Black Ops 4 Update: Patch Notes Cover Changes To Blackout, Zombies, And Multiplayer

The first update for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 has arrived. It introduces changes, tweaks, and fixes across the shooter’s three main modes: Blackout, Zombies, and Multiplayer, with Zombies getting the bulk of the attention in the form of a notable balance pass.

The update increases player health for Casual, Normal, and Hardcore difficulty options by 50 points, which should help you survive longer. Developer Treyarch has also made adjustments how fast you earn points and to the cost of shield repair/replacement, among other things.

Moving to multiplayer, the update changes the pre-requisites to unlock active camo on signature weapons, while it also fixes a bug that prevented Scorestreak kills from counting towards progress for some challenges.

There are a number of PC-specific changes and further information that you can see below, while all platforms also received changes to make the game generally more stable and less prone to crash. The full patch notes can be seen at the bottom of this post, as revealed by Treyarch on Reddit.

Black Ops 4, which beat Red Dead Redemption 2 to become the most anticipated game of the the holiday in the US, launched on October 12 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. It broke sales records for Activision and PlayStation. Keep checking back with GameSpot for our full review of Black Ops 4.

Black Ops 4 Patch Notes:

  • General

  • Zombies

    • Gameplay Balancing

      • Increased player health in Casual, Normal, and Hardcore Difficulty in Classic mode by 50 points.

      • Balance adjustment to rate at which players earn points.

      • Balance adjustment to Tiger attacks.

      • Balance adjustment to Hellhounds (spawn radius, speed, and frequency).

      • Balance adjustment to Hellfire Special Weapon.

      • Reduced cost of shield repair and replacement.

      • Resolved an issue where some players experienced a crash in the Laboratory.

  • Multiplayer

    • Create-a-Class

      • Mastercraft camos can now be properly unlocked.

      • Adjusted unlock requirements for the active camo on Signature Weapons (MX9, Strife).

    • Gameplay

  • Blackout

    • Characters

PC-Specific:

Here are some of the hot topics we’re currently tracking and/or working on for a future update:

  • PC Crashes

    • We’re tracking a number of these across several different configurations, and the team at Beenox is working to identify and fix these as they come up. Watch /u/TreyarchPC and @TreyarchPC on Twitter for PC-specific Black Ops 4 updates, and please be as descriptive as possible when reporting crashes (for example, “error code Negative 345 Sky Wolf”) and what was happening in the game at the time of your crash. Every bit of info helps the team track and squash these issues.

  • Map Spawns

    • We adjusted spawns in Domination in yesterday’s update, and have seen reports of map spawn issues across other MP modes. We’re investigating these now and will address as necessary in upcoming updates.

  • Progression Issues

    • We’re investigating reported issues where some users have experienced a temporary loss in some progression stats, while others have reported Hardcore wins not counting toward Challenge progression, and/or losing a match already in progress counting as a loss. Our teams are on it.

  • Weapon Camo Issues

The Walking Dead: “The Bridge” Review

Warning: Full spoilers for the episode follow…

First up, it’s good to be able to write a spoiler-filled Dead review again. Last week’s advance review of the Season 9 premiere almost killed me. So, having this stored up, WOOOO-HOOO! GREGORY’S DEAD!

Speaking a little more seriously about Xander Berkeley’s departure from the show, it was a good death. Naturally, not the biggest death, but it was fortunate to happen on an episode that also featured the very non-impactful death of a new person we’d just met. Which has become, sadly, a Walking Dead trait throughout these later seasons. It’s the dramatic equivalent of filling yourself up on the free bread at a restaurant. When the meal finally arrives, you want none of it.

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Supergirl Season 4 Premiere: “American Alien” Review

Warning: Full spoilers for the Supergirl Season 4 premiere below.

A lot has changed with Supergirl this season, not least of which being the transition to Sunday nights. Several series regulars have taken on drastically reduced roles, while new players are rising up to fill the void. It all feels like a significant and very intentional shift in direction from Season 3. And given how underwhelming that season was in some respects, that’s not a bad strategy. In fact, it’s one that pays off pretty handsomely this week. After one episode, there’s already reason to feel enthusiastic about the show’s future.

Judging from “American Alien,” the focus this year seems to be as much about bringing the series back to the tone and approach of Season 2 as it is blazing new ground. Individual character arcs from Season 3 are clearly influencing the direction of the show (J’onn and Winn’s retirement, Lena and Supergirl’s estrangement, etc.), but the Reign storyline in general barely seems to matter at this point. Instead, the focus has shifted back to National City’s growing anti-alien hysteria and drama within the Luthor family.

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Mysterious Avengers 4 Image Released As Filming Finishes

The fourth Avengers movie has finally finishing filming, directors Joe and Anthony Russo announced on Twitter. That’s an exciting and important milestone in the film’s production, but perhaps the more intriguing element here is the image that that brothers shared.

The mysterious image depicts a bright blue light that apparently has some kind of connection to something that happens in the untitled fourth Avengers film.

The follow-up to Infinity War is set to hit theatres in April 2019, following the release of the Brie Larson-starring Captain Marvel in March 2019. The new Avengers movie will seemingly wrap up a years-long story arc following the dramatic events of Infinity War.

Chris Evans, who plays Steve Rogers/Captain America, recently talked about his emotional final day on set. Some Marvel fans believe Cap might be among the characters who could be killed off in the new Avengers film.

According to ComicBook.com, Evans recently recalled at the ACE Comic Con in Chicago how the final line he recorded for Avengers 4 was “something really stupid” that he cannot talk about. Importantly, this was a scene he came back to set to film as a pick-up, so it’s not the final line his character says in the film. “It might have been a line to Paul Rudd. He wasn’t there, but it was a stupid line. The line wasn’t memorable to me [laughs]. The day was more memorable than the line,” Evans said.

Writer Christopher Markus said the next Avengers film will be very different, summarizing it as: “We broke your heart. Now we’re going to blow your mind.”

My Hero Academia Offers More Relatable Superheroes with Refreshing Motivations

When I think of superheroes, the general idea of their origins tend to lean towards a higher calling, a greater purpose that shifts their path in life from that of a normal citizen to that of a protector who uses their power to help others. There is often some force — a tragedy like with Batman and Spider-Man, some kind of larger destiny as with Green Lantern, the greater good as seen with the X-Men, etc. — that pushes a person to become a hero, effectively moving them away from a normal life and instilling them with an unrelenting desire to help others. These stories have been revisited quite often over the past few years in movies, games, and comic reboots, and though enjoyable, I’ve been wanting a different kind of superhero story. I found that change of pace in the world of Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia, where the usual character motivations of superhero narratives are subverted to make the path of a hero a choice, and a very personal one at that.

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Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Guide: The Mythological Beasts And Where To Find Them

There’s much to experience in the massive open-world of Ancient Greece in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. But as is tradition, the Assassin’s Creed series has a very strange way of blending historical accuracy with bizarre supernatural elements–and Odyssey is no exception. While you’ll mostly take on pirates, foot soldiers, and the sinister members of the Cult of Kosmos throughout the various locales around the world, there are some encounters that will take some extra effort to find–leading to Odyssey’s most memorable fights against beasts of legend.

In this feature, we breakdown Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s most involved and unique quest-line, which pits you against some various mythological beasts that reference Greek mythology, including the deadly Medusa and the Cyclops. In addition to giving you all the details on how to find them, we also offer up some tips on how to overcome their unique challenges. Obviously, there are some spoilers in this article, which relates to the midpoint of the game. Proceed with caution.

Where To Begin

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To start your epic quest to vanquish the four mythological creatures hiding out within Ancient Greece, you’ll need to reach the midpoint in the main Odyssey quest, which takes you to island of Thera, just north of Messara. After solving the puzzles to gain entry into the ruins, you’ll meet a very important character inside, who will give you a new Odyssey quest-line called Between Two Worlds. This quest tasks you with finding four lost Isu artifacts that have been stolen, which are now hidden across the known world of Greece.

While you may get the urge to drop everything and set out to complete this quest after the cutscene’s finish, you’re much better off holding off until much later into the main story. Not only will you have the proper gear to take out some of the harder challenges, some of the legendary gear that drops from these quests will also become more powerful. We’d recommend you finish the main story, which will take you through many of the islands and locales that house these lost artifacts. What follows is the best order to take on these creatures, based on level.

The Sphinx And Where To Find It

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Marked as level 35 quest, the Lord of the Sphinx mission tasks you with finding an artifact hidden in Boetia. Located on the southern coast of Lake Koapis, you’ll find ancient Isu ruins shrouded in fog. At these ruins you’ll find a discover a Sphinx statue and an NPC named Gorgias, who’s searching for a piece of a medallion to unlock the secrets of the temple. Tasking you to find his apprentice, you’ll start the next leg of the quest, which will have you travel to the Tomb of Menoikeus. Located in the northeastern part of the Scorched Rolling Plains region in Boetia, you’ll find the remains of the apprentice, killed by a nearby alpha lion–which has also eaten the other half of the medallion. After securing the piece, head back to the ruins to proceed with the next part of the quest.

Once you return, you’ll find that Gorgias and the statue are missing. Before proceeding further, be sure to save your progress. Taking the piece of the medallion that Gorgias left behind, you’ll be able to place the item on a pedestal in the ruins, which will summon the mythological Sphinx. Surprisingly, you won’t engage in an actual fight with the Sphinx, but rather a game of careful wits. After conversing with the beast, the challenge begins. You’ll only have one chance to clear this encounter, as offering an incorrect solution to the puzzles will result in instant death. Moreover, each subsequent reload of your save will see a different set of riddles offered up.

Think carefully before giving your responses to the Sphinx’s questions, as your answers also apply to several runes scattered around the ruins, which have to be activated after the riddles are complete. If you can’t find the rune assigned to your given answers, then you’ll meet certain doom. After making it through the riddles correctly, you’ll best the Sphinx at its own game and collect your first artifact, along with a legendary Sphinx Figurehead for your ship.

The Cyclops And Where To Find It

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You’ll likely be aware of the location of this particular mythological beast early on into your adventure. Found on the Isle of Thisvi just south of Phokis (one of the first areas you go to after getting your ship), you’ll find the ancient Isu ruins after diving into the Forgotten Isle’s inner cove. However, the door leading to the mythical Cyclops is sealed, and will remain so until you take on the necessary quest. At a recommend level of 35, the quest that opens the chambers of the Cyclops is located on Kythera Island, towards the southernmost edge of the map. Head to the region known as Pilgrim Hill to find a quest giver near a statue, opening up the mission A God Among Men. By taking this mission, you’ll eventually Empedokles, who believes himself to be a god. After assisting him throughout the Island, he’ll venture off to the Isle of Thisvi to meet a fellow god.

Once you head back to the small island, head into the island’s underground to find Empedokles outside the door, who’s ready to reunite with his fellow god. Suffice it to say, things don’t work out for Empedokles, and you’re left to do battle against the mythological creature. As one of the largest enemies in the game, the Cyclops–also known as Brontes, The Thunderer–has an advantage when it comes to range and raw strength. However, the boss’ slow speed and lumbering movement can be taken advantage of. You can also aim the obvious weak spot of its glowing eye with your ranged attacks, dealing some solid damage. Halfway through the fight, the Cyclops will become more aggressive, resulting in some falling debris throughout the chamber. Keep chipping away while avoiding the falling the rocks to take him down. After the fight you’ll acquire the next artifact, and along with the Polyphemos Cyclops Bludgeon, a legendary heavy blade.

The Minotaur And Where To Find It

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Located in Messara, on the island in the southeast section of the map, you’ll come across a small town in Minotaur Hills that worships the mighty beast. This area serves as a great place to learn more about the history of the region, level up, and gain some new gear–including a replica helmet of the Minotaur (which is just a bull’s head fashioned into a helm). Just west of town, you’ll find Knossos Palace ruins located in Mino’s Legacy. In this area you’ll find a child named Ardos, who’s trying to rescue his father lost in the chambers of the Minotaur below the palace. Starting the Myths and Minotaurs quest, you’ll learn more about the labyrinth and discover that you’ll need to find the medallion to open up access.

From here, you’ll begin the Of Minotaurs and Men questline, which includes sub-quests around the region including Blood in The Water, Recollections, and Full Circle. Along the way, you’ll interact with the allies of Ardos’ father, local merchants, and assist the boy’s current caretaker. The questline involving the caretaker will have you cross paths with the Swordfish, who just so happens to be a member of the Cult of Kosmos. After completing these tasks, you’ll acquire the key to the labyrinth of the Minotaur. While exploring the maze, you’ll find the body of Ardos’ father, and not long after, encounter the mythological beast.

The battle with the Minotaur can be quite challenging, which requires you to be at least level 40 to make a successful go of it. In this battle, you’ll have to dodge many of the Minotaur’s attacks and head in for an opening when its vulnerable. Its most powerful move is a ram attack, which you can fortunately see coming. The beast can also stun itself when it rams against an obstruction, allowing you to get some solid hits in. Staying and attacking at a distance is also an effective way of getting the upper hand against the beast. Once you defeat the minotaur, you’ll get the next artifact and a new legendary axe known as the Minotaur’s Labrys.

The Medusa And Where To Find It

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For the final mythological beast, you’ll need to travel to the island of Lesbos, located in the northeastern corner of the map. At this point in the game, you’ll likely have finished the main story before traveling to this island, which is one of Odyssey’s most difficult areas. To start the quest, head to the town of Eresos in the Petrified Valley, which is located on the southwestern coast of the island. In town, you’ll find a female NPC named Bryce. After conversing with her, you’ll start the quest Romancing the Stone Garden, which tasks you with finding her lover lost in the Petrified Temple. After learning more of the Temple and its mysteries, you’ll need to new quest called Shadows of Serpents, along with all of its sub-quests that to open the pathway to the Medusa.

These side-quests will take some time to finish, as they’ll have you travel across Lesbos and to the nearby island of Chios. One mission has you infiltrate a village full of female hunters, all of whom are lethal archers and agiles fighters. However, if you already completed the Artemis quest-line involving the hunt for legendary animals, your choices in that mission can allow you to become the leader of the village, letting you come and go without incident. The other quest has you track down an adventurer who’s made the dubious claim that he wields the spear that killed Medusa. After completing the necessary steps, head back to the temple to open up the way to Medusa’s lair.

The battle against Medusa is Odyssey’s most challenging and complex encounter. Choosing to fight at range with a squad of stone mercenaries at her side, the Medusa can petrify targets–namely you–while also calling in aerial attacks that deal heavy damage. In order to remove her protective shield, you’ll need eliminate her guards, all while avoiding her petrifying gaze and magic attacks. Throughout the room are several stone pillars, which can offer safe protection from her gaze. After taking out the minions, the beast will become vulnerable, allowing you to deal direct damage to her. During this state, the Medusa will teleport around the arena and immediately follow-up with a ranged energy attack. This will be a long fight, so be patient and stick with a certain rhythm of attacks, both ranged and close-range, and eventually you’ll take out Odyssey’s most difficult boss–earning you the final artifact and the legendary sword Harpe of Perseus.

If you want to know more about Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, check out our full-review, along with our breakdown of some useful tips to help you along your journey in the game.

18 Most Brutal Kills In The Halloween Movies, Ranked

Although John Carpenter’s 1978 horror classic Halloween didn’t invent the slasher genre (1971’s Bay of Blood and 1974’s Black Christmas came before it), it made it a commercial force. Along with Friday the 13th, Carpenter’s movie set the rules and conventions for what would soon become briefly-lived but extremely profitable sub-genre in the 1980s, with dozens of cheaply made imitations appearing almost weekly. And while Carpenter had very little further involvement in the series, the movie’s producers knew that in Michael Myers–aka the Shape—they had a classic horror villain, so the sequels, reboots, and remakes have kept on coming.

For all the twists and plot inventions that filmmakers have been throwing at us over the years–from sibling surprises and unwanted backstories to psychic connections and strange cults–the Halloween movies remain popular for one simple reason. We like to see Michael kill people. Few of the directors that followed in Carpenter’s wake have his cinematic craft, and the tension and scares of that first film were quickly replaced by violence and gore. But with his expressionless mask, incredible strength, and wide variety of killing tools, Michael remained a perfect bad guy throughout, and even the weaker movies are enlivened by some juicy kills.

Forty years later, Michael returns to the screen for an tenth time, in David Gordon Green’s Halloween, which is a direct sequel to the first film. Early reviews suggest that it has some of the nastiest deaths to date, and hopes are high that this movie honors the great legacy of Carpenter’s original; it’s notable that this is the first film for decades that he’s had any creative involvement in. So while we countdown to Halloween, here’s The Shape’s most brutal kills in the series so far.