Warzone Season 1 Guide: Perks, Elite Perks, Augments, Gear
Warzone Season 1 went live at midnight ET on November 6, which is 9:30 AM IST, and it changes how matches play more than any new map does. Perks are reshuffled, a fourth "Elite" perk slot appears mid-match, and new gear such as the Zipline Launcher and Grabber Drone gives squads fresh ways to move and fight. This guide sums up what Activision's official Season 1 blog says, so you can build a loadout before your first drop.
Quick summary
- 18 perks in total: 15 you pick in your loadout (three slots of five) plus 3 Elite Perks found in-match.
- Elite Perks add a fourth slot and only one can be equipped at a time.
- Three Weapon Augments (CQC, Marksman, Handling) come from "Fly Buy" drone-dropped Buy Stations.
- Tactical Sprint no longer needs a perk, though its duration is slightly shorter.
- You can drag allies while reviving them.
Which perks can you pick in Warzone Season 1?
Slot 1 offers Field Medic, Hunter, Stocked, Incognito and Surveyor. Slot 2 has Mountaineer, Adaptive, Scavenger, Drill Instructor and Deft Hands. Slot 3 has Berserker, Quick Fix, Survivor, Tempered and Wingman.
Some standouts from the official descriptions: Scavenger makes enemies drop a pack with ammo, equipment, plates and cash for your squad on a kill. Tempered means refilling armor takes two plates instead of three. Wingman makes teammate buy-backs cheaper and removes the flare enemies see when you redeploy. Surveyor snapshots the nearby enemy squad on a kill.
What are the new Elite Perks?
Elite Perks are not part of your pre-match loadout. You find them at Buy Stations, with more offered through Supply Run Contracts, and you can hold only one at a time.
| Elite Perk | What it does |
|---|---|
| Athleticism | Better agility when strafing, crouching and aiming down sights; smaller ADS penalties for jumping and sliding |
| Phantom | Makes you undetectable to enemy recon killstreaks, equipment and perks |
| Fieldcraft | Rapidly regenerates armor and equipment |
Phantom is the one to watch against squads relying on UAVs and Heartbeat Sensors, while Fieldcraft suits long fights where plates run thin.
How do Weapon Augments work?
After drones fly across the map and drop portable Buy Stations (the "Fly Buy" stations), you can buy a Weapon Augment that upgrades your gun for that match. Stock is limited.
- CQC Augment: faster ADS and sprint-to-fire, less hipfire recoil, faster ADS movement.
- Marksman Augment: better bullet velocity and damage range, less horizontal recoil, less aim sway.
- Handling Augment: faster reloads and rechambers, quicker slide-to-fire, lower first-shot recoil, weapon bob and flinch.
Pick the augment that covers your weapon's weakness: Marksman for rifles at range, CQC for SMGs in buildings, Handling for anything with a slow reload.
What do the Zipline Launcher and Grabber Drone do?
The Zipline Launcher is a Field Upgrade that fires anchors and creates a zipline for climbing high points or crossing terrain. It stays on the map until someone retrieves or destroys it, and enemies can use it too, so check the line before you ride. You can use your pistol while ziplining.
The Grabber Drone is a remote drone with a claw that can lift loot, environmental objects and even other Operators. It can bring a downed teammate closer for a revive, fetch hard-to-reach items, and pick up Buy Station loot. Battery life is limited. It can also carry the movable fuel barrels now scattered across Hajin, Zodiac and Verdansk, which you can set as explosive traps.
What are Drop Kits and Ground Ops?
Resurgence adds Drop Kits that boost your next redeploy: Insured (faster redeploy with all your cash), Loadout (redeploy with your current loadout), Armored (full armor, bonus perks and a Self-Revive) and Radar (a radar ping and supply sweep). Resurgence also has a Weapon Trade Station that swaps your weapon for a higher-rarity version with more attachments.
Ground Ops are discoverable map activities: drillable safes, surveillance towers, legendary loot chests, shootable cargo drones and radioactive barrels found with a Geiger counter.
Which modes are available at launch?
Battle Royale and Resurgence (plus Casual versions) launch with Rally Point, Massive Resurgence (Hajin, up to 120 players) and Loaded Resurgence (Zodiac and Rebirth Island, up to 44 players). Extreme Resurgence and Rockets and Snipers arrive mid-season. Verdansk and Rebirth Island return later in Season 1. For map details see our Hajin and Zodiac breakdown, and note that PS4 and Xbox One support has ended.
Is Warzone free on Switch 2 too?
Activision says Warzone launches on Nintendo Switch 2 with Season 1, and it is free-to-play. A player level reset also applies across Multiplayer, DMZ and Warzone, with optional Prestige. Check the launch calendar and deals page for other free games.
Frequently asked questions
How many perks are in Warzone Season 1?
There are 18: 15 selectable in your loadout across three slots and three Elite Perks found during a match.
Can I use more than one Elite Perk?
No. Only one Elite Perk can be equipped at a time, and they are found at Buy Stations or via Supply Run Contracts.
What are Weapon Augments?
Match-long weapon upgrades (CQC, Marksman, Handling) bought from limited Fly Buy Buy Stations dropped by drones.
Can enemies use my Zipline?
Yes. Activision says the whole squad can use it, including enemy Operators, until it is retrieved or destroyed.
Related articles
MW4 DMZ X01 Black Site: Entry, Bosses and Exfil GuideWarzone PS4 & Xbox One Shutdown: Nov 6 Time in India (IST)Warzone Season 1 Maps: Hajin, Zodiac, Verdansk, Rebirth IslandMW4 Season 1 Release Time in India (IST), Maps and DMZ X01Call of Duty: Warzone Season 1 overview
Polygon: Season 1 start time
Images belong to their respective owners and are used for news reporting and commentary.