MW4 Season 1 patch notes are live, and Infinity Ward has detailed changes across Multiplayer, DMZ, and Global systems. Season 1 adds 4 maps, 2 new weapons, a 100-tier Battle Pass, and a new DMZ location called X01. Hardcore modes also see maximum health drop from 30 to 22.
This article covers the weapon balance changes, DMZ updates, Warzone Agent enforcement, and key bug fixes, so you can see what changed in Modern Warfare 4 before you jump in.
MW4 Season 1 Patch Notes: Key Changes at a Glance
Infinity Ward published the Season 1 patch notes on November 5, 2026. Season 1 goes live on November 6 for Modern Warfare 4 and Warzone.
Multiplayer gets 4 maps, new modes, 2 new weapons, and a round of weapon tuning. DMZ gets X01, a new Exclusion Zone, along with new Orders and a new FOB vendor.
Hardcore modes now have a lower health cap. Maximum health drops from 30 to 22.
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players with 120Hz displays can now use “Performance Mode (120Hz)”. The option is open to them regardless of VRR support. Infinity Ward still recommends VRR for the best experience.
New Maps, Modes and Weapons
Four maps join the rotation in Season 1:
- Backstab (6v6, new): set in a snow-covered town
- Canyon (6v6, new): mixes open spaces with natural terrain and elevation
- Shoot House (6v6): returns with its three-lane layout in a new setting
- Kill Block: Crash (6v6): a new featured combo
Infinity Ward says more maps will arrive later in the season.
Grind and Drop Zone return as modes. In Grind, players collect and bank Dog Tags to score. In Drop Zone, teams fight for a rotating objective to earn Killstreak drops. Kill Block also gets 6v6 modes.
Gauntlet 1v1 is marked “Coming Soon”. It is a 1v1 Gunfight playlist tied to the Wager Match event. Players wager trophies, and the winner stays to face the next opponent. More modes are planned for mid-season.
Two new weapons arrive at launch:
- Cronen Osprey (AR): a 5.56 rifle
- CSG-35 (SMG): can be dual-wielded akimbo
Two more weapons and several new attachments will arrive during Season 1.
MW4 Season 1 Weapon Changes
The MW4 Season 1 weapon changes touch every major weapon class. Most adjustments extend damage ranges or raise minimum damage. A few reduce them.
| Weapon | Class | Main change |
|---|---|---|
| Axion | AR | Medium Damage Range 1 up from 34.8 m to 38.61 m. Muzzle velocity up from 415 to 470 m/s |
| Han 86 | AR | Head multiplier up from 1.25 to 1.3 |
| Hyeon Burst | AR | Medium Damage 1 up from 24 to 25 |
| Hyperbust Apex (Hyeon Burst) | AR | Max damage down from 30 to 23. Max damage range up from 24.64 m to 30.99 m. Medium damage removed |
| Kastov 762 | AR | Medium Damage 1 up from 24 to 25. Head multiplier up from 1.33 to 1.35 |
| M4 | AR | Max damage range up from 25.91 m to 27.94 m. Head multiplier up from 1.25 to 1.3 |
| Patriot XMR | AR | Max damage range up from 31.24 m to 33.53 m. ADS move speed up from 2.22 to 2.26 m/s |
| Wz.55 Striga | SMG | Max damage up from 26 to 27. Minimum damage up from 17 to 19. Medium Damage 2 removed |
| VEL 46 | SMG | Damage ranges reduced. Minimum damage up from 13 to 14 |
| APOC-338 | LMG | Minimum damage down from 33 to 32. Head multiplier down from 1.35 to 1.3 |
| Rezi 12 | Shotgun | Minimum damage up from 14 to 16. Medium damage ranges extended |
| Oris 8.6 | Marksman | Max damage range up from 19.05 m to 22.61 m. Minimum damage up from 58 to 63 |
| Krait P68 | Pistol | Max damage range up from 8.89 m to 9.4 m. Lower torso multiplier up from 1 to 1.1 |
The Hyperbust Apex attachment sees the biggest cut. Its maximum damage falls by 23%, and its minimum damage falls from 25 to 20. Its maximum damage range rises by 26%.
The APOC-338 is the only LMG in the notes with reductions. The Type 73 gets range, and its head multiplier increases instead.
The notes also list changes for the ISO Nightshade, PPSh-41, X-58 Nyx, Mosin-Nagant, and the Type 73 Assault Apex attachment.
Equipment and Hardcore Changes
Several Killstreaks and explosives change in Multiplayer.
- Argonaut: health rises from 800 to 1,200.
- Crossfire: gains spawn protection. Bullet radius drops by 25%. Bullet damage drops by 50%. Camera shake while flying is reduced.
- Prox Mine: arming time falls from 1.5 seconds to 0.75 seconds.
- Claymore: arming time falls from 1 second to 0.75 seconds. Forward triggerable range rises from 2.29 m to 3.18 m. The triggerable cone widens from 60 to 80 degrees.
Hardcore modes also see the health cap fall from 30 to 22. Infinity Ward fixed an exploit that let players attach Proximity Mines to Seeker Drones.
MW4 DMZ X01 and Other DMZ Changes
MW4 DMZ X01 is a GRANIT Arms black site found within Hajin. Players explore an underground facility with new areas, threats, and equipment. The update adds new Orders tied to X01. Infinity Ward lists further X01 intel as classified.
The FOB also changes. It gets a new vendor that sells weapons and gear for DMZ Cash. The Boss Board adds updated Lieutenant and Commander information. A new 3D Printer is listed, but its details are classified.
Other DMZ gameplay and balance changes include:
- Possum Trait: the lockout radius grows 2.5x, so the enemy squad that killed you must be farther away. The failsafe timer rises from 4 to 5 minutes.
- Supplied Drops Trait: now applies to Dynamic Operations crates. The chance of an extra container rises from 25% to 50%.
- Crossfire: damage against vehicles increases, with a larger increase against enemy tanks.
- Battery spawn rates at Banks are reduced.
- Weapon XP from vehicle kills against enemy AI is lowered. XP from Operator kills stays the same.
- Various duplication exploits are fixed.
DMZ also adds a Killfeed notification when players are downed. The default text chat channel changes to Team/Squad in Multiplayer and DMZ.
Warzone Agent Enforcement
Activision is acting against Warzone Agent, an unauthorized paid third-party app. The app enables “lobby shopping”. Players can check lobby skill levels during pre-match warm-ups and avoid harder matches.
Activision says Warzone Agent does not offer aimbots or wallhacks. It still calls the app an unfair advantage that breaks the Terms of Use.
Enforcement starts with Season 1 and has 3 steps:
- Detection: players who launch Warzone while the app runs get a notice to close it.
- Access restrictions: players who keep it open cannot access Multiplayer modes. Campaign access is not affected.
- Bans: players who try to get around the restrictions may face temporary or permanent account or hardware bans.
MW4 Season 1 Battle Pass and Events
The MW4 Season 1 Battle Pass uses a linear 100-tier system. It automatically catches players up to the reward for the current day of the season, up to Day 50. Players who finish all 100 tiers can earn bonus rewards later in the season.
The pass includes:
- 2 new base weapons
- Operator Skins and Weapon Blueprints
- Finishing Moves and Calling Cards
- Weapon Charms and Reticles
- Double XP Tokens and COD Points
- DMZ Survival Kits and other cosmetics
Two events are named at launch. Threat Briefing: Battle Tank asks players to destroy Battle Tank threats in DMZ and exfil armor fragments for rewards. Wager Match is coming soon. In it, trophies act as currency and players can win Weapon Attachments. More camo and DMZ events will arrive through Season 1 and Season 1 Reloaded.
Key Bug Fixes
The notes list a long set of fixes. Notable ones include:
- Hardpoint capture progress now registers while players stand in the zone.
- Search and Destroy no longer lets players defuse the bomb from an unintended distance.
- Hijack respawn, spike planting and stat tracking issues are fixed.
- Splitscreen crashes and menu issues are fixed.
- Battle Hardened no longer gives full immunity to Shock Sticks. It now reduces their effects.
- Resetting Third Person Field of View now sets it to 90 instead of 95.
- DMZ vehicle, Exfil helicopter and Dynamic Operation issues are fixed.
Players can click here to check out the official patch notes.
