Warzone Season 5’s significant buff to the Battle Hardened Perk also acts as a major nerf to Stun Grenades in the battle royale.

The effectiveness of Stun Grenades will take a major hit in Warzone Season 5, as the devs decided to deliver a significant buff to the Battle Hardened Perk.

Perks were far from the focus of the Warzone Season 5 update, but the two Perks that will undergo changes could impact the battle royale’s top picks. Fort starters, players will be delighted to discover that the Serpentine Perk will receive a deserved nerf later on in Season 5.

However, a big change to Battle Hardened arrived with the Season 5 update on August 24. Battle Hardened effectively reduces the strength of enemy Tacticals like Flash and Stun Grenades.

Previously, Battle Hardened’s Stun and Flash resistance clocked in at 50% and 70% respectively. The Season 5 update has buffed Battle Hardened and the resistance to enemy Stun Grenades has skyrocketed.

Following the Season 5 update, Battle Hardened will now provide players with an 80% resistance to both Stun and Flash Grenades. While the 10% increase in Flash resistance is a welcome addition, Stun resistance has increased by a whopping 30%.

With more players likely to equip Battle Hardened after this major buff, Stung Grenades are certainly going to feel less effective. This major nerf to Stun Grenades in Season 5 could even see them phased out of Warzone’s top Tactical picks, as an 80% resistance is quite significant.

The devs explained their decision to buff Battle Hardened and nerf Stun Grenades as a result:

“We felt we could bring more value to Battle Hardened, especially as it is now present as a lootable ground Perk, with our target for the effects of Stun and Flash to be mitigated to less than a second with the Perk equipped. Some Players may wonder why this change is happening now, to which our reply is that there may be a surprise in-store during Season Five that warrants this change.”

There’s no telling what the devs could be hinting at when they suggest that a surprise is in-store, but if they’re correct then these changes are bound to make more sense to players as Season 5 continues.

For more, check out how Warzone Snipers also received a buff in Season 5, as well as Vanguard’s 3-6x variable scope.

Here are the attachments and Perks you need to equip to make the best Automaton loadout for Warzone Pacific Season 5.

The Automaton Assault Rifle is an extremely viable pick in Warzone, and here are all the attachments and Perks needed to craft the best loadout for it in Warzone Pacific Season 5.

The Automaton is one of Vanguard’s most popular weapons and has received plenty of praise since its arrival in Warzone. Many players considered it to be the easiest weapon to use in the game, but its popularity eventually faded as the competition improved.

Although the Automaton doesn’t boast the fastest TTK amongst Assault Rifles, it is certainly one of the easiest to control, and you can equip the right attachments and Perks to make it into a powerhouse. Following the Season 5 update, the Automaton currently has the highest K/D of any Assault Rifle in the game.

Here’s the best Automaton loadout you can use for Warzone Pacific Season 5.

We’ll start off this Warzone Pacific loadout with the MX Silencer muzzle to suppress shots and improve the weapon’s accuracy while the ZAC 600 BFA barrel provides horizontal recoil control.

We picked the 1229/Slate 3.25x Custom optic to turn the Automaton into a laser beam when you’re hitting enemies with sustained fire, and the Anastasia Padded stock, Hatched Grip, and Bipod increase the weapon’s stability.

Increased magazine size is highly recommended for this loadout, so we went with the 6.5mm Sakura 75 Round Drum. Fully Loaded will put you in the best position to win by starting you with maximum ammo. 

Lengthened will increase bullet velocity, making the Automaton a lethal choice and the Tight Grip Perk will help with accuracy.

For your first Perk, you should equip E.O.D as it will make you more resistant to explosive damage from grenades and other throwables that enemies might use to take you out.

The Overkill Perk will allow you to pair the Automaton with an SMG like the RA 225, and the buffed Battle Hardened should be a top choice once the devs fix the ongoing issue with the Perk.

We recommend equipping the Semtex Lethal equipment to dish out some explosive damage to your enemies, and the Stim will let you heal up faster in tricky situations.

In order to unlock the Automaton in Warzone, you must reach Rank 8, making it very easy to obtain. You can get this done by hopping into a few games of Warzone Pacific and playing well.

Once you reach Rank 8, this weapon will be added to your inventory, and you can use it to cause some serious pain to your enemies.

If you’re looking for a great alternative to the Automaton in Warzone Pacific, then we strongly recommend trying out the Grau Assault Rifle. Much like the Automaton, the Grau is a long-range option that is experiencing a comeback in Season 5. Both weapons are quite easy to control. Otherwise, the UGM-8 is also a dominant long-range weapon in Warzone Season 5.

For more, check out how Warzone players are reporting Gulag audio to be completely broken in Season 5, or when the next Double XP event is.

Image Credits: Raven Software/ Sledgehammer Games/ Activision

We have the dates and times for the next CoD: Vanguard and Warzone Pacific Double XP event to help you rank up weapons and the Battle Pass.

Season 5 is finally here, and there’s plenty of time to level up, prestige, and unlock weapons before Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2. Here are the full dates for the next Warzone and Vanguard Double XP weekends.

XP has been a vital component of Call of Duty’s multiplayer for many years. It’s the quintessential upgrade mechanic that allows you to increase your in-game level and provide you access to better gear and attachments.

Vanguard and Warzone Pacific carried on from where Cold War and Warzone left off by giving players limited-time windows of opportunity to increase the XP they can earn.

Call of Duty players can get Double XP by taking advantage of the Double XP promotional events that Activision put on.

Thanks to the Raven Software Trello board, we know when the next Warzone & Vanguard Double XP events are:

This special Double XP event is set to give players a nice boost at the start of Vanguard & Warzone’s Season 5. Unfortunately, the current event does not include weapon XP unless you’re playing Operation: Last Call. Most players won’t be able to level up the EX1 and RA 225 faster.

Here’s a full list of the usual Double XP event’s start time & dates in some of the key timezones:

These special Double XP events usually occur during a weekend, as it naturally gives players the most time as it’s away from school hours and generally when people are off work.

If you’re worried about slow progression for Vanguard and Warzone’s Battle Pass, note that the active Double XP event will not give you a boost to unlock all the Season 5 rewards, as it does not offer double Battle Pass XP.

For more Call of Duty, find out everything you need to know about the next release in the legendary franchise, Modern Warfare 2.

Image Credit: Activision / Sledgehammer Games / Raven Software

Dr Disrespect has shared his opinion on why Warzone 2 could die out quick, as well as how it could be saved.

Dr Disrespect hasn’t exactly been the most supportive of Call of Duty: Warzone, often criticizing the devs. Now the popular streamer has shared why he believes Warzone 2 could fail.

As well as producing his own FPS game, DEADROP, popular YouTube streamer Dr Disrespect can often be found playing popular battle royale games like Apex Legends and Warzone.

With Warzone now in its fifth and final season, the Doc has shifted his attention to Warzone 2, sharing his opinion on how the game will perform.

After dying and raging about Warzone’s current audio issues, Dr Disrespect says that the map and audio “sucks.” He goes on to say that nobody is playing Warzone, but the rage goes on further after he dies in the new Warzone Season 5 Gulag.

After being killed in the Gulag, the 2x Champion says “this game is such a joke man…can’t see anything, oh god it drives me nuts, I’m telling you Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2, whatever you wanna call it, I’m telling you, I give it like a month after launch.”

Although Dr Disrespect‘s opinion on Warzone comes across as very negative, he is a fan of Call of Duty, and hopes that the devs can do something different: “fingers crossed they do something different, but man, if they continue to do this type of s***…this franchise is done!”

The Doc goes on to say that Warzone 2 needs some “new devs…a new team, a new studio,” dissatisfied and worried about the direction of Warzone 2.

As we edge closer to the release of Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2, we will likely get more information and footage of the gameplay. For now, check out how to earn over 100,000 XP per match in Warzone Season 5.

Image Credits: Activision / Dr Disrespect

Here are the attachments and Perks you need to equip to make the best Automaton loadout for Warzone Pacific Season...

According to an industry insider, Fortnite and Teen Titans are set for another crossover. This time bringing Starfire to the...

We have the dates and times for the next CoD: Vanguard and Warzone Pacific Double XP event to help you...