MW4 launch patch notes: perks, streaks, movement and every key fix
Blood Rush now owns Tactical Sprint, UAVs are tougher, Flash and Concussion are weaker and SMGs got a close-range boost. Here's what Infinity Ward changed for launch.
By n0xen2 min read
Infinity Ward published the launch patch notes for Modern Warfare 4 on 23 October. The headline changes affect how you move, which perks are worth a slot and how quickly streaks come back. The structured list below links every change to its page on MW4 Intel.
The big ones
- Tactical Sprint is no longer standard. It now comes from the Blood Rush perk (Perk 2), and with Blood Rush equipped there’s no extra sprint-out penalty. The default input is a single tap of run; double-tap and other options are still in Movement Advanced Settings.
- No per-gun numbers yet. Every weapon and attachment had a balance pass. SMGs are stronger at close to mid range, and one-shot weapons had flinch and damage tuned. Infinity Ward says further weapon tuning is under review.
- TTK: players preferred the Beta Weekend 2 time-to-kill. Rather than publish new TTK numbers, the team rebalanced individual weapons and classes around it.
- Streaks stay expensive. Beta streak costs remain. The UAV costs 5 kills (4 with Hardline), but now has 150 health instead of 100. Objective play, like capturing a Domination flag, now fills your streak meter too.
Progression notes
- Create-a-Class unlocks at Player Level 4. Use the Default Loadouts until then.
- Weapon Prestige returns. Prestiging a gun locks its attachments, including shared ones, and switches it to a classic level track. Shared attachments stay unlocked on your other weapons.
- Some seasonal Apex and attachments from the Beta have been pulled for now. The notes say they’re coming back soon.
- Weekly Challenges won’t be in Season 1. Events take their place: they reward Apex Attachments, camos, calling cards and Operator skins, and recurring events let you retry rewards you missed.
Known issues
Infinity Ward is tracking live issues on its official Modern Warfare 4 Trello board. At launch, the main known issue was DMZ AI vehicles driving without drivers or getting stuck. Fixes have rolled out and the team is monitoring them.
Sources:
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Launch Patch Notes — Infinity Ward, 23 Oct 2026
Weapon Balancing
- Buff
SMGs are more effective at close to mid range.
- Nerf
One-shot-kill weapons are balanced with flinch and damage tuning.
- Change
All weapons had a balance pass, and attachments were retuned. Advanced Weapon Stats are available from launch.
- FixRezi 12
The Firing Range no longer shows a 0.00 TTK for the Rezi 12.
Gameplay Changes
- ChangeBlood Rush
Tactical Sprint is no longer a default movement option. It is granted by the Blood Rush perk, with no extra sprint-out penalty.
- Change
Tactical Sprint now defaults to a single tap of run. Double-tap and other inputs are in Movement Advanced Settings.
- Fix
Enemy movement now matches between first and third person, fixing several snaking exploits and unrealistic animations.
Map Updates
- FixDeathstalker
Invisible collisions on Summit near the Barracks no longer block calling in a Deathstalker.
- FixCachette
Fixed visual issues on Cachette.
Equipment Changes
- BuffBattle Hardened
Battle Hardened negates more of the effects of Flash, Concussion and Screamer Mine.
- BuffResupply
Resupply's first recharge comes faster.
- NerfFlash Grenade
Flash Grenade has slightly reduced range and duration.
- NerfConcussion Grenade
Concussion Grenade has slightly reduced range and duration.
- BuffUAV
UAV health increased from 100 to 150. It still costs 5 kills, or 4 with Hardline.
- BuffWheelson
Wheelson's pathing and targeting were reworked to be more aggressive.
- FixArgonaut
The killstreak counter no longer resets after using the Argonaut.
- FixPortable Radar
Portable Radar now works in Free-for-All.
Bug Fixes
- Fix
Military Camos and Apex Attachments no longer appear locked again after you prestige a weapon.
- Fix
Seeker Drone can no longer be deployed out of bounds in some areas.
- Fix
Fixed a Multiplayer server crash, and match completions now count correctly towards progress.
Other Changes
- Change
Weapon builds no longer auto-save when you leave Gunsmith; save them manually. Edits made during a match still save automatically.
- Change
Pre-game countdowns are shorter, and maps start pre-loading earlier.
