MW3 Season 4 Reloaded update patch notes – Reclaimer 18, Incline map & new modes

Nathan Warby
MW3 players holding weapons

Modern Warfare 3 fans have received plenty of new content with the Season 4 Reloaded update that will keep them busy until Season 5 rolls around.

The patch notes have been revealed, so here’s everything you need to know about MW3‘s mid-season update.

Release date

The Modern Warfare 3 Season 4 Reloaded update arrives on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET / 5 PM BST as confirmed by the official Call of Duty X account.

New weapons

Two new weapons arrive with the mid-season update – the Sledgehammer Melee weapon and Reclaimer 18 Shotgun, which fans will remember as the SPAS-12 from MW2 (2009).

The Reclaimer 18 will be available through the Classified Sector in the Season 4 Battle Pass. Meanwhile, the Sledgehammer will be available as a Weekly Challenge reward.

MW3 Warzone Season 4 Reclaimer 18
The Reclaimer 18 is based on the iconic SPAS-12.

New maps & variants

On top of the new weapons, Season 4 Reloaded also introduces a brand-new map along with several variants. The new 6v6 map Incline is “a mid-sized snow map” set in the mountains of Urzikstan, perfect for mid-range Assault Rifles or SMGs if you venture into the main transport facility.

Incline map in MW3
The Reloaded update adds a snowy map.

Das Gross, a reskin of the popular Das Haus that coats the map in “revolting preternatural tendrils and flapping tentacles,” is another Vortex variant that will be added to the playlist’s pool, which also returns with the mid-season update.

Additionally, a new playlist called Bit Party arrives, featuring a “pixel-art inspired version of Favela” where killing enemy players inflates your Operator’s head making you an easier target to hit.

The parkour Get High mode returns with the G3T_H1GH3R version featuring a new “retro-futuristic utopian voidscape,” with a ton of “newly repositioned floating geometric neon-grids and platforms.”

New modes

Season 4 Reloaded brings several new modes into the game, including Mutation, and classics such as Headshots Only or Blueprint Gunfight.

Mutation is part of the Altered Strain event pitting “one team of humans against a frightening selection of mutants.” Humans will be regular Operators with the standard loadouts and an increased ammunition reserve.

Mutants will possess a “series of unique abilities that can stun, disorient, and eliminate enemy humans.” Additionally, they’ll have help in the form of “non-player controlled Mutants.”

MW3 players in Mutation mode Season 4 Reloaded
Mutants have special themed classes to pick from to kill opponents.

Patch notes

Season 4 gets reloaded in today’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III update!

Download the update now on your platform of choice and prepare for launch around 9 AM PT. While you wait, dig into the Patch Notes below for details on gameplay improvements, weapon balance, new features, and bug fixes you can expect to see.

NEW MAPS

Incline (6v6)

Explore a research outpost in the mountains of Urzikstan in Incline, an original snow map featuring intense fights in hostile weather.

Das Gross (6v6)

In this horrifying map variant of Das Haus, blood drips from the walls, and sharp, pointed teeth protrude from exposed muscle.

Bitvela (6v6)

Visit a pixel-art-inspired variant of the classic Favela in the Bit Party Playlist.

G3T_H1GH3R

Get High returns with a new course full of obstacles and surprises. Unlock three new Weapon Camos, collect coins, and uncover secrets along the race to the top! How high can you get?

NEW WEAPONS

Reclaimer 18 (Shotgun)

A tactical shotgun that can be fired in both pump-action and semi-auto modes. Pump-action provides superior range while semi-auto increases fire rate. Unlock it via the Battle Pass.

Sledgehammer (Melee)

Smash the competition into the dirt with this sledgehammer melee weapon. Unlock it via the Week 5 Challenges.

NEW AFTERMARKET PARTS

Look for new Aftermarket Parts to arrive via Weekly Challenges, alongside the Sledgehammer Melee Weapon, and Seasonal Blueprint and Camo rewards.

JAK Volkh (KV Inhibitor & KVD Enforcer | Week 6)

A meticulously crafted stock and receiver modification that updates the weapon to fire a two-round burst at minimal MOA dispersion, making every trigger pull count.

JAK Gunslinger (Basilisk | Week 7)

A frame and cylinder conversion that allows the revolver to hold eight rounds of .357 ammunition with an exceptional increase to rate of fire and a near instantaneous trigger action.

NEW MODES

Mutation

Take turns playing as a team of humans or mutants in a moshpit of modes. Mutants possess a series of unique abilities that can stun, disorientate, and eliminate enemy humans. Switch sides at halftime.

Bit Party

Kill the enemy to make your head bigger! Kill enemies with big heads to earn more points for your team.

Havoc

Experience a variety of wacky modifiers. First team to reach the score limit wins.

Headshots Only

Headshots only. No melee.

Blueprint Gunfight

Small team, multi-round cage matches, now with Blueprints. First team to reach the round-win limit wins.

NEW EVENTS

Altered Strain (6/26-7/24)

The strain has mutated! Collect altered DNA samples from fallen foes and caches to earn rewards and unlock effects for Mutation.

Retro Warfare (6/26-7/3)

Press start to begin this 8-bit event! Earn XP to unlock rewards.

Vacation Squad (7/3-7/10)

The beach is calling and the Task Force is on vacation. Complete event challenges to earn tropical rewards.

Vortex: Death’s Grip (7/10-7/24)

Death’s grasp has taken over the Vortex. Complete challenges to unlock ghastly rewards.

GLOBAL

CUSTOMIZATION

  • Beam Saber Blueprint for the Soulrender can now perform melee executions from the front, as the base Weapon can.
  • Attachment Skins will no longer unequip after returning to a Private Match lobby.,

Grand Mastery Calling Cards and Emblems

In Season 4 Reloaded, we’re introducing new Calling Cards and Emblem rewards for players who’ve completed a Grand Mastery grind in Modern Warfare III. Players who’ve reached these accomplishments before this update will be granted their respective items in the coming days.

The Grand Mastery rewards breakdown is as follows…

  • MWIII Multiplayer Grand Mastery
    • 1x Calling Card (New)
    • 1x Emblem (New)
    • 1x Weapon Charm
  • MWIII Zombies Grand Mastery
    • 1x Calling Card (New)
    • 1x Emblem (New)
    • 1x Weapon Charm
  • MWII Zombies Grand Mastery
    • 1x Calling Card (New)
    • 1x Emblem (New)
    • 1x Weapon Charm

MULTIPLAYER

UIX

  • Victim Calling Card is now displayed on the HUD upon killing an enemy.
  • Bug Fixes
    • Fixed an issue preventing the Scoreboard from scrolling in Free-for-All modes.
    • Addressed various issues allowing incompatible Attachment combinations in the Gunsmith.
    • Weapons converted from burst-fire to full-auto now display an accurate Fire Rate in the Detailed Stats modal.
    • Proper team colors are now shown on the minimap in Gunfight mode.
    • HUD widgets now properly display downed teammates in Cutthroat mode.
    • Calling Cards are now sized appropriately in HUD splash notifications.
    • Fixed Event challenge completion splashes displaying incorrect rewards.
    • Addressed an exploit allowing Gunsmith Attachment limits to be bypassed.
    • Adjusted descriptions and Pros and Cons for various Attachments to more accurately reflect their true statistics.

PROGRESSION

  • Addressed an exploit allowing kills without dying challenges to be completed improperly.
  • Improved tracking of the Priceless Camo challenge for the RGL-80.
  • Removed duplicate JAK BFB Muzzle Attachment unlock for the BAS-B.
  • Removed duplicate Cronen Dark KX30 Muzzle unlocks for the Kastov 762 and Chimera.

MAPS

  • Rundown
    • Improved inconsistent bullet penetration on low-wall surfaces.
  • Scrapyard
    • Added a mantle prompt to the shipping container near the Loading Zone.
    • Fixed an exploit allowing players to interact with Demolition objectives from an unintended location.
  • Terminal
    • Fixed an exploit allowing players to interact with Demolition objectives from an unintended location.
  • Tokyo
    • Removed collision causing low-flying aerial Killstreaks to be destroyed.
    • Improved private match Bot player pathing near vehicles.
    • Fixed multiple areas where enemy nameplates could be seen through walls.

WEAPONS & ATTACHMENTS

Submachine Guns

  • FJX Horus
    • Decreased maximum damage range from 15.2m to 13.7m (-10%).
    • Decreased near-medium damage range from 25.4m to 22.9m (-10%).
    • Decreased medium damage range from 33m to 29.7m (-10%).
    • Decreased far-medium damage range from 40.6m to 36.6m (-10%).
    • JAK Scimitar Kit
      • Increased damage range benefit from 35% to 65%.

Shotguns

  • KV Broadside
    • JAK Jawbreaker Conversion Kit
      • Fixed an issue causing Muzzle Attachment to unequip in gameplay.

Marksman Rifles

  • Kar98k
    • Removed hipfire aim assist properties for controller input devices.
    • Decreased strength of ADS aim assist properties for controller input devices.

Controller aim assist properties of the Kar98k are now aligned with the Sniper Rifle class.

  • Lockwood Mk2
    • JAK Wardens Conversion Kit
      • Increased sprint to fire speed from 35ms to 100ms (+186%).
      • Decreased maximum damage range from 4.6m to 3m (-33%).
      • Decreased near-medium damage range from 8.9m to 7.1m (-20%).

Sniper Rifles

  • Carrack .300
    • Increased maximum damage from 95 to 128 (+35%).
    • Increased near-medium damage from 90 to 95 (+6%).
    • Increased medium damage from 70 to 90 (+29%).
    • Increased minimum damage from 60 to 70 (+17%).
    • Decreased maximum damage range from 30.7m to 12.7m (-59%).
    • Decreased near-medium damage range from 58.1m to 30.7m (-47%).
    • Decreased medium damage range from 69.6m to 58.1m (-16%).
    • Increased head and neck damage multiplier from 1.7x to 2.2x.
    • Increased lower torso damage multiplier from 1x to 1.1x.

Handguns

  • COR-45
    • XRK IP-V2 Conversion Kit
      • Fixed an exploit allowing the Akimbo Rear Grip to be equipped.

FIELD UPGRADES

  • A.C.S.
    • Hacked equipment will no longer prompt the player to pick it up.

KILLSTREAKS

  • Mosquito Drone
    • Damage is no longer dealt to the Killstreak owner near a drone explosion.
  • Mortar Strike
    • Removed 2s delay before mortar fire begins once the target is marked.
    • Decreased mortar travel time from 4s to 3s (-25%).
    • Decreased delay between mortars from 500-750ms to 250-500ms.
    • Increased number of mortars per wave from 4 to 6.
    • Decreased time between waves from 3.25-4s to 2.25-2.75s.

Given these changes, the time between target acquisition and first mortar impact is halved from 6s to 3s. Although the overall duration of a wave has not changed due to the increase in mortars and decrease in delay, it is now more difficult to outrun a Mortar Strike.

  • Missile Drone
    • Improved flight paths on several maps to prevent obstructed view of playspace.
  • Swarm
    • Damage is no longer dealt to the Killstreak owner near a drone explosion.
  • DNA Bomb
    • Players within vehicles are no longer immune to death.

RANKED PLAY

  • Unrestricted the MTZ-556 Assault Rifle.
  • Unrestricted the Holger 556 Assault Rifle.

Thanks to all who participated in the Ranked Play Weapon Evaluation in recent months. Based on the data we previously shared, we’ve made the decision to unrestrict an additional two Assault Rifles for use in Multiplayer Ranked Play. We’ll continue to monitor feedback for further opportunities to increase the variety of Weapon usage in the competitive experience.

ZOMBIES

NEW CONTENT: UNSTABLE RIFTS

Get ready for a new wave-based combat challenge: Unstable Rifts. When you enter an Unstable Rift, you’ll face increasingly intense waves of enemies. Win and the cooldown will reset on all your insured weapons and schematics, letting you enter the next match fully equipped. If you miss the chance to join a Rift, Strike Team Operators can locate additional opportunities on the map.

Beware, Unstable Rifts are unpredictable. Some things work differently; some advantages are given, and others taken away. However, the loot is worth it: a maxed-out Pack-A-Punch weapon with maximum Rarity to use while in the Rift, plus free Perks and Upgrades to help you face the hordes.

UIX

  • Bug Fixes
    • Fixed inaccurate weapon ammo counts being displayed on the HUD.
    • Addressed an issue causing parties of three or more to become stuck while matchmaking.
    • Camo unlock requirements for Melee weapons will no longer display inconsistently.
    • Resolved an issue with notifications repeating and replicating for some unlocks.

PROGRESSION

  • The Prestige 14 Zombies calling card challenge “Run ‘Em Down” (Pickup Artist) now tracks properly.

WEAPONS & ATTACHMENTS

Submachine Guns

  • Lachmann Shroud
    • JAK Decimator Conversion Kit
      • Pack-a-Punch will no longer remove the full-auto firing capability.

Sniper Rifles

  • Equipping an explosive ammunition will no longer prevent Ammo Mods from being activated.

Dive right into the Season 4 Reloaded update with the best guns, controller settings, audio setup, and FOV settings.

Source: Call of Duty