Players will soon be dropping into Warzone 2.0 – Call of Duty's revamped battle royale experience which launches later this month.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2 is Activision's follow-up to the original Call of Duty: Warzone. The title redefined the battle royale genre when it initially launched back in March 2020, as the series answer to the phenomenal success of Fortnite. Since then, we've seen the launch of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, and this new version of the game has been built for the latest generation of hardware. But don't worry, it'll still see a release on last gen's hardware.
Warzone 2.0 was unveiled at the Call of Duty Next event back on September 16, and is launching later this month. Players can look forward to a slew of innovations that should make Warzone 2.0 truly feel like a new game, rather than just a sizeable expansion for Warzone.
The title is getting a brand-new map of its own, and we'll see significant changes to gameplay and mechanics compared to the original Warzone experience. Expect to see a lot in common with the new Modern Warfare 2 in terms of gunplay, progression, and other features. Here's everything we know so far about Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0.
Warzone 2 release date and platforms
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 releases on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 alongside the Season 1 content for both it and Modern Warfare 2. The confirmed launch time for Warzone 2.0, and the two games' Season 1 content is 6pm GMT / 1pm ET / 10am PT. Players can pre-load Warzone 2.0 two days prior, from Monday, November 14, at 6pm GMT / 1pm ET / 10am PT.
These are the start and pre-load times for all platforms that the title is launching on, which include PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
The original Warzone shared Battle Pass progression with Modern Warfare, Black Ops Cold War, Vanguard, and this year's iterations are no different. While the Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer, and Warzone 2.0 are separate, standalone games, Battle Pass progression will be shared across both.
Warzone 2 new map
You can't blame Call of Duty players for being a bit nervous about Warzone 2.0's brand-new map. The original Warzone launched with the Verdansk map which was a hit with the community. It was wiped out during a live event and replaced with the far less popular Caldera.
Warzone 2.0's Al Mazrah map is being touted as the largest Warzone map ever, which isn't too hard to pull off, given that we've only had two prior. Set in the fictional Republic of Adal in Western Asia, Al Mazrah features 18 brand-new major points of interest:
- Oasis
- Taraq Village
- Quarry (Al Safwa Quarry)
- Rohan Oil
- Al Mazrah City
- Hydroelectric
- Marshlands (Mawizeh Marshlands)
- Caves (Sattiq Caves)
- Port (Hafid Port)
- Sa’id City
- Observatory (Zaya Observatory0
- Al Sharim Pass
- Cemetery (El Samman Cemetery)
- Ahkdar Village
- Sawah Village
- Sarrif Bay
- Al Bagra Fortress
- Airport (Al Malik Airport)
From what we've seen so far, Al Mazrah seems to be the antithesis of Caldera, with built-up city locations and desert-focused POI's replacing the vibrant, tree-heavy, and vast open spaces featured in the current Warzone map.
Al Mazrah will also feature several references to previous Call of Duty titles, which are sure to get players' nostalgic juices flowing. For example, two maps from the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009), Highrise and Terminal, will feature in Al Mazrah City and Al Malik Airport respectively.
Modern Warfare 2 players are already getting a peek at Al Mazrah with the multiplayer maps below are subsections of Warzone 2.0's huge map.
- Al Bagra Fortress (Core Map)
- Embassy (Core Map)
- Zarqwa Hydroelectric (Core Map)
- Taraq (both Core and Battle Map)
- Sariff Bay (Battle Map)
- Sa’id (Battle Map)
Warzone 2 Battle Pass
The Call of Duty Warzone 2.0 Battle Pass releases on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 and will go live at 6pm GMT / 1pm ET / 10am PT, coinciding with the official release of Warzone 2.0.
Although Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer and Warzone 2.0 are completely separate games, Battle Pass progression will be shared across both. The Call of Duty Warzone 2.0 Battle Pass will probably cost 1,000 COD points, in-line with past BPs, and can be purchased in-game. That equates to £8.49 / $9.99 / AU$14.95, and when buy 1,000 COD points you get a bonus 100 points for free, so you fritter those away on whatever you like.
Unlike past seasons, the new Battle Pass system is ditching the linear Battle Pass with its tiers that you need to work through to unlock cosmetics and items. Instead, it takes the form of a multi-sector map. There are 20 sectors, with five items in each sector. To unlock BP items, you need to earn Battle Token Tier Skips across the map. You can use them to unlock neighbouring sectors, or to earn additional items in an already-unlocked sector.
This new approach is geared towards letting players unlock the items they actually want at their own pace. You can hop over to the sector containing whatever it is you have your eye on, and work your way towards unlocking it. Once you're done, you can hop over to a different sector rather than having to work your way through an arbitrary linear list.
There hasn't been a full Battle Pass reveal just yet, but four new weapons have already been confirmed. The Victus XMR Sniper Rifle and BAS-P SMG will be available in the BP for free at launch. The M13B Assault Rifle will also be ready to go at launch, but as a either a store bundle or unlock challenge. The Chimera Assault Rifle is coming mid-season, and is another item that you'll need to either buy in a store bundle or get through an unlock challenge.
It's worth bearing in mind that if you buy the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Vault Edition, you'll get the Battle Pass thrown in, as well as 50 Battle Pass tier skips. It's also important to note that although Warzone Mobile isn't expected to launch until 2023, but when it does release, Battle Pass progression will be shared across Warzone Mobile, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer, and Warzone 2.0.
Warzone 2 gameplay
Existing Warzone players are in for some significant gameplay changes when they transition to Warzone 2.0. Activision outlined the details in a blog post this week, touching the plethora of innovations and new features we can expect in the sequel. It's also been confirmed that Weapon mechanics and gameplay physics will be shared across Warzone 2.0 and Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer, as will Battle Pass progression and weapon progression.
From the limited gameplay we've seen so far, movement seems to be slower and more sluggish in Warzone 2.0, with Activision also removing players' ability to slide-cancel. But, there are a variety of new gameplay elements, including the introduction of water combat.
You'll will be able to swim on the surface, and underwater in Warzone 2.0, but you'll have to be careful when diving; you'll only have a limited window before your character runs out of breath. You'll be able to use weapons when swimming on the surface and under the water too, but not you primary weapons. You'll have to make do with a pistol or knife in these situations. But you're still free to use lethal and tactical equipment underwater, which could lead to some interesting close-quarter battles.
Looting will be a different experience in Warzone 2.0, with Activision implementing a DMZ-style backpack system. The system has been streamlined for the Battle Royale modes, with players able to loot from duffel bags, medical cases, and even the backpack of defeated players. You can sort, add, and remove items from their backpacks via a loot menu, in what is a more simple version of the backpack system from the hardcore FPS game Escape from Tarkov.
There's also a new interrogation mechanic, in which you can interrogate a downed player-controlled enemy in order to reveal the rest of the team's location. You can also lean out of vehicles to fire weapons, and even jump onto the roof whilse the vehicle is moving, which looks cool if nothing else.
The Gulag will also be revamped for Warzone 2.0, with Activision confirming that you'll have to survive a 2v2 battle to return to Al Mazrah. Players will be paired up randomly and will receive a predefined loadout, although at launch you'll have to make do with a pistol or shotgun. Weapons will be scattered in the middle of the Gulag if you want to change things up.
Another new Gulag element is the addition of a Jailer – a powerful AI enemy who will appear in the middle of the match. Should any player defeat the Jailer, all four players will return to Al Mazrah, offering an additional redeployment method. But, if one team fails to eliminate the other, or the Jailer isn't defeated after a set period of time, everyone loses, so you'll have to get on with it.
Circles have been overhauled as well. In the original Warzone, players have to deal with one big closing circle, which gradually shrinks during the game. In Warzone 2.0, there can be up to three independent circles although they'll merge for an epic showdown between the survivors. This feature will be randomised for each match, meaning the circles could split early or late, so you'll have to adapt on the fly.
AI enemies have also been added to the Warzone 2.0 battle-royale experience, but only in specific locations in Al Mazrah, including Strongholds and Black Sites. These points will be clearly designated on your map, and the AI will only engage if you engage with them first. It's worth getting involved, because if you defeat the AI enemies in these locations, you'll be handsomely rewarded .
Warzone 2 loadouts
When Warzone 2.0 was first shown to the world, it was revealed that custom loadouts had been completely removed from the game, with players only able to buy and upgrade weapons by visiting specific buy stations.
But, following significant community unrest, Activision relented – and custom loadouts are back for Warzone 2.0. There are a few ways to get your loadout in Al Mazrah:
- Shops – Players can use in-match Cash at the Shops (new name for the Buy Station) to purchase their Primary Weapon from their created Loadouts
- Loadout Drop Public Event – Loadout Drops will drop into Al Mazrah in the middle of Battle Royale matches. However, these are not limited or assigned to individual squads, but instead can be accessed by any players.
- Strongholds and Black Sites – Players can also earn their Loadout in the early game as a reward for clearing a Stronghold or a Black Site.
- Additionally, in-match Cash can be used to purchase your Primary Weapon from created Loadouts.
Warzone 2 Gunsmith
Activision is introducing a brand new Gunsmith for both Warzone 2.0 and Modern Warfare 2, replacing the loadout creation tool from Modern Warfare and the original Warzone.
Within each weapon section, you can adjust the build of your weapon, customise its look, and track weapon progression. In the original Warzone's loadout creation tool, each weapon was classed as a separate family, with each weapon having largely unique attachment pools.
In the new Gunsmith for Warzone 2.0, each weapon platform will have its own attachment pool which features receivers, muzzles, stocks, barrels, magazines and rear grips, specific to that class of weapon. These attachments can be used across all weapons within the platform once they've been unlocked.
But, there's also a pool of attachments that can be used across all weapons that are able to equip them, including optics, ammunition, underbarrels, foregrips and muzzles. So, once you unlock an attachment of this type, they are unlocked for all weapons. Levelling up weapons also unlocks attachments along the way, which is the same system as the original Warzone.
Once you've reached max level with a weapon on Warzone 2.0, you'll get access to a new Weapon Tuning menu, allowing you to tune attachments in more detail to suit your playing style.
Warzone 2 vehicles
Warzone 2.0 rolls out a new refuelling mechanic, which applies to all vehicles in the game including cars, trucks, helicopters, boats and the rest. All vehicles will have a limited amount of fuel, and once it runs out, they can no longer be used.
To refuel, you'll will need to visit Gas Stations, or pick up gas cans from around the map. Damaged vehicles can also be repaired at Gas Stations, restoring the vehicle's health. If run into a flat tyre, you can fix it just by interacting with the tyre wherever you are on the map.
There are two new vehicles for Warzone 2.0 including a new Heavy Chopper, which can hover without a pilot, and a GMC Hummer EV pickup.
Here's the full list of vehicles you can find in Al Mazrah:
- ATV: Nimble three-seater with little protection
- UTV: All-terrain lightweight four-seater.
- Hatchback: Four-door civilian vehicle without any significant protection.
- SUV (Standard): All-terrain civilian 4x4 with a boxy frame.
- GMC Hummer EV: All-electric super-truck engineered for off-road.
- Cargo Truck: Large industrial vehicle with a flatbed.
- Light Helo: Twin-engine light helicopter for rapid traversal and combat support.
- Heavy Chopper: Heavily armoured search-and-rescue helicopter.
- RHIB: Maneuverable tactical boat designed for Special Forces.
- Armoured Patrol Boat: Reinforced aquatic vehicle with mounted .50 Cal machine guns.
Warzone 2 third-person mode
Warzone 2.0 is getting dedicated third-person playlists, but they'll be rotated with other playlists during Season 1, so it won't be a permanent option unfortunately. Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer also features a third-person mode and it's a permanent fixture, so if you're pining for it, that's always an option.
Warzone 2 trailer
Our first glimpse at Warzone 2.0 gameplay was at Call of Duty Next. The three-minute trailer showcased features from both the new Warzone as well as Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer.
We got a peek at brand new Gunsmith, Al Mazrah map, and more. You can check out the trailer below, and watch the full showcase on the Call of Duty YouTube channel.
Will Warzone 2 replace Warzone?
In short, no. Warzone 2.0 will be a completely independent experience, and players will still be able to play the original Warzone. The game is being rebranded as Warzone Caldera and is having a lengthy period of downtime from 4pm GMT / 11am ET / 8am PT on Wednesday, November 16 until 6pm GMT / 1pm ET / 10am PT on Monday, November 28.
When Warzone Caldera returns, ReBirth Island and Fortune's Keep will both be removed from the game entirely. The standard battle royale playlist will be the only one available, alongside a single map – Caldera. Content won't be transferable between Warzone Caldera and Warzone 2.0. That goes for weapon progression, skins, tokens etc. But COD Points are transferable between all games.
Will Warzone 2 have a second map?
Warzone 2.0 is launching with just the one map – Al Mazrah. But Activision has hinted that a second, smaller, battle royale map, could make an appearance in the future. Although probably not until later in Season 1 at the earliest.
