Call of Duty: Vanguardwasn’t the smash-hit that fans were hoping for. While it had that same solidCall of Dutygroundwork behind it,Vanguardhad some real balancing issues along with subpar map designs, and a few other faults that held it back from reaching its full potential. Similarly,Warzone’s Pacific mapwas also met with fan backlash, as some game-breaking bugs and imbalances made it a chore to play for even the most die-hard followers.
Over the last few months, bothVanguardandWarzonehave slowly but surely become much better experiences, with a constant stream of updates being implemented that have fixed a slew of issues. Now that the games have been fixed up, at least for the most part,Sledgehammer Gamescan start adding some substantial content with Season 3.
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Everything Coming to Call of Duty: Vanguard in Season 3
Named “Classified Arms,” Season 3 ofCall of Duty: VanguardandWarzonewill come to the game on April 27. For those still grinding away inVanguard, both its multiplayer mode and Zombies mode are receiving additions and changes.
First up is a brand-new map called “Mayhem” for all those players who preferVanguard’s more claustrophobic maps. Set in a movie studio warehouse, players will weave in and out of three lanes, each one adorned in 1950s movie set dressings that act as the facade of a miniature city. While Mayhem will be available day one, a new map called “Sphere” will also be heading toVanguardlater in Season 3. Sphere is another smaller map in which players battle each other on two floors of an underground secret weapons laboratory.
Season 3 ofCall of Duty: Vanguardis also bringing some new weapons and equipment to the game, all of which can be used inWarzone. First up is one of the most heavily requested additions,the Trophy System equipment. Unlike other equipment inVanguard, the Trophy System will be immediately available to all players, not requiring battle pass progress.
VanguardSeason 3 is bringing four new weapons to the game. These titular “Classified Arms” include the new M1916 Marksman Rifle, which seems to boast a fast fire-rate at the cost of accuracy and stability; and theNikita AVT Assault Rifle, which has the highest fire-rate of its weapon class. These rifles will be available on launch, while a new melee weapon, the Junkyard Jet sledgehammer, and the H-4 Blixen SMG will be added later on Season 3.
Threenew Operators will be added toCall of Duty: Vanguardover the course of Season 3, with Mateo Hernandez appearing at launch. Hernandez is said to be a first-generation American who served as a tail-gunner and sniper in the Pacific. Florence Carter, the best helicopter pilot around, is heading toVanguardlater in Season 3; and Kim Tae Young, a mysterious masked close-quarters fighter, is heading to the game halfway through Season 3.
As is the case with every newCall of Dutyseason, Season 3 is also marking a refresh forRanked mode. For those who want to start their ascension all over again,Call of Duty: VanguardSeason 3 is throwing in some neat cosmetic unlocks, including an SMG and Assault Rifle Blueprint, as well as some unique emblems, camos, and charms.
As forVanguard’s maligned Zombies mode, there’s not a lot of new content coming in Season 3. Though Treyarch recently announced thatVanguardZombieswill finally get a classic round-based mode, that apparently won’t be coming for some time. However, Season 3 will be adding 20 new challenges that are unique to the mode.
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Everything Coming to Call of Duty: Warzone in Season 3
Of course,Call of Duty: Warzoneis also receiving a bunch on new content in this Season 3 update, including map changes and an event that seems truly gigantic. The most recent cinematic trailer hints at the scale of this event, titled “Operation Monarch.” In the trailer, the new Operators coming toVanguardandWarzoneare seeninfiltrating Caldera, taking momentary control of the island. Scouring the island uncovers some powerful experimental weapon prototypes, and a radio that emits the sound of a distant, deep roar.
ThoughGodzilla and King Kongwon’t be arriving until later in Season 3, evidence of an ancient battle between the two monsters' species can be seen around Caldera. Situated between the Mines and the Ruins, a new Dig Site point of interest has appeared. This dust-covered area is littered with the skeletal remains of giant lizard and primate creatures.
Along with this new area, some of Caldera’s most known drop-spots are getting makeovers. The Peak of Caldera’s mountains have now been fortified byMonarch’s army of scientists and mercenaries, turning the area into a large-scale fortress. Caldera’s Runway has been rebuilt, with much of the surrounding foliage being removed and replaced with a few more structures. Some guard towers, barracks, and hangars are all new additions, along with a few derelict planes that litter the Runway itself.
The Lagoon area is also receiving a switch-up, with the tide washing out and revealing another potential pathway to the lighthouse. This path features a few empty ships that have run aground, which can all be explored and used as a hiding spot. A new Gulag map will also be present inCall of Duty: WarzoneSeason 3. Created byCrash Bandicoot 4’s developer Toys for Bob, this new Gulag is named “Hold,” and will be set in the interior of a nearby ship with players facing off in a fairly open space.
WhileOperation Monarchdoesn’t officially land inWarzoneuntil May 11, players will be able to spot a whole plethora of hints and references leading up to the event. Players should expect a few more little map changes and tweaks as the Titans get closer to the island of Caldera.
Call of Duty: VanguardandWarzoneare available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Season 3 will launch April 27.
