Black Ops 7 Season 5 Takes Aim at the AN-94 and Refreshes Ranked Play

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Season 5 brings a round of weapon balance changes, Ranked Play adjustments, a classic-themed playlist, and fixes across the game’s major modes. The update is scheduled to arrive on July 23 at 11:00 a.m. CT / 9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. BST.

The weapon changes focus on reducing the strength of the AN-94 and Swordfish A1 while giving the DS20 Mirage and M8A1 some help. Ranked Play also receives new map-pool additions and changes to Skill Rating losses.

Season 5 weapon balance changes

The AN-94 assault rifle will no longer secure a four-shot body kill at its maximum damage range. That change is intended to reduce the rifle’s power at the distances where it has been especially effective.

The Carbon 57’s Fabricator Mag will now wait one second after firing before it begins regenerating ammunition. The Swordfish A1 and its MFS Penta Burst Mod will also receive longer burst delays and increased recoil.

On the buff side, the DS20 Mirage will share ammunition between its two fire modes. Its Dual Fire Kit will improve mobility, and the rifle will have better close-range headshot potential. The M8A1 marksman rifle will receive new neck damage multipliers to improve its time to kill. Additional weapon fixes address the Ryden 45K, Coda 9, A.R.C. M1, and Executioner’s Duet melee weapon.

Ranked Play changes

Season 5 will increase Skill Rating losses for players in the Platinum, Diamond, and Crimson ranks. The change is intended to reduce rank inflation at the higher levels.

Opponent Rank bonuses and penalties will now apply only when the opposing player is at least three rank tiers above or below your own rank.

The Ranked Play map pool will also expand with the following additions:

Hardpoint

• Frequency
• Vertigo
• Blackheart
• Exposure

Search & Destroy

• Frequency
• Vertigo
• Colossus
• Exposure
• Scar

Overload

• Frequency

Black Ops Classic playlist

Season 5 will add the Black Ops Classic playlist to the Featured section. It draws from the original Black Ops and Black Ops 2 with simplified movement, classic maps, and classic modes.

The playlist will appear alongside Moshpit and Nuketown 24/7, giving players another way to revisit the series’ older multiplayer style without leaving Black Ops 7.

Multiplayer, Zombies, and Endgame fixes

In Multiplayer, the Iron Rain Scorestreak will release its bombs faster and will no longer be countered by Flak Jacket. The update will also fix problems involving Scorestreak activation and objective markers.

Zombies will receive bug fixes for Kowakujo, Totenreich, Paradox Junction, Astra Malorum, and Ashes of the Damned. The changes also cover quest progression, Wonder Weapon problems, and exploits.

Rogue Run will feature fewer zombies, improved armor, and several quality-of-life changes. Some weapons will also receive improvements tied to overheating and alternate fire.

In Endgame, LMGs and the XM325 will take longer to overheat. Other fixes will address progression, weapon camos, and overall stability.

Patch Notes

The Season 5 changes affect weapon balance, high-rank progression, playlist selection, and bugs across Multiplayer, Zombies, and Endgame. The official Black Ops 7 Season 5 patch notes contain the complete list of changes.

Season 5 is scheduled to arrive on July 23. Tell us what you think of the AN-94 nerf and the Black Ops Classic playlist in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

Developed by Treyarch, Raven Software

Embrace the madness.

In Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Treyarch and Raven Software are bringing players the most mind-bending Black Ops ever. The year is 2035 and the world is on the brink of chaos, ravaged by violent conflict and psychological warfare following the events of the fan-favorite titles Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 6. Wielding cutting-edge technology, the Black Ops team led by David Mason must fight back against a manipulative enemy who weaponizes fear above all else.

• Genre: Shooter
• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One
• Modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
• Release: 2025-11-14
• Publisher: Activision
• Age Rating: ACB MA 15+ / ESRB M
• IGDB Rating: 31.0/100

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