October 21, 2025
Black Ops 7 Makes Major Pre-Launch Changes to Perks, Aim Assist, and Movement Treyarch confirms sweeping multiplayer adjustments to perks, aim assist, and movement systems ahead of Black Ops 7’s November 14 launch
Treyarch is making big moves before launch. Just weeks ahead of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7’s official release on November 14, the studio has confirmed a wide range of gameplay updates based directly on beta feedback — including adjustments to aim assist, perks, footstep audio, and movement mechanics.
These updates were detailed in the latest episode of Treyarch’s Dev Talk series, where game designer Matt Scronce broke down the studio’s responses to community data and outlined what’s changing before day one.
🎯 Aim Assist Balancing
One of the biggest talking points from the Black Ops 7 beta was controller aim assist, which many players felt was too powerful — especially in close-range combat.
Scronce confirmed that Treyarch’s internal analysis supported this claim. Controller players dominated at close distances, while keyboard and mouse players generally won more engagements at range.
To address this imbalance, Treyarch is adjusting rotational aim assist for launch. Although specific tuning values weren’t revealed, expect a slight nerf to close-range aim assist and potentially smoother transitions between aim zones.
More details will be shared closer to release, but the goal is clear — to create a fairer balance between controller and PC players without removing aim assist entirely.
🧩 Perk System Rework
Treyarch is also overhauling the perk system, shifting certain perks into new slots and combining others to reduce redundancy. This redesign aims to streamline player loadouts while maintaining variety.
🔄 Perk Slot Changes:
- Tech Mask: Slot 1 ➡️ Slot 2
- Scavenger: Slot 1 ➡️ Slot 2
- Cold Blooded: Slot 1 ➡️ Slot 3
- Looper: Slot 2 ➡️ Slot 3
- Tac Sprinter: Slot 3 ➡️ Slot 1
⚔️ Combined Perks:
- Shadow + Engineer
- Vendetta + Assassin
- Bruiser + Close Shave
- Hunter’s Instinct + Tracker
- Quartermaster + Gearhead
Treyarch also confirmed a big quality-of-life improvement: ADS while sliding, jumping, or diving is now default behavior, no longer locked behind the Dexterity perk. The Dexterity perk will still enhance mobility speed and fluidity but is no longer essential for aggressive playstyles.
👣 Louder Footsteps and Stealth Balance
One of the most requested fixes during the beta was footstep volume. Many players found that steps were too quiet, making the Ninja perk nearly ineffective.
In response, Treyarch has increased base footstep volume, giving players clearer directional awareness and rewarding stealth-based movement again.
Scronce noted that the team is “very happy” with the new balance but will continue to monitor player feedback post-launch.
🕹️ Movement and Traversal Improvements
Treyarch is refining the flow of movement across maps to feel smoother — but also more balanced.
🚶 Slide Adjustments:
- Sliding is now slightly slower with shorter distance traveled.
- The mechanic still feels responsive but no longer dominates close-quarters engagements.
- Compared to Black Ops 6, sliding will feel more controlled and tactical.
🧗 Mantling Enhancements:
- Mantling speeds have been increased across all multiplayer maps.
- Every ledge and object has been reviewed to ensure transitions are faster and more consistent.
The result should make movement feel more natural without overemphasizing aggressive mobility.
🗓️ Final Thoughts
With these major pre-launch updates, Treyarch is proving that community feedback truly matters this year. From aim assist balance to perk reworks and movement fine-tuning, Black Ops 7 is shaping up to deliver one of the most polished multiplayer experiences in years.
Expect to see all these updates live when Black Ops 7 officially launches on November 14, 2025 — and don’t be surprised if more fine-tuning arrives shortly after launch as Treyarch continues to iterate on player feedback.