Black Ops 6 beta weekend 2 patch notes: Jackal PDW nerf, spawn updates, more

Black Ops 6 beta weekend 2 patch notes: Jackal PDW nerf, spawn updates, more

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, let me tell you, this update is a breath of fresh air! The increased health for Watchdog Helo and the boosted damage radius for Hellstorm are just the kind of tweaks that make a game feel more dynamic and exciting.


Returning with an Open Beta, Black Ops 6 developers have introduced numerous updates such as adjusting the power of the Jackal PDW weapon, modifying spawn points, and enhancing audio quality.

While the beta’s introduction of the Omnimovement system was generally welcomed by players, they expressed disappointment regarding the spawn points, the pace of weapon upgrades, and the overpowering presence of the Jackal PDW in the game’s meta.

The beta version launches publicly at 10 AM Pacific Time on September 6. You won’t need to pre-order or subscribe to Xbox Game Pass to participate, and you’ll have a chance to advance up to level 30, unlocking new weapons and gear along the way. Additionally, the developers have disclosed all updates based on feedback from the initial weekend test.

Here are the full patch notes for Black Ops 6’s Open Beta.

BO6 Open Beta patch notes

GLOBAL

PROGRESSION

Black Ops 6 beta weekend 2 patch notes: Jackal PDW nerf, spawn updates, more

  • Level Cap increased to 30. New content available to unlock:
    • Level 21:
      • Blast Trap (Lethal Equipment) 
      • Scavenger (Perk – Enforcer) 
    • Level 22:
      • Interceptors (Scorestreak) 
      • Fast Hands (Perk – Strategist) 
    • Level 23:
      • Sleeper Agent (Field Upgrade) 
      • Cold-Blooded (Perk – Recon) 
    • Level 24:
      • Combat Axe (Lethal Equipment) 
      • Tac Mask (Perk – Strategist) 
    • Level 25:
      • DM-10 (Marksman Rifle) 
    • Level 26:
      • Gunfighter (Wildcard) 
      • Forward Intel (Perk – Recon) 
    • Level 27:
      • Gearhead (Perk – Strategist) 
    • Level 28:
      • Decoy (Tactical Equipment) 
      • Ninja (Perk – Recon) 
    • Level 29:
      • Chopper Gunner (Scorestreak) 
    • Level 30:
      • Tanto .22 (SMG) 

Black Ops 6 beta weekend 2 patch notes: Jackal PDW nerf, spawn updates, more

  • New Rewards available to unlock:
    • Level 23: “The Truth Lies” Loading Screen  
    • Level 27: “Beta Expert” Animated Calling Card  
    • Level 30: “Bug Smasher” XM4 Weapon Blueprint

MULTIPLAYER

WEAPONS

WEAPON SWAP SPEEDS

In response to your feedback about the speed at which weapons are switched, we concur with your observations and plan to decrease weapon drop times uniformly throughout the game, thereby enhancing overall swap speeds. For those seeking an even more rapid switch speed, consider testing the Fast Hands Strategist Perk during Week 2 of the Beta.

  • Assault Rifle, SMG, Shotgun, LMG, Marksman Rifle, Pistol, and Launcher drop times reduced by 50ms 
  • Sniper drop times reduced by 100ms 

MOVEMENT SPEEDS

To ensure that the movement speeds of all weapon types are balanced appropriately, we’re fine-tuning minor adjustments. Our primary focus has been on base movement speeds and aim down sights (ADS) speeds, as these factors significantly impact performance in combat scenarios.

In summary, we’re satisfied with the way weapon classes have been used and performed during Beta Weekend 1, particularly the swift movement pace of SMGs. Therefore, we choose not to alter SMGs and aim to enhance other classes instead. We are cautious about making the game overly fast and will closely watch game data and your feedback for any necessary adjustments.

One way to rephrase this in natural, easy-to-read language is: “Another significant modification involves the speed of Melee Sprints. Our goal is to motivate players to use their Special Melee Weapons for moving across maps. Additionally, we aim to allow melee users to keep pace with players using ranged weapons, especially during those swift Body Shields and Finishing Moves.”

Movement Speed Adjustments

Weapon Category

Adjustments

Assault Rifles

  • ADS Crouch Speed increased from 1.75m/s -> 1.88m/s 
  • Move Speed increased from 4.14m/s -> 4.29m/s 
  • ADS Move Speed increased from 3.07m/s -> 3.23m/s 

SMGs

  • Crouch Speed increased from 2.31m/s -> 2.77m/s

Shotguns

  • ADS Crouch Speed increased from 1.63m/s -> 1.75m/s
  • Move Speed increased from 4.14m/s -> 4.29m/s
  • ADS Move Speed increased from 3.07m/s -> 3.23m/s

LMGs

  • ADS Crouch Speed increased from 1.14m/s -> 1.3m/s
  • Move Speed increased from 3.71m/s -> 3.86m/s
  • ADS Move Speed increased from 2.31m/s -> 2.46m/s

Marksman Rifles

  • Crouch Speed increased from 2.41m/s -> 2.49m/s
  • ADS Crouch Speed increased from 1.37m/s -> 1.55m/s
  • Move Speed increased from 3.76m/s -> 3.99m/s
  • ADS Move Speed increased from 2.9m/s -> 3m/s

Sniper Rifles

  • Crouch Speed decreased from 2.41m/s -> 2.31m/s

Pistols

  • Crouch Speed decreased from 2.9m/s -> 2.84m/s
  • ADS Crouch Speed increased from 1.88m/s -> 2.24m/s
  • Move Speed increased from 4.47m/s -> 4.52m/s
  • ADS Move Speed decreased from 3.94m/s -> 3.81m/s

Launchers

  • Crouch Speed decreased from 2.44m/s -> 2.18m/s

Melee

  • Crouch Speed increased from 2.9m/s -> 2.95m/s
  • Jog Speed increased from 5.16m/s -> 5.31m/s
  • Sprint Speed increased from 6.93m/s -> 7.16m/s
  • Super Sprint Speed increased from 8.41m/s -> 8.66m/s
  • Move Speed increased from 4.47m/s -> 4.62

SMG Adjustments

Weapon

Adjustments

Jackal PDW

  • Decreased Maximum Damage from 29 -> 26
    • Decreased Maximum Damage range from 15.24m -> 14.61m 
  • Decreased Near-Medium Damage from 23 -> 22
    • Decreased Near-Medium Damage range from 22.86m -> 17.78m 
  • Decreased Medium Damage from 22 -> 18
    • Decreased Medium Damage range from 29.21m -> 26.04m 
  • Decreased Minimum Damage from 19 -> 15 
  • Small increase to view kick strength and view kick deviation.
  • CHF Barrel
    • Headshot multiplier improved from 1.2 -> 1.4 

The Jackal PDW’s superiority lies in its exceptional handling and good maneuverability, but it has a slower firing rate compared to most automatic weapons in the game. However, it was performing exceptionally well at medium ranges, so we’ve made some adjustments to balance it out. We’ve increased the damage reduction over distance and brought the effective range closer, along with a slight increase in recoil. The maximum damage and CHF Barrel headshot multiplier have been readjusted to keep the same number of hits required to kill while using the attachment.

C9

  • Increased medium damage range from 25.4m -> 27.31m 

We believe the C9 is well-positioned, offering a balanced Submachine Gun performance with a reliable firing speed. Compared to other Submachine Guns, it has more vertical recoil. To compensate for this, we’ve increased its mid-range damage drop-off zone.

Marksman Rifles Adjustments

Weapon

Adjustment

SWAT 5.56

  • Disabled burst fire queuing, which was queuing an additional burst if the fire input was activated at any time during the previous burst or the burst cooldown.

This is a minor change to improve control with the Swat 5.56 (and any future burst weapons). 

ATTACHMENTS

  • The Rapid Fire attachment now correctly displays its recoil penalty con. The attachment description has also been updated to indicate the tradeoff.  

MAPS

Black Ops 6 beta weekend 2 patch notes: Jackal PDW nerf, spawn updates, more

General 

  • Adjusted general spawn logic to enable additional valid spawns under certain scenarios. 
  • Adjusted spawn logic across several maps with the goal of reducing a high frequency of spawn flipping.  

In our game, a “problematic respawn” is defined as any situation where a player takes or receives damage within the initial 3 seconds after respawning. This fundamental concept guides our design of the respawn system and remains consistent across all map sizes and game modes. We employ this measure (as well as others) to monitor the frequency of unfavorable respawns in Black Ops 6, so if you experienced such a situation during Weekend 1 of the Beta, we took note.

For instance, in Week 1, Domination on Skyline had the highest unfavorable spawn rate among our Core Moshpit entries, at a rate of 4.2%. This implies that during a 3-second window, approximately 4 out of every 100 spawns resulted in someone sustaining or inflicting damage. Although we’re content with our general averages, we acknowledge that averages encompass both average and extreme cases. We will continue to monitor this throughout the game’s duration.

We also recognize that we each have our own definition of what a good spawn or a bad spawn is, and that’s not always just about combat situations. For example, did I spawn out too far on Hardpoint? Or why am I spawning on the same side of the map as the enemy team? The overarching spawn system and the placement of spawns in a map are critical to the flow of the match. It is our goal with Black Ops 6, as it has been with every prior Black Ops game, to have a predictable spawn system that results in head-on engagements with your opponents while providing ample time from respawn for decision making. This includes accounting for time before getting into an engagement before you’re ready for it.

For Weekend 2 of our Open Beta, we’ve adjusted general spawn logic and have targeted multiple maps with additional tuning changes with the goal of improving predictability and time to engagement. We know we have some work to do and will continue to process our data, evaluate your feedback, and play the game with you all to draw our own conclusions on how to continue making positive progress.

Black Ops 6 beta weekend 2 patch notes: Jackal PDW nerf, spawn updates, more

SCORESTREAKS

  • RC-XD
    • Improved handling and general usability.    
  • Watchdog Helo
    • Increased base health.
  • Hellstorm
    • Increased Cluster Bomb damage radius.

EQUIPMENT

  • Lethal Equiptment
    • Thermo Grenade
      •     Reduced explosive ignition delay.

MOVEMENT

  • Slight increase to the time to enter prone or supine during a slide. 
  • Slight increase to all mantle speeds. 
  • Slight decrease to time before movement is allowed after landing from a Dive to Prone. 
  • Slight increase to Dive to Prone landing friction. 

PROGRESSION

  • Weapon XP 
    • Increased awarded Weapon XP, which will decrease the amount of time needed to gain Weapon Levels. The Weapon XP speeds observed in Weekend 1 were slower than expected.  
  • Daily Challenges 
    • Fixed an issue that was causing the Daily Challenge countdown timer to display the incorrect reset time. 
    • The “Get 50 Eliminations with the Recon Perk Specialty equipped” Daily Challenge will now track progress correctly. 
  • General 
    • Beta Rewards earned in a match will now appear in the After-Action Report. 

AUDIO

  • Increased player weapon firing audio volume. 
  • Additional footstep audio adjustments. 
  • Reduced audio levels for impact sounds when taking damage. 
  • Resolved an issue where Shotguns could play more than the intended number of hit impact sounds. 
  • Resolved an issue where explosion sounds would not play during normal gameplay. 
  • Resolved an issue where some sounds were not playing during Best Play.
  • Reenabled a previously disabled audio occlusion system on PlayStation 5. 

BEST PLAY

  • Adjustments to underlying Best Play logic which will result in more varied and interesting Best Play selection. 

UI

  • Improved stability throughout various menus and HUD. 
  • Addressed various localization issues. 

SETTINGS

  • Users should no longer encounter issues when switching their ADS Transition Timing to ‘Instant’, when using keyboard and mouse. 

GENERAL

  • Increased the duration of the Lobby Vote before matches to give players a better opportunity to participate in the vote when returning to the lobby after a completed match. 
  • Reduced the amount of camera motion in the Dynamic Deathcam. 

STABILITY

  • Improved stability in Skyline. 
  • Improved stability in Training Course. 
  • Improved general server-side stability. 

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2024-09-06 17:06