Modern Warfare 3 day 1 patch fixes crashes and makes significant weapon balance changes
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 has exited the early access period for the campaign and officially launched today (November 10). However, players diving in should make sure they also download this essential day one patch.
Outlined on the Duty blog, the patch offers fixes and changes to the campaign, multiplayer UI, weapons, maps and more. Loading crashes in campaign missions have been fixed, as well as “UI-related crashes” when using the menus. Most notably, changes have been made to 13 weapons and two conversion kits, so if you found a favorite during the beta period you’ll definitely want to check that your weapon of choice still works as you remember it.
The SVA 545 assault rifle now has reduced recoil, a slightly increased lower body damage multiplier (an increase of 0.1), an 8% increase in fire rate, and a significant 19% increase in bullet velocity. The MTZ-556 assault rifle has received a similar bullet speed boost of 18%, as well as an increase in maximum damage range (up to 27 meters from 23 meters). Meanwhile, the MCW assault rifle has also received an 18% bullet speed boost, but while its minimum damage has been increased by 13%, it now has increased recoil under sustained fire.
Otherwise, the Striker submachine gun has been significantly reduced, with a 14% decrease to maximum damage, an 18% decrease to near-average damage, a 7% decrease to mid-average damage, and a 5% decrease to minimum damage to boot . However, the down target time has also been reduced by 4%.
Users of Holger 26 light machine guns will be happy to know that the weapon now has a slight improvement, with a 13% increase in bullet velocity. However, it’s a mixed bag for the Pulemyot 762 light machine gun, which has received a 16% bullet speed buff, but a maximum damage of 4%. The conversion kit, the JAK Annihilator Bullpup Kit, faces a similar situation, with a 29% increase in bullet speed, but a 14% nerf in fire rate.
As for the sniper rifles, two of them are polished (overall). The MTZ Interceptor now has a greater hip fire spread during sustained fire, a 20% faster aim time and a 15% faster bullet velocity. The MCW 6.8 has the same hipfire spread change, 6% faster aiming time, and 12% faster bullet velocity.
Two sniper rifles – the Longbow and KV Inhibitor – are also seeing changes. The former has a greater hip fire spread both while moving and during sustained fire, a 13% higher bullet velocity and a new semi-automatic reticle. However, the Longbow now has increased flinch when hit by the enemy. As for the KV Inhibitor, players can expect an 18% increase when shot by an enemy, increased hip fire spread when moving, and a 5% increased bullet speed.
Finally, three pistols have been modified. In addition to a move to a fully automatic reticle, the WPS Stinger has also been improved, with maximum damage range halved, slightly lower upper body damage multiplier, and reduced maximum damage. It has also reduced the spread of hipfire during sustained fires. It’s a similar story for the COR-45, which has now halved its near-mediocre damage range and reduced its maximum damage range by 33%. As for the Renetti, it now has a reticle on burst fire, reduced minimum damage, and slightly increased recoil on sustained fire. The conversion kit, the JAK Ferocity Carbine Kit, now features a fully automatic reticle, a slower aiming time and a longer sprint-to-fire time.
For even more bugs and tweaks, be sure to check out the full patch notes. Modern Warfare 3 is now available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series
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