MW3 Season 4 Patch Notes - Call of Duty: MW3 Guide - IGN (2024)

Season 4 of Modern Warfare 3 has arrived, bringing with it a number of new maps and modes, additional new Perks and Killstreaks, rewards to unlock, and more!

This page acts as a comprehensive breakdown of Season 4 of MW3, including a link to the full Patch Notes.

New Maps

3 new 6v6 maps are being introduced as part of Season 4, and are as follows:

Tokyo (Launch)

Tokyo is a mid-sized map is all ground-level engagements, with the exception of the Hotel and Manga buildings that are on opposite sides of the main road.

Paris (Launch)

This mid-sized map will have you nipping in and out of the various tight interior spaces and zipping through the streets, all with the Eiffel Tower looming in the background.

Incline (Mid-Season)

This mid-sized map in the mountains of Urzikstan, routing through a transport facility. Engage in mid-range firefights throughout the grounds, and use strategic locations like the lower carriage of the cable car station to gain the high ground.

Das Gross (Mid-Season - Variant)

Das Gross is a small map that will be found in the Vortex playlist, and is a construction site coated in nightmarish alien tentacles and fleshy masses.

New Modes

Demolition (Launch)

Returning from Modern Warfare (2019), Demolition is close to Search and Destroy, with alternating teams defending or attacking various bomb sites. Unlike Search and Destroy however, Demolition has respawning enabled and defusing the bomb doesn't end the round.

Attackers will always spawn with a bomb, and therefore the attackers goal is to destroy both bomb sites before the round timer ends. The defenders goal is to prevent that from happening.

Hyper Cranked (Launch)

An interesting twist on regular TDM, Cranked asks that you chain your kills, as a timer will run down and if it hits zero, you'll explode. Each kill extends your timer, and you'll also be granted with quicker movement speed alongside a faster reload and weapon swap upon your first kill.

The Hyper Cranked variant for Season 4 ups the ante even more, as you'll spawn into the match already Cranked, with the timer running down from the get go.

Havoc (Mid-Season)

Returning from Modern Warfare II (2022), this Core mode acts like TDM yet Killstreaks are disabled and various modifiers are applied to each individual match. These modifiers can be found under your map compass. The first modifier will be awarded after a 2 and a half second cooldown, and once either team has reached a score multiplier of 12 kills (12,24,36,48), another modifier is activated. The modifier pool is as follows:

• Ammo Feeder: Auto reload after you kill an enemy.
• Boots off the Ground: Low gravity.
• Camera Shift: Third-person mode.
• Chain Reaction: Sticky Grenades launched on kill.
• Charged Up: Gain Cranked on kills.
• Equipment Restock: Equipment is refilled on kills.
• Eyes On: Advanced UAV is always active.
• Gun Runner: Random gun on kill.
• Hero Smash: Explosive landing from an elevated position.
• Hot Shot: Crossbows only, Molotov bolts.
• Lucky Three: Every three kills gives you a random Killstreak.
• One Tap: Headshots kill with one bullet.
• Snapshot Killer: Launch a snapshot grenade (and ping pulse) on kill.
• System Reroll (Fifth Modifier only): Full reroll of all active modifiers

Headshots Only (Mid-Season)

As the name implies, this team mode applies TDM rules but only headshots will count towards eliminations, so skill and loadout preparation are more key than ever before to secure victory consistently!

Additional Modes

• Cache
• Mutation

New Perks & Equipment

Mission Control Vest (Launch)

• Streak Specialist.
  • Equipment Slots (6): Tactical, Lethal, Field Upgrade, Gloves, Gear (2)
  • Reduces kills required by 1 and score required by 125 for Killstreaks
  • Earn 1 kill or 125 score for every 2 Kill Assists or Cross Fire Assists

Compression Plate (Launch)

• Immediately regenerate health after a Primary, Secondary, or Throwing Knife/ Throwing Star kill. Objective captures also trigger health regeneration. An icon appears on your HUD when this Perk is active

New Killstreaks

Intelligent Munitions Systems (Launch)

• Kills: 7
• Score: 875
  • Loaded with smart explosives that eliminate enemy personnel and vehicles within range. When triggered, it will eject an explosive upwards, which then locks onto its target and propels towards them

Loitering Munition (Launch)

• Kills: 8
• Score: 1,000
  • An unmanned rocket equipped drone loiters over the targeted areas. On each activation the drone selects the targeted location with the largest number of viable targets to bombard with rockets. Can be activated up to three times

Missile Drone (Launch)

• Kills: 11
• Score: 1,375
  • A small, piloted drone controlled by the player that fires guided missiles

DNA Bomb (Launch)

• Kills: 25
  • Upon activating the DNA Bomb, all players on the enemy team will be eliminated. Unlike the MGB however, the DNA Bomb triggering will not conclude the match.

New Weaponry

4 new weapons are debuting in Season 4, and the details are as follows:

• Superi 46 SMG
  • Levels: 21, Battle Pass Blueprint (Sector 20)

• Marksman Rifle
  • Levels: 16, Battle Pass Blueprint (Sector 15)

• Reclaimer 18 Shotgun
  • Levels: 15 (Mid-Season)

• Sledgehammer
  • Levels: 6 (Mid-Season)

New Events

The following events will take place over the course of Season 4:

• Critical Countdown
  • Collect DNA from fallen enemies
• Mobile Suit Gundam Legends
  • Earn XP to unlock Gundam-themed rewards
    • Equip the RX-78-2 Gundam, MS-06S Zaku II, or XVX-016 Gundam Aerial skins for an additional boost
• Altered Strain
  • Collect altered DNA from fallen enemies to unlock effects for Mutation
• Vortex: Death's Lair
  • Complete challenges to unlock spooky rewards
• Vacation Squad
  • Complete event challenges to earn tropical rewards

Global Updates

Stability & Performance

• Addressed various issues causing improper first-person animations

Customization

• Camos can now be equipped on the B.E.A.S.T. Glove Blueprint for the Gladiator
• Know No Fear Weapon Decal no longer has a white border while equipped
• Equipping the Karaage skin on the MCW Assault Rifle will no longer result in an error
• Fixed an input device exploit allowing unowned Blueprints to be equipped
• JAK Glassless Optic is now unlocked as expected upon purchasing a relevant Blueprint

Multiplayer Updates

UIX

• Weapon Mastery and Unlock Challenges can now be added to Tracked Challenges
• XP Bonus potential from compatible Operator Skins is now displayed while in the lobby but not in a party
• Bug Fixes
  • Corrected a spelling mistake in the Red Camo challenge for the WSP Swarm
  • Player icons on the minimap will no longer appear to follow the Wheelson-HS
  • Vests that disallow primaries will no longer prompt to Quick Equip invalid Weapons
  • Adjusted Pros and Cons displayed for specific Attachments to better reflect their actual statistics
  • Fixed improper tile placement in the Gunsmith while the Compression Carrier Vest is equipped
  • Activate prompt is now longer displayed on completed Armory Unlocks

Gameplay

• Spawn protection is now disabled when the player inflicts damage or locks onto a Killstreak
• Fixed a bug causing spawns to not match the intended directionality of a map
• Increased detection distance for nearby enemies in small map spawn selection
• Decreased volume of footstep sounds from enemy players

Progression

• Collateral kills now progress Battle Rage kills Challenges as expected
• Kills with Battle Rage Challenges now track progress correctly
• Fixed an issue causing the ISO 9mm to not unlock upon Challenge completion

Maps

• 6 Star
  • Reworked Hardpoint capture point locations, sizes, and associated spawns.
    • P1: Club (Revert)
    • P2: Lounge (Revert)
    • P3: Rooftop Bar (Revert)
    • P4: Skybridge (New)
• Das Haus
  • Corrected orientation of the vertically hanging American Flag.
• Growhouse
  • Added the ability to mount at various locations where functionality is expected.
• Highrise
  • Environmental explosives are no longer present in CDL and Ranked Play modes.
• Underpass
  • Improved spawn safety assessment near the Train Yard

Modes

• Arcade
  • Unlimited Ammo and Grenades powerup timer now disappears upon death.
• Cutthroat
  • Allies needing a revive are now indicated as such on the scoreboard.
• One in the Chamber
  • Lifestreaks are now correctly tracked on the scoreboard

Weapons & Attachments

• Assault Rifles
  • BP50
    • Decreased movement speed from 5m/s to 4.8m/s (-4%)
    • Decreased sprint speed from 5.7m/s to 5.5m/s (-4%)
    • Decreased tactical sprint speed from 7m/s to 6.8m/s (-3%)
    • JAK Revenger Kit
      • Decreased movement speed from 5.5m/s to 5.1m/s (-7%)
      • Decreased crouch movement speed from 2.6m/s to 2.4m/s (-8%)
      • Decreased sprint speed from 6.2m/s to 5.8m/s (-6%)
      • Decreased tactical sprint speed from 7.7m/s to 7.1m/s (-8%)
      • Decreased ADS movement speed from 3.3m/s to 3.1m/s (-6%)
      • Decreased maximum damage from 32 to 28 (-13%)
      • Decreased near-medium damage from 28 to 25 (-11%)
      • Decreased medium damage from 25 to 23 (-8%)
  • MCW
  • Increased head damage multiplier from 1.1x to 1.25x
• Submachine Guns
  • FJX Horus
    • Decreased recoil gun kick from 42.5deg/s to 35.4deg/s (-17%).
    • Increased maximum damage range from 10.2m to 17.8m (+75%).
    • Increased near-medium damage range from 20.3m to 25.4m (+25%).
    • Increased lower torso damage multiplier from 1x to 1.1x.
    • No Stock Mod
      • Increased ADS movement speed benefit from 9% to 12%.
    • Lopper LX-D Stock
      • Added 3% ADS movement speed penalty.
  • RAM-9
    • Increased maximum damage range from 11.2m to 12.4m (+11%).
    • Increased near-medium damage range from 20.3m to 21.6m (+6%).
  • AMR9
    • Increased maximum damage range from 14m to 15.2m (+9%).
    • Increased near-medium damage range from 20.3m to 21.6m (+6%).
  • Rival-9
    • Fixed an issue causing the Trebuchet Brake Attachment to be unavailable.
    • Increased maximum damage range from 10.2m to 11.4m (+13%).
    • Increased near-medium damage range from 21.6m to 22.9m (+6%).
  • JAK Headhunter Carbine Conversion
    • Increased rate of fire from 682rpm to 882rpm (+29%).
    • Increased maximum damage from 26 to 33 (+27%).
    • Increased near-medium damage from 24 to 30 (+25%).
    • Increased minimum damage from 22 to 28 (+27%).
    • Decreased neck and upper torso damage multipliers from 1.5x to 1.1x.
    • Decreased lower arm and hand damage multipliers from 1.1x to 1x.
  • HRM-9
    • Increased maximum damage range from 16.5m to 17.8m (+8%).
    • Increased near-medium damage range from 24.1m to 25.4m (+5%).
  • Striker 9
    • Increased maximum damage range from 14m to 15.2m (+9%).
    • Increased near-medium damage range from 20.3m to 21.6m (+6%).
  • Striker
    • Increased maximum damage range from 9.7m to 10.9m (+13%).
    • Increased near-medium damage range from 21.6m to 22.9m (+6%).
  • WSP-9
    • Increased maximum damage range from 18.5m to 24.1m (+30%).
    • Increased near-medium damage range from 25.1m to 31.8m (+26%)
• Marksman Rifles
  • MCW 6.8
    • MCW 6.8 Full-Auto Conversion Kit
      • Resolved an issue causing recoil overcorrection after firing
• Launchers
  • RGL-80
    • Decreased aim down sight time from 310ms to 260ms (-16%).
    • Decreased explosive damage by 80% in Hardcore game modes
• Perks
  • Gunslinger Vest
    • Fixed an issue causing Throwing Star kills not to refresh stamina.
  • Gunner Vest
    • Updated description to remove mention of Handgun ammo benefit, aligning with existing functionality.
  • Compression Carrier (Vest)
    • Fixed an issue causing Throwing Star kills not to trigger health regeneration.
  • Assault Gloves
    • Updated description to mention recently-added reticle spread benefit
• Killstreaks
  • Precision Airstrike
    • Decreased delay before damage occurs by 2s.
    • Increased explosive damage radius from 7.6m to 8.9m (+17%).
  • Cruise Missile
    • Increased explosive damage radius from 15.2m to 22.9m (+50%)
  • SAE
    • Decreased delay before explosive damage occurs by 2s.
    • Increased explosive damage radius from 19m to 20.3m (+7%).
    • Removed stun effect on victims before death.
  • Remote Turret
    • Increased cost from 7 Kills (875 Score) to 8 Kills (1,000 Score).
    • Decreased hits required for turret destruction for specific damage types.
      • Melee: from 12 hits to 3 hits
      • Launchers: from 3 hits to 2 hits
    • Improved detection of EMP hits from the Stormender Launcher.
  • Wheelson-HS
    • Increased cost from 8 Kills (1,000 Score) to 9 Kills (1,125 Score).
  • Overwatch Helo
    • Increased cost from 8 Kills (1,000) Score to 9 Kills (1,125 Score)
    • Decreased incoming damage dealt by bullets by 50%.
  • Emergency Airdrop
    • Decreased cost from 10 Kills (1,250 Score) to 9 Kills (1,125 Score).
  • Carpet Bomb
    • Decreased cost from 10 Kills (1,250 Score) to 8 Kills (1,000 Score).
    • Increased explosive damage radius from 10.2m to 12.7m (+25%).
    • Increased bomber flight speed by 40%.
  • VTOL Jet
    • Increased cost from 10 Kills (1,250 Score) to 11 Kills (1,375 Score).
    • Decreased incoming damage dealt by bullets by 50%.
    • Decreased machine gun explosive damage from 27 to 20 (-26%).
  • Gunship
    • Increased cost from 12 Kills (1,500 Score) to 13 Kills (1,625 Score).
  • Chopper Gunner
    • Increased cost from 12 Kills (1,500 Score) to 13 Kills (1,625 Score).
    • Decreased incoming damage dealt by bullets by 50%.
    • Decreased turret explosive damage from 45 to 35 (-22%).
    • Decreased turret explosive damage radius from 1.7m to 1.3m (-23%).
  • EMP
    • Decreased cost from 13 Kills (1,625 Score) to 12 Kills (1,500 Score).
    • Visual effects will no longer play twice if the player dies during detonation.
  • Swarm
    • Fixed an issue causing drones to divebomb immediately after the player who summoned it dies.
    • Fixed an issue causing drones to spawn away from the playspace on Das Haus and Mercado Las Almas

Full Patch Notes & Details

If you wish to read about Season 4 of Modern Warfare 3 in full, including Zombies details, you can do so via the official Call of Duty websites Season 4 Patch Notes blog post.