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Patch notes
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MW4 · Patch notes

MW4 weapon balance update (October 28, 2026)

The first big MW4 tuning pass: limb damage normalized across SMGs, range buffs for the Kastov 762 and M4, and nerfs to the Han 86, Oden, Hyeon Hyperburst, APOC-338 and FiNN LMG.

Released
Oct 28, 2026
Official notes
Modern Warfare 4 launch patch notes

Highlights

  • Arm and hand damage multipliers on five SMGs went from 0.95 to 1, so limb hits no longer cost you a bullet as often.
  • Several rifles and LMGs lost their extra neck, upper-torso and upper-arm damage, which slows their best-case time to kill.
  • Dive speed was cut 23% as a short-term fix for a sprint-jump dive exploit.
  • New playlists: Shipment 24/7, Kill Block 6v6 Gunfight and Gun Game. Free-for-All now plays to 30 with parties of up to two.
  • DMZ: Possum can no longer revive you while the squad that killed you is nearby, or for 4 minutes.

Weapon changes

  • Kastov 762Buff
    • Max damage range 950 → 1050 (in-game units).
  • M4Buff
    • Max damage range 990 → 1020.
  • Patriot XMRBuff
    • EXP Haste 80L 14" barrel: recoil control penalty 8 → 6.
    • FJX Fury IV Grip: recoil control penalty 5 → 4.
  • Han 86Nerf
    • Neck and upper torso multipliers 1.1 → 1.
    • Max damage range 1120 → 1200.
  • OdenNerf
    • Neck and upper torso multipliers 1.2 → 1.1; lower torso 1.1 → 1.
    • Sentinel Apex: max damage range 870 → 820, mid damage range 1810 → 1740, slight muzzle velocity cut.
  • Hyeon BurstNerf
    • Hyperburst Apex: full-auto max damage 37 → 34.
    • Hyperburst Apex: full-auto max damage range 970 → 1220, and the first mid-damage step was removed.
  • ISO NightshadeBuff
    • Arm and hand multipliers 0.95 → 1.
  • PPSh-41Buff
    • ADS time 300 → 280 ms.
    • Small boosts to movement, sprint, crouch and strafe speed.
    • Arm and hand multipliers 0.95 → 1.
  • VEL 46Buff
    • Arm and hand multipliers 0.95 → 1.
  • WZ.55 StrigaBuff
    • Max damage range 440 → 470; mid damage range 825 → 840.
    • Arm and hand multipliers 0.95 → 1.
  • X-58 NyxBuff
    • Head multiplier 1.25 → 1.3.
    • Arm and hand multipliers 0.95 → 1.
    • Void Apex: max damage range 437 → 460; mid damage range 788 → 815.
  • APOC-338Nerf
    • Mid damage 38 → 37; mid damage range 1980 → 1900.
    • Min damage 35 → 33.
  • FiNN LMGNerf
    • Mid damage range 1720 → 1620.
    • Upper arm multipliers 1.1 → 1.
  • Type 73Buff
    • Assault Apex: min damage 19 → 20.
  • WarlordNerf
    • 12 Gauge Slug: second mid-damage range 900 → 810.
What this patch does to the meta

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  • Updated tier rankings for the 15 weapons this patch changed
  • Which loadouts still work and which to swap
  • Full stats and tuning for every weapon
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What changed and why it matters

This patch went after hit-location damage. SMGs had been punished for arm and hand hits, while some rifles and LMGs got extra damage for neck, chest and upper-arm hits. Both have been moved toward a flat 1x, so time to kill is more consistent no matter where your shots land.

Range values in this patch are in the game’s internal units, as the official notes list them.

Multiplayer fixes

  • Damage now interrupts Quick Fix health regen, as intended.
  • A Riot Shield out-of-bounds exploit was closed.
  • UAVs are easier to see on Sentry.
  • Some melee kills, backstabs and takedowns weren’t counting for challenges. Fixed.
  • Point Blank and Longshot tracking distances were loosened.

DMZ

  • Possum now waits until the squad that killed you has moved away, or 4 minutes have passed.
  • The 3-Plate Armor Vest reward at DMZ level 37 now grants properly.
  • Several item-loss bugs with backpacks and slot swapping were fixed.

Sources