Treyarch continues to show their dedication to Black Ops 4 with the new Operation Spectre Rising event. This limited time event is now live on PS4 (coming to XB1/PC soon), and it brings a bunch of new content to the game. There’s a new Specialist, known as Spectre, who wields a magnificent ninja sword! Plus, there’s three new MP maps, and the Blackout map received an update that has left many of its popular destinations underwater (boat wars!).

Also, a lot of the SMGs in Multiplayer received buffs (run-and-gun fun is back). And Zombies fans have a new Gauntlet to master, along with a new weapon, that should tear through hordes of the undead quite easily.

Here’s a closer look at everything Black Ops 4 fans will get to enjoy in the Operation Spectre Rising update.

New Specialist

Spectre

• This Specialist is unlocked at Tier 1 in the Black Market during Operation Spectre Rising.

• Specialist weapon is the Shadow Blade.

• Specialist equipment is Smoke.

Spectre originally debuted in Black Ops 3, but the Black Ops 4 version of Spectre is a bit different (no active camo this time…sorry). Though if you’re a fan of assassin characters, you’ll still love Spectre.

Spectre’s Specialist equipment allows him to get stealthy in a big smoke cloud. And Spectre has a huge advantage in the smoke, because he can still see his enemies in the smoke, but his enemies can’t see him.

Then there’s his Shadow Blade, which lets this Specialist slice-up some bad guys. The Shadow Blade gives you three options: Roll, slash or throw. If you roll, you’ll do a forward ninja roll that can get you in an enemy’s face very quickly.

The slash is your main way to attack while your Shadow Blade is active, but you can also throw the sword at an enemy, and if you manage to hit that poor soul…let’s just say they won’t be getting back up.

Spectre is a lot of fun to play…it’s a shame they waited so long to release this sword-wielding warrior.

Multiplayer Changes

New Multiplayer Maps

• Black Ops Pass owners have access to two new Multiplayer maps: Masquerade and Artifact. Plus, they’ll get access to the remastered fan favorite Black Ops 1 map known as WMD.

Operation Spectre Rising Black Market

• The Operation Spectre Rising Black Market has 50 tiers with many new Contraband items to earn.

• You can earn new Death Effects and Weapon Charms.

Buffs

GKS

• Increased its 5-shot range from 5 meters to 7.5 meters.

The GKS already was a good ranged SMG (though it lacked stopping power) and this change just makes it even better as a ranged weapon.

MX-9

• Increased its 5-shot range from 7 meters to 7.5 meters

• Increased its 5-shot range damage slightly.

The MX-9 is best used in closed range engagements with the Rapid Fire attachment, so I don’t know if these buffs will help it much.

Daemon 3X-B

• 5-shot range is now out to 7.5 meters.

• The 6-shot range increased from 11.5 meters to 19 meters.

• The 7-shot range increased from 19 meters to 25 meters.

• The 8-shot range increased from 25 meters to 32 meters.

The Daemon 3X-B is an awkward weapon, since it’s a burst-fire SMG, so it feels more like a smaller FAMAs or M16 rather than a SMG. And with these changes, it’s still going to feel like an AR…except a lot more powerful.

Switchblade X9

• 5-shot range increased from 2.5 meters to 7.5 meters.

• 6-shot range increased from 16.5 meters to 19 meters.

• 7-shot range increased from 19 meters to 25 meters.

• 8-shot range increased from 24 meters to 32 meters.

The Switchblade X9 was extremely ineffective in mid-to-long range fights, but now with these buffs it will at least be serviceable in mid-range duels.

Cordite (XB1/PS4)

• 5-shot range increased from 4 meters to 7.5 meters.

• 6-shot range increased from 16.5 meters to 19 meters.

• 7-shot range increased from 22 meters to 25 meters.

• 8-shot range increased from 26.5 meters to 32 meters.

The Cordite’s range was already good before these buffs, and its biggest issue has always been its so-so damage output. So, I doubt these changes will do much for this SMG.

Spitfire (XB1/PS4)

• 6-shot range increased from 7.5 meters to 8 meters.

Minor buff that you probably won’t notice.

Scorestreaks

• UAV and Counter-UAV duration increased to 30 seconds.

• Drone Squad damage and burst fire times increased for lead and buddy drones.

• The Mantis now recovers faster after being disabled and its damage threshold has been increased.

Those UAV buffs are huge. They increased the duration from 8 seconds to 30 seconds…not bad for a Scorestreak that only costs 500 points.

Nerfs

Specialists

• Nomad’s Mesh Mine cooldown has been increased.

• Ajax’s 9-bang cooldown has been increased.

• Torque’s Razor Wire cooldown has been increased.

• Ruin’s Grav Slam will no longer increase his ability meter.

Treyarch has taken away some power from several Specialists, and since there’s also a popular Barebones mode that disables Specialist abilities/weapons…I think that’s a sign there won’t be any Specialists in Modern Warfare 4 (if and when that gets announced).

Blackout Changes

Wetworks Map Update

• The Hydro Dam has exploded and the following popular areas on the map have been flooded:

• Hydro Dam

• Factory

• Cargo Docks

• Hijacked

• Farm (near Firing Range)

These changes mean there’s going to be a lot of underwater combat, and boat battles going on in Blackout.

Bounty Hunter Mode

• The beacons of light indicate Spectre Stashes, that contain the Shadow Blade and other useful items such as: Level 3 Armor, Smoke, and Trauma Kits.
• If you equip the Shadow Blade, you transform into Spectre, which gives you many unique skills like increased movement speed, and the ability to see the digital footprints of enemies that are close.
• Spectre can carry the Shadow Blade and a normal weapon. When the normal weapon is equipped, Spectre jumps into first-person view mode (with the Shadow Blade, he stays in third-person view mode)
• After each circle collapse, players with the most kills will be marked as Bounty targets for Spectre.
• If you eliminate a target or survive Spectre’s Bounty attack, you will be rewarded with a Supply Drop.
• Bounty Hunter players can perform “Humiliation” finishing moves on downed opponents.
• The last team standing wins the game.

Other Changes

The new Zombies Gauntlet is called “Super Blood Wolf Moon” and its available for Dead of the Night. And the new Zombies weapon is the Tigershark LMG (you can find this monster of a weapon in the Mystery Box).

Also, fans of the Prop Hunt game mode from previous CODs…time to get excited. Get ready to sneak around your favorite MP map as a bucket, because Prop Hunt is coming to Black Ops 4 on May 3rd!

Please be sure to check out the official patch notes to get more details about all the new content and other balance changes