Last checked October 29, 2026, against Activision's official Modern Warfare 4 and Warzone Season 1 announcement (published October 28) and the official MW4 launch patch notes. Season 1 is not live yet. Everything below is announced, and in-season weapons have no exact date yet.
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TL;DR: what are the new weapons in MW4 Season 1?
Quick answer: Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 goes live at midnight ET on November 6, 2026 (9 PM PT on November 5) with two new weapons in the Battle Pass: the Cronen Osprey assault rifle at Tier 16 and the CSG-35 SMG at Tier 36. Two more arrive later in the season as event rewards: the JAK 12 full-auto shotgun and the ZLR Talonhawk combat axe. Activision calls the pass's two new base weapons free, so you don't need the 1,100 COD Point premium pass to get them. Season 1 also adds new attachments: the Hyeon Auto and Kastov 545 Apex conversions (Wager Match Event rewards) and an M16 Burst kit for the M4. Each new gun starts at Level 1. Shared attachments you've already unlocked on other guns stay available, but weapon-specific unlocks, camos and the Apex sit on the gun's own level track: 70 levels for the Osprey, 42 for the CSG-35.
Key numbers (all from the official Season 1 blog):
- 882 RPM: Cronen Osprey fire rate, "rivaled only by the M4" among assault rifles
- 1,200 RPM: CSG-35 fire rate, the highest in its class
- 70 / 42: max weapon levels for the Osprey and CSG-35
- Tier 16 / Tier 36: where the Osprey and CSG-35 sit on the 100-tier Battle Pass
- 1,100 / 2,400 COD Points: Season 1 Battle Pass / Battle Pass Bundle price
When do the MW4 Season 1 weapons come out?
Season 1 starts on Friday, November 6, 2026 at 0000 ET (Thursday, November 5 at 2100 PT) on all platforms. Activision gives that time in the Season 1 announcement. The launch hour is now pinned, so our Season 1 release date and roadmap guide covers the rest of the schedule. The weapons arrive in two waves:
| Weapon | Class | When | How you unlock it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cronen Osprey | Assault Rifle | Season 1 launch (Nov 6) | Battle Pass Tier 16 |
| CSG-35 | SMG | Season 1 launch (Nov 6) | Battle Pass Tier 36 |
| JAK 12 | Shotgun | In-season (date TBA) | Event reward |
| ZLR Talonhawk | Melee | In-season (date TBA) | Event reward |
Activision only says the JAK 12 and Talonhawk arrive "later in the season" and doesn't name the events that unlock them. Any specific date you see for them right now is a guess. Season 1 Reloaded, the mid-season update, is also where Activision says more maps and modes will land, so that's the likeliest window. That's our read, not a confirmed date.
How do you unlock the Cronen Osprey in MW4?
The Cronen Osprey unlocks at Battle Pass Tier 16. A Battle Pass Blueprint for it sits at Tier 87. That makes it the earlier of the two Battle Pass guns, both of which are on the pass from Season 1 launch.
Official stats:
- Fire rate: 882 RPM
- Magazine: 30 rounds, 90 reserve
- Weapon levels: 70
- Attachment types: Optic, Muzzle, Barrel, Underbarrel, Magazine, Rear Grip, Stock, Laser, Ammunition
- Apex Attachment: Cronen Helix Mk. II
Activision describes it as a 5.56 rifle with "a best-in-class fire rate without sacrificing control, accuracy, or mobility," and notes it "kicks up and to the right" in sustained fire. Expect a fast-firing rifle for mid-range fights where you can feather the trigger to tame the climb.
The Cronen Helix Mk. II is the headline. It's a double-barrel receiver that turns the Osprey into a semi-automatic dual-fire rifle that fires on both the trigger pull and the release. Activision's word is "unmatched rate of fire among semi-automatic weapons." On the launch guns, an Apex Attachment is the reward at the end of the weapon's level track (see how MW4 Apex Attachments work). Activision hasn't said where on the Osprey's track the Helix sits, but if it follows the launch pattern, you'll need a lot of those 70 levels before you can run it.
How do you unlock the CSG-35 SMG?
The CSG-35 unlocks at Battle Pass Tier 36, with its Battle Pass Blueprint at Tier 73.
Official stats:
- Fire rate: 1,200 RPM
- Magazine: 28 rounds, 112 reserve
- Weapon levels: 42
- Attachment types: Optic, Muzzle, Underbarrel, Magazine, Rear Grip, Stock, Laser, Ammunition
- Apex Attachment: CSG Crossfire (dual-wield akimbo CSG-35s)
In Activision's words: "Featuring the highest fire rate in its class pumping out rounds at a blazing 1200 RPM, the CSG-35 excels at putting down targets fast at close ranges." The trade-off is modest damage per bullet and climbing recoil past about 20 meters, so this is a close-range gun. At 42 levels, it also has the shorter level track of the two Battle Pass guns, which matters for Mastery camos (more on that below).
Timing helps it too. The October 28 update already listed "general improvements to SMG performance" among its goals, so SMGs are in a better spot going into Season 1 than they were at launch.
What are the JAK 12 and ZLR Talonhawk?
JAK 12 (shotgun, in-season event reward):
- Fire rate: 323 RPM, full-auto
- Magazine: 8 rounds, 16 reserve
- Weapon levels: [CLASSIFIED]
- Apex Attachment: JAK Barrage, which fires "a salvo of adhesive explosives that stick to surfaces and targets before detonating"
Activision pitches it as a breaching tool that falls off fast at range and kicks hard. It's best for pushing through doors in tight maps like Shipment.
ZLR Talonhawk (melee, in-season event reward): a combat axe with 10 weapon levels, Mastery Badges, and no attachments. Its 10 levels make it the shortest level track of the new weapons. The unknown is the event that unlocks it.
What new attachments come with Season 1?
Season 1 also changes guns you already own:
| Attachment | Weapon | How you get it |
|---|---|---|
| Hyeon Auto (Apex) | Hyeon Burst AR | Wager Match Event reward |
| Kastov 545 (Apex) | Kastov 762 AR | Wager Match Event reward |
| M16 Burst | M4 AR | Event reward |
| TT Iron Guard Kit | .50 GS pistol | In-season (method TBA) |
| ChainSAW Grip | FiNN LMG | In-season (method TBA) |
The Hyeon Auto turns the burst rifle fully automatic with "a substantial increase in continuous RPM." That's worth watching: in r/CODWarzone's MW4 gun-stats thread this week, players were already asking for the Hyeon Burst's TTK with its existing Apex attachment, which one player called the DMZ meta pick. The Kastov 545 chambers the 762 in 5.45x39mm for smoother handling. The M16 Burst does what the name says: it gives up the M4's full-auto fire for controlled bursts.
What's the Wager Match Event? It's Season 1's launch event across Multiplayer, DMZ and Warzone. Trophies are the currency. You win them in the new Gauntlet 1v1 Gunfight playlist and other challenges, and the more you collect, the more rewards you unlock, including several weapon attachments. The top three winners get extra rewards. Activision notes no money or items of real-world value are involved.
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Do you need the premium Battle Pass for the new weapons?
No. Activision says the Season 1 pass includes "two new (and free) Base Weapons." Those are the Osprey and CSG-35, so free players unlock both by reaching Tiers 16 and 36. What the 1,100 COD Point premium pass (or the 2,400 CP bundle) adds:
- A 10% Battle Pass XP Boost for all of Season 1, so you reach Tiers 16 and 36 faster
- A catch-up system that guarantees 50+ rewards. Premium owners who fall behind are caught up to the reward matching the current day of the season, up to day 50
- Premium Blueprints, including the Tier 87 Osprey and Tier 73 CSG-35 Battle Pass Blueprints
- Completion rewards, topped by the "Bellum" Ultra rarity Mosin-Nagant Blueprint at Tier 100
BlackCell (included with the Vault Edition) adds seven exclusive Weapon Blueprints, including ones for the CSG-35 and Cronen Osprey. If you buy the Battle Pass and later upgrade to BlackCell, you get the 1,100 COD Points back. For the full system, see our BlackCell and Battle Pass explainer.
One caution: Activision hasn't said how the day-based catch-up maps onto specific weapon tiers. Don't assume the Osprey drops automatically on day 16 until the pass is live and someone confirms it.
How do you level the new MW4 weapons fast?
Every Season 1 gun starts at Level 1 with no camo progress. Shared attachments you've unlocked on other weapons carry over, but weapon-specific unlocks and the Apex need the gun's own levels. Here's how to cut that grind down, using only what's live or officially confirmed:
- Bank Double Weapon XP Tokens now. MW4 tokens only tick down while you're in a match (how 2XP tokens pause out of match). The Season 1 pass also includes Player, Weapon and Battle Pass 2XP tokens. Save them for the hour you unlock the Osprey.
- Level in Shipment 24/7. It's been live since October 27, and Activision itself tells players to use it "to level up those crucial early Weapon ranks." Our Shipment XP farm guide covers the decoy-grenade setup.
- Squad up for the Joint Fire Event. Activision confirmed an XP boost "that increases for larger squads," plus 2XP tokens among its rewards.
- Pick your mode on purpose. The October 25 patch tripled kill XP in S&D and Collateral (100 → 300), but respawn modes still give more raw kills. See the MW4 XP buff breakdown.
- Plan for Weapon Prestige. Max level opens optional Weapon Prestige, which resets the gun's level and relocks its attachments. Apex and Blueprint attachments stay. Read how MW4 Weapon Prestige and the Pyroclast camos work before you hit 70 on the Osprey.
What about camos? New Season 1 guns join the same Mastery grind as the launch arsenal. That means the 70-level Osprey becomes another long camo track for anyone chasing the full set. Our MW4 camo challenges explainer and fastest Mastery camo guide cover the challenge types. For attachment unlock paths on existing guns, see how to unlock attachments fast and every weapon's unlock level.
What's confirmed and what's still unknown?
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Season 1 start: Nov 6, 0000 ET | ✅ Confirmed (official blog) |
| Osprey Tier 16, CSG-35 Tier 36 | ✅ Confirmed |
| Osprey 70 levels, CSG-35 42, Talonhawk 10 | ✅ Confirmed |
| JAK 12 weapon levels | ❓ [CLASSIFIED] |
| Which events unlock JAK 12 and Talonhawk | ❓ Not announced |
| Exact in-season release dates | ❓ Not announced |
| Where each Apex sits on the new guns' level tracks | ❓ Not stated |
| Warzone Season 1 weapon details | ⏳ Activision posts full Warzone intel on Nov 2 |
| Leaked "Season 2 weapons" lists | ❌ Unconfirmed. Ignore until official |
Season 1 is also when MW4 fully integrates with Warzone. Activision has saved the Warzone-specific details for its November 2 blog, so we'll update this page then.
Should you grind the Season 1 guns yourself?
If you like the grind, the plan above works. Bank tokens, farm Shipment, squad up for Joint Fire. The real cost is time: the Osprey alone is 70 levels, then the camo track, then Weapon Prestige, all while the launch guns are still unfinished. Two more weapons arrive in-season, and their dates aren't announced yet.
Want to lock in your MW4 setup before Season 1 drops on November 6? Bot lobbies, camo and weapon leveling are ready day one:
- MW4 Bot Lobbies: easy lobbies to level the Cronen Osprey and CSG-35 and knock out camo challenges fast
- MW4 Weapon Leveling: max any MW4 weapon and unlock its attachments without the grind
- MW4 Mastery Camo Unlock: Mastery camos on the guns you actually use
- MW4 Account Leveling: hit max rank and Prestige so you start Season 1 with the rank grind done
Browse every MW4 service on the Modern Warfare 4 hub. For how bot lobbies actually work, read MW4 bot lobbies explained.
FAQ
What new weapons are in MW4 Season 1? Four: the Cronen Osprey assault rifle and CSG-35 SMG at Season 1 launch (November 6), then the JAK 12 shotgun and the ZLR Talonhawk melee axe later in the season. Source: Activision's official Season 1 blog.
What tier is the Cronen Osprey in the MW4 Battle Pass? Tier 16. Its Battle Pass Blueprint is at Tier 87. The CSG-35 is at Tier 36, with its Blueprint at Tier 73.
Are the Season 1 weapons free in MW4? Yes. Activision says the Battle Pass's two new base weapons, the Osprey and CSG-35, are free. The JAK 12 and Talonhawk come from in-season events, not purchases. The Tier 87 and Tier 73 Blueprints need the premium pass, and the BlackCell Blueprints need BlackCell, which is included with the Vault Edition.
What time does MW4 Season 1 start? 0000 ET on Friday, November 6, 2026, which is 9 PM PT on Thursday, November 5. It starts at the same time on all platforms.
How many levels does the CSG-35 have? 42. The Cronen Osprey has 70, and the ZLR Talonhawk has 10. Activision has the JAK 12's level count as [CLASSIFIED].
What is the Cronen Helix Mk. II? It's the Cronen Osprey's Apex Attachment. It's a double-barrel receiver that makes the rifle semi-automatic and dual-fire, firing on both the trigger pull and the release.
