally, fire-based equipment like “Thermite” will produce smoke when thrown into the water.
Gas cans: New gas cans can be found everywhere on the map. If you shoot at the cans, a gas zone is created that has effects on enemies similar to the gas circle. The cans can also be carried with two hands and ignited manually. Additionally, they can attach to reconnaissance drones.
New contracts: There is an exciting new contract that you can only find once per match – “Big Game Bounty.” This bounty contract marks the player with the most kills in the match. Aggressive attackers with a good dose of courage will benefit.
Additionally, there is a supply drop contract that provides a loadout box that all teams can use, but is marked only for you on the map. There is also talk of a secret contract that yields a lot of loot, though not everything has been revealed about it yet.
Also important: Not new, but equally unexpected is the information that Caldera will feature planes. In the special mode “Vanguard Royale,” you can engage in dogfights at launch and bombard enemies on the ground.
Warzone announces nerfs & buffs for “old” mechanics
The blog post announces some adjustments to balancing and reveals that certain mechanics will remain in the game that do not exist in CoD: Vanguard. So far, little has been known about how much Warzone will change, for example, in perks or equipment.
There is talk of a nerf for heartbeat sensors. This item is very important in Warzone, and it appears that the technology will remain in the game. This alone makes Warzone distinctly different from the multiplayer in Vanguard, which was actually declared as the model for the new Warzone.
We will now list the announced buffs and nerfs.
Nerfs with the Pacific update
- Dead Silence will be weaker
- Special ammunition will completely disappear
- Nerf to stun grenades
- Weakening of heartbeat sensors
- Dual-wield weapons Sai and Kali Sticks will be weaker
- Blows with the gunstock will be weakened
Buffs with the Pacific update
- Most primary grenades will deal more damage
- Effect radius of snapshot grenades increased
- Stim will provide a movement boost
- Decoy grenades will deal damage with rubber bullets
- Gas masks will interfere less with gameplay animations
Additionally, a few new in-match events will be introduced, which are currently part of the event mode “Operation: Flashback” in Verdansk:
- Phases with the revival mechanic from Rebirth Island
- [SECRET] weapon deliveries with meta setups
- Refilling of emptied supply crates
- Cash crates with lots of cash
At the same time, on December 8, the first joint season of Warzone and Vanguard will also start. If you want to read more about it, check it out here: CoD Vanguard & Warzone: Big Season 1 starts next week – Everything about release and content
