Soon: Gear and Weapon Rebalance
Friends!
"Storm Peak" is on its way to shake things up! As part of the seasonal update, we're reworking several weapons, devices, and gear sets, along with refining class balance. Read on to learn about the changes!
What are these changes for?
We’ve been closely monitoring key gameplay elements such as weapon balance, combat pacing, and player reaction times. Recently, we noticed a significant drop in time-to-kill metrics, giving players less chance to react when under fire.
This rapid change has noticeably reduced gameplay diversity. Previously, players had the option to prioritize a precise headshot for a quick takedown or rely on body shots for a slower, more accessible elimination. Now, the margin for tactical choices has narrowed, reducing the importance of precision, tactical thinking, and class distinctions.
Our goal is to rebalance weapons and class dynamics and expanding strategic options. We aim to better align precision and power, creating a more rewarding experience for players at all skill levels—whether they focus on headshots, recoil control, or leveraging class-specific strengths.
A key part of this is emphasizing class roles, with particular attention to the Engineer. Assault rifles will now require headshots or controlled recoil to perform well, while engineer's weapons will gain close-combat power at the expense of range. Additionally, we’re reducing grenade impact, making teamwork more critical. Moving forward, we’ll continue fine-tuning game balance by strengthening weaker weapons and scaling back those that are overpowered.
Improving and balancing weapons
We’re focusing on expanding viable weapon options for all classes by upgrading older legendary models. In the upcoming season, eight classic weapons will receive significant enhancements, bringing them in line with the current top META and adding them to the modification system. Notably, the Beretta ARX160, AK-12, MAG-7, Kalashnikov MP-155 Ultima, Honey Badger, CheyTac M200, Chiappa Triple Threat, and Tavor CTAR-21 will see major upgrades to compete with more modern alternatives.
Alongside these improvements, several other weapons have been rebalanced to align with their intended class roles and remain competitive. Most models received stat boosts to fit the new gear set system, while some required more extensive adjustments. Starter weapons were reworked to ensure rookie players have a smoother entry into the game. The AK Alpha, Typhoon F12, Kriss Super V Custom, CDX-MC Kraken, and Maxim 9 have been made more powerful and user-friendly.
Meanwhile, weapons such as the STK CMCR, MTs-572 'Astarta,' and ST Kinetics CPW received significant nerfs, as they were initially stronger than other options in the game.
"Sandstorm" gear set
A major addition is the new "Sandstorm" armour, which offers a balanced set of stats and improves survivability in combat. Once the update is live, this new gear will be available to all players upon logging in, becoming the new default starting armour, and replacing the older sets that are no longer purchasable. But don’t worry, any gear you previously acquired will remain unaffected.
The "Sandstorm" armour simplifies its stats compared to previous sets. It removes specialized protections against certain weapon types and instead boosts base armour stats, providing a single damage reduction stat for helmets and gloves. This change is intended to make the gear easier to use and more versatile.
Additionally, this gear will not provide any health or armour regeneration, meaning players will need to rely on Medics and Engineers for recovery after firefights. Additionally, the "Sandstorm" gear will replace the old "Graphite" set, which was the previous starter gear set, available to all players.
Reworking attachments
Weapon attachments will also soon undergo changes to ensure better balance and functionality. For instance, silencers will be nerfed for long-range engagements but improved for close combat. Suppressors will also be touched up, providing a balanced alternative to silencers.
Changes in the Modification System
As you progress through the levels of older models, the grind for Parts will feel more rewarding. Moving forward, we’ll increase the availability of Parts to make them more widely accessible to all players.
These weapons will have solid base stats but won’t include specialized mods or those that provide major performance boosts. Instead, the mods will focus on improving player comfort and offering customization to address any weak spots in the weapons.
Revamping devices
We've also reworked devices like grenades, the Throwing Tomahawk, Adrenaline, the Molotov, and the Armour Kit to align with the new gear and balance changes. Explosives, including grenades and claymores, will deal significantly less damage against the 'Sandstorm' set, and dual grenade mods will be less effective. Gas grenades will also be adjusted to encourage more tactical use rather than dominating through area control. In contrast, items like the Molotov and Armour Kit will receive effectiveness boosts to ensure they remain competitive alongside the reworked weapons.
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