New modes, Ranked Play, and a refreshed Rebirth Island await in Warzone

Map Update: Rebirth Island Winter Refresh (Launch)

Season 02 of Call of Duty: Warzone™ begins with a snow-covered Rebirth Island winter refresh. It's a cold, crisp day and you can almost feel the wind chill your bones.

The island now appears to be under Guild control, and NOVA 7 production has necessitated the processing and refining of vast quantities of sulfuric chemicals resulting in new structures and topographical changes, a number of [CLASSIFIED], and more surprises to discover.

New Point of Interest: Turbine

A large-scale Turbine along the north shore of the island has been developed by Guild forces, west of Industries, east of Dock, and due north from Prison. Offering enhanced rotational possibilities for the Operator, the exterior platforms and concrete bay house a large sulfur vat and a wall of "NOVA 7" canisters. Access the door controls and enter a small, windowless control room under the vat.

Move further along the gantry to access the main area; a gantry-connected building with a roughly hexagonal Sulfur Extraction chamber inside the island itself. Dominated by a massive central turbine, there are plenty of entrances and exits at various heights to ensure this is a well-traversed area. The previous waterlogged bunker has been filled in as the Guild's sulfur extracting becomes this faction's major focus.

Unmarked POI: Outpost

Enhanced loot, combat, and traversal opportunities are available in this unmarked point of interest that lies east of Stronghold, and southwest of Living Quarters. Previously a rough hillside promontory with difficult-to-navigate and exposed pathways, you can now seek additional cover at the jetty with three docking bays.

Further up the slope is a raised cargo bay, and a SAM battery; either side of the Outpost itself. This Comms edifice with a prototype laser cannon and radar dish offers robust protection and sits above a locked bunker.

Rebirth Island: Other Points of Interest

The rest of Rebirth Island is just as you remember it, though snow has drifted across the ground, and sightlines have improved somewhat. Here's what to look for:

Stronghold: The southwestern tip of the map contains a helipad, maintenance warehouses, garage and comms tower, and are all intact and where you'd expect them to be. Expect high traffic to the southeast at the new unmarked jetty and Outpost (detailed above).

Living Quarters: There are additional exit routes across from the tents, medical huts, and the five color-coded personnel buildings have been renovated by the Guild to improve visibility for the player. A small Guild Outpost allows for easy traversing between here and the Stronghold POI. Operators should expect increased activity in the vicinity.

Control Center: Everyone's favorite landing spot remains intact. This old, concrete edifice offers even clearer and crisp sightlines across to Prison and Living Quarters, or down to Stronghold and Dock.

Headquarters: The trio of highly tactical buildings (including "Grandma's House", the ruined communications building 03, and the "lighthouse" sniping tower) remain intact, unless of course, the tower falls during the initial infil.

Factory: The Guild container ship "Endeavour" has docked at Factory, a sprawling Guild-branded facility across from the snow-lined dockside and outbuildings, with the cargo area filled with Guild crates as the faction continues to secure the island.

Harbor: The turbine generator room (number 6) and dilapidated mechanical warehouse remain in the same shape as you remember them, though the ocean waters are freezing and the exterior dockside is windswept with snow.

Prison: The interlocking rabbit-warren of corridors, imposing cellblocks, exterior steps and ascenders, and the surrounding vicinity remains unchanged (aside for some reasonable sightlines to Turbine), and there's still a chance an aerial bombardment demolishes the prison roof or water tower at the start of a match. But have all the prison's secrets been revealed?

Dock: Another place to secure a Helicopter, The Aurora cargo ship is docked here, with Guild containers atop the deck and in the hold. Otherwise, this remains a low flanking route along the northwest side of the map.

Industries: Aside from some minor Guild equipment and rebranding along the main structure, this is just how you remember it, though long-range target acquisition is now available from the roof or helicopter promontory when aiming at enemies around the new Turbine location.

Chemical Engineering: Changes across this building can be considered minimal, though the top of the pitched roof allows for long-distance sniping to the upper exterior of the Turbine.

Bioweapons: Guild equipment has been positioned into this L-shaped building at the northeast end of the map, and each floor except the basement has been renovated by the Guild. It seems organic laboratory trials are under way. The flat roof has been given a fresh sealing, and the submarine docked to the north has departed.

Rebirth Island: Gameplay Features and Updates

A snow-covered Rebirth Island the familiar combat action you previously dropped into the map for, along with the following refinements and returning features:

• Footprints in the Snow: In certain locations, deeper snow compacts under foot, meaning you can track player footfalls visually.
• Enhanced Target Acquisition: Expect better and cleaner lines of sight for multiple reasons:
  • Snow: The layers of fallen snow allow you to focus on spotting enemies more easily.
  • Guild Renovations: Around five of the familiar POIs have been renovated by the Guild, and are architecturally more modern, brighter, and clearer.
  • Adjusted Lighting: A lack atmospheric fog across the entire island allows for some of the cleanest sightlines you've seen with the sun at the same angle as when the map first debuted in Black Ops Cold War.
• Vehicular Routes: With the addition of snow jumps designed for vehicles, you're more easily able to maneuver from one road to another.

Dynamic Infil Events Continue: Just as before, the island comes under attack as you drop into a match, with the possibility of the Water Tower, Prison roof, or Lighthouse collapsing after an aerial missile barrage.

Dynamic Infil Event: Infil Gas Explosions: Drop into Rebirth Island with your head on a swivel; a gas bomb may detonate at one of various locations, creating a spherical pocket of acrid gas that act as a choking hazard before dissipating as a match progresses.

Classic Blueprints (Hidden): Search the island for some hard-hitting and familiar Weapon Blueprints from past Call of Duty titles to use in the match!

• Dotted around the island are a [CLASSIFIED] number of past weapon Blueprints familiar to Call of Duty: Warzone fans, each cunningly stowed away.
• Finding and picking up the weapon does not unlock it in your weapon collection; you can only use it for the remainder of the match.
• These staged weapons are relevant to their map location, and are fan-favorite armaments from previous titles, and may come with any associated Tracers and Death Effects.
• Expect weapons from Modern Warfare® 2, Modern Warfare 3, and Black Ops 6.

Snowstorm Gas: The weather is about to take a turn for the worse during your Rebirth Island Winter matches as a dangerous snowstorm gradually swallows the island in poisonous, intense blizzard-like conditions. These act like a normal Circle Collapse, and Gas Masks, Decontamination Stations, and the Irradiated Perk (assuming these are active in your game mode) are all recommended if you're caught near the vicinity.

Vehicles: Expect a similar pool of vehicles across Rebirth Island compared to previous battles, along with the TAV and RHIB for aquatic activities. Note the two land-based Polaris vehicles benefit from new topographical snow ramps dotted across the island, allowing easier navigation to the road structure. Here are the expected vehicles:

• Tactical Amphibious Vehicle (TAV)
• Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 (ATV)
• Polaris RZR Pro R 4 (UTV)
• RHIB (Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat)
• Heli

New Killstreak: RC-XD: The Black Ops 7 Scorestreak comes to Rebirth Island as available loot and performs in a similar way to its Multiplayer counterpart. Drop the vehicle and steer it to an intended target, using jumps and boosts to traverse the environment before delivering an explosive payload to the enemy. Immune to gas, but not to damage from enemy weaponry or Killstreaks.

New Killstreak: Smoke Screen: Smoke Screens are found as loot and purchased at Buy Stations, and when called in expect a single payload of five shells that detonate into smoke clouds in a slightly offset row, with each cloud lasting a few seconds, much like a smoke grenade, though it doesn't impact your health.

Redacted Contracts (Launch)

Rebirth Island only

Begin a Redacted Contract without knowing the objectives by seeking out a specially marked Tablet with a "?" icon. Once started, a random objective is given, though players with experience completing a Bounty, Scavenger, or Recon Contract will know what to expect. The reward for taking a chance on a Redacted Contract is the usual reward, plus bonus in-match cash.

New Perks (Launch)

New Perks: Slot 1 Perk Refresh

Season 02 introduces a refresh to the Slot 1 Perk category, replacing several existing Perks with three new options designed to emphasize survivability, squad movement, combat awareness, and supports a distinct playstyle. Here are the Perks for Season 02 Launch:

Field Medic (Launch, Slot 1)

Replaces Veteran

Resistance-Enhancing Perk: Field Medic is built for players who thrive in high-pressure engagements and clutch revives. Reviving teammates is faster and more impactful, restoring momentum when it matters most. When you revive an ally, they immediately receive an inserted armor plate from their inventory and a brief movement speed boost to help them reposition. The same benefits apply when you're revived, giving both of you a better chance to stay alive and rejoin the fight.

Beyond revives, Field Medic increases your bleed-out duration, giving your squad more time to bring you back, and provides resistance to several tactical effects, including Flash, Concussion, Gas, and Shock equipment. It's a strong choice for a Squadmate in an aggressive squad that expects to trade downs and push through chaos.

Drill Instructor (Launch, Slot 1)

Replaces Grenadier

Agility-Enhancing Perk: Drill Instructor rewards constant movement and tight squad positioning. After sprinting for a short duration, you'll begin regenerating health, allowing you to stay mobile without a reliance on cover. In addition, nearby allies gain movement speed and faster mantling, helping squads reposition quickly, scale terrain more efficiently, and maintain pressure during rotations or engagements.

These bonuses apply to allies within proximity and briefly persist after they move out of range, encouraging coordinated movement without requiring perfect formation. Drill Instructor effects do not stack, reinforcing its role as a single leadership-focused Perk within a squad.

Surveyor (Launch, Slot 1)

Replaces Cold-Blooded

Awareness-Enhancing Perk: Surveyor enhances situational awareness. When nearby opponents interact with Buy Stations or activate Contracts, they briefly appear on the map, offering insight into enemy positioning and intent. UAVs you deploy cover a larger area and your mini-map is zoomed out, always giving you a broader view of the area of operations.

Surveyor also highlights downed enemies through walls within closer range, making it easier to track threats during multi-squad fights and prevent unexpected revives. This Perk is ideal for players who value information, positioning, and anticipating enemy movement before engagements begin.

New Modes and Updates (Launch, In-Season)

Core Modes

From the launch of Season 02, you can expect a familiar variety of Call of Duty: Warzone modes across three maps: Verdansk, Haven's Hollow, and Rebirth Island (with its Winter update). Drop into the following Core Modes:

• Battle Royale (150 Players, 25 Minute-matches): Quads, Trios, Duos, and Solos on Verdansk.
• Resurgence (44 Players, 15 Minute-matches): Quads, Duos, and Solos on Haven's Hollow and Rebirth Island.
• Casuals (Players and Bots): Quads. Battle Royale Casual on Verdansk. Resurgence Casual on Haven's Hollow and Rebirth Island.

Be sure to check your Socials and Raven Software's Comms for weekly playlists and updates to Modes as Season 02 progresses!

New Core Mode: Ranked Play: Resurgence (Launch Window)

Trios, Haven's Hollow

Rank up and prove your prowess as Ranked Play: Resurgence returns! This competitive game mode features skilled Trios dropping into Haven's Hollow to prove their mettle: Compete in high-stakes, fast-paced matches built around a refined ruleset, with weapons restricted to those found in Black Ops 7, as well as some Perk and Attachment restrictions. Battle to increase your Skill Rating, earn exclusive rewards, and climb the Skill Divisions on your path toward the top.

How to Play and SR Requirements

In Resurgence Ranked Play, you'll compete against players in similar Skill Divisions as you battle to earn Skill Rating (SR). SR is awarded for outlasting other squads, eliminating opponents, and completing in-match challenges with eliminations contributing to your entire squad's SR total. The amount of SR earned from eliminations adjusts based on the division of the opponent you defeat, increasing when taking down higher-ranked players and decreasing against lower-ranked ones, with a maximum of 150 SR available per match. Starting in Silver, each match also carries a Deployment Fee, deducted at the beginning of the game.

Skill Rating Challenges: In addition to the rewards (listed below), there are a series of SR Challenges available to further bolster your SR. These include five Tiers of Eliminations (100 SR per Elimination), and placing in the Top 20, Top 10, and Top 5 (100 SR each). Win a Match and receive 200 SR.

Loadout Restrictions

Ranked Play Call of Duty: Warzone rules are in effect, limiting the choice of Loadouts you can access in a Ranked Play Resurgence match. A triangular warning symbol denotes which items in your Loadouts cannot be equipped. Here are some general rules:

• BO7 Only: Ranked Play Resurgence allows for Black Ops 7 weaponry only.
• Two Weapons: Your Loadout consists of two weapons: These can be two Primary Weapons, one Primary and one Secondary, or two Secondaries if you're a maniac.
• Melee, Tactical, Lethal: You have a Melee weapon slot, along with a Tactical and Lethal.
• Perks: You have three Perk slots, and no Wildcard.

Specific restrictions are in effect for each aspect of your Loadout, as follows:

• Weapons: There are restrictions on Optics (usually those with Thermals or other enemy-detecting capabilities), and Assault Rifle Underbarrels (Launchers with explosive or otherwise-damaging charges, though Smoke is good to use), depending on the weapon in question.
• Tacticals: The following are available: Concussion, Smoke, Psych, Decoy, Stim Shot, and Heartbeat Sensor.
• Lethals: The following are available: Frag, Sticky, C4, Molotov, Combat Axe.
• Perks: Two Perks are restricted: Alertness (Perk 2) and Tracker (Perk 3).

Ranked Play Security Requirements

When Ranked Play launches in Season 02, RICOCHET Anti-Cheat will require a stronger form of Remote Attestation for PC players, in partnership with Microsoft. This extra layer of protection sets a new standard for Ranked Play, building on our existing TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements.

If you're a PC player and need more information about security requirements, click here.

Season 02 Career Rewards

The following rewards are available as you continue to earn top placements during Season 02 Resurgence: Ranked Play:

• 3 Top Placements: "Honor's Laurel" Emblem
• 10 Top Placements: "BO7 Ranked Competitor" Operator Skins (2x Skins; Male and Female)
• 20 Top Placements: "Oblivauric" Blueprint (SMG, Dravec 45)
• 40 Top Placements: "Chronicled Wins" Loading Screen
• 50 Top Placements: "Bluecrest" Weapon Camo (Universal)
• 100 Top Placements: "Chimmy" Weapon Charm
• 150 Top Placements: "Gravescale" Large Decal
• 250 Top Placements: "The Last Laugh" Calling Card
• 300 Top Placements: "Ossuary King" Emblem and "Night Reaper" Blueprint (Melee, Knife)

All Seasons: Career Rewards

The following Operator Skin rewards are available as you continue to Rank up during Season 02 Resurgence: Ranked Play or any future Season. The reward Skins include two Skins (Male and Female), and are awarded at the end of each Season based on the highest Division you have achieved within that Season:

• Reach Gold Division: WZ Gold Competitor (2x Skins)
• Reach Platinum Division: WZ Platinum Competitor (2x Skins)
• Reach Diamond Division: WZ Diamond Competitor (2x Skins)
• Reach Crimson Division: WZ Crimson Competitor (2x Skins)
• Reach Iridescent Division: WZ Iridescent Competitor (2x Skins)
• Reach Top 250 Division*: WZ Top 250 Competitor (2x Skins)
• Reach #1 Overall*: WZ Top 250 Champion (2x Skins)

(* Awarded only to players that have ended the season in the Top 250 or as #1 Overall).

Season 02: Seasonal Rewards

The following Blueprint, Large Decal, Calling Cards, and Weapon Camos are only available during Season 02:

• Reach 10 Top Placements in Season 02: "Chrimerean" Blueprint (Sniper Rifle, Shadow SK)
• Reach 25 Top Placements in Season 02: "Stone Cold" Large Decal
• Reach Silver Rank in Season 02: "Satyr" Calling Card
• Reach Gold Rank in Season 02: "Siren" Weapon Camo (Universal) and "Triton" Calling Card
• Reach Platinum Rank in Season 02: "Hit List" Weapon Camo (Universal) and "Stoned" Calling Card
• Reach Diamond Rank in Season 02: "Minotaur" Weapon Camo (Universal) and "Lionizer" Calling Card
• Reach Crimson Rank in Season 02: "Spartan" Weapon Camo (Universal) and "OpTempo" Calling Card
• Reach Iridescent Rank in Season 02: "Cyclops" Weapon Camo (Universal) and "Eye Lord" Calling Card
• Finish in the Top 250 in Season 02: "Herculean" Weapon Camo (Animated, Universal) and "Shock & Awe" Calling Card
• Finish Season 02 #1 Overall: Monstrum Calling Card

Introducing Call of Duty: Warzone Resurgence Series

Call of Duty®: Warzone Resurgence Series (COD: WRS) is a new circuit where the best Call of Duty®: Warzone Resurgence players will compete for their share of a $1.2 million prize pool across months of intense competition beginning February 9.

COD: WRS includes online qualifiers, two mid-season LAN tournaments at DreamHack Birmingham and DreamHack Atlanta, and culminates in a Championship at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Click here to learn more about the new competitive circuit and sign up your trio.

Additional Modes (Launch, In-Season, Mid-Season)

Loaded Resurgence (Launch) and Loaded Resurgence Casual (In-Season), LTM

Rebirth Island, Quads, 32 Players (8 Squads)

Loaded Resurgence is a fast-paced variation on the classic Resurgence experience that drops players into the action fully Loadout-equipped from the start. Core Resurgence rules still apply - as long as one squadmate remains alive, fallen teammates can redeploy after a short countdown - but the immediate access to full loadouts accelerates engagements and rewards aggressive, coordinated play. There's also a new way to earn all the Perks, if you complete the Specialist Quest!

• Every time players eliminate an opponent, they earn an extra Perk, up the point where Specialist is awarded.
• This Perk accumulation continues even if you're eliminated!

Expect a higher-intensity Resurgence variant prioritizing momentum, mastery, and constant pressure. Drop in at launch, and with Bot opponents as well as real humans later in Season 02.

Rush Resurgence (Weekend LTM, In-Season)

Rebirth Island, Quads, 32 Players (8 Squads)

Ready for a quick drop? Rush Resurgence brings all the chaos of a fast-moving move, but in an even more rapid form:

• Redeploy timing is reduced - allowing you back into the action with more haste - and disabled at the third Gas Circle.
• There's a Fire Sale Public Event at the second Gas Circle.
• There are the same number of Gas Circles, but these close with a different timing:
  • They remain stationary for less time than normal (for example, the first Circle closes after around 45 seconds).
  • They take longer to close (for example, the first Circle takes two minutes to close).
• This leads to matches ending in around half the time compared to normal Resurgence.

Extreme Resurgence (Weekend LTM, Mid-Season)

Haven's Hollow, Quads, 100 Players (25 Squads)

Simply put: Mayhem. All the usual Resurgence rules apply as you drop into Haven's Hollow with regular loot, Gas Circle activity, Contracts, and Public Events intact, but there's one important different: A massive influx of Operatives: Instead of the usual 52 Operators (13 Squads), expect double the number to drop in; 25 Squads and 100 total players ready to battle for ultimate supremacy!

Iron Gauntlet Beta (In-Season, Mid-Season)

Verdansk, Duos, 150 Players (75 Squads)

Drop into Verdansk late in Mid-Season with heightened intensity and competitive Battle Royale ruleset designed to test your gun skill, positioning, and decision-making, rather than luck. You'll need an iron will and a trusted squadmate to survival these trials….

• Scarce resources: This is a high-stakes drop in a survival-focused environment where every decision counts.
• Competitive Duos: The last squad standing wins.
• Rapid Collapse: Circles collapse more rapidly than normal BR, leading to more frequent engagements.
• Earn that loot: There are no free Loadout drops and Buy Station prices are increased.
• Don't rely on a ride: Only Bikes and ATVs are available.
• TTK Delay: Base health has been raised (from 150 to 300 units). Regeneration delay has been adjusted, and regeneration rate has been reduced; all designed to slow down TTK.
• Loot rebalancing: Epic and Legendary weapons spawn less often, and Killstreaks as well as Cash drops are rarer. Weapons are from the Black Ops 7 pool. Common weapons usually start with extended mags and iron sights (primarily for ARs and SMGs). There are no Perks in loot.
• Tough But Fair: One-hit kill protection is enabled. Stim shot has been removed.
• Returning Mechanics: The Gulag, Contracts, and respawn mechanics are the same as the main Call of Duty: Warzone Battle Royale mode.

Note: Iron Gauntlet will be in Beta at launch: This is the first playable iteration of a Mode we will continue to refine before it returns in a later Season with updates based on your feedback. This Mode is also planned to form the basis for an expansive new aspect of the game! Play this mode, and let us know how you're liking the loot, game economy, TTK, and other elements that interest you.

A New Battle Royale Experience (Mid-Season)

Mid-Season introduces a brand-new Battle Royale experience with the arrival of the Avalon map in Call of Duty: Warzone. Built from the ground up, this is a new Mode that draws inspiration from Call of Duty's Battle Royale origins, Black Ops 4 Blackout. More details will be revealed at Season 02 Reloaded.

New Call of Duty: Warzone Events (Launch, In-Season)

Check out the Events section later in this blog for a complete run-down of all Season 02 Events. Below are Events related to Call of Duty: Warzone:

• Escalation Directive Event: Earn up to eight Universal Camos by completing Weapon Class Camo Challenges across all modes, including Call of Duty: Warzone.
• Additional Events (Mid-Season): Expect additional Events and Challenges at Mid-Season.