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[LegendOfKage]

The main Official Thread for Black Ops 4 can be found here: https://www.neogaf.com/threads/call-of-duty-black-ops-4-ot-back-to-black.1466769/

If you want to talk about the game itself, you can still bump the OT. I wanted to use this thread for discussing the new update, and drawing attention to the fact that Treyarch and Activision are actually doing right by their fans. Yeah, I'm surprised too.

They also found a solution that is still going to make them loads of money, as you'll see below. That part I'm not surprised about.



When the previous "contraband supply stream" system first hit Black Ops 4, players quickly realized that it would take playing somewhere around 6 or 8 hours every day in order to unlock all the cosmetic only DLC items available. Players understandably were mad, and changes started to happen, which eventually led to the adjustments and improvements we're seeing for season 2. Some of these changes were made for season 2, and others were made a while ago, but here is where we stand today.

The previous 200 tier system now a 100 tier system. The previous system only included cosmetic items, but the new system includes a new free character class and new 3 DLC weapons.

The new specialist (character class) "Zero" is available for completing tier 1. The new "Secret Santa" melee weapon is available at tier 25. The new "Daemon 3XB" SMG is available at tier 50. And the new "SWAT RFT" assault rifle is available at tier 100. The other tiers all include cosmetic DLC, a lot of which looks just as good as the handful of exclusive paid cosmetic DLC that is also now available. Some of these include new gun models, animated "reactive cammos" for certain guns, and even some animated skins, all for free. The new guns are also free. You just have to reach the tier associated with each unlock, and then that item is instantly yours.

The event lasts about 70 days, and each tier takes a little under one hour to complete, so play the game for 100 hours in the next two months and some change, and all the new contraband supply stream items will be yours. There are also several ways to speed up the process. Once a day, your first mutliplayer win, OR your first Blackout merit, OR you first Zombies game to reach level 15 will award you with a daily tier skip. There should also be at least one or two "double tier XP" events, if the previous season is anything to go by.

Or you could just give Activision all your money. *cough* You can skip any tier for the low, low price of one dollar! If you want to drop 100 dollars on day one, you can have it all now. But where will your sense of pride and accomplishment be then?

Seriously, though, this is a pretty fair and rewarding system. It's considerably better than the completely random loot box DLC weapons in Black Ops 3.

After tier 100, each tier consists of randomized loot from the previous season, which makes me have to wonder how the new character class and weapons will be unlocked after the season is over. Also, if you're thinking "pay to win," you should know that (at least for now) the new DLC weapons don't seem as strong as some of the better weapons in the game. My guess is that could change as balance adjustments are made, once lots of players have unlocked the new weapons.

For now, to anyone buying tier skips and paid cosmetic DLC, thanks for financing the DLC everyone else is getting for free.

Here's an overview of some of the best content the contraband stream has to offer:



For Black Ops season pass holders, you're also getting two new multiplayer maps, a new zombies map, and Reaper is now available in Blackout.

 

[GenericUser]

I gave up on the game. The matchmaking only gives me the sweatiest matches. Maybe the playerbase in cod in general just became super super good, or I got worse, I don't know. I can no longer just casually play hours and hours of cod while listening to music, I always have to try my best to get some kills. It sucks and it's bad for my health.

EDIT:

Concerning the new patch. To skip a level in the black market system costs how much? 2 bucks? So with the second and last gun of this DLC being unlocked after hitting level 100, you have to spend like 200 real world monies to get 2 new guns in the game? No thanks Sir.

 

[zackmorris]

So when you unlock a tier you get all those tier items for free?

 

[LegendOfKage]

So when you unlock a tier you get all those tier items for free?

Yes, each tier has a free item. Most are cosmetic, other than tiers 1, 25, 50, and 100. For example, here is an example of the tier 75 cosmetic reward:

Concerning the new patch. To skip a level in the black market system costs how much? 2 bucks? So with the second and last gun of this DLC being unlocked after hitting level 100, you have to spend like 200 real world monies to get 2 new guns in the game? No thanks Sir.

It's 100 points or 1 dollar to skip a tier. Or you could just play the game that you bought. I prefer option B. 100 hours in 70 days, plus a daily tier skip, plus double tier XP events is completely doable.

 

[captainraincoat]

I get the feeling the devs want one thing but blizzard/activision want another

The updates they have done to this game have been great but there is that lingering...let’s pack this game with cosmetic shit like fortnite

I’m hoping we get some real quality content and this update looks great

It’s probably one of the best cods in years

 

[Later Alligator]

they're consistently improving blackout as well. some nice new changes in the update that are free to everyone

you can now repair armor, bunch of new weapons, bunch of tweaks (foot flares on loadout, etc...). it also seems like they've increased the spawn rates of character unlock items, im finding them everywhere now

 

[Sub_Level]

It sucks and it's bad for my health.

 

[wipeout364]

It’s awesome that they let you skip levels for one dollar. That’s how all free to play games should be, it’s cool that they are not even charging for the season pass anymore as well. Activision is seriously FOR THE GAMERStm

 

[Northeastmonk]

I bought the season pass and spent all my CoD money on unlocking tiers. I got some seriously useless stuff. Like stuff I wouldn't have taken for free. I'm just waiting for the cool stuff to unlock. Why hide some profile card or graffiti art. I feel like someone is giving me one of those generic Pogs from the 90's.

 

[SebastianM]

already sold this shit

I ain't having a mobile experience on my $60 game, no way. At least made some of it back.

 

[Grinchy]

I got to Tier 200 on the first tier list just from mainly playing a bunch of Blackout. It's genuinely possible to get all the content for free.

I don't know how anyone can stomach the regular modes, though. I got to max level and played maybe 10 hours more of it and I was done forever. It's actually too brainless to be fun.

 

[zackmorris]

Yes, each tier has a free item. Most are cosmetic, other than tiers 1, 25, 50, and 100. For example, here is an example of the tier 75 cosmetic reward:

.

Ok so some of the tier unlocks then need to be bought?

 

[Wings 嫩翼翻せ]

The whole customization thing reeks of Fortnite can devs stop milking the idea but the updates look tasty. Cannot wait to see what's in store.

Haven't enjoyed a proper CoD game since MW3 though I haven't played the WWII game.

 

[LegendOfKage]

each tier has a free item. Most are cosmetic, other than tiers 1, 25, 50, and 100. For example, here is an example of the tier 75 cosmetic reward:

Ok so some of the tier unlocks then need to be bought?

Let me reword that. There are 100 tiers. Each tier contains a single unlock, which is completely free, and able to be earned in game. There are no paid unlocks or paid DLC in any of the 100 tiers. You reach a tier, you instantly get the item associated with it.

That being said, you do have the option of paying one dollar to skip any tier. You can either play the game normally to reach each item, or pay for instant access. Here's perhaps the best video overview of the system I've seen, because it skips over the uninteresting content and gets right to the new weapons and character skins.



(edit) I added some clarification to the OP, and also included the above video. Hope that helps anyone else who was uncertain. I guess uncertainty about free weapons is pretty understandable when it comes to Activision.

 

[DonJimbo]

How is the game compared to its predessors
Is it worth getting ?

 

[Secret_Lover]

I'm surprised after how lame the first black market feed was that this one actually seems pretty solid. 100 tiers to unlock everything is honestly super easy considering you can get to like 60-70 just with daily tier skips, and this time there are actually a couple things worth unlocking. Not bad.

 

[zeroFiveNine]

How is the game compared to its predessors
Is it worth getting ?

If you aren't good at FPS games this is not the game for you.

Black Ops 4 (and the last game BO3) are actually incredibly hardcore games despite being "COD" and require dedication to even compete.

 

[LegendOfKage]

How is the game compared to its predessors
Is it worth getting ?

If you aren't good at FPS games this is not the game for you.

Black Ops 4 (and the last game BO3) are actually incredibly hardcore games despite being "COD" and require dedication to even compete.

Personally, I really like the game this year. I skipped the last two, and it feels good to be enjoying a COD again. The multiplayer feels like Black Ops 3, but with no jump jets or wall running, and with a bit slower movement. The specialists are also pretty fun to use.

I don't think it's all that hardcore, though. If you've ever been decent at COD, you'll definitely have some good matches. Assists counting as kills this year also helps inflate your K/D and makes you feel like a better player.

On another note, as far as the new guns go, here's a guide for the first one:

 

[zeroFiveNine]

Personally, I really like the game this year. I skipped the last two, and it feels good to be enjoying a COD again. The multiplayer feels like Black Ops 3, but with no jump jets or wall running, and with a bit slower movement. The specialists are also pretty fun to use.

I don't think it's all that hardcore, though. If you've ever been decent at COD, you'll definitely have some good matches. Assists counting as kills this year also helps inflate your K/D and makes you feel like a better player.

I'm playing on PC and the majority of games are full of sweaty prestige 8 to 10 players now.

There has been an influx of new players due to the new edition of the game (MP+Blackout for a reduced price), but it's more or less still quite hardcore in my opinion.

 

[TacosNSalsa]

If you aren't good at FPS games this is not the game for you.

Black Ops 4 (and the last game BO3) are actually incredibly hardcore games despite being "COD" and require dedication to even compete.

I don't agree with the bolded. This is the first time since MW3 or Black Ops (which ever one came out last) that I'm seriously playing a competitive shooter and the first time ever with mouse and keyboard and while I'm having growing pains transitioning over to M/KB I'm getting better at a fast pace playing against people that are significantly better than I am . I am having more fun playing this than any other shooter ever..I think it's a great game to get better with if you approach it with the right mindset and methodology ..

 

[isual]

i'm looking at the narrative that COD needs to catch up with fortnite's appeal.

kids under 18 are far more likely to play fortnite and spend 10 bucks on the battle pass, thereby getting them 'addicted' to their first 'grind' in a game. COD sees this and is trying to make that appeal to both its core and casual base.

i like the game now with the one a day tier skip - perhaps fortnite will do this in the future as well. it is definitely possible to get all 100 during the 'season', or just win one game a day and probably play 3 or 4 matches to make up the points needed for the next tier as the skip is cumulative.

i think the biggest challenge is being consistent in doing so.

 

[//DEVIL//]

Ok I need help with the lag in this game. It's like I am moonwalking . The lagging is so bad that if I go forward he goes 2 steps forward and 3 back .

All other games are fine online . High seped fiber here

 

[Dice]

I think this is a good system. You know what you'll get next, you have the option of playing more for it or just paying for it, and if you just want to play at your own pace then later it's at the end of season and you just want to nab all the rest remaining for cash, you can do that. I think it's a good balance of player and publisher interests.

Loot boxes and Fortnite's battle pass concept are too front-loaded and all-in. You're just forking over a big wad of cash for a dream and then you find out whether or not reality allows for it to work out as you wanted. This new system lays it all out in the open and gives you options.

 

[Hulk_Smash]

How is the game compared to its predessors
Is it worth getting ?

If you aren't good at FPS games this is not the game for you.

Black Ops 4 (and the last game BO3) are actually incredibly hardcore games despite being "COD" and require dedication to even compete.

I'm playing on PC and the majority of games are full of sweaty prestige 8 to 10 players now.

There has been an influx of new players due to the new edition of the game (MP+Blackout for a reduced price), but it's more or less still quite hardcore in my opinion.

I have to say that until this game came out I was certain I was done with COD forever. I hated BO3. I thought the campaign was awful and I was getting rekt online. Then I tried AW, loved the campaign then played on line and didn’t get a single kill in my first match and died 24 times. That’s never happened. I’ve always gotten kills. I tried the WW2 beta and noped out of that real quick. Lastly I tried MWR and hate-played it until I prestige’s. I finished first on my team maybe twice?

I just thought I was getting too old to keep up with the sweaties.

But, dang it they went and dropped a battle royale mode in the middle of my PUBG addiction. So I played the beta and loved it. Bought the game with the sole intention of playing Blackout only.

Then I played the MP and while I started out still getting rekt I was... having fun. Coming off of MWR and WW2 where I was constantly being ‘naded and scorestreaks seemed almost impossible to counter, it was refreshing to play a game where you have limited items and the focus stays sqaurely on the gunplay.

I am regularly finishing in the top 3 and with a positive KD.

You really do have to stick with it. The sweaties leave once they get their 10th prestige and dark matter camos, etc.

 

[IbizaPocholo]

https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/...call-of-duty-black-ops-4-blackout-players#nnn