Modern Warfare 4’s first Beta weekend is almost over, but Infinity Ward is continuing to make significant changes to Multiplayer before the free Open Beta begins.
The latest MW4 Beta update, released August 24, focuses heavily on weapon lethality and time-to-kill. Infinity Ward says it is adjusting several weapons specifically to increase the minimum TTK, following feedback gathered throughout the Early Access weekend. Players preparing for Weekend Two can also check our MW4 Beta dates and Open Beta schedule for the full timings.
Rather than changing overall player health, the developers are tuning individual weapons through damage-range reductions and changes to head, neck and torso multipliers.
These are confirmed changes from Infinity Ward’s official Beta patch notes. No leaked or rumoured weapon changes are included below.
Infinity Ward Is Still Changing MW4's Time-to-Kill
Time-to-kill has become one of the biggest discussion points surrounding the Modern Warfare 4 Beta.
Infinity Ward already adjusted weapon lethality earlier in the weekend, but the August 24 patch goes significantly further. The studio says it is continuing to examine both player feedback and live gameplay data, and more weapon and attachment changes are expected when Weekend Two begins.
Gaming outlets covering the update have also highlighted just how broad the latest tuning pass is, with multiple Assault Rifles, SMGs and Marksman Rifles affected.
The important takeaway is that MW4's current Beta weapon balance should not be treated as final.
M4 Effective Range Reduced
The M4 receives another important adjustment in the August 24 patch.
Its maximum-damage range has been reduced from 25.4 metres to 20.3 metres, while its medium damage range now ends significantly earlier.
Infinity Ward has also introduced an additional damage step at longer ranges, meaning the M4 becomes less effective as distance increases.
That follows an earlier Beta change that reduced the M4's headshot multiplier, reinforcing Infinity Ward's attempt to prevent extremely fast kills from one of the Beta's most familiar Assault Rifles.
AXION and HAN 86 Have Shorter Damage Ranges
The AXION has also had its effective range reduced.
Its maximum-damage range now ends at 25.1 metres instead of 27.6 metres, while its medium-damage range has been shortened from 50.8 metres to 47 metres.
The HAN 86 receives a similar treatment. Its maximum-damage range drops from 26.1 metres to 23.5 metres, and its medium range now ends at 43.7 metres instead of 47.5 metres.
These changes do not completely redefine either weapon, but they reduce the distances at which players can achieve their fastest kills.
PPSh-41 Nerfed at Medium Range
SMG players are also affected.
The PPSh-41 keeps its maximum 22 damage at extremely close range, but that strongest range has been shortened slightly.
More importantly, its next damage tier has been reduced from 18 damage to 17, while several of its effective range bands have also been shortened.
Infinity Ward had already reduced the PPSh-41's headshot multiplier during an earlier Beta balance pass, so the August 24 update represents another reduction to its overall lethality.
MAR-9 Takes a Major Range Reduction
One of the largest individual range changes affects the MAR-9 Marksman Rifle.
Its 50-damage maximum range previously extended to 30.7 metres. Following the August 24 patch, that range ends at just 20.8 metres.
Its following damage ranges have also been pulled closer, reducing how forgiving the weapon is when engaging enemies from distance.
For players preparing loadouts for the Open Beta, this is exactly why copying a Beta build from earlier in the weekend may no longer produce the same results.
Kastov 762 Apex Attachment Also Hit
The Kastov 762's Kastov 545 Apex Attachment receives substantial damage changes too.
Its maximum damage falls from 36 to 31, while subsequent damage bands are also reduced.
The patch therefore is not limited to basic weapon statistics. Infinity Ward is examining specific attachments and conversion-style configurations as part of the wider TTK review.
10v10 Gunfight Removed Until Weekend Two
Weapon balance is not the only change.
Infinity Ward has removed 10v10 Gunfight on Kill Block from the current playlist rotation.
The developer has already confirmed that this mode will return during Weekend Two, so the removal is temporary.
Players can currently access Quick Play, Open Moshpit, Search and Destroy, Transit 213, Inflation and 3v3 Gunfight on Kill Block.
Bug Fixes Included in the August 24 Update
The update also fixes several smaller issues.
Infinity Ward has corrected an out-of-bounds exploit on Cachette, fixed incorrect attachment “Cons” being displayed for some optics, resolved instances of lobby music continuing during matches and addressed repeated Gunny unlock notifications.
Artillery Beacon explosion audio has also been adjusted to reduce secondary echo effects and improve clarity.
MW4 Open Beta Begins August 28
Weekend One of the Modern Warfare 4 Beta ends on August 25 at 10:00 AM PT, which is 6:00 PM BST in the UK.
The free Open Beta then begins on August 28 at 10:00 AM PT and runs until September 1.
Infinity Ward has confirmed it will return with additional patch-note updates during every full day of the Open Beta, meaning the current weapon balance is likely to change again before testing finishes.
Weekend One Early Access has now ended, meaning an MW4 Beta Access Code is no longer required to participate in Weekend Two. Players can instead join the free Open Beta from August 28. If you're planning to play, check our complete MW4 Beta rewards and Twitch Drops guide to see the cosmetics and rewards available during the Beta.
What This Means for the MW4 Open Beta
The biggest lesson from Weekend One is that Infinity Ward is prepared to make rapid balance changes.
The M4, AXION, HAN 86, PPSh-41 and MAR-9 have all now been affected by the studio's wider attempt to slow the fastest kill scenarios.
Infinity Ward has explicitly stated that more changes are coming once the Open Beta begins, so the strongest weapons from Early Access may not remain the strongest choices through Weekend Two.
For players interested in Modern Warfare 4 DLC codes and rewards, Weekend Two should be particularly important because it expands the Beta further and introduces additional content before Modern Warfare 4 launches later this year.
Outside the Beta, players can also prepare for the upcoming Monster Energy promotion. Our MW4 Monster Energy codes and rewards guide covers the promotional rewards, codes, redemption information and everything currently known about the collaboration.
