Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2 Season 3 is here, and with it comes a host of weapon buffs and nerfs.

Across the board, there are changes that could very well shift the meta completely. Some are warranted, and others may leave you wondering why.

ISO Hemlock finally nerfed in Modern Warfare 2 Season 3

ISO Hemlock introduced in Warzone 2 Season 2 — Credit: Activision Blizzard

The big ones to point out are the changes to the dominant ISO Hemlock. This weapon has been so good since it was introduced in Season 2, that it was banned from ranked play and the Call of Duty League.

The powerful weapon saw its damage reduced at all ranges, in addition to a decrease for the lower torso damage. Whether this is enough to make the weapon less dominant and eventually lead to it being unbanned is unknown at this time.

In what may come as a surprise to some, the TAQ-56 actually saw a buff. The weapon will now deal more damage to the head than it had during Season 2. The weapon was already a go-to for many players, being considered top 10 by some experts.

The brand new Tempus Torrent also saw a nerf. The marksman rifle saw its damage reduced at all ranges, alongside its headshot damage and close-mid range damage.

Also finding themselves on the end of either a buff or a nerf with the new season is the M13B, STB 556, FTAC Recon, Lachmann 762, SO-14, TAQ-V, Basilisk, RAAL MG, RPK, BAS-P, Lachmann Sub, MX9, Vaznev-9K, and the VEL 46.

You can find the full Season 3 patch notes here or the weapon and attachment adjustments below.

Assault Rifles

ISO Hemlock
- All Damage Ranges reduced
- Lower Torso Damage reduced
M13B
- Headshot Damage slightly reduced
- Lower Torso Damage increased
- Mid-range Damage distance increased
- Upper Torso Damage slightly reduced
STB 556
- Headshot Damage increased
- Leg Damage increased
- Lower Torso Damage increased
- Mid-range Damage distance increased
- Mid-range Damage reduced
TAQ-56
- Headshot Damage Increased

Battle Rifles

FTAC Recon
- Movement Speed increased
- Semi-Auto Leg Damage increased
- Semi-Auto Minimum Armor Damage increased | Warzone 2.0 Only
- Semi-Auto Upper Torso Damage increased
Lachmann 762
- Movement Speed increased
SO-14
- Movement Speed increased
- Semi-Auto Minimum Armor Damage increased | Warzone 2.0 Only
TAQ-V
- Minimum Armor Damage increased | Warzone 2.0 Only
- Movement Speed increased
- Semi-Auto Lower Leg Damage increased

Handguns

Basilisk
- Minimum Armor Damage reduced | Warzone 2.0 Only

Light Machine Guns

RAAL MG
- Headshot Damage reduced
- Minimum Armor Damage added to Semi-Auto Firing Mode | Warzone 2.0 Only
- Semi-Auto Headshot Damage increased
- Semi-Auto Upper Torso Damage increased
- Semi-Auto Lower Torso Damage increased
RPK
- Close-mid Damage slightly reduced

Marksman Rifles

Tempus Torrent
- All Damage Ranges reduced slightly
- Close-mid Damage reduced slightly
- Headshot Damage reduced

Submachine Guns

Submachine Gun Hip Spread accuracy increased
BAS-P
- ADS Move Speed increased
- All Damage Ranges increased
- Minimum Armor Damage added to Semi-Auto Firing Mode | Warzone 2.0 Only
Lachmann Sub
- Headshot Damage decreased
- Burst-Fire Leg Damage increased
- Burst-Fire time between shots decreased
- Burt-Fire Torso Damage increased
MX9
- Sprint to Fire Speed increased
Vaznev-9K
- Headshot Damage decreased
VEL 46
- Headshot Damage decreased

Attachments

Ammunition

Basilisk
- .500 Snakeshot
  - Maximum Armor Damage added (Warzone 2.0 Only)
Explosive
- Bolt-Action Weapons equipped with Explosive Ammunition are now able to down fully armored Players in one shot (Warzone 2.0 Only)
- Explosive Ammunition has been added to the MCPR-300 progression tree
ISO Hemlock
- .300 Blackout (All Types)
  - Headshot Damage increased
  - Hip Spread accuracy while prone increased
  - Initial Recoil increased slightly
  - Long-range Damage decreased
  - Mid-range Damage increased
  - Minimum Armor Damage added to Semi-Auto Firing Mode (Warzone 2.0 Only)
  - Recoil violence increased

Barrel

Heavy Barrels
- ADS Speed penalty slightly reduced
Light Barrels
- Muzzle Velocity penalty reduced
Short Barrels
- ADS Speed benefit increased
- Damage Range penalty reduced
- Hip Spread accuracy benefit increased while moving and firing
- Hip Spread accuracy penalty for Shotguns decreased while moving and firing
Bipod
- ADS Speed penalty reduced

Laser

Laser brightness increased

Magazine

Large Magazines
- Light Machine Guns (Global)
  - Handling and Movement penalties reduced
- Kastov 545
  - 60 Round Magazine
    - Handling penalty reduced
- Kastov 762
  - 40 Round Magazine
    - Handling penalty reduced
- Lachmann Sub
  - 50 Round Drum
    - Handling penalty reduced
- M13B
  - 60 Round Magazine
    - Handling penalty reduced
- M16
  - 60 Round Magazine
    - Handling penalty reduced
- Vaznev-9K
  - 45 Round Magazine
    - Handling penalty reduced
- VEL 46
  - 50 Round Magazine
    - Handling penalty reduced
  - 60 Round Magazine
    - Handling penalty reduced

Small Magazines

Movement Speed increased
Sprint to Fire Speed increased

Fennec 45
- Fennec Double Tap Mod (Benefits from Small Magazine buffs)
  - Damage increased
  - Damage Ranges reduced
  - Minimum Armor Damage added (Warzone 2.0 Only)
  - Time between bursts reduced
STB 556
- Single Tap Mod (Benefits from Small Magazine buffs)
  - Damage increased
  - Mid-range Damage distances increased
  - Minimum Armor Damage added (Warzone 2.0 Only)
  - Time between shots increased

Rear Grip

Basilisk
- Akimbo Basilisk
  - Maximum Armor Damage added (Warzone 2.0 Only)

Stock

Heavy Stocks
- ADS Move Speed penalty reduced
- Aiming Stability benefit increased
- Aim Walking Steadiness benefit increased

All Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2 Season 3 weapon buffs and nerfs — there are a lot!