• Naval Arsenal – Composed of a sprawling shipyard and an advance base, Caldera’s northwest area provides a mix of interior and exterior combat opportunities, as well as unusual tactical positions such as the deep drydock basins. Farther inland is a cluster of large buildings — a command center, admin structure, barracks compound, training course, and firing range — with beaches and a small radar array found east of the main Arsenal.

• Industrial Docks – Once managed by the Ocean Freight Company, this large-scale industrial dock complex features the rusting superstructures of five massive cranes, a huge ship hangar, the company’s long-abandoned headquarters, and an entire shipment yard (emphasis on the word shipment). The area also bridges several nearby points of interest: fuel tanks, phosphate containers, and refineries from the Mines and Peak, a military base with Quonset barracks near the Arsenal, and an entire fishing village of bamboo residences near the Runway’s untouched jungles.

• Runway – While the main airfield and Caldera Terminal airstrip to the southwest see most of the aircrafts’ takeoffs and landings, there’s a secondary runway in the northeastern corner of Caldera for those stationed at the Beachhead or Arsenal–Docks complex. With the area half hidden in the jungle, you’ll navigate past single dwellings and ruined farmsteads, and clamber across rugged buttress rocks to reach this coastal promontory, complete with a runway of dirt. Farther into the jungle is a military command center with its own share of secrets.

• Ruins – Nestled north of the river village and west of the expansive mine works, this untouched archaeological site contains the remains of structures, seemingly created in a megalithic style around or before the 12th century, built with baluster joints that mimic natural volcanic geological columns. Find these close to a rapidly flowing stream, and venture east through a jungle gully to discover larger ruins deeper within the hillside forests. Other surprises include a series of tiered pools and verdant hot springs.

• Phosphate Mines – A massive mining operation in the excavation, refining, and transportation of phosphate gives way to snaking switchbacks, giant grinding machines, mine gondolas stretching from the main gorge to the docks, smaller factories, a rail line, and steep embankments, which all offer a mix of engagement types. Operators can also investigate a large factory compound, look for older mine workings, and stumble across a [[REDACTED]] with its own [[REDACTED]], or explore the outer reaches containing secondary workings, run-off pools, conveyor belt structures, unloading bays, containment pools, and even a remote gas station and grocery store.

• Peak – This is the high ground. Dominating the center of the map is a colossal peak of a dormant volcano, after which the entire island is named. The height advantage you receive for landing atop the caldera throat and Axis military battery installation under construction here is counterbalanced by the exposed nature of the environment. Rock outcrops can offer respite should the area become a “hot drop,” as can the main gondola station that shuttles from the Peak toward the Runway, or the magma chamber and what was built during its slumber…

• Beachhead – Cut into dunes on the island’s northwest coast, a sprawling network of trench defenses sits below the communications center, radar array, barracks, and large-scale military compound — all built in anticipation of a beachfront storming. Farther south are battery emplacements juxtaposed against a village of bamboo homes sitting on either side of a river gorge, with plenty of main roads, dirt tracks, footpaths, goat trails, and jungle overgrowth to traverse in all directions.

• River Village – Despite the remains of a cargo ship and recent gun emplacements tactically positioned on foothills west of the Peak, a small village’s bamboo huts, footbridges, paddy fields, and craggy slopes remain untouched and are ready to be explored. Farther south and east is the main tarmac thoroughfare that circumnavigates the entire Caldera. Either side of it is wilderness, interspersed by light industrial compounds, more modern structures from the 1930s, and suburban dwellings cut into the hillside with anti-aircraft emplacements there to deal with traffic from the adjacent Airfield.

• Clear Water Lagoon – An old lighthouse proudly overlooks a shallow bay that holds generation-spanning bamboo huts alongside a quaint coastal community with more-recently constructed homes. Traverse the lagoon to uncover its secrets, including what remains of Captain Butcher’s plane…

• Caldera Terminal  – The island’s primary airfield has no shortage of aircraft or buildings to explore, including smaller support structures for personnel and a control tower with more than one point of entry. Those wanting cover from the exposed tarmac and gaping entrances to each of its hangars may want to head toward a section of buildings near the Village, or to the southern coastal boarder where Allied military forces set up their base of operations.

• Agricultural Center – By far the largest main point of interest on Caldera are the fertile agricultural fields just south of the volcano. As well as the numerous small farms, there’s light industrial depots containing agricultural machinery and storage, an administration center, water tower, stables, and other landmarks to pinpoint when you’re navigating the undulating and lush landscape of these parts. From numerous remote farm buildings, silos, and lakes to logging camps, a military outpost and communications tower, and rocky crags, these are plenty of combat opportunities and routes to all of Caldera’s southern zones.

• Shark’s Lair Submarine Pen – Cut into a natural cove along the eastern coast of Caldera is the island’s largest military installation: the ominous Sub Pen nicknamed the Shark’s Lair. Built by Axis forces to house its naval U-boats, including one still moored here, the lair is a massive interior space to explore and hold. Outside of it, several outbuildings and a bunker compound, complete with a complex underground tunnel system, can be explored to gather necessary supplies or contracts.

• Caldera Power Plant – A medium-sized power plant with a pair of smokestacks dominates the upper flood plain just south of the Airfield, sticking out from the lush greenery, stepped waterfalls, and ancient ruins found elsewhere in the area. Venture farther south from the plant to find a large radio antenna and a civilian radio station.

• Caldera Capital City – Set into a huge natural basin along the southern shores of the island, Caldera’s main city offers a variety of historical structures to take control of, including the Royal Theater, main Capitol Building, and art deco structures like the Fire Station and Police Station set on either side of a working tramway system. Along the western edge of the capital, a hillside suburbia and lighthouse offer space and height compared to the bustling downtown on Main Street, while coastal developments south of the city offer a luxurious beachfront yacht club and bar where a squad could be prematurely celebrating their Battle Royale victory.

• Royal Cabana Resort – Pristine sandy beaches, great surfing, clusters of cabana huts, and a stately main hotel structure were on offer to the well-heeled traveler at the Royal Cabana Resort. Operators dropping into Caldera should expect to see the deserted remains of this resort, with a main thoroughfare offering quick access by vehicle. There is also a small square and clock tower, bus station, and the hotel entrance itself. The grounds of the resort are large and lush, with shallow pools, ferns, and palm trees to thoroughly explore.

Day One Playlists, Content, and RICOHET Anti-Cheat Driver Rollout

Sledgehammer Games also revealed the upcoming playlists and content for Warzone Pacific, as well as how the RICOCHET Anti-Cheat driver will be rolled out. Vanguard owners can access on the Caldera map on December 8 before it releases for everyone else on December 9. However, all content including Operators, Weapons, and Personalization will be available to all starting December 8.

– 40 Weapons: The core 38 weapons from Vanguard’s launch, plus two free functional weapons in the Season One Battle Pass. All of these can be personalized with unlocked camouflage, and every ballistics-based weapon can be further customized with up to 10 attachments through the Gunsmith.

– Over a Dozen Operators: Each of the Operators from S.O.T.F. 002–005 are ready to drop in alongside Special Operations Task Force 006 arriving this season…

– Calling Cards, Emblems, and More: Show off your progress in Vanguard since launch to everyone in Warzone.

Vanguard Royale

Available to all players on December 9, with Vanguard players gaining exclusive play access on December 8 with Caldera, Vanguard Royale leads Season One’s featured Playlist rotation with a game mode that puts a fresh set of vehicles and a streamlined Loadout and weapon pool on the brand-new map.

There are two major differences between a Vanguard Royale and traditional Battle Royale:

– New Vehicles and Dogfighting. Fly fighter planes that rain down fire on foes or head for the AA guns or trucks to shoot them out of the skies. There are also other ground-based vehicles, including a Squad Transport all-terrain car that will help your squad cut through and around the island.

– A Focus on Vanguard Weapons. Loadouts can only contain Vanguard weaponry, streamlining the meta for more accessibility and room for experimentation. Expect all weapons around the island to also be from Vanguard. Operator selection is also limited to Vanguard soldiers.

– Circle Collapse Changes, In-Game Events, and More. The radii and times for Circle Collapses are altered to offer a different pace of play, especially with dogfighting overhead. Also, expect an in-game event at each Circle Collapse, Bombing Runs, and different items both within Caldera’s overworld and contract rewards.

Rebirth Island 

Vanguard owners will receive 24 hours of exclusive access to Caldera, the brand-new Warzone Pacific map. During this initial period, all Warzone players will be able to drop into Rebirth Island. After this exclusive period, Caldera becomes accessible to all players, with Rebirth Island returning later in Season One.

Expect a special one-day-only Rebirth Island Playlists – both Resurgence and Mini Royale – to drop right at the start of the season before everything shifts to Caldera for the week starting on December 9.

The Gulag – Drop Back in Ready for Combat

The Gulag now gives you more than a second chance at victory.

When Warzone Pacific drops, any player who wins a Gulag will drop back in with the weapon – or weapons – and lethal equipment given to them during that deadly duel.

Loadout Items and Field Upgrades

Dead Silence is being nerfed. Stopping Power Rounds are gone.

In addition to detailing those exact changes, Raven Software looked closely at various equipment pieces, such as nerfs to Stun Grenades and Heartbeat Sensors.

Another change involves Loadout Drop Markers – they can now only be purchased from Buy Stations after the Loadout Drop event occurs in a match, effectively shifting their usefulness from an immediate power spike to a more tactical choice in the mid to end game.

Along with these nerfs, several Lethal and Tactical Equipment pieces will see much-needed buffs. Most Lethal Equipment will deal more damage, while the Snapshot Grenade will see its effective radius increase, the Stim will also apply a slight movement boost, and the Decoy Grenade will pack rubber bullets that deal just enough damage to pester enemies.

Gas Masks and Explosive Canisters

Gas Masks won’t interrupt as many actions as they did previously, making it easier to pull your mask off or on, as well as plating up or reloading a weapon while getting out of the Circle Collapse – but still always favoring the combat advantage to those safely inside the circle.

Gas Masks may off a modicum of protection against Gas Canisters, a brand-new item developed by High Moon Studios. If these canisters explode, they release the same noxious vapors as those comprising the Circle Collapse, albeit within a much smaller radius.

Shallow Water

While Operators aren’t getting their sea legs in Caldera, they are now able to wade through shallow water seen in areas like the Lagoon. Walking within water makes it harder to see footsteps, even to those Operators with the Tracker Perk equipped. Crouch in knee-high water and you gain the effects of Cold Blooded, but you cannot go prone.

Contracts and Public Events

During a match, squads can find new contracts to complete, such as a Supply Drop Contract, which airlifts a valuable crate onto the map for anyone to pick up, but only has its exact location revealed by the contracted squad.

Another is a Big Game Bounty, which targets the Operator with the highest kill count – but only once per game, while another – known as Top Secret Contract – is, as one could expect, [[REDACTED]] until you pick it up, but comes with greater rewards compared to the standard loot from the Contract types it chooses from.

As for Public Events, expect Restocks and Resurgences from Rebirth Island to come to Caldera, in addition to the Cash Drops event you may have seen during Operation: Flashback. There are also rumors of [[REDACTED]] Weapon Crates that can appear around the island, which contain the coveted [[REDACTED]] Weapon Blueprints seen in Verdansk, and armaments extracted from the meta-forward galaxy brains of the studios’ Gunsmith gurus.

RICOCHET Anti-Cheat Driver to Roll Out with Warzone Pacific Season One

As part of the Season One update, RICOCHET Anti-Cheat will deploy a new, internally developed kernel-level driver on PC to assist in identifying cheaters in Warzone. This will allow players to focus more on the fun new offerings in Warzone Pacific as #TeamRICOCHET fights unfair play with its new anti-cheat security initiative.

Secrets of the Pacific — Limited-Time Event in Warzone and Vanguard

Before Season One begins, Operators can discover the Secrets of the Pacific, a limited-time event across Warzone and Vanguard with Rare, Epic, and Legendary rewards.

During this event, you can drop into Verdansk in its final days to decipher six clues leading to intel on Caldera’s points of interest, which must be held onto for several minutes before it can be safely extracted. Alternatively, you can hop into Vanguard and complete six Multiplayer challenges that range from playing with a fellow Clan Member to performing a Finishing Move.

Each challenge awards a specific item, such as a Calling Card or Weapon Charm, and completing all six in a set (Warzone or Vanguard) grants the “Bomber Menace” Epic Assault Rifle Blueprint, which slots alongside the “Bonerattler” and “Warning Track” in that weapon’s Blueprint family.

Stay tuned here on MP1st for more of Warzone Pacific, the Caldera map and more on COD Vanguard Season One in the following weeks.

Source: Call of Duty