The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The 2026 Call of Duty: Warzone Season 03 patch notes are out. Raven Software published the main notes on April 21, 2026, and a separate Season 03 Reloaded update on May 21. The main page also records some changes from earlier in the season, so not every item listed there arrived on April 21.
When did Warzone Season 3 come out, and are the patch notes released?
Raven Software’s main Season 03 patch notes are dated April 21, 2026. A separate Season 03 Reloaded patch-note page followed on May 21. These are distinct entries in the official patch-notes archive, which also contains Season 03 updates from other years; the dates here refer to the 2026 season.
The April page is chronological: it includes entries labeled March 31 and April 9 as well as April 21. Treat those dated entries as earlier updates or timing notes, not as changes that all went live on the same day.
What changed in the main Season 03 update?
The April notes cover Black Ops Royale and Battle Royale content, loot, contracts, equipment, weapon tuning, maps, modes, and bug fixes. These are Raven Software’s published patch details, not a guarantee that every value or playlist remained unchanged later in the season.
#1 Best Overall
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III - Cross-Gen Bundle
- Pre-Order and Receive Early access to the Open Beta - first on PlayStation*
- Some features may require an internet connection and an online subscription
Black Ops Royale and Battle Royale loot
Black Ops Royale received three Exotic Weapon additions: Ghostmind VS Recon, Killswitch AK-27, and Barrage Razor 9mm.
In Battle Royale, Legendary Supply Boxes were adjusted to make high-value rewards less predictable and reduce duplicate drops:
Rank #2
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II Cross-Gen Bundle
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is the sequel to 2019’s blockbuster Modern Warfare.
- Featuring the return of the iconic, team leader Captain John Price, the fearless John "Soap" MacTavish, the seasoned Sergeant Kyle "Gaz” Garrick, and the lone wolf himself, fan favorite Simon “Ghost” Riley, players will witness what makes Task Force 141 the legendary squad it is today.
- Some features may require an internet connection and an online subscription
- Perk drop chance decreased from 100% to 60%.
- The number of Perks dropped was capped at one instead of two.
- Armor Satchel drop rate decreased by 6%.
Raven Software said the changes were intended to smooth power progression and reduce duplicate rewards.
Contracts and equipment
Revealed Contracts gained an on-screen notification when the Safe Zone is identified. Supply Run contracts were set to spawn at match start, with objectives selecting Buy Stations according to the current circle size.
Rank #3
- In the visceral and dramatic single-player story campaign, the stakes have never been higher as players take on the role of lethal tier one operators in a heart-racing saga that will affect the global balance of power.
- Experience the ultimate online playground with classic multiplayer.
- Squad-up and play cooperatively in a collection of elite operations accessible to all skill levels.
The Deadeye Drone’s total health was reduced from 40 to 20. The notes also said it remained restricted because of a related issue, so the health adjustment did not mean it was necessarily available to use.
Weapon balance
The weapon section covers assault rifles, SMGs, sniper rifles, and attachments, with changes that vary by weapon and mode. Examples include reduced AK-27 recoil in Battle Royale and Resurgence; lower long-range minimum damage and increased recoil for the MK35 ISR; and adjustments to the Peacekeeper MK1’s range and bullet velocity. The MPC-25 and Razor 9mm were among the other weapons changed.
Rank #4
- INTRODUCING A NEW ERA OF BLACK OPS:Call of Duty is a dark, gritty future where a new breed of Black Ops soldier emerges and the lines are blurred between our own humanity and the cutting-edge military robotics that define the future of combat.
- A CALL OF DUTY CAMPAIGN UNLIKE ANYTHING BEFORE IT: Treyarch elevates the Call of Duty social gaming experience by delivering a campaign with the ability to play cooperatively with up to four players online, using the same battle-tested network
- PREPARE FOR A LEVELED-UP MULTIPLAYER With Black Ops III, Treyarch premieres a new momentum-based chained-movement system, allowing players to fluidly move through the environment with finesse, using controlled thrust jumps, slides, and mantlin
- FIGHT THE UNDEAD IN AN ALL-NEW HORROR STORY No Treyarch title would be complete without its signature Zombies offering - a full-game experience with its own distinct storyline right out of the box. Black Ops 3 Zombies is the most immersive and
Some weapons received mixed adjustments rather than a simple across-the-board buff or nerf. For exact weapon and mode-specific values, consult the weapon tables in Raven Software’s April notes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did Warzone add an Avalon and Verdansk map rotation?
Yes. The Season 03 notes describe an in-season Battle Royale big-map rotation between Avalon and Verdansk, with the map changing on a 10-minute timer. The April 9 entry says the rotation was active in the Battle Royale Quads playlist at that point; it does not establish that every playlist used the rotation or that it remained available throughout the season.
Best Value
- Officially licensed Call of Duty Ghost figure: Heavy-duty PVC construction with sturdy black base holds gaming controllers, mobile phones, remotes, and more without tipping over during intense gaming sessions
Avalon and Verdansk changes
- Avalon: traversal changes added landmasses, sandbar crossings, ziplines, and boats. The Gulag refresh included Server, Cryo, and Meeting variants, with adjustments to doors and tactical visibility.
- Verdansk: Launch Pad was described as a missile-event origin facility south of Promenade.
What are Launch Squad and Iron Gauntlet?
Launch Squad
Launch Squad is a limited-time mode built around a rocket launch facility. Squads gather launch codes through eliminations and special events. Starting the launch sequence exposes the player who initiates it to all squads, creating a clear risk around triggering the event.
Iron Gauntlet [Beta]
The notes list Iron Gauntlet [Beta] as returning in-season on Avalon, with Trios and a 150-player experience. “In-season” and “Beta” are the timing and status labels used in the notes; they should not be read as a promise of permanent availability.
What changed in Season 03 Reloaded?
Reloaded has its own May 21 patch-note page, separate from the April 21 main notes. For a complete account of Reloaded’s changes, use the Reloaded notes rather than attributing those changes to the original Season 03 entry. Raven Software’s archive lists the two updates separately.
Are these still the current Warzone changes?
No such conclusion follows from the Season 03 notes alone. Raven Software’s patch archive showed Season 06 as the current season at the research date, October 8, 2026. Later live updates may supersede Season 03 weapon values, playlist availability, and seasonal status. Use the official archive for updates beyond the dated Season 03 pages.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
