Two MW3 players running forward, aiming down the sights of their weapons.

Image via Activision

MW3 Season 1 Reloaded patch notes: Ranked Play, MCW nerf, and more

Find out everything you need to know about Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 Reloaded, including it's likely release date and what is coming.

Matt Porter

Published: Jan 17, 2024 12:07 am

MW3 Season 1 Reloaded is here, bring the long-awaited Ranked Play mode, a major nerf for the MCW Assault Rifle, and a host of balancing changes for other weapons, perks, equipment, and streaks.

New map & modes in MW3 Season 1 Reloaded

There is one new map in Modern Warfare 3 as part of the Season 1 Reloaded patch: Rio. Set in an “upscale shopping center” in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this small-to-medium-sized map allows you to fight both inside the mall, and the streets surrounding it.

On top of that, three new modes also arrive with the patch: Infected, Headquarters, and Team Gunfight. Vortex takes place on reimagined versions of Quarry, Scrapyard, and Rust, with one player spawning with a Raygun. Kill them, and you get to wield the Wonder Weapon.

Infected is the classic mode where you try to avoid being killed by those who carry the “disease,” Headquarters is a classic CoD mode we all know and love, while Team Gunfight is a small-map fight to the death.

A blue shopping mall in Rio de Janeiro, with a red wall outside, and two armored trucks. — You can fight inside and outside this shopping center. Image via Activision

New guns in MW3 Season 1 Reloaded

Two guns are expected to arrive with Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 Reloaded: The HRM-9 SMG and the TAQ Evolvere LMG.

Both are arriving on launch day, so you’ll be able to jump in and start using them as soon as you’ve downloaded the patch.

Related: How to increase FPS in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Ranked Play

For some, the headline addition with MW3 Season 1 Reloaded is the return of Ranked Play. Based on the rules used by your favorite pro players in the Call of Duty League, players will be able to test their mettle against their opponents in Hardpoint, Control, and Search & Destroy.

Developed by Treyarch, Skill Divisions also return for this game, with players earning SR to level up to new ranks.

Weapon Buffs and Nerfs

As with any major Call of Duty patch, developers Sledgehammer have made a number of balancing changes to weapons across all classes. Most notably, the MCW, which has dominated pro play in the CDL, has received significant nerfs.

Here is the full list of weapon nerfs:

Assault Rifles

SVA 545
- Increased maximum damage from 29 to 30 (+3%).
Holger 556
- Increased sprint to fire time from 231ms to 252ms (+9%).
DG-56
- Decreased maximum damage range from 35.6m to 20.3m (-43%).
- Decreased medium damage range from 44.5m to 30.5 (-31%).
FR 5.56
- Increased medium damage from 36 to 40 (+11%).
MCW
- Increased sprint to fire time from 220ms to 241ms (+10%).
- 16.5″ MCW Cyclone Long Barrel
  - Decreased damage range benefit by 6%.
  - Decreased bullet velocity benefit by 7%.
  - Increased sprint to fire time penalty by 1%.
  - Decreased hipfire spread penalty by 5%.
  - Decreased tactical stance spread penalty by 5%.
- RB Regal Heavy Stock
  - Decreased gun kick control benefit by 11%.
  - Decreased horizontal recoil control benefit by 5%.
  - Decreased vertical recoil control benefit by 5%.
  - Increased sprint speed penalty by 3%.
  - Increased tactical sprint speed penalty by 3%.
  - Increased sprint to fire speed penalty by 1%.
- JAK Raven Kit
  - Increased arm damage multiplier from 1x to 1.1x (+10%).
  - Increased hand damage multiplier from 1x to 1.1x (+10%).
STB-556 (MWII)
- Increased maximum damage range from 15.2m to 30.5m (+100%).
- Increased near-medium damage range from 29.5m to 39.4m (+34%).
- Increased medium damage range from 47m to 54.6m (+16%).
Kastov 762 (MWII)
- Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 0.96x to 1.1x (+15%).
- Increased leg damage multiplier from 0.96x to 1.1x (+15%).
- Increased foot damage multiplier from 0.96x to 1.1x (+15%).
Chimera (MWII)
- Increased near-medium damage from 28 to 29 (+4%).
Tempus Razorback (MWII)
- Increased maximum damage from 28 to 29 (+4%).
- Increased maximum damage range from 12.7m to 22.9m (+80%).
- Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 1x to 1.1x (+10%).
FR Avancer (MWII)
- Increased maximum damage from 25 to 29 (+16%).
- Decreased maximum damage range from 34.9m to 24.8m (-29%).
M16 (MWII)
- Decreased upper-torso damage multiplier from 1.2x to 1x (-17%).
- Decreased arm damage multiplier from 1.2x to 1x (-17%).
- Decreased hand damage multiplier from 1.2x to 1x (-17%).
- Decreased sprint to fire time from 210ms to 189ms (-10%).
- Decreased aim down sight time from 290ms to 240ms (-17%).
Kastov-74u (MWII)
- Increased minimum damage from 19 to 22 (+16%).
- Increased near-medium damage range from 22.9m to 30.5m (+33%).
- Increased medium damage range from 36.8m to 47m (+28%).
Kastov 545 (MWII)
- Increased maximum damage from 32 to 34 (+6%).
- Decreased maximum damage range from 24.9m to 15.2m (-39%).
- Decreased aim down sight time from 240ms to 225ms (-6%).

Battle Rifles

Sidewinder
- Decreased recoil and gun kick while firing.
Lachmann-762 (MWII)
- Increased maximum damage from 44 to 52 (+18%).
- Full-Auto Fire Type
  - Decreased upper-torso damage multiplier from 0.95x to 0.9x (-5%).
  - Decreased lower-torso damage multiplier from 0.95x to 0.9x (-5%).
  - Increased arm damage multiplier from 0.75x to 0.9x (+20%).
  - Increased hand damage multiplier from 0.75x to 0.9x (+20%).
Cronen Squall (MWII)
- Increased maximum damage from 31 to 32 (+3%).
FTAC Recon (MWII)
- Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 1x to 1.3x (+30%).
- Decreased aim down sight time from 270ms to 250ms (-7%).
- Full-Auto Fire Type
  - Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 0.9x to 1x (+11%).
  - Increased arm damage multiplier from 0.85x to 1x (+18%).
  - Increased hand damage multiplier from 0.85x to 1x (+18%).
  - Increased leg damage multiplier from 0.85x to 1x (+18%).
  - Increased foot damage multiplier from 0.85x to 1x (+18%).
SO-14 (MWII)
- Increased maximum damage from 41 to 46 (+12%).
- Full-Auto Fire Type
  - Decreased neck damage multiplier from 0.85x to 0.8x (-6%).
  - Decreased upper-torso damage multiplier from 0.85x to 0.8x (-6%).
  - Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 0.74x to 0.8x (+8%).
  - Increased arm damage multiplier from 0.63x to 0.8x (+27%).
  - Increased hand damage multiplier from 0.63x to 0.8x (+27%).
  - Increased leg damage multiplier from 0.59x to 0.8x (+36%).
  - Increased foot damage multiplier from 0.59x to 0.8x (+36%).

Submachine Guns

WSP Swarm
- Increased maximum damage range from 4.6m to 6.6m (+50%).
- Increased near-medium damage range from 7.9m to 11.7m (+48%).
Rival-9
- Decreased horizontal recoil slightly.
- MTZ Marauder Stock
  - Decreased firing aim stability benefit by 5%.
Striker 9
- Increased maximum damage from 27 to 29 (+7%).
Lachmann Shroud (MWII)
- Increased maximum damage from 30 to 38 (+27%).
- Increased near-medium damage from 28 to 32 (+14%).
- Decreased maximum damage range from 12.2m to 10.7m (-13%).
- Decreased headshot damage multiplier from 1.4x to 1.2x (-14%).
- Decreased neck damage multiplier from 1.2x to 1.02x (-15%).
- Decreased upper-torso damage multiplier from 1.2x to 1.02x (-15%).
- Decreased arm damage multiplier from 1.2x to 1.02x (-15%).
- Decreased hand damage multiplier from 1.2x to 1.02x (-15%).
ISO 9mm (MWII)
- Incompatible Underbarrel Attachments can no longer be equipped.
Fennec 45 (MWII)
- Increased maximum damage range from 10.7m to 12.7m (+19%).
- Increased leg damage multiplier from 1x to 1.1x (+10%).
- Increased foot damage multiplier from 1x to 1.1x (+10%).
- Decreased aim down sight time from 200ms to 190ms (-6%).
- Decreased sprint to fire time from 110ms to 99ms (-10%).
BAS-P (MWII)
- Decreased maximum damage range from 18.8m to 16.3m (-14%).
- Increased leg damage multiplier from 0.95x to 1x (+5%).
- Increased foot damage multiplier from 0.95x to 1x (+5%).
Lachmann Sub (MWII)
- Increased near-medium damage from 28 to 29 (+4%).
- Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 1x to 1.1x (+10%).
MX9 (MWII)
- Increased upper-leg damage multiplier from 0.9x to 1.04x (+16%).
- Increased foot damage multiplier from 0.9x to 1.04x (+16%).
- Decreased aim down sights time from 220ms to 200ms (-9%).
- Decreased sprint to fire time from 110ms to 88ms (-20%).

Shotguns

Lockwood 680
- Increased sprint to fire time from 184ms to 200ms (+9%).
- Sawed Off Mod Stock
  - Decreased movement speed benefit by 2%.
  - Decreased sprint to fire time benefit by 5%.
  - Decreased aim down sight time benefit by 3%.
  - Decreased recoil control penalties by 10%.
  - Decreased hipfire spread benefits by 6%.
Lockwood 300 (MWII)
- 12 Gauge Slug Ammunition
  - Decreased minimum damage from 75 to 57 (-24%).
- Maelstrom Dual Trigger Action
  - Decreased maximum damage range from 3m to 2.3m (-25%).
  - Decreased near-medium damage range from 6.4m to 5.3m (-16%).
Expedite 12 (MWII)
- Increased medium damage range from 10.4m to 12.4m (+20%).
- Decreased pellet spread while aiming down sight by 20%.
Bryson 800 (MWII)
- Decreased sprint to fire time from 182ms to 145ms (-20%).
- Decreased aim down sight time from 350ms to 300ms (-14%).
Bryson 890 (MWII)
- Increased rate of fire from 150rpm to 164rpm (+9%).

LMGs

Holger 26
- Increased minimum damage from 25 to 29 (+16%).
DG-58 LSW
- Decreased sprint to fire time from 294ms to 231ms (-21%).
- Decreased aim down sight time from 370ms to 320ms (-14%).
Bruen Mk9
- Incompatible Underbarrel Attachments can no longer be equipped.
Sakin MG38 (MWII)
- Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 1x to 1.15x (+15%).
- Decreased aim down sight time from 430ms to 410ms (-5%).
HCR 56 (MWII)
- Decreased sprint to fire time from 250ms to 225ms (-10%).
- Decreased aim down sight time from 390ms to 310ms (-21%).

Marksman Rifles

DM56
- Increased sprint to fire time from 168ms to 199ms (+19%).
MTZ Interceptor
- Decreased head damage multiplier from 2x to 1.62x (-19%).
- Decreased neck damage multiplier from 2x to 1.62x (-19%).
EBR-14 (MWII)
- Decreased sprint to fire time from 270ms to 216ms (-20%).
- Decreased aim down sight time from 255ms to 240ms (-6%).
Lockwood Mk2 (MWII)
- Incompatible Underbarrel Attachments can no longer be equipped.
- Decreased aim down sight time from 250ms to 240ms (-4%).
- Decreased hipfire spread while standing by 10%.
Tempus Torrent (MWII)
- Increased leg damage multiplier from 0.95x to 1x (+5%).
- Increased foot damage multiplier from 0.95x to 1x (+5%).
Crossbow (MWII)
- Increased minimum damage from 100 to 125 (+25%).
- Brightblaze 20” Bolts
  - Increased maximum damage from 85 to 105 (+24%).
  - Increased upper-torso damage multiplier from 0.98x to 1.2x (+22%).
  - Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 0.95x to 1.2x (+26%).
  - Increased arm damage multiplier from 0.95x to 1.2x (+26%).
  - Increased hand damage multiplier from 0.95x to 1.2x (+26%).
  - Increased leg damage multiplier from 0.9x to 1.2x (+33%).
  - Increased foot damage multiplier from 0.9x to 1.2x (+33%).
LM-S (MWII)
- Decreased sprint to fire time from 210ms to 189ms (-10%).
- Decreased aim down sight time from 270ms to 245ms (-9%).

Sniper Rifles

KATT-AMR
- Zang-34 Barrel
  - Decreased damage range benefit by 9%.
  - Decreased bullet velocity benefit by 8%.
KV Inhibitor
- Added medium damage at 129 to 61m.
- Decreased minimum damage from 129 to 99 (-23%).
- Decreased maximum damage range from 38.1m to 30.5m (-20%).
- Decreased near-medium damage from 58.4m to 48.3m (-17%).
Victus XMR (MWII)
- Increased lower-torso damage multiplier from 1.05x to 1.5x (+43%).
Carrack .300 (MWII)
- Increased recoil center speed by 100%.

Renetti
- JAK Ferocity Carbine Kit
  - View will no longer be obstructed while aiming down sight with certain Optic Attachments equipped.
TYR
- Increased near-medium damage from 90 to 100 (+11%).
- Increased minimum damage from 70 to 75 (+7%).
- Decreased near-medium damage range from 15.2m to 11.4m (-25%).
- Increased upper-torso damage multiplier from 1.3x to 1.5x (+15%).
- Decreased lower-torso damage multiplier from 1.3x to 1x (-23%).
- Decreased arm damage multiplier from 1.3x to 1x (-23%).
- Decreased hand damage multiplier from 1.3x to 1x (-23%).
- Decreased trigger action delay from 150ms to 90ms (-40%).
- Incompatible Chrios Holo Optic Attachment can no longer be equipped.
- Ullr’s Fury Trigger Action
  - Decreased trigger action delay from 70ms to 60ms (-14%).
- Odin’s Judgement Trigger Action
  - Decreased trigger action delay from 210ms to 150ms (-29%).
9mm Daemon (MWII)
- Added far-medium damage at 26 to 31m.
- Increased maximum damage from 34 to 40 (+18%).
- Increased near-medium damage from 30 to 34 (+13%).
- Increased medium damage from 26 to 30 (+15%).
- Decreased maximum damage range from 9.4m to 7.4m (-22%).
- Decreased near-medium damage range from 20.6m to 11.4m (-44%).
- Decreased medium damage range from 31m to 20.6m (-34%).

Launchers

Stormender
- EMP effects will now disable and/or destroy the following items:
  - Drill Charge (Lethal)
  - Smoke Airdrop (Field Upgrade)
  - Inflatable Decoy (Field Upgrade)
  - Swarm (Killstreak)

Attachments

Corvus Torch Underbarrel Attachment is now available to equip on many Assault Rifles and Battle Rifles.
Resolved an issue in which Lasers and Underbarrels would visibly overlap.
View is no longer obstructed in Tac-Stance while the KR Intlas LSJ-3 Optic Attachment is equipped.
SL Razorhawk Laser Light
- Increased aim down sight speed benefit by 5%.
- Increased sprint to fire speed benefit by 7%.
FSS OLE-V Laser
- Decreased aim down sight speed benefit by 2%.
- Decreased sprint to fire speed benefit by 4%.
FTAC Grimline Laser
- Decreased sprint to fire speed benefit by 7%.
Verdant Hook Box Laser
- Increased sprint to fire speed benefit by 3%.
.50 Cal Spire Point Rounds Ammunition
- Increased damage range benefit by 2%.
- Decreased bullet velocity benefit by 19%.
XRK Nightfall Suppressor XL
- Decreased damage range benefit by 6%.
- Decreased bullet velocity benefit by 8%.
- Decreased recoil control benefit by 3%.
- Increased aim down sight speed penalty by 7%.
- Increased sprint to fire speed penalty by 3%.
Round Nose Ammunition
- Revised description to accurately reflect its true effects.
  - Dramatically reduces bullet range while increasing flinch.

Perks, Equipment, Field Upgrades, and Killstreaks

On top of changes to weapons, Sledgehammer have also made tweaks to the other items that make up your loadout.

Mostly, Sledgehammer focuses on fixes and tweaks. For example, Trophy Systems will no longer destroy Cruise Missiles. Elsewhere, VTOL Jets, Gunships, and Chopper Gunners will all now require even more missiles to destroy, meaning you’re less likely to get blown out of the sky when using them.

Perks

Tac Mask (Gear)
- Added immunity to enemy EMP effects from the Stormender (Launcher).
Bone Conduction Headset (Gear)
- Revised description to better reflect its existing effects.
  - Reduces player combat and environmental sounds to allow improved focus on hearing other footsteps.
Signal Jammer (Gear)
- Addressed an issue that prevented proper functionality while equipped with the Engineer Vest.

Equipment

Thermobaric Grenade (Lethal)
- Increased minimum explosive damage from 25 to 75 (+200%).

Field Upgrades

Trophy System
- Enemy Cruise Missile (Killstreak) will no longer be targeted and destroyed.
A.C.S.
- Addressed an issue that prevented objectives from being captured in Hardcore game modes.
Suppression Mine
- Visual effects are no longer activated for the player who deployed the mine.

Killstreaks

SAM Turret
- Decreased lock-on delay from 3s to 2s (-33%).
- Increased cooldown between missiles from 1.25s to 1.75s (+40%).
- Adjusted number of missiles required to destroy multiple Killstreaks.
  - VTOL Jet: 4 missiles, up from 3
  - Gunship: 5 missiles, up from 3
  - Chopper Gunner: 4 missiles, up from 3
- Advanced UAV (Killstreak) will no longer be targeted and destroyed.
Remote Turret
- Dying while attempting to control the turret will no longer prevent the player from controlling it upon subsequent attempts.
Overwatch Helo
- 100 XP and 75 Score are now awarded upon destruction.
EMP
- Announcer voiceline will now play upon enemy usage.
- Destroyed Equipment and Killstreaks will no longer grant Killstreak progress.
Swarm
- Announcer voiceline will now play upon enemy usage.

Now that you’ve heard about Season 1 Reloaded, check out when you can expect to get your hands on MW3 Season 2.

Author

Matt Porter