The biggest game on Steam is getting its biggest update since launching out of early access in December. The phenomenon known as PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is currently working through issues getting a second map on the Xbox One version, but on the PC version, a third map is currently in testing as developers at Bluehole's PUBG Corp also prepare to launch its twelfth major update. This one - given the amount of changes it offers - will be on the test server for a while.

But this is also the one players have been waiting for and may help bring some folks back to check out PUBG who left for Fortnite. There's a new vehicles, a new gun, multiple new weapons mods, map selection, substantial supply drop changes, and an entire rebalancing of most of the PUBG weapons. And the best part of all: no mention of loot boxes. That could be because of the latest news of a few countries making them illegal...

After teasing major balance changes PUBG Corp outlined exactly what players can expect from PC 1.0 Update #12. First, let's look at the balance changes, and then we'll showcase the new additions to the game.

PUBG Rebalances Most of Its Weapons

All the pistols are getting a slight damage buff. All the 5.66 ARs get a one-point damage reduction and a 30% increase in reload time, while the AKM only gets a 10% slowdown.

A pair of shotguns get a one-point damage reduction while all of them get a reduction in pellet spread. The SMGs except for the Tommy Gun get a one-point damage increase. All of them get a recoil reduction, even when moving while ADSing. Shotguns and SMGs now do more damage to limbs.

On the sniper rifle front, the SKS damage was nerfed substantially while the VSS and Mini14 were buffed. All of the DMRs are getting new recoil animations and do more limb damage.

As for the other weapons, no changes are coming to the bolt-action snipers but both LMGs are getting a damage boost. The crossbow will now reload a half-second faster.

PUBG Gets A New Car, New Gun, New Weapon Attachments

While a (sort of) new vehicle appeared this weekend during the PUBG event - an armored UAZ jeep - PUBG is getting an entirely new ride specific to the Miramar map. It's a muscle car called the Mirado and looks perfect for the setting. It's the fastest vehicle on the map and found in city/urban areas.

And finally, there's a new weapon in PUBG and it's a DMR called the SLR. The SLR respawns regularly in the game world and uses 7.62mm ammo. It holds 10 bullets per magazine (20 bullets when extended) and is the most powerful regular DMR (more powerful than SKS) but has more recoil.

Along with rebalancing the weapons, there's more player choice and variables coming in the form of a new set of attachments.

  • Duckbill - A new attachment for shotguns (S1897, S12K). It reduces the vertical pellet spread but increases horizontal bullet spread
  • Light Grip - It reduces recoil recovery time but increases vertical and horizontal recoilAttachable to ARs, SMGs, DMRs (UMP9, AUG, M416, SCAR-L, SKS)
  • Thumb Grip - It reduces vertical recoil but increases horizontal recoil. It also increases the recoil recovery timeAttachable to - ARs, SMGs, DMRs (UMP9, AUG, M416, SCAR-L, SKS)
  • Half Grip - It reduces vertical and horizontal recoil and also reduces recoil recovery timeAttachable to - ARs, SMGs, DMRs (UMP9, Vector, AUG, M416, SCAR-L, SKS)
  • Scope 3x - This scope has fixed 3x magnification with an illuminated reticle. It’s discoverable as a common world-drop item
  • Scope 6x - This scope has variable 3x–6x magnification. It’s discoverable as a rare world-drop item.

But wait, there's more! On top of all this new gear to loot, Adrenaline syringes will also now spawn in the regular world and are faster to use (6 seconds instead of 8 seconds). Players will however, lose sniper rifle magazines and level 3 helmets which will now only appear in supply drops.

PUBG Gameplay Changes

Optics

There are quite a few of fundamental gameplay changes in addition to what comes inherently with what's listed above. Along with a pair of new optics to pickup for instance, the existing optics can be customized a little by players. You can now change the reticle style and color on the red-dot, holo-sight, and 2x scope using the scope zeroing keys (Page Up/Page Down by default).

Swimming and Boats

You can't hide underwater so easily anymore! Air only lasts 15 seconds now when submersed instead of 35 seconds and once you’ve run out of air, you’ll now take 10 damage per second (up from four damage per second). And to recover from being submersed, players need 4 seconds instead of 1. Needless to say, you're in trouble if you're trying to escape or hide in water while being tracked.

Miramar

The size of the oasis was increased with more buildings nearby and there are extra farming points (small building sets) added near various cities and towns. The number of buildings in some city areas was reduced to cut down on excessive building density along with some excessive cover points (rocks, drums, boxes) inside various cities and towns. Elsewhere in open areas more trees and rocks have been added to offer more cover in open areas and some building interiors have been simplified.

Magazines

As we said above, sniper rifle magazines will no longer spawn and are only available in supply crates but DMRs will now use AR magazines (and other attachments alongside sniper attachments) and won't be affected. As for the coveted Extended Quickdraw mag, it'll be more rare now.

Movement

Movement speed will be descreased slightly when holding SRs, LMGs (M249, DP28) and shotguns. Equipped weapon affects both your sprinting speed and your running (normal movement) speed. They’ve also removed the first shot delay when your character is not sprinting. Chambering a new round in certain weapons (M24, Kar98k, S1897, etc.) no longer limits you to walking speed while aiming down sights and the amount your camera shakes after being shot (“aim punch”) now depends on the amount of damage received

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Source: PUBG Corp