Warzone Season 5: All weapon buffs and nerfs

The start of the fifth and final season of Warzone is here much to the excitement of players. Season 5 of the Pacific era contains a wealth of brand-new content ranging from Caldera map changes, the arrival of Menendez as an Operator, and the EX1 energy rifle.

Alongside the content, the start of a new season means Raven Software will issue another wave of buffs and nerfs to the ever-expanding arsenal of weapons. The changes could lead to major shifts in the meta. With several weapons dominating the meta, the Warzone Season 5 weapon buffs and nerfs may see new guns rise to the top.

Before we reveal all of the changes to each weapon, check out our guide showcasing the best Warzone guns to use in the early stages of the new season.

Warzone Season 5 buffs and nerfs

With the Season 5 patch notes out in the open, we now know all of the buffs and nerfs affecting the Warzone arsenal. Here are the changes:

• Vanguard Marksman Rifles now have Assault Rifle Ammunition
• Variable Scopes (3-6 & 4-8) have been adjusted significantly
• Aggressive and Heavy sniper rifles will see a large reduction
• EX1(VG) balancing

Weapon adjustments

» Assault Rifles «

AS44 (VG)

• Max Damage decreased to 22, down from 24
• Kovalevskaya 615mm
  • Damage Range Increased to 30%, up from 20%
  • Vertical Recoil Control increased to 15%, up from 12%
• ZAC 12B Custom
  • Initial Firing Recoil increased to 14%, up from 10%
  • Movement Speed penalty decreased to -3%, up from -4%

The unquestioned strength of the AS44 (VG) was encroaching on the sub-machine gun class and less its Assault Rifle brethren. We’re making a modification to the close-range damage profile and compensating with more recoil control, enabling the Weapon to perform as a more reliable Sniper-Support.

Assault Rifle Charlie (VG)

• 8mm Klauser 40 Round Mags
  • Magazine Capacity increased to 50, up from 40

Cooper Carbine (VG)

• Compressed Rounds
  
  • Recoil Control penalty increased to -4.5%, down from -3.5%
• 22" Cooper Custom
  • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to 35%, down from 50%

KG M40 (VG)

• Min Damage decreased to 23, down from 25
• Sprint to Fire Time increased to 1.02, up from 1.0
• Reisdorf 720mm Shrouded
  • Muzzle Velocity decreased to 38%, down from 45%
  • Vertical Recoil Control decreased to 24%, down from 30%
  • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to 17%, down from 20%
• 6.5mm Sakura 40 Round Mags
  • Muzzle Velocity penalty increased to -15%, down from -10%
  • Vertical Recoil Control decreased to 12%, down from 14%
  • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to 16%, down from 20%
• 8mm Klauser 60 Round Drums
  • Movement Speed Scaler decreased to 0.98, down from 0.985
  • ADS Time Penalty increased to -5%, up from -2.5%
• VDD 22G Padded
  • Recoil Control decreased to 12.5%, down from 14%

Grau 5.56 (MW)

• Max Damage Increased to 29, up from 28
• Max Damage Range increased to 1240, up from 1200
• Neck Damage multiplier increased to 1.15, up from 1.01

Groza (BOCW)

• Min Damage increased to 24, up from 23

Vargo 52 (BOCW)

• ADS Transition In Time decreased to 280ms, down from 300ms
• ADS Transition Out Time decreased to 280ms, down from 300ms
• Spetsnaz 60 Rnd
  • ADS Time Penalty Decreased to -10%, down from -15%

Vargo-S (VG)

• Min Damage increased to 22, up from 20
• Neck Damage Multiplier increased to 1.5, up from 1.3
• Mirzoyan 414mm Custom
  • Damage Range Penalty removed
  • Sprint to Fire penalty decreased to 1.1, up from 1.15
• Nazaryan 336mm AG
  • Recoil Control Penalty decreased to -40%, up from -45%
  • Sprint to Fire penalty removed
• Gabrielyan LW 298mm
  • Vertical Recoil Control Penalty decreased to -60%, up from -80%
• 6.5mm Sakura 45 Round Drums
  • Magazine Capacity increased to 50, up from 45
• 8mm Mauser 30 Round Mags
  • Magazine Capacity increased to 40, up from 30
• .30-06 38 Round Mags
  • Rate of Fire increased by 50%
• Mirzoyan Custom SK2
  • Movement speed penalty decreased to -2%, up from -4%

Assault Rifle Alpha (VG)

• VDD 760mm 05B
  • Horizontal Recoil Decreased to 20%, down from 30%
  • Muzzle Velocity decreased to 40%, down from 45%
• 8mm Kurz 60 Round Drums
  • ADS Time Scaler penalty decreased to -10%, up from -7%

LMGs

UGM-8 (VG)

• Sustained Recoil Slightly Adjusted

Type 11 (VG)

• Sakura 487mm Shrouded
  • Rate of Fire Penalty decreased to -11.5% down from -15%
  • Horizontal Recoil Control increased to 32%, up from 30%
• 5.6mm 45 Round Mags
  • Muzzle Velocity Penalty removed

Marksman Rifles

SVT-40 (VG)

• Time to ADS decreased to 400ms, down from 450ms
• ZAC 730mm Precision Barrel
  • ADS Time penalty increased to - 8%, down from -7%
• .303 British 15 Round Mag
  • Damage Penalty increased to -10%, down from -7%
  • ADS Time decreased to 2%, down from 4%
  • Recoil Control now 5%, down from 32%
• 6.5 Sakura 20 Round Mag
  • Damage Penalty increased to -17%, up from -11%
  • Rate of Fire Bonus decreased to 30%, down from 50%
  • ADS Time decreased to 1%, down from 2%
  • Recoil control now 10%, down from 45%

M1 Garand (VG)

• Muzzle Velocity increased by 13.4%
• .303 British 12 Round Clips
  • Magazine Capacity Increased to 16 rounds, up from 12
  • Recoil Control decreased to 5%, down from 25%
• 6.5 Sakura 20 Round Drum
  • Magazine Capacity Increased to 40 rounds, up from 20
  • Rate of Fire Bonus decreased to 25%, down from 43%
  • Movement Speed decreased to -4% down from 2%
  • Recoil control decreased to 20%, down from 31%
• .30-06 16 Round Mag
  • Magazine Capacity Increased to 30 rounds, up from 16
• .30-06 20 Round Drum
  • Magazine Capacity Increased to 40 rounds, up from 20
  • Movement Speed penalty increased to -4%, up from -2%

G-43 (VG)

• Max Damage increased to 35, up from 34
• Min Damage increased to 31, up from 28
• ZP 770mm Precision Barrel
  • ADS Time penalty decreased to -2%, up from -6%
• Fitzherbert 500mm Rapid
  • Recoil Recovery now increased by 10%
• Wyvern 570mm Full-Auto Barrel
  • Vertical Recoil increased to 20%, up from 2%
  • Horizontal recoil penalty decreased to -10%, up from -40%
• 8mm Klauser 20 Round Mag
  • Magazine Capacity Increased to 40 rounds, up from 20
  • ADS Time penalty decreased to -2%, down from 4%

M1916 (VG)

• Time to ADS decreased to 310ms, down from 340ms
• ZP Custom Barrel
  • Recoil Recovery now increased by 10%
• 6.5mm Sakura 20 Round Mag
  • Rate of Fire Bonus decreased to 5%, down from 20%

Crossbow (MW)

• Lower Torso Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.5, down from 1.8
• Upper Extremities Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.5, down from 1.8
• Lower Extremities Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.5, down from 1.8

Melee

Combat Shield (VG)

• Movement Speed Scalar decreased to 0.785, down from 0.8

Scythe (BOCW)

• Melee Damage increased to 150, up from 145
• Attack Speed increased by 20%
• Attack interrupt time decreased to 450ms, down from 660ms

Dual Kodachis (MW)

• Standing and crouching melee range decreased to 1.7m, down from 2.4m
• Prone melee range decreases to 1.2m, down from 1.7m
• Standing and crouched charged melee lunge increased to 2.4m, up from 1.7m

Handguns

Klauser (VG)

• Wyvern 170mm 29L
  • Damage Range increased to 40%, up from 20%
  • Horizontal Recoil Control Penalty decreased to -15%, up from -25%
  • Vertical Recoil Control Penalty decreased to -5%, up from -10%
  • Movement Speed Penalty decreased to -2.5, up from -4%
• Fitzherbert 200mm BL
  • Muzzle Velocity increased to 50%, up from 40%
  • ADS Time Penalty decreased to- 6%, up from -12
  • Movement Speed penalty decreased to -1%, down from -1.5%
  • ADS Movement Speed penalty decreased to -1%, down from -2%
• .45 ACP 12 Round Mags
  • Magazine Capacity Increased to 16, up from 12
  • Rate of Fire Penalty decreased to -4%, down from -10%

Sniper rifles

LW3 - Tundra (BOCW)

• Damage Range Increased to 69 meters, up from 61 meters
• Upper Torso Damage Multiplier increased to 1.52, up from 1.1
• Lower Torso Damage Multiplier increased to 1.3, up from 1.05
• Extremities Damage Multiplier increased to 1.0, up from 0.9
• ADS Transition In Time decreased to 430ms, down from 460ms

Type 99 (VG)

• Shiraishi 712mm Sniper
  • Neck Damage Multiplier scale increased to 1.62, up from 1.0
  • Upper Torso Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.1, down from 1.181
  • Sprint to Fire Penalty decreased to -15%, up from -18%

3-Line Rifle (VG)

• .30-06 20 Round Mags
  • Damage Bonus decreased to 7%, down from 10%
  • Rate of Fire Penalty decreased to -6.5% , up from -10%

Shotguns

Combat Shotgun (VG)

• Headshot Locational Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.05, down from 1.1
• Neck Locational Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.05, down from 1.1
• 12 Gauge 5 Round Tube
  • Locational Damage Multipliers decreased to 2.5%, down from 5%
• Sawed-Off
  • Damage Range Penalty increased to -25%, down from -20%
  • Bonus Damage decreased to 15%, down from 20%

SMGs

Armaguerra 43 (VG)

• ADS Movement Speed Scale decreased to 1.32, down from 1.36
• Imerito 550mm 03P
  • Vertical Recoil Control decreased to 10%, down from 15%
  • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to 15%, down from 20%
• Imerito 180mm Short
  • Vertical Recoil Control Penalty increased to -15%, up from -10%
• Botti 570mm Precisione
  • Headshot Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.14, down from 1.2
  • Muzzle Velocity decreased to 30%, down from 40%
  • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to 25%, down from 35%
• 8mm Kurz 72 Round Mags
  • Muzzle Velocity decreased to 10%, down from 20%
  • Damage Range Bonus removed, down from 5%
• 9mm 60 Round Mags
  • Movement Speed Penalty increased to -3%, down from -1%
  • ADS Time penalty increased to -8%, down from -6%
• Imerito TA Skeletal
  • Initial Recoil decreased to 10%, down from 15%
  • Sustained Recoil penalty increased to -10%, down from -7.5%

Marco 5 (VG)

• Max Damage decreased to 32, down from 34
• Mid Damage decreased to 29, down from 30
• Mid Damage Range increased to 20 meters, up from 15 meters
• Imerito 342mm 04P
  • Muzzle Velocity decreased to 40%, down from 50%
  • Recoil Control decreased to 5%, down from 8%
• Perfetto Lesto 355mm
  • Vertical Recoil Control penalty increased to -25%, down from -21%
  • Horizontal Recoil Control decreased to -15%, down from -12%

H4 Blixen (VG)

• Bergström 17" F3
  • Recoil Control Decreased to 30%, down from 45%
• 7.62 Gorenko 54 Round Mags
  • Headshot Multiplier Removed
  • Upper Torso Damage Multiplier increased to 1.13, up from 1.0
  • Movement Speed Scale Decreased to 0.97, down from 1.02
  • ADS Time Scalar Penalty decreased to -4%, up from -3%

UGR (BOCW)

• Magazine Capacity increased to 45, up from 40
• Explosive Flechettes
  • Magazine Capacity increased to 50, up from 36

Fennec (MW)

• Neck Damage Multiplier increased to 1.4, up from 1.01
• Leg and Foot Damage Multiplier increased to 1.0, up from 0.9

M1928 (VG)

• Chariot 2.5"
  • Rate of Fire decreased to 10%, down from 15%
  • Vertical Recoil Control penalty decreased to -35%, up from -50%
• Chariot 5.5"
  • Min Damage increased to 22, up from 21
• 8mm Kurz 50 Round Drums
  • Damage Range decreased to 15%, down from 20%
  • Vertical Recoil Control penalty decreased to -25%, up from -30%
• 8mm Kurz 100 Round Drums
  • Damage Range decreased to 15%, down from 20%
  • Vertical Recoil Control penalty decreased to -25%, up from -30%

PPSh-41 (VG)

• ZAC 300mm
  • Hip Fire Accuracy penalty decreased to -15%, up from -20%
  • Damage Range increased to 25%, up from 20%
• 8mm Nambu 71 Round Mags
  • Damage Penalty Removed
  • Damage Range Penalty increased to -25%, down from -20%
• ZAC Folding
  • Recoil Recovery increased by 10%

Submachine Gun Bravo (MW)

• Mid Damage increased to 22, up from 20
• Mid Damage Range decreased to 17.8 meters, down from 19.1 meters
• Min Damage increased to 19, up from 18

Striker 45 (MW)

• Neck Damage Multiplier increased to 1.15, up from 1.01
• Upper Torso Damage Multiplier increased to 1.12, up from 1.01

Warzone Season 5 start time

Season 5 of Warzone begins on August 24, 2022 at 5PM BST which is perfect for the UK and European users looking to get in amongst the action.

The patch notes containing the buffs and nerfs should appear a few hours earlier, giving you plenty of time to make any tweaks to your favourite loadouts before jumping into Caldera, Fortune's Keep, and Rebirth Island.

What is the Warzone Season 5 meta?

The buffs and nerfs that arrive as part of the Season 5 update will influence the current Warzone meta. The days following the start of the season will see a number of weapons rise to the top but as a safe place to start, we recommend the KG M40 assault rifle and Armaguerra 43 SMG.

Although both guns could receive a nerf, they will remain viable options until players manage to establish any new contenders. For a more detailed breakdown of the Warzone Season 5 meta, check out our guide detailing the best weapons from each category.

That's all there is to know about the Warzone Season 5 buffs and nerfs. Check back once the new season begins to see if your favourite weapons still dominate. In the meantime, check out our guides showcasing the best Warzone sniper rifle and all the intel on the next Warzone double xp event.