Battlefield 2042 7.3 update brings changes for the PBX-45, masterkey underbarrel, and more

Battlefield 2042's most recent update was deployed today (June 11), and a bunch of balancing tweaks have been introduced to EA's FPS.

The changes are focused on weapons and vehicles. EA's developers have decided to nerf the PBX-45, one of the most reliable guns in the game. The damage dealt by the weapon has been reduced in an attempt to create a real "downside" to its usage. At the same time, the ammo dispersion has been increased.

EA is also balancing some of the game's attachments, especially the Masterkey underbarrel. The damage dealt by this attachment has been reduced and its pellet dispersion has been increased.

Finally, EA's new patch also included balancing actions on some vehicles, including the XFAD-4 Draugr and the EBLC Ram, which have been buffed.

Here's everything you need to know about the patch notes released for the 7.3 update:

Weapon changes

The weapon changes introduced with Battlefield 2042's 7.3 update target gun attachments and the PBX-45. Here's what has been included in today's patch notes:

• PP-2000 will now use the correct ammo count in Battlefield Portal experiences (42 ammo)
• Fixed various visual and sound effects on weapons using different attachments.
• Lowered AP amp damage from 23 to 21 in 0 to 100 meter range for DFR Strife.
• Masterkey underbarrel:
• • Maximum pellet dispersion increased from 2 to 2.5 degrees.
  • RPM reduced from 99 to 80.
  • Damage per pellet reduced as follows:
  • • From 5 to 10 meters: Reduced damage from 20 to 18.
    • From 10 to 15 meters: Reduced damage from 18 to 16

Additionally, the patch notes included a comment from the developers regarding the previously mentioned changes:

These changes aim to balance this attachment and reduce its power against short-range primary weapons, while remaining a viable option to add strong CQC capabilities to weapons that otherwise wouldn’t have them.

Last but not least, the PBX-45 is getting a nerf. Here's what changing with Battlefield 2042's update 7.3.

• PBX-45
• • Close Combat ammo damage changed:
  • • Before 7.3.0: From 0 to 20 meters: 28 damage
    • With 7.3.0: From 0 to 10 meters: 28 damage, from 10 to 20 meters: 24 damage
  • Close Combat ammo dispersion: Dispersion will increase slightly (~8%) faster after the first few shots but maximum dispersion levels remain the same. Bursting and tap firing should yield a similar performance as before.
  • High Power ammo damage:
  • • Before 7.3.0: 0 to 10 meters: 28 damage
    • With 7.3.0: 0 to 20 meters: 28 damage
  • High Power ammo reload speed penalty reduced

Again, the game's developers added a comment to go through the changes previously discussed:

These changes aim to address the overuse and overperformance of the PBX-45 Close Combat ammo setup, which had a notably superior TTK within 20 meters with no equivalent downsides. TTK with Close Combat will still be the overall fastest of all ammo types within 40 meters but will require more control at longer distances to stay as accurate as before. High Power ammo will now have more competitive TTK within 20 meters and reload speed to make it a more viable mid-range ammo type option.

Vehicle changes

Today's update also focuses on Battlefield 2042's vehicles. Here's what's changing!

• Fixed an issue with damage over time of Kerosene Bombs when being too close to its death zone radius.
• Increased the XFAD-4 Draugr’s AP cannon damage vs other air vehicles by 20%.
• DRFM jammer will now protect against all locks for 5 seconds.
• • The weapon description has been updated to reflect this change.

Again, this is what the developers had to say:

We’ve seen your feedback around weapon lock-ons against the XFAD-4 Draugr and how little counterplay exists around it. We are therefore adding a lock-on protection to the DRFM jammer that will protect the Draugr against all lock-ons for 5 seconds. This will not protect the vehicle against projectiles already fired but should offer options to avoid getting locked on.

Additionally, today's patch is also adding the next changes:

• Added missing tooltips for various vehicles.
• EBLC Ram weapon changes:
• • Increased rate of fire of the 40mm cannon from 140 to 155 and increased blast from 35 to 37.
  • Increased Howitzer impact damage from 40 to 65 to make it more desirable in vehicle combat.
• Fixed an issue with the LAV-AD (BF3) getting stuck on certain objects.
• Fixed an issue with Jets systemic parts getting disabled too quickly.
• • Similar fixes for other vehicles are planned for the next update.

The Missile launcher has been dominating the loadout for the EBLC Ram. These changes are aiming to make the 40mm and Howitzer cannon more competitive options when choosing your loadout.

While these changes won't be differential, we think they were very needed. Keep in mind that there won't be an eighth season of Battlefield, so not every patch will include massive tweaks. Right now, EA seems to be focusing on balancing changes and the state of the game.

We encourage you to keep visiting Siege.GG for more information about Battlefield 2042 and other shooters like Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, Valorant, XDefiant, and more!