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Raven Software’s Warzone Season 04 launch notes changed weapon ranges, bullet velocity, handling, recoil and damage across six weapon classes. The update’s design goal was to give LMGs a stronger long-range role, keep assault rifles ahead at mid-range, extend SMG range and improve AR bullet velocity for mid-to-long-range shots. Season 04 launched May 29, 2025, at 9 a.m. PT; the notes were published May 28.
This is the launch balance pass, not the separate Season 4 Reloaded update from July 1, 2025. The figures below are patch values, not a current weapon ranking or evidence of how players performed after the changes.
What weapons got buffed in Warzone Season 4?
Raven Software described the pass as a class-role adjustment, not simply a set of damage increases. Its notes say the goals were to make LMGs reliable at long range while leaving ARs stronger at mid-range, improve SMG range and increase AR bullet velocity. The documented changes also include handling, recoil, damage-range and attachment adjustments.
Here are representative weapon-level changes from the official Season 04 launch notes. Each pair shows the value before and after the update; it is not an exhaustive transcription of every patch-note row.
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| Class and weapon | Season 04 launch change | What the adjustment means |
|---|---|---|
| Assault rifle: AK-74 | Bullet velocity: 840 → 890 m/s | Higher listed projectile velocity. |
| Assault rifle: AMES 85 | Bullet velocity: 790 → 880 m/s; ADS speed: 265 → 230 ms | Velocity increased and aim-down-sights time shortened. |
| Assault rifle: CR-56 AMAX | Bullet velocity: 820 → 860 m/s; view kick increased slightly | A velocity gain came with a recoil/view-kick tradeoff. |
| SMG: C9 | Maximum damage range: 11.9 → 13.2 m; medium damage range: 20.3 → 21.3 m | Both listed damage ranges extended. |
| SMG: KSV | Maximum damage range: 12.7 → 13.7 m; medium damage range: 20.9 → 21.8 m | Both listed damage ranges extended. |
| Shotgun: Maelstrom | Maximum-damage pellet range: 3.4 → 4.7 m; ADS speed: 290 → 265 ms; sprint-to-fire: 190 → 170 ms | Longer maximum-damage pellet range and faster listed handling times. |
| LMG: Feng 82 | Maximum damage: 50 → 45; maximum-damage range: 45.7 → 76.2 m; old medium damage range removed | Maximum damage fell while its maximum-damage range expanded substantially. |
| Sniper rifle: AMR MOD 4 | Maximum-damage range: 88.9 → 114 m; bullet velocity: 700 → 780 m/s; upper torso/upper arm and leg multipliers increased | Longer maximum-damage range, faster listed velocity and increased specified multipliers. The notes state it is a one-shot headshot within its maximum-damage range. |
| Marksman rifle: AEK-973 | Burst cooldown: 0.325 → 0.29 seconds | Shorter listed delay between bursts. |
The patch notes also adjust marksman foregrips and stocks for flinch and recoil effects across a range of weapons. Consult the full official breakdown for the remaining weapon and attachment entries.
Which guns were nerfed or received mixed changes?
Some adjustments combine a benefit with a drawback, so a single “buff” or “nerf” label can hide what changed. The CR-56 AMAX gained bullet velocity but also received a slight increase in view kick. The Feng 82’s maximum damage dropped from 50 to 45 even as its maximum-damage range grew from 45.7 to 76.2 m and its former medium damage range was removed.
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Raven Software also says all Black Ops 6 LMGs inflict 12% more flinch on enemies. That class-wide effect sits alongside the individual LMG changes; it does not mean every damage or handling statistic increased. For the exact direction of a weapon’s change, compare the specific stat in the patch notes rather than relying on a broad buff/nerf label.
What changed by weapon class?
Assault rifles: more bullet velocity, with other tradeoffs
The stated AR goal was to make shots easier to land at mid-to-long distances by increasing bullet velocity, while preserving AR strength at mid-range relative to LMGs. The AK-74 and AMES 85 received the velocity increases shown above, and the AMES 85 also aimed faster. The CR-56 AMAX illustrates that a velocity increase did not necessarily come without a handling or recoil cost.
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Submachine guns: damage ranges extended
The C9 and KSV both received longer maximum and medium damage ranges. These are direct examples of the stated goal to give SMGs improved range; the figures describe patch parameters, not a guarantee of a particular in-game outcome in every engagement.
Shotguns: Maelstrom range and handling
The Maelstrom’s maximum-damage pellet range increased, while its listed ADS and sprint-to-fire times decreased. The notes describe these as weapon-stat adjustments; they do not establish a broader ranking of shotguns.
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Light machine guns: long-range role changes
The LMG pass was intended to improve long-range viability without displacing ARs at mid-range. All Black Ops 6 LMGs gained 12% more flinch inflicted on enemies. For the Feng 82 specifically, the lower maximum damage paired with a much farther maximum-damage range and removal of the old medium damage range makes the change a range-role redesign rather than a straightforward damage buff.
Snipers: AMR MOD 4 range and multipliers
The AMR MOD 4’s maximum-damage range expanded from 88.9 to 114 m, and its bullet velocity increased from 700 to 780 m/s. The notes also increased its upper torso/upper arm and leg multipliers and specify a one-shot headshot within its maximum-damage range.
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Marksman rifles and attachments
The AEK-973’s burst cooldown fell from 0.325 to 0.29 seconds. The official notes also adjust flinch and recoil effects for marksman foregrips and stocks on multiple weapons; those attachment changes should be read in the context of the specific item and weapon listed in the full breakdown.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Are these Season 4 Reloaded changes?
No. This article covers the Black Ops 6 Warzone Season 04 launch update, published May 28 and arriving May 29, 2025, at 9 a.m. PT. Season 4 Reloaded was a later, separate July 1, 2025 update. WarzoneLoadout.games lists Reloaded as 24 weapon changes—23 buffs and one nerf—but those counts apply to Reloaded, not the launch patch covered here. See its Warzone updates index for that separate update listing.
Do the patch values show which weapon is best now?
No. The figures establish what Raven Software changed in the Season 04 launch patch, not current October 2026 balance, post-patch player performance, time-to-kill comparisons or competitive viability. A higher range or velocity value alone does not establish which weapon is best; that judgment would require current game data and evidence beyond these patch notes.
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