Modern Warfare 2 Weapons Receive Unexpected Buff in New MW3 Update

A new update for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has made some unexpected balance adjustments to classic weapons from 2022’s Modern Warfare 2, with a plethora of shotguns, handguns, marksman rifles, and more receiving substantial buffs. While there are only a few short weeks until the release of Black Ops 6, it looks like developer Sledgehammer Games is attempting to give Modern Warfare 3 a big send-off by bringing some iconic weapons back into the mix.

Sledgehammer Games and Raven Software kicked off the month of October with a brand-new update for both Warzone and Modern Warfare 3, bringing a handful of bug fixes and balance adjustments to the popular first-person shooters. While the latest Warzone update did see the Crossbow from Modern Warfare 2 receive an impressive buff, with an increase in bolt velocity and a decrease in gravity influence, it was Modern Warfare 3 that saw a huge number of weapons once again become viable options within the game’s multiplayer modes.

As detailed in the official patch notes, a number of weapons from 2022’s Modern Warfare 2 have been buffed in the latest Modern Warfare 3 update. The M13C assault rifle, for example, has had its maximum damage increased from 31 to 32, meaning it is now capable of a 4-shot kill if at least one bullet is a headshot, Sledgehammer says. A plethora of shotguns have also seen substantial buffs, including the KV Broadside, Lockwood 300, Expedite 12, Bryson 800, and the Bryson 890. All of the aforementioned shotguns have had their damage range increased, but the specifics, such as maximum damage range and near-medium damage range, vary between each weapon.

Modern Warfare 2 Weapons Buffed in Latest MW3 Update

While the majority of the patch appears to be centered around buffing some classic Modern Warfare 2 weapons, the update does also nerf Modern Warfare 3‘s DTIR 30-06 battle rifle. Added as part of the Season 6 Battle Pass, the DTIR 30-06 quickly became the new meta weapon in both Warzone and Modern Warfare 3. Sadly, the popular battle rifle has received a substantial nerf in both games, reducing the weapon’s torso damage multiplier from 1.3x to 1x in Modern Warfare 3 and increasing the gun’s recoil kick to 32deg/s from 27.5deg/s. A number of changes were also made to multiple weapon attachments for the DTIR 30-06 in Warzone.

Although this isn’t the first time that Modern Warfare 2 weapons have received a buff in Modern Warfare 3, the October 1 update does look to be one of the most substantial adjustments for a long time. Earlier this year, Warzone decreased the obstructive VFX on Modern Warfare 2 weapons to make them more in line with Modern Warfare 3 weapons, but now many shotguns, handguns, and more are perfectly viable options in the 2023 shooter thanks to the latest rounds of buffs. It’s unclear if this means these updated weapons will become the new Modern Warfare 3 meta, but with Black Ops 6 right around the corner, it could be too late.

All Modern Warfare 2 Weapon Changes in New MW3 Update

Assault Rifles

• M13C (MWII)
  • Increased maximum damage from 31 to 32 (+3%).

Shotguns

• KV Broadside (MWII)
  • Increased maximum damage range from 2.9m to 3.6m (+22%).
  • Increased near-medium damage range from 3.3m to 4.3m (+31%).
• Lockwood 300 (MWII)
  • Increased maximum damage range from 1.8m to 3.3m (+86%).
• Expedite 12 (MWII)
  • Increased maximum damage range from 2.5m to 3.6m (+40%).
  • Increased near-medium damage range from 4.1m to 5.1m (+25%).
• Bryson 800 (MWII)
  • Increased near-medium damage from 34 to 42 (+24%).
  • Increased medium damage from 25 to 30 (+20%).
  • Increased maximum damage range from 3.3m to 4.1m (+23%).
  • Increased near-medium damage range from 5.8m to 7.1m (+22%).
• Bryson 890 (MWII)
  • Increased near-medium damage from 34 to 42 (+24%).
  • Increased maximum damage range from 3.1m to 3.8m (+25%).

Marksman Rifles

• Crossbow (MWII)
  • Increased bolt velocity from 110m/s to 200m/s (+81%).
  • Decreased bolt gravity influence by 70%.
  • Increased neck damage multiplier from 1.2x to 3x.
  • Brightblaze 20” Bolts
    • Removed aim down sight spread.
  • Blastcap 20” Bolts
    • Removed aim down sight spread.
  • FTAC Caustic 20” Bolts
    • Removed aim down sight spread.
• SAB-B 50 (MWII)
  • Increased maximum damage from 120 to 130 (+8%).
  • Increased near-medium damage from 90 to 120 (+33%).
  • Decreased maximum damage range from 17.8m to 7.6m (-57%).
  • Decreased near-medium damage range from 44.2m to 17.8m (-60%).
  • Added medium damage range, 90 damage up to 44.2m.
  • Decreased lower torso and upper arm damage multipliers from 1.26x to 1.2x.

Handguns

• P890 (MWII)
  • Increased maximum damage from 52 to 59 (+13%).
  • Increased minimum damage from 37 to 44 (+19%).
  • Decreased maximum damage range from 9.1m to 4.6m (-50%).
• .50 GS (MWII)
  • Increased maximum damage from 96 to 116 (+22%).
  • Increased near-medium damage from 68 to 95 (+40%).
  • Decreased maximum damage range from 17.3m to 8.6m (-50%).
  • Decreased near-medium damage range from 35.1m to 17.3m (-51%).
• X12 (MWII)
  • Increased maximum damage from 39 to 47 (+20%).
  • Increased near-medium damage from 30 to 39 (+30%).
  • Increased minimum damage from 28 to 30 (+7%).
  • Akimbo X12 Rear Grip
    • Increased damage penalty from -20% to -40%.
• Basilisk (MWII)
  • Increased head damage multiplier from 2x to 2.5x.
  • Decreased medium damage range from 35.1m to 33m (-6%).
  • Removed far-medium damage range.

• FTAC Siege (MWII)
  • Increased maximum damage from 24 to 26 (+8%).
  • Increased near-medium damage from 20 to 24 (+20%).
  • Increased medium damage from 18 to 20 (+11%).
  • Increased minimum damage from 15 to 18 (+20%).
• GS Magna (MWII)
  • Increased minimum damage from 36 to 40 (+11%).
  • Increased lower torso damage multiplier from 1.05x to 1.15x.
  • Increased upper leg, lower leg, and foot damage multipliers from 0.8x to 1x.
• X13 Auto (MWII)
  • Decreased horizontal recoil from 7.2deg/s to 6.5deg/s (-9%).
  • Decreased vertical recoil from 31.7deg/s to 28.4deg/s (-10%).
  • Increased maximum damage from 25 to 29 (+16%).
  • Increased near-medium damage from 22 to 25 (+14%).
  • Increased medium damage from 18 to 22 (+22%).
  • Increased minimum damage from 15 to 20 (+33%).