The Black Ops 7 Season 1 Reloaded update has arrived, bringing exciting new content across multiplayer, Zombies, Warzone, and the Endgame campaign. This mid-season update launches on January 8, 2026, at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET / 5 PM BST across all platforms. You’ll discover new weapons to unlock, fresh maps to battle on, and an incredible Fallout crossover event that brings the post-apocalyptic world to Call of Duty. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or new to the game, this update adds massive value with free and premium content that enhances your gaming experience.
Key Takeaways
- Black Ops 7 Season 1 Reloaded launches January 8, 2026, at 9 AM PT globally
- Two new weapons: Hawker HX Sniper Rifle and Sturmwolf 45 SMG unlockable for free
- Three new multiplayer maps: Yakei (new), Meltdown, and Fringe (returning)
- Major Fallout crossover event with operator skins, limited-time modes, and themed content
- New Warzone modes: Power Armor Royale and High Octane Battle Royale
- Nuketown Fallout variant transforms the classic map with post-apocalyptic theming
- New Zombies content including Deathclaw enemies and Project RADs mode
- Season 1 Reloaded patch notes include weapon balancing and map fixes
What’s New in Black Ops 7 Season 1 Reloaded?
The Call of Duty Warzone update brings substantial content across all game modes. You’ll find that this update focuses on variety and player choice, with something for every type of gamer. From competitive multiplayer players who want new tactical challenges to casual players looking for fun themed events, Season 1 Reloaded delivers impressive value. The update also addresses community feedback with quality-of-life improvements and bug fixes that enhance the overall experience.
New Weapons: Hawker HX and Sturmwolf 45
The Black Ops 7 Season 1 Reloaded new weapons are two fan-favorite designs making their return. The Hawker HX Sniper Rifle is a bolt-action weapon that offers fast handling and excellent mobility, making it perfect for quick-scoping players who need to reposition rapidly. This weapon actually brings back the popular Ballista sniper rifle from Black Ops 2, but with modern improvements that make it competitive in today’s meta.
The Sturmwolf 45 SMG is a fully automatic submachine gun that’s highly accurate and easy to control. This weapon is essentially a modern version of the classic UMP45, offering reliable performance in close-to-medium range engagements. Both weapons are available to unlock for free through seasonal events, so you won’t need to spend extra money to add them to your arsenal.
Pro Tip: Focus on unlocking the Sturmwolf 45 first if you prefer aggressive playstyles, as its versatility makes it useful in more situations than the sniper rifle.
Multiplayer Maps and Modes
The Black Ops 7 multiplayer maps selection expands significantly with this update. Yakei is a brand-new small map set on neon-lit Japanese city rooftops, perfect for 6v6 and 2v2 engagements. The vertical design and tight corners create intense close-quarters battles that reward quick reflexes and smart positioning.
Meltdown and Fringe return from previous Black Ops games, bringing nostalgic gameplay with modern improvements. These maps have been updated with new lighting, better sightlines, and refined spawn logic that makes them feel fresh while maintaining the core gameplay that made them popular.
The new Takeover mode combines elements from Domination and Hardpoint, where teams fight over three territories that move to new locations after being captured. This creates dynamic gameplay that forces teams to adapt their strategies constantly.
Fallout Crossover Event
The Fallout crossover is undoubtedly the highlight of Season 1 Reloaded. This collaboration brings characters and elements from the Amazon Prime Video Fallout TV show into Call of Duty. You can unlock operator skins for Lucy, Maximus, and The Ghoul, plus two additional vault dweller skins.
The event includes both free and paid event passes. The Ghoul and Maximus are available in the paid pass, while vault dweller skins are earned through the free track. Lucy’s operator skin is available as a shop bundle, typically costing around $20.
Limited-time modes include The Ghouls (a Fallout-themed Infected variant) and S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Mayhem (a 6v6 moshpit with irradiated maps and special power-ups). The Nuketown Fallout variant transforms the iconic map with post-apocalyptic decorations, radiation zones, and themed objectives.
Warzone Updates and New Modes
Call of Duty Warzone Season 1 Reloaded introduces two exciting limited-time modes that change how you play battle royale. Power Armor Royale features 66 players in trios, with power armor available from air drops that requires charged Fusion Cores to operate. This mode adds a strategic layer where you must balance risk and reward when entering radiation zones to find special loot.
High Octane Battle Royale is designed for non-stop action with 150 players in quads. You spawn with your custom loadout, have access to buy stations anywhere on the map, and experience faster circle collapse times. The grappling hook from Black Ops 7 is available to all players, enabling faster movement and more dynamic engagements.
Data Point: Power Armor Royale matches end 40% faster than standard battle royale games, according to Activision’s internal testing, making it perfect for players with limited gaming time.
Zombies and Endgame Content
The Zombies mode receives significant updates with the Black Ops 7 Season 1 Reloaded content. The Zarya Cosmodrome location from Ashes of the Damned becomes a Survival map, offering new challenges and opportunities for camo grinding. The Astra Malorum map gets a Directed mode that helps players complete the main story quest with assistance features.
Project RADs is the new Zombies mode for the Fallout event, adding radiation damage mechanics and Deathclaw enemies that provide a serious challenge even for experienced players. These new enemies require different strategies than standard zombies, forcing you to adapt your loadout and teamwork approach.
The Endgame campaign mode adds two new world events. The Wraith Wing event features a powerful VTOL aircraft with cloning capabilities that you must disable and destroy. The Deathclaw Hunt takes place in an irradiated part of Avalon, where you’ll face off against the iconic Fallout creatures in a challenging boss battle.
How to Unlock New Content
Unlocking the Hawker HX Sniper Rifle and Sturmwolf 45 SMG is straightforward but requires participation in seasonal events. The Sturmwolf 45 is available through the free Fallout Event Pass, so you just need to play matches and complete challenges to progress. The Hawker HX is unlocked through the Quantum Exchange event, where you collect bottle caps across all game modes.
Example: Last season, players who dedicated 2-3 hours per week to seasonal events unlocked all new weapons within the first three weeks of the season. This approach ensures you get the content without feeling pressured to grind excessively.
For operator skins and cosmetic items, you have multiple options. Some are available through the free event pass, others require the premium pass, and select bundles like Lucy’s operator skin are only available through the in-game store.
Technical Details and Performance
The Season 1 Reloaded patch notes include important technical improvements and bug fixes. Weapon balancing changes affect several popular weapons, with adjustments to damage ranges, recoil patterns, and aim-down-sights speed. Map fixes address exploits and improve collision detection on several multiplayer maps.
Download sizes vary by platform, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X users seeing updates around 30-40 GB, while PC users on Battle.net might experience larger downloads initially. Activision has acknowledged that some players saw unusually large download sizes due to an error, with the expected size being 20-30 GB depending on currently installed content.
Actionable Tip: Before downloading, clear your console cache or verify game files on PC to ensure the smoothest update process. This can reduce download times and prevent installation errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Black Ops 7 Season 1 Reloaded launch?
Black Ops 7 Season 1 Reloaded launched on January 8, 2026, at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET / 5 PM BST across all platforms. The update rolled out simultaneously on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Battle.net, Steam, and the Microsoft Store. If you missed the initial launch, you can download and access all content immediately once the update is installed on your platform.
What new weapons are available in Black Ops 7 Season 1 Reloaded?
Season 1 Reloaded introduces two new weapons: the Hawker HX Sniper Rifle and the Sturmwolf 45 SMG. The Hawker HX is a bolt-action sniper rifle with fast handling and mobility, perfect for quick-scoping players. The Sturmwolf 45 is a fully automatic submachine gun that’s highly accurate and easy to control, making it excellent for close-quarters combat. Both weapons are unlockable for free through seasonal events rather than requiring real money purchases.
Is there a Fallout crossover in Season 1 Reloaded?
Yes, the Fallout crossover is a major feature of Season 1 Reloaded. This collaboration brings characters from the Amazon Prime Video Fallout TV show into Call of Duty, including operator skins for Lucy, Maximus, and The Ghoul. The event includes limited-time modes like The Ghouls and S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Mayhem, a Nuketown Fallout variant map, and themed cosmetic items. The crossover features both free and premium content, allowing all players to participate regardless of budget.
What new maps are included in Season 1 Reloaded?
The update adds three multiplayer maps: Yakei (a brand-new small map set on Japanese city rooftops), Meltdown, and Fringe (both returning from previous Black Ops games). Yakei offers vertical gameplay with neon aesthetics, while Meltdown and Fringe bring nostalgic layouts with modern improvements. Additionally, the Nuketown Fallout variant transforms the classic map with post-apocalyptic theming during the Fallout event, offering a fresh take on the fan-favorite layout.
How big is the Season 1 Reloaded download?
Download sizes vary by platform but typically range from 20-40 GB depending on your current installation. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X users can expect around 30-40 GB, while PC users on Battle.net should see 20-30 GB. Some players initially reported larger downloads due to an error that Activision has acknowledged and fixed. To ensure the smoothest update process, make sure you have sufficient storage space and a stable internet connection before starting the download.
What new game modes are added in Season 1 Reloaded?
Season 1 Reloaded introduces several new game modes across different playlists. In multiplayer, Takeover mode combines elements from Domination and Hardpoint with moving capture points. Warzone gets Power Armor Royale (66 players in trios with power armor drops) and High Octane Battle Royale (150 players with instant loadouts and faster gameplay). Zombies features Project RADs mode with radiation damage and Deathclaw enemies, while the Endgame campaign adds the Wraith Wing and Deathclaw Hunt world events.
How do I unlock the new weapons in Season 1 Reloaded?
You can unlock the Sturmwolf 45 SMG through the free Fallout Event Pass by playing matches and completing challenges. The Hawker HX Sniper Rifle is available through the Quantum Exchange event, where you collect bottle caps across all game modes. Both weapons are designed to be accessible to all players without requiring additional purchases. If you miss the seasonal events, all new weapons are typically added to the Armory in the following season, allowing you to unlock them using standard progression methods.
The Black Ops 7 Season 1 Reloaded update delivers tremendous value with diverse content across all game modes. Whether you’re interested in competitive multiplayer, cooperative Zombies gameplay, or battle royale action, this update provides fresh experiences that keep the game exciting. Don’t forget to check out our other guides on Black Ops 7 weapons and the complete Call of Duty timeline to enhance your gaming knowledge further. For official details and technical specifications, visit the Call of Duty patch notes and IGN’s comprehensive coverage.
