Season 3 of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 launched yesterday with a massive content drop that includes the return of the fan-favorite Verdansk map to Warzone, new weapons, maps, and game modes. The update arrived in two phases – Black Ops 6 content on April 2 and Warzone content on April 3.
The most anticipated feature is Verdansk’s comeback to Warzone after more than three years. The iconic map that launched the battle royale mode in 2020 returns with both familiar locations and new coastal points of interest. For the first time since December 2021, players can now drop into hotspots like Superstore, Airport Control Tower, and Prison.
Warzone Downtime and Return Schedule
Warzone servers went offline at 9 AM PT on April 2 and remained down for a full 24 hours – the longest downtime in the game’s history. The servers came back online with Verdansk at 9 AM PT on April 3.
During the downtime, all players (even those who don’t own Black Ops 6) could access a free trial of Black Ops 6’s multiplayer and Zombies modes, including all Season 3 content.
New and Returning Weapons
Season 3 brings back several weapons from the original Warzone era:
- Kilo 141: Automatically unlocked after logging into Warzone, this assault rifle offers smooth handling and manageable recoil
- CR-56 AMAX: Available through Battle Pass Page 6, known for high damage and quick reloads
- HDR Sniper Rifle: Unlockable via Battle Pass Page 3, this long-range powerhouse was infamous in original Verdansk
- Kali Sticks: Melee weapon unlocked through the Return to Verdansk event reward
- Monolithic Suppressor: The popular attachment returns for most weapon categories
Two additional weapons will arrive mid-season: the Nail Gun special weapon and the Ladra SMG.
Similar Posts
New Multiplayer Maps
Black Ops 6 multiplayer receives five new maps and one variant:
- Barrage: Medium-sized map set in 1968 Vietnam with an artillery battery
- Nomad: Small map in an Afghan settlement from 1986
- Firing Range: Faithful remaster of the classic Black Ops map
- Haven: Mid-season addition set in a 1991 KGB safehouse
- Signal: Mid-season small map at a 1968 numbers station
- Blazetown: A special Nuketown variant arriving mid-season
Zombies Content: Shattered Veil
The new Zombies map “Shattered Veil” takes players to Colton Hall, a mansion in the Appalachian mountains. Players must retrieve the Sentinel Artifact to help save Agent Maxis. New features include:
- The Elder Disciple, a floating enemy that empowers zombies around it
- Toxic Zombies that explode upon death
- Ray Gun Mark II and Wunderwaffe DG-2 Wonder Weapons
- Double Tap Perk-a-Cola returning for the first time in nearly a decade
- Team Cranked mode with a shared timer for the entire team
Events and Rewards
Several events offer free rewards throughout Season 3:
- Return to Verdansk: April 3-15, offers 20 rewards including the Kali Sticks
- Black Ops Tribute: April 17-May 1, featuring 17 rewards including the Death Machine scorestreak, Nail Gun, and “John Black Ops” Operator
Battle Pass and Store Content
The Season 3 Battle Pass includes over 100 items with Mace as the instant unlock Operator and Hudson available on Page 2. The premium BlackCell version features the new Operator R0-Z3.
Store bundles include collaborations with Jay and Silent Bob, available both in their classic look and as their superhero alter-egos Bluntman and Chronic. Each comes with themed weapon blueprints featuring unique tracers and death effects.
The Season 3 update shows Activision’s commitment to both nostalgia and new content, blending the classic Verdansk experience with modern Black Ops 6 gameplay elements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verdansk became available in Warzone on April 3, 2025, at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET. The map returned after a 24-hour server downtime that began on April 2. This is the first time Verdansk has been playable since December 2021.
The Kilo 141 is automatically unlocked for free after logging into Warzone following the Season 3 update. The CR-56 AMAX can be unlocked via Battle Pass Page 6, and the HDR Sniper Rifle is available through Battle Pass Page 3. The Kali Sticks melee weapon is obtainable through the “Return to Verdansk” event rewards running from April 3-15.
While Verdansk retains many of its iconic locations like Superstore, Airport Control Tower, and Prison, the map has been updated with new coastal points of interest. The map combines nostalgic elements from the original Verdansk with some fresh additions. For a full tour of the map, players can check out the official Verdansk Tac-Atlas guide on the Call of Duty website.
Yes, there was a 24-hour free trial for Black Ops 6 that ran during the Warzone server downtime on April 2. The free trial included access to all Season 3 Multiplayer and Zombies content, including the new maps (Barrage, Nomad, and Firing Range) and the new Shattered Veil Zombies map. The trial has now ended as Warzone servers are back online.
Season 3 includes two major events with free rewards:
– “Return to Verdansk” (April 3-15): Offers 20 rewards including the Kali Sticks melee weapon. Players need to find and open safes across Verdansk to earn rewards.
– “Black Ops Tribute” (April 17-May 1): Features 17 rewards including the Death Machine scorestreak, Nail Gun special weapon, and the “John Black Ops” Operator. Players earn XP in any game mode to progress through this event.
The Jay and Silent Bob content, along with their superhero alter-egos Bluntman and Chronic, will be available as Store bundles during Season 3. While the source doesn’t specifically state if these are limited-time offerings, special character collaborations in Call of Duty typically remain available for purchase throughout the season they’re introduced in. The bundles include themed weapon blueprints with unique tracers and death effects.