November 21 Update Patch Notes

This is a full list of patch notes for the November 21 update of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 (MW3). Learn about the November 21 update, including info on several bug fixes, balance changes, weapon damage nerfs, as well as Zombies mode exploit fixes.

November 21 Update Highlights

Damage Nerfs for FR 5.56 and DG-58 Assault Rifles

The November 21 Update's biggest change comes in the form of damage nerfs for both the FR 5.56 and DG-58 burst-fire assault rifles. Prior to the patch, both rifles were overperforming in multiplayer, each garnering the moniker of the 1-burst kill rifle for being able to melt enemies in a single, 3-round burst.

Now, after the November 21 Update, both rifles have had their damages nerfed. In order to kill someone in a single burst, they will need to hit at least 2 Headshots in a 3-round burst, as well as be firing from the effective damage range of the weapon.

Best Guns Tier List

Scorestreak and Cymbal Monkeys Exploits Removed

Another big change in the November 21 update is, unsurprisingly, more removals of XP exploits in Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) Zombies. When playing the most recent version of the game, players will no longer be able to duplicate scorestreaks during matches.

Additionally, the infamous Cymbal Monkeys exploit that allowed you to passively kill distracted zombies to get XP, Weapon XP, and Camo Progression has also been removed.

List of XP Glitches and Exploits

November 21 Update Patch Notes

Global

Stability and Performance

• Resolved a crash that could occur while viewing Weapon Challenges.

UIX Bug Fixes

• Closed an exploit that allowed players to equip Weapon Camos they have not yet unlocked.
• Addressed an issue that prevented players from equipping the Borealis Weapon Camo once it has been unlocked.

Cosmetics

• Dragonfly Blueprint for the M4 (MW2) will now appear as expected across all platforms.
• Addressed an issue that prevented the appearance of the Io Operator (MW2) from dynamically changing as expected.
• Adjusted the Ghoulie Camo (MW2) to prevent it from becoming overwhelmingly bright in dark environments.

Multiplayer

UIX General

• Wins will now progress Armory Unlocks without first completing Daily Challenges.

Note: This is simply a UI fix. The actual function that allows you to progress Armory Unlocks via wins was implemented in the November 17 Update.

UIX Bug Fixes

• Players will no longer experience graphical corruption when transitioning between the Field Upgrades and Social menus.
• XP requirements in the Progression menu will no longer display as negative values under certain conditions.
• Attachments that are incompatible with the current selection can no longer be equipped to a Weapon.

Challenge Progression

• Updated the description of the Gilded Camo challenge for the MTZ-556 (Assault Rifle) to accurately reflect the intended requirements.
• Weekly Challenges requiring Triple Kills and Quad Kills will now properly track completion.

Maps

• Derail: Adjusted environmental fog to increase contrast, improving visibility.
• Estate: Decreased grime on windows of the Lodge to improve clarity.

Perks

• Ordnance Gloves: Removed undocumented reduction to the cook duration of Frag Grenades.

Weapons

Holger 556 (Assault Rifle)

• Decreased headshot damage multiplier from 1.4x to 1.3x.
• Decreased neck, upper-torso, arm, and hand damage multipliers from 1.1x to 1x.
• Increased sprint to fire time from 210ms to 231ms (+10%).

Holger 556 Best Loadout and Build

DG-58 (Assault Rifle)

• Decreased maximum damage from 44 to 40 (-9%).
• Decreased medium damage from 35 to 33 (-6%).
• Decreased neck damage multiplier from 1.4x to 1.1x.
• Increased burst delay from 100ms to 120ms (+20%).

DG-58 Best Loadout and Build

FR 5.56 (Assault Rifle)

• Decreased maximum damage from 44 to 43 (-2%).
• Decreased near-medium damage from 40 to 36 (-10%).
• Decreased minimum damage from 36 to 33 (-8%).
• Decreased headshot damage multiplier from 1.5x to 1.4x.
• Decreased leg and foot damage multipliers from 1x to 0.9x.
• Increased aim down sights time from 240ms to 260ms (+8%).
• Increased sprint to fire time from 210ms to 231ms (+10%).

FR 5.56 Best Loadout and Build

Striker (Submachine Gun)

• Increased maximum damage range from 9m to 19m (+114%).
• Increased near-medium damage from 33 to 36 (+9%).
• Increased far-medium damage from 27 to 33 (+22%).
• Decreased aim down sights time from 240ms to 230ms (-4%).

Striker Best Loadout and Build

AMR9 (Submachine Gun)

• Increased lower-torso, lower-arm, and hand damage multipliers from 1x to 1.1x.
• Decreased sprint to fire time from 294ms to 206ms (-30%).

AMR9 Best Loadout and Build

Striker 9 (Submachine Gun)

• Decreased maximum damage from 32 to 27 (-16%).
• Decreased aim down sights time from 275ms to 225ms (-18%).

Striker 9 Best Loadout and Build

Zombies

Gameplay

• Storm the Castle (Mission): Warlord kill credit is now squad-based, and the required mission item will now spawn when a member of your squad kills the target.
• Interceptor (Mission): Destroy Mercenary Convoy now accurately tracks completion. Picking up a Keycard from a mercenary at the convoy will always count toward mission completion.
• Tombstone Soda (Perk-A-Cola): Tombstones will no longer appear in the next session if a player exfils while in last stand.
• Essence can no longer be stowed.
• Addressed an issue where newly stowed items, acquisitions, or schematics would be replaced, and therefore lost, with previously sold items that underwent a swap item menu interaction.
• Closed various exploits related to the use of Cymbal Monkeys.
• Closed an exploit that permitted duplication of scorestreaks.

Enemies

• Zombie spawn priority has been adjusted to favor increased ground spawning.
• Players can expect fewer ambient Zombie spawns on rooftops and higher elevations.
• Mercenary damage against Player Armor has been reduced.
• Shielded Soldiers now have a slower fire rate when engaged.

Weapons

• Pack-A-Punch: Addressed an interaction and UI issue that would incorrectly show Pack-A-Punch Level III as Pack-A-Punch Level IV.

Stability

• Various stability fixes.

Third Preseason Patch Release Date

Third Preseason Patch Released on November 21, 2023

The third preseason patch has dropped for Modern Warfare 3's Multiplayer, Campaign, Zombies modes, and COD HQ on November 21, 2023. In addition to bug fixes and stability improvements, this patch brings with it damage nerfs for the FR 5.56 and DG-58, as well as more Zombies exploits patching to promote fair play.

Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) Related Guides

Updates and Patch Notes

Updates and Version History

Other MW3 News

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