Modern Warfare & Warzone May 18 update: new maps, Gulag guns, more

Infinity Ward has released a May 18 patch for Modern Warfare and Warzone, adding two multiplayer maps and a host of new Warzone features, from the new ‘Armor Box’ item, to extra Gulag guns and two battle royale modes, and more.

The latest Call of Duty patch will add two new maps to the multiplayer rotation. The first is a return of the popular Hardhat map from Modern Warfare 3, while the second is a new small arena which will be titled “Aisle 9.”

On the Warzone side of things, there will be two major updates made – the addition of a new item called Armor Box, and several more weapons added to the Gulag.

The May 19 update is expected to be 20.2GB for PlayStation 4 players, 31GB on Xbox One, and 26.1GB (premium) or 26.1GB (free-to-play) for PC editions. Here’s all the details on the latest Modern Warfare & Warzone patch:

Warzone gets Armor Box item, Gulag guns in May 18 patch

The Armor Box will be “similar to a Munitions Box,” according to the Infinity Ward devs. The new item can be used by players to replenish their armor supply. Players will be able to buy the Armor Box at Buy Stations, or find them in Supply Boxes.

Warzone’s do-or-die Gulag mode is getting a new bundle of guns to add to its random-select pool too, including several SMGs and assault rifles. The AK-47, Kilo 141, Ram-7, M13, Striker 45, and more. Pistols and shotguns have not been removed from the RNG pool.

• Read more: Modern Warfare leaks reveal early look at Season 4 weapons

Finally, the battle royale will be getting two new modes from May 19 ⁠— Classic Battle Royale, and Blood Money Quads. While the Quads playlist needs no introductions, the Classic mode does: it’s a barebones version of Warzone, with no contracts, buy stations, or Gulag.

Warzone players will have plenty of new SMG and AR options in the Gulag following the May 18 Modern Warfare update.

Hardhat, Aisle 9 added to Modern Warfare multiplayer

Warzone wasn’t the only flagship mode to get some love in Modern Warfare’s latest patch either. Two new maps have been unveiled for multiplayer, including a remake of the popular Modern Warfare 3 close-quarters arena Hardhat.

Hardhat first debuted in the Call of Duty franchise back in 2011. It quickly became renowned for its “fast-paced, frenetic combat,” mixed with a few longer routes. The remade map will be available in its own 24/7 playlist.

• Read more: Chicago Huntsmen confirm Prestinni as new CDL signing

Modern Warfare’s second new map, Aisle 9, will also be getting its own unique playlist to celebrate its arrival in the 2019 title. The playlist will be called “Clean Up on Aisle 9,” and will host TDM, Kill Confirmed, Grind, and Domination.

The fan-favorite map from MW3, Hardhat, will be released in Modern Warfare on May 18.

The latest Modern Warfare & Warzone patch may have been headlined by additions to the battle royale and multiplayer, but there’s plenty more too, including nerfs for the RPG and Renetti, and the return of Most Wanted contracts.

Here’s the full May 18 patch notes⁠, including playlist updates, weapon changes, general fixes, and more:

Modern Warfare & Warzone full May 18 update patch notes

Playlist Update

Modern Warfare

• Realism Moshpit with NVG
• Reinfected Ground War
• Core Ground War
• Blueprint Gunfight
• Aisle 9 Face Off Moshpit!
• Hard Hat 24/7!

Warzone

• BR Solos
• BR Trios
• BR Quads
• Blood Money Quads
• Armor Box (available via loot on the ground and purchasable at Buy Stations): Resupply the entire team’s armor.
• Added Most Wanted contracts back (in addition to the other 3 contracts, none have been removed).
• Loot Update:
  • Added the new SKS (legendary only)
  • Updated 5 New Blueprints:
  • AX-50 – Epic
  • Kilo 141 – Legendary
  • FAL – Epic
  • MP7 – Legendary
  • AUG- Epic
• Gulag Loadouts – the Gulag will now randomly choose from 6 ARs and 4 SMGs. All automatic, no burst or single fire guns included:
  • Kilo 141
  • M4
  • AK-47
  • M13
  • SCAR
  • Ram-7
  • MP5
  • AUG
  • P90
  • Striker 45

General Fixes

• Infected and Gun Game now feature playlist text to reinforce that KDR and win loss are not affected
• Blueprint variants of Gun Game and Gunfight can now be enabled in custom match advanced options for their respective modes
• Added the fire throwing knife to restricted equipment for CDL
• Fix for the ‘Splash Guard’ shotgun weapon camo not applying properly to the weapon
• Fixed a bug where on occasion, your selected Operator would not appear in the squad walk
• Added a ‘Hold to Use’ option that allows you to choose between a hold or a press for the interaction button on keyboard and mouse
• Adjusted the Monitor Distance Coefficient slider option to maximum value from 2.00 to 5.00
• Out of map exploit fixes across various maps
• Fixed a bug where players could take the ATV out of the map on Aniyah Palace
• Fix for an XP exploit in Hardpoint
• Fix for the ‘Time to Reap’ watch not displaying the time
• Fix for the ‘Blue Skies’ watch appearing backwards when worn
• Fix for some players spawning facing a wall while playing FFA on Talsik Backlot
• Demolition: Added VO to alert the defending team a bomb site was destroyed
• One in the Chamber: This mode is now available in custom games!
• Regular Infected playlist now has random care package drops!
• Gun Game Reloaded is now in the Quick Play filter.
• Gunfight:
  • Fire throwing knife is now available in OSP mode
  • Fixes to the Snapshot grenade so it functions as intended in OSP mode
• Reinfected Ground War:
  • Removed IAV and Counter UAV
  • Added a hint to tutorialize how to sky dive in this mode
  • Do not show death icon when a player uses Field Upgrade Tac Insert to skydive
  • Deaths from Field Upgrade Tac Insert (skydive) no longer count as deaths on the scoreboard
  • Kills & Deaths do not count against your lifetime records in this mode, this is purely to reflect the accurate KDR on the scoreboard
  • Lower Juggernaut health in this mode only
  • No longer give killstreak points on kills if the player is in your party
  • Significantly lowered damage from killstreaks if the player called out the killstreak and then moved to the infected team
  • Added ATV visibility on the map to avoid players hiding while riding the ATV

Challenges/Missions

• Fix for Rodion’s Season 3, Objective 3 Mission from not tracking properly (“Purchase the Armor Bundle in Warzone 2 times while using Rodion as your Allegiance Operator”) Fix for the “Use the Dead Silence Field Upgrade in 3 different matches” not tracking properly

Weapons

• Renzetti:
  • Reduced the max ammo reserve
  • MK3 Burst Mod – Significant hip spread increase
  • MK3 Burst Mod – Small decrease to damage
  • Reduced damage when Akimbo and MK3 Burst Mod are both equipped
• FAL: Decrease to ADS time
• SCAR: Decrease to ADS time
• LMGS: Lowered ammo count for reload warning on belt fed LMGs
• Reduced penalty for holding breath too long with sniper scopes
• Fix for the level 34 unlock of the Renetti showing the Merc Foregrip
• VLK Rogue
  • Increased rate of fire
  • Increased close damage range for 12 gauge
  • Increased damage range to 6” Revolt barrel
• Holger 26
  • Increased move speed
  • Improved ADS time
  • Slight recoil reduction
• Attachments:
  • FTAC 8.98” Spitfire Barrel:
    • Improved ADS time
    • Faster movement
    • Reduced hip spread
  • XRK Ultralight Barrel:
    • Improved ads time
  • 30 Round Magazine:
    • Reduced sprint out time
    • Improved ADS time
    • Faster movement
    • Improved hip spread profile
  • Not Stock:
    • Increased sprint out time
    • Faster movement
    • Reduced hip spread
    • Improved ADS time
  • Stippled Grip
    • Improved ADS time

Warzone

• Fix for a bug where a player could become immune to the gas if they were bought back as the final circle was closing
• Fix for a rare bug that left a player in the Gulag until the end of the match
• PC: Fixed an issue where the gas mask overlay could remain on screen after leaving the gas and entering a vehicle
• Removed the option to “Squad Fill” while in BR Solo
• Fix for voice chat sometimes cutting out during a match
• Reduced the RPG kill radius for players with full armor
• Final circle now moves (BR)
• The Most Wanted contract has had the time reduced from 5 minutes to 3 minutes
• Replaced Shield Turret with Armor Box at Buy Stations (Shield Turret is still in loot)

Special Operations

• When players are respawned via the plane their weapons will now start with at least one full magazine each, to fix getting into situations where you could respawn without any ammo
• Operation Headhunter – Fix for the players keeping the Gunship munition if the team wipes during the tank assault section
• Operation Brimstone – Fix for the Extraction Crate appearing to be already open if the team had wiped and restarted earlier in the match

Special Operations: Survival

• PS4: Atlas Superstore has been added to Survival Mode
• Teammates respawned via the ‘Respawn Flare’ item will now come back with full armor, to help them survive their dangerous respawns better
• Disallow usage of the ‘Respawn Flare’ item if no teammates are currently in last stand or spectating, and display why
• Fix for missing dialog, store icons, and sounds during the buy phase
• Fix for missing message display for players attempting to use the minigun at the weapons store
• Fix for the ammo store not filling your magazine, and only your stock, and fix its missing sounds
• Made the assorted stores’ Cash font easier to read on dark screens
• Players now get $10 per hit on enemy helicopters