Zombies mode in Black Ops 6 has always had its fair share of duds—guns that looked promising but felt useless once you actually got your hands on them.
Whether it was the Goblin Mk2’s underwhelming splash damage or the Maelstrom’s pitiful kill rate, some weapons just didn’t deliver the punch needed to survive higher rounds. But with Season 3 Reloaded, the tide has turned.
The latest patch not only introduces new content but also addresses issues that made some weapons more frustrating than enjoyable. The Marine SP is a solid case in point. It was barely effective before the update, crippled by one of the slowest reload speeds in the game—definitely not suited for a fast-paced horde mode.
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+ 2With the reload speed now reduced to a simple gesture, the Marine SP is not only functional but actually a blast to use. Similarly, the Goblin Mk2 has had a major enhancement. Unlocked via the High Art event, the new conversion kit now allows it to automatically fire mini-rockets, elevating what was once a dull rifle to an explosive level.
Plus, the Pack-a-Punch damage got a major boost, especially at Level 3, where it doubles the power and becomes a real menace for tougher zombies. The Maelstrom shotgun also deserves a mention, as it is so bad that it became a long-running joke among players.
The range was terrible, the damage weak, and the ammo reserves were abysmal. Even with maximum upgrades, many players felt better weapons, like the ASG-89, still outclassed it. But the recent buffs increased the Maelstrom's hit rate significantly when Pack-a-Punched, with its damage boosted by 50%.
It still has its critics, but it’s finally making its way into the conversation instead of being sidelined. Aside from weapon reworks, Zombies mode itself has gotten some love. One key change is the addition of the Ray Gun Mark II to all maps, no longer exclusive to Shattered Veil.
Now, you can access one of the mode's most iconic weapons without being restricted to a certain spot. The GobbleGum mechanics now feature drastically reduced cooldowns (from five minutes to ten seconds) and nearly instant activation speeds.
click to enlarge + 2The devs clearly want more players to use them, but the community remains divided. Many contend that the real issue isn't cooldowns but the slow earn rate and the fact that most GobbleGums are only useful for Easter egg runs. For those who love tweaking their loadout with perks and boosts, this rework definitely moves things in the right direction.
They’ve simplified camo progression, so now some weapons only need eliminations, not critical kills, since headshots aren’t always in the cards for every weapon. It's a small change that makes grinding feel less punishing, especially for guns like the GS45 and LR 7.62, which blow everything up before you can aim for the head.
The updates work in unison to provide Zombies with a much-needed boost. Season 3 Reloaded finally fixes things with rebalanced weapons, some quality-of-life changes, and a new mode called Zombie Snacks, where you manage energy and food.
So, if you've been sitting on the fence about whether to revisit Zombies, this is the time to jump back in. With Season 4 just around the corner, this mid-season shake-up could be the catalyst for Black Ops 6's best Zombies era yet.
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