The big mid-season update for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is now live, adding a veritable arsenal of new weapons, modes, maps, and features to the multiplayer shooter. The patch, which also adds new content to Warzone, lays the groundwork for continuing updates throughout the rest of the season. It's packed with new content, so here's what you can expect.

　　

New Modes

For starters, the update adds a handful of new maps and modes, with more on the way to drop in the coming days ahead. Some of them will drastically change the flow of a match, putting emphasis on long-range fights or even altering how you have to approach Zombies.

　　First is Dropkick, a new Multiplayer mode in which teams battle for control of a briefcase holding the nuclear launch codes. The one who holds the briefcase gets access to a pistol, while the rest of the team tries to keep them safe. But as your team gets picked off, they won't revive until the carrier is eliminated too, whittling down your defenses. Holding the case progressively adds to your team score, and the first to 200 points wins.

　　In Zombies, you can play the new Cranked mode. A constant countdown timer can only be replenished by taking down undead, so you'll constantly be on the hunt for more zombies to kill. If you take too long and run out of time, you explode.

　　Coming later this season, a Snipers Only Moshpit mode is returning to Team Deathmatch and Domination. Certain lethal and tactical equipment will be restricted in the mode to make sure players can only use sniper rifles. An Endurance mode variant is also coming, which will drop 10 squads of four players to detonate bombs across the the Alpine, Ruka, and Sanitorium maps. And in February, Zombies will continue with the next chapter of the Dark Aether storyline.

　　

New Maps

Starting today you can play in the Sanatorium map. Set in a Soviet experimental health retreat, the map will let you engage on land, sea, and air in the Ural Plains. Then on February 4, you can play Express in 6v6 mode. This U-shaped map is based around a train station featuring two tracks looping around the hall. Also coming February 4, the Firebase Z map will be available in Zombies mode. It adds additional intrigue to the ongoing plotline before we expected Treyarch to release new content.

　　Playstation users get a pair of new Onslaught maps as well. If you're playing on PS4 or PS5, you can currently jump into the new multiplayer Raid map, and then Express will join it for Onslaught mode on February 4.

　　

New Weapons and Operators

New gear and operators are also part of the update, starting with the Wakizashi. The knife, traditionally a companion sword to a katana, has better reach than a standard knife but at the cost of some speed. You can unlock the Wakizashi with in-game challenges.

　　On January 21, you can gain Zenya Ossou as an operator. The heavy weapons specialist will be purchasable in the Store Bundle for Season One.

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Warzone Playlist Update

Adding:

　　Verdansk BR – Buy Back SolosPlunder - TriosRebirth Island – Mini Royale Solos, Resurgence QuadsRemoving:

　　Verdansk BR - SolosPlunder – QuadsRebirth Island - Mini Royale Duos, Resurgence Trios

Free Zombies and Double XP

Meanwhile, an ongoing free access week lets you try Zombies at no cost through January 21. And as previously announced, a double weapon XP event begins on January 15.