Call of Duty: Warzone has received a new weapon-balancing update across all platforms, with Raven Software targeting several of the strongest Assault Rifles and SMGs while improving lower-performing alternatives. The September 24 patch notably cuts the AN-94’s damage, range and recoil performance after the rifle established itself near the top of the current meta. The Strumwolf 45 has also been weakened, while weapons including the DS20 Mirage, MPC-25 and MK.78 receive targeted buffs.
Raven says the purpose of the balance pass is to shake up the AR and SMG meta by bringing down clear outliers and creating more room for less-used options. The developer specifically acknowledges that the AN-94 has enjoyed a strong period at the top, but says it is now being brought closer to the rest of the Assault Rifle category. The update follows the broader Warzone Season 06 balance and Ranked changes introduced earlier in September.
The AN-94 receives the most extensive adjustments. Maximum damage falls from 41 to 38, while its maximum-damage range drops from 45 meters to 38 meters. Medium damage decreases from 37 to 34 and now extends only to 52 meters rather than 60, while minimum damage falls from 33 to 31 beyond that point. Its headshot multiplier has also been reduced from 1.3x to 1.2x across modes.
Battle Royale and Resurgence apply additional AN-94 penalties on top of those universal damage changes. Recoil is increased by 12%, bullet velocity drops from 920 meters per second to 890 meters per second, and aim-down-sight time slows from 235ms to 245ms. The 15-inch Benthic Barrel is also weaker, with its bullet-velocity benefit falling from 20% to 15% and recoil-control bonus dropping from 25% to 15%.
The DS20 Mirage moves in the opposite direction, receiving a 10% recoil reduction and an increase in bullet velocity from 900 to 915 meters per second in Battle Royale and Resurgence. The MPC-25 SMG also receives several improvements, extending its maximum-damage range from 13 meters to 13.5 meters while reducing recoil deviation by 8% and vertical recoil by 10%. Those are relatively modest changes, but they fit Raven’s stated goal of improving weapons that have seen less use.
Other SMGs are being pulled back. The REV-46’s maximum-damage range decreases from 12.8 meters to 12.2 meters, although its underlying damage remains unchanged. The Strumwolf 45 takes heavier reductions, including lower damage in its later ranges and a slower 165ms aim-down-sight time in Battle Royale and Resurgence, up from 155ms. The MK.78 LMG receives a smaller buff, with minimum damage beyond 68 meters increasing from 28 to 29.
The update also addresses several gameplay problems outside weapon balance. Raven fixed an issue that could prevent players using the “Apply All” armor setting from fully plating when one plate had only a small amount of damage, as well as problems with items and interactable objects remaining active deep inside the gas. Fixes also cover the Fortune’s Keep boat Buy Station and Ammo Cache Depot, thermal highlighting on the Grimm “Axia” Operator skin, a misplaced Recon Site near Gatehouse and Champion’s Quest contract availability south of TV Station.
Map exploits allowing players to enter unintended areas have been addressed as well. Activision’s current Call of Duty installation is also undergoing wider restructuring ahead of Modern Warfare 4, with Black Ops 7 and Warzone files being reorganized as the next annual title approaches.
The September 24 patch is therefore primarily a mid-season meta adjustment rather than another large content drop. The AN-94 is the clearest target, losing damage, effective range, handling and attachment strength simultaneously, while several alternatives receive smaller improvements designed to broaden weapon choice. How significantly that changes Warzone’s most-used loadouts will become clearer as players adjust to the new damage profiles.
