Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is getting an update today, which will kick off the new Operation Grand Heist on PS4. We show you what content you can look forward to in the new season.
What is Operation Grand Heist? Operations are part of the so-called Supply Stream Progression in Black Ops 4. This system is designed to continuously provide the game with fresh content – similar to the seasons in Fortnite.
In Black Ops 4, seasons come in the form of seasonal operations – like the current Operation Grand Heist, the third season.
According to Treayarch, it is said to be the largest operation in the history of Black Ops 4.
What’s in store for you in Operation Grand Heist for Black Ops 4
When does Operation Grand Heist start? The new season starts on PS4 on February 19. Treyarch has not provided a specific time. However, it is suspected that the new content will go live at the usual time of 7:00 PM. The PC and Xbox One versions will likely follow a week later.
What Operation Grand Heist offers for multiplayer fans
For multiplayer fans, there are numerous contents to look forward to during the new season. Some of these will start in the launch week, others will be added during the course of the new operation. We’ve summarized the most important features for you.
New Specialist: As suspected, Outrider returns as a popular specialist from Black Ops 3. She will be unlocked at level 1 of the new stream in the black market for multiplayer and Blackout.
The Brazilian fighter uses the Hawk drone as her special equipment. The drone can be positioned over strategically important points, where it automatically marks enemies.
As a special weapon, Outrider brings her Sparrow bow, which can shoot explosive arrows.
New Weapons: The new operation launches with three new weapons:
- the submachine gun Switchblade X9
- the fully automatic shotgun Rampage
- the melee weapon Cha-Ching
More new weapons are expected to follow during Operation Grand Heist.
Changing Modes: During the season, new modes are expected to enter the traditional multiplayer. Popular formats will also return.
It starts with the mode “One in the Chamber”, where players receive three lives, a pistol with a single shot, and a melee weapon. If you eliminate an opponent, you get another bullet.
Massive Weapon and Gameplay Adjustments: Right at the beginning of the new operation, Update 1.13 will bring massive balance changes for weapons and equipment to Black Ops 4. This is likely to shake up the meta significantly.
You can view the individual changes in this Reddit post.
New Multiplayer Maps: Owners of the Black Ops Pass will receive two new multiplayer maps as part of Operation Grand Heist:
- Lockup: Here, Black Ops 4 puts you in a fight for an occupied police station in the middle of the city.
- Casino: This new map is set in Monaco, where you engage in intense combat in a casino hotel.
League Play: Many fans have eagerly awaited this. On February 21, League Play will finally commence in the World League Hub and host the first league event.
What Operation Grand Heist offers for Blackout fans
New Location: As already announced, the Blackout game world will change with the new operation. The world will receive numerous new buildings and new locations across the entire map.
One of the highlights is the new area Ghost Town. It offers a good amount of Western feeling with characteristic architecture. This location is inspired by the popular Standoff map from Black Ops 2. This change was already suspected due to a lollipop.
Below Ghost Town is the other new location – an underground cave system full of zombies and valuable loot.
New Mode: Coinciding with the new Operation Grand Heist, Blackout will receive a new mode called Hot Pursuit on February 22. Here, you can engage in wild car chases between robbers and law enforcement officers with new vehicles like a muscle car or police car.
Further Fine-Tuning: The Blackout mode will also be further adjusted and improved in this season. The developers have announced fine-tuning for body armor and gameplay.
New Prestige System: For those who have already reached the maximum rank of 80, there will be the opportunity to continue to advance through prestige levels, just like in traditional multiplayer.
There will be a total of 10 prestige ranks where you can earn unique calling cards, prestige icons, and more.
New Weapons: During the operation, new weapons will also be introduced in Blackout. These include:
- the fully automatic pistol KAP 45
- the submachine gun Switchblade X9
- the fully automatic shotgun Rampage
- the Sparrow bow of the new specialist Outrider
Hardcore Mode: Although it was previously said that no hardcore mode was planned, it seems that there will indeed be a harder variant of Blackout during the new season. The developers announced this during the presentation of Operation Grand Heist.
New Character: Owners of the Black Ops Pass will receive a new character for Blackout – the Cosmic Silverback.
What Operation Grand Heist offers for Zombie fans
New Gauntlets: Gauntlets are special challenges in the zombie mode. They consist of 30 rounds, are endlessly repeatable, and offer unique rules for each round.
As part of the new operation, fans will receive two new Gauntlets:
- Death-Con Five, which takes place on the Classified map in the Pentagon
- Hellcatraz, which takes place on the Blood of the Dead map
New Perk: There will be a new perk – Ethereal Razor. This will increase your melee damage against zombies.
New Zombie Map: During the new season, the 6th map for zombies is also expected to be released. Unfortunately, there is no further information available.
Signature Weapons: It will be possible to equip and customize signature weapons.
Additional Tier Skips: Players will have the opportunity to earn a second tier skip, allowing for a free rank-up on the black market. This means a total of two skips can be earned daily in zombies.
What Operation Grand Heist brings for the black market
New Smuggled Goods Stream: There will be a new stream with 100 ranks. Here, players can earn new weapons, blackout characters, specialist outfits, and more new cosmetic items.
New Cosmetic Item: There will be a new category of cosmetic items – the Jump Packs. This will allow for customization of jump suits, parachutes, and smoke flares for the blackout mode.
New Features: Additionally, the black market is expected to be revised again. The dealer Blackjack will return, bringing a host of new items and some new features to make the black market simpler and more user-friendly.
