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Treyarch and Activision revealed major aim-assist changes in the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 official launch patch notes. The patch notes dropped just one day before the North American launch of Black Ops 7. These are aimed at refining controller controls and balancing input methods.
What’s Call of Duty Changing with Aim Assist
Aim assist may look like a simple toggle in settings, but under the hood, it involves several mechanics. They range from bullet magnetism and aim slowdown to stick-acceleration. The key focus here is rotational aim assist. This feature helps micro-adjust a player’s aim as they track moving targets, especially at close range.
According to the patch notes:
- The range before full rotational aim-assist strength is achieved has been increased. In other words, you now need your reticle closer to the target to gain the full assist benefit.
- The strength of rotational aim assist at very long ranges has been slightly increased.
- A new right-stick tracking requirement has been added. Full rotational aim assist activates only when the player’s right stick movement is actively tracking an enemy. If only left stick movement is used (moving without precise right stick aim), the assist strength will be reduced.
Why the Change?
Treyarch explains that data from the beta showed a slight advantage for controller players in close-range engagements. Additionally, a slight advantage for keyboard/mouse (KBM) players at long range was noted. The aim-assist adjustments are intended to level the playing field. These are aimed at preserving the “core feel” of controller gameplay while enhancing fairness.
In the previous iteration, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, rotational aim assist strength at close range scaled over a short distance. In Black Ops 7, that distance has been extended, meaning the assist now kicks in fully only once you’re closer to your opponent. Plus, the new right-stick requirement adds a layer of player-input dependency to the assist activation.
- Controller players at close range: You’ll need tighter aim tracking and more precise stick movement to benefit from full assist.
- Snipers/long-range players: The slight boost at very long range may make target tracking a little smoother and more consistent.
- General input-method balance: The changes aim to reduce the input-type gap and make encounters more skill-based regardless of controller or KBM.
Final Take
The upcoming launch of Black Ops 7 promises to shake things up in the aim-assist department. By increasing the engagement range needed for full rotational assist, boosting long-range assist slightly, and tying full strength to right-stick use, Treyarch is pushing for more precision and fairness. Expect your controller gameplay to feel a bit different from day one, so brace for slightly different movement, aiming and tracking dynamics.
Players and the broader community will no doubt be watching closely to see how these changes play out in real-world matches. Feedback is encouraged, says Treyarch, and further tuning may follow.
