The November 21, 2025 update for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 marks the game’s most fine‑tuned balance revision since its November 14 launch overhaul. This update is the fifth iteration of gameplay adjustments, correcting weapon dominance issues, refining input mechanics, strengthening underperforming classes, and improving Zombies difficulty. Treyarch delivered a highly targeted, data‑driven balance pass that hits almost every category of gameplay: aim assist, AR/SMG class tuning, specific weapon corrections, pistol reworks, scorestreak buffs, HUD improvements, and major Zombies changes.
Aim Assist Revision: Softer Penalty, Smoother Tracking
The previous update introduced a harsh rotational aim assist reduction, causing controllers to lose target tracking when right‑stick adjustments were imperfect. With player feedback indicating the penalty was too punishing, Treyarch tuned the minimum rotational penalty from 35% down to 25%.
This doesn’t return aim assist to its beta strength, but it reduces frustration and restores consistency during micro-adjustment tracking, particularly in close‑range duels and strafing gunfights.
Weapon Balancing: ARs Pulled Back, SMGs Finally Pushed Forward
Weapon balance is the core highlight of this patch. ARs had been dominating nearly every engagement range, leaving SMGs to struggle outside of pure hipfire distance. The update addresses this with:
- AR nerfs across handling, damage, and recoil
- SMG buffs to mid‑range consistency, ADS time, and recoil attachments
General AR Adjustments
A universal AR flinch increase from .15N → .18N makes rifles less dominant in abrupt gunfights. This encourages more tactical positioning and prevents ARs from overtaking CQC roles.
General SMG Buffs
SMGs receive:
- Better final damage range performance
- Stronger Rear Grip recoil stabilization
- Improved mid‑range gunfight potential
These upgrades help SMGs finally contend with the previously oppressive rifle meta.
Individual AR Nerfs: Four Weapons Targeted
M15 MOD 0 Nerfs
- Max Damage: 22 → 21
- Sprint to Fire: 190ms → 210ms
- Movement Speed: 4.9 → 4.7 m/s
- More first-shot recoil
Once the most versatile rifle, it now feels more grounded and less SMG‑like.
AK-27 Nerfs
- Medium Damage: 24 → 22
- More initial vertical recoil
- Heavier handling penalties
- Sprint to Fire: 230ms → 250ms
This removes its overtuned mix of lethality and mobility.
X9 Maverick Nerfs
- Max Damage: 34 → 33
- Neck/Upper Torso/Upper Arms multiplier → 1.05x
- Handling now average instead of above-average
Still powerful, but no longer excessively consistent.
DS20 Mirage Nerfs
- Sprint to Fire: 210ms → 220ms
A smaller, control-focused adjustment.
SMG Buffs: Two Weapons Elevated
Ryden 45K Buffs
- Medium 2 Range: 29.2m → 34.3m
- ADS: 210ms → 200ms
- 12" Vienna Barrel Range Bonus: 23% → 32%
A massive boost making it the patch’s biggest winner.
RK‑9 Buffs
- Medium 2 Range: 26.7m → 27.9m
A small but meaningful consistency upgrade.
Marksman Rifle Adjustments
Both the Warden 308 and M34 Novaline receive:
- Increased flinch
- Reduced mobility
- Slower handling
The Warden 308 also loses its Upper Arm multipliers, a significant nerf for partial-upper-body one-shots.
Pistol Balance Updates
Velox 5.7 Nerf
- One‑burst kill removed unless a headshot is included
A necessary correction to reduce CQC frustration.
Jäger 45 Rework
- RPM: 375 → 200
- Higher damage and longer range
It’s now a heavy‑hitting sidearm instead of a rapid-fire spam weapon.
Field Upgrade: Drone Pod Nerfed
The Drone Pod was dominating objective modes. Updated values include:
- Charge time: +30s (3 minutes total)
- Duration: 10s → 8s
- Damage: 60 → 50
Still useful, but no longer unfair.
Scorestreak Buffs
LDBR Second Strike Overclock
- Missiles per target: 9 → 13
Hand Cannon Akimbo Overclock
- Ammo: 5 → 7 rounds per gun
- Hipfire spread: 44% tighter
A huge improvement in consistency and lethality.
HUD Upgrade
- Minimap visibility increased by another 10%
Awareness is now significantly better in chaotic matches.
Zombies Updates
Ashes of the Damned Boss Fight Adjustments
- Hoard Husk regen reduced
- Missiles more effective
- Zursa spawn pacing improved
Camo Requirement Change
- DS20 Mirage Dead Wire kills: 5 → 300
A large correction addressing an unintended camo shortcut.
Final Assessment
The November 21 update is a well-balanced, precision-tuned refinement that addresses exactly what the community has been discussing. It reins in overperforming weapons, elevates weaker classes, improves fairness, and enhances overall gameplay clarity.
