The hunt for Pantheon moles continues as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Season 03 launches on April 2, 2025. Players can expect three new multiplayer maps, including the fan-favorite Firing Range, a new Zombies experience at Shattered Veil, and five new weapons to master. The season also introduces the long-awaited return of Double Tap Perk-A-Cola and classic Wonder Weapons to the Zombies experience.
Season 03 Expands Black Ops 6 With Classic Maps and Weapons
Treyarch and Raven Software have unveiled their plans for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Season 03, launching on April 2, 2025. The new season continues the narrative thread about Pantheon moles working from the shadows since Vietnam, with Special Agent Jason Hudson's recorded warnings serving as the season's backdrop.
According to the official patch notes released on March 31, 2025, Season 03 delivers a substantial content drop across both multiplayer and Zombies modes, with new maps, weapons, and gameplay features designed to refresh the Black Ops experience.
Three New Multiplayer Maps Spanning Different Eras
Season 03 introduces three distinct 6v6 multiplayer environments that take players across different time periods in the Black Ops universe:
- Firing Range - A remastered version of the classic Black Ops map, bringing back the military training facility that has been a fan-favorite since its original debut
- Barrage - Set in Vietnam circa 1968, offering players a new combat zone tied to the origins of the Pantheon conspiracy
- Nomad - Takes place in 1986 Afghanistan, designed for both 6v6 and 2v2 gameplay
New Game Modes and Combat Options
Two new multiplayer modes are joining the rotation in Season 03:
- Sharpshooter - A returning party game where players receive randomly rotating weapons, with streak bonuses for consecutive kills
- Demolition - An objective-based mode where teams alternate between attacking and defending bomb sites
The arsenal expands with five new weapons:
- Kilo 141 Assault Rifle
- CR-56 Assault Rifle
- HDR Sniper Rifle
- Kali Sticks melee weapon
- Nail Gun special weapon
Players will also have access to the new Close Shave perk, which allows for automatic melee attacks, and the Death Machine scorestreak, bringing heavy minigun firepower to the battlefield.
What's New in the Zombies Experience?
Zombies mode receives a significant update with the new "Shattered Veil" map, which continues the Dark Aether storyline. Players will join the crew in their search for Agent Maxis at a mysterious mansion containing S.A.M. and the Sentinel Artifact.
The fan-favorite Double Tap Perk-A-Cola makes its return, increasing both fire rate and damage with six different augment options. Zombie slayers will also have access to classic Wonder Weapons:
- Ray Gun Mark II with three variants (Mark II-W, Mark II-P, Mark II-R)
- Wunderwaffe DG-2
New enemies add fresh challenges to the Zombies experience:
- Elder Disciples - Floating apparitions that empower nearby zombies
- Toxic Zombies - Exploding enemies that can disrupt tight formations
A new Team Cranked mode will also be introduced, featuring a shared timer for the team that decreases each round, adding urgency to the zombie-slaying action.
Extensive Weapon Balancing
Season 03 brings comprehensive weapon tuning aimed at creating more gameplay variety. Semi-automatic weapons receive buffs to make them more competitive, while adjustments to the Jackal PDW help balance the overall weapon meta.
Here's a sample of changes to the Goblin Mk2:
| Weapon | Pre-Patch | Post-Patch |
|---|---|---|
| Goblin Mk2 Maximum Damage Range | 40 damage (0-19.7m) | 33 damage (0-25.4m) |
| Goblin Mk2 Medium Damage Range | 37 damage (19.8-41.3m) | 28 damage (25.5-44.5m) |
| Goblin Mk2 Minimum Damage Range | 30 damage (>41.3m) | 24 damage (>44.5m) |
Quality of Life Improvements
Several global features enhance the overall player experience:
- Expanded console cross-play settings with more granular options for different game modes
- Improved pre-loading shaders system with a new progress indicator
- New Camo Hub feature for tracking camo progression
- Ranked Play updates including retroactive SR adjustments when cheaters are banned
The Black Ops Tribute event will also launch during Season 03, offering themed rewards for players to earn as they celebrate the franchise's legacy.
Season 03 Launch and Future Content
While most Season 03 content arrives on April 2, 2025, some features like the Close Shave perk, Death Machine scorestreak, and Team Cranked Zombies mode will be released in the launch window shortly after the initial update.
With its mix of nostalgia-inducing returns and fresh innovations, Season 03 looks to maintain the momentum for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 as it approaches its six-month mark since the October 2024 launch.