CoD BO7 Update: Season 3 Weapon Buffs, Sniper Tweaks & Scorestreak Changes
A new Black Ops 7 update just dropped, bringing a round of balance adjustments focused mainly on Season 3 weapons, along with a few important scorestreak fixes. While it’s not a massive patch, the changes are meaningful and should noticeably improve gameplay balance. Let’s break down everything you need to know.

The Mark 35 ISR assault rifle was falling behind compared to other weapons in its class — and the developers clearly recognized that. Instead of overcorrecting, the update focuses on improving headshot effectiveness:
Fewer headshots are now required to reduce time-to-kill
Damage adjustments slightly improve performance in its optimal range
Sprint-out time has been reduced, making it feel more responsive
These changes don’t make the weapon overpowered, but they do make it far more competitive, especially for players who can consistently land headshots.
The VST SMG receives recoil-focused improvements aimed at making it more accessible:
Reduced vertical recoil (less aggressive climb)
Buffs to several recoil-control attachments
Slightly improved overall handling
The weapon still has noticeable recoil, preserving its identity, but it should now feel more manageable for a wider range of players.
The Strider 300 sniper rifle saw multiple adjustments:
Faster fire rate (both base and rapid fire variants)
Improved aim-down-sight (ADS) speed
Better performance for collateral kills
Additionally, a future update will address its awkward ADS animation—something many players have found frustrating, especially for quickscoping. To balance these buffs, the weapon now has:
Increased flinch when taking damage
This creates better counterplay, rewarding precision while preventing it from becoming too dominant.
A few smaller but still useful changes include:
12-Gauge Masterkey (Shadow SK): Improved accuracy and better recoil benefits for the base weapon
Carbon 57: Fixed a visual issue with hybrid optics
1911 Pistol: Adjusted attachment behavior and visual recoil, though no direct nerfs were applied
Interestingly, the 1911 remains one of the strongest sidearms in the game, and many players expected a balance adjustment — but for now, it stays untouched.
Ion Core Changes
The Ion Core receives several important tweaks:
Health significantly reduced, making it easier to destroy
EMP grenades now deal more damage and can disable its active pulse
Placement restrictions have been relaxed for smoother deployment
These updates make the Ion Core less frustrating to counter while also improving usability for players deploying it.
Deadeye Drone Fix
A major bug has finally been resolved: The drone is no longer invincible when using certain upgrades
This fix restores fairness and prevents unintended advantages during matches.
While this isn’t a massive content update, it’s a solid balance pass! The developers clearly aimed for refinement rather than overhaul, and the result is a more balanced and enjoyable experience heading deeper into Season 3. Now it’s your turn — how do these changes feel in-game?