Devlog #9: Weapons & Gear in Winds of War

Hey GZW Community,

The Winds of War are approaching — and with them comes a wave of new content and improvements for both PvP and PvE players. Landing this spring, the update sets the stage for the next chapter of Gray Zone Warfare.

We’ve already highlighted some of the biggest changes in our Roadmap Reshaped stream, followed by a deeper look at the Quality of Life enhancements arriving with Update 0.3.

Now, it’s time to turn our focus to Weapons & Gear — not just the new firepower entering the game, but also meaningful improvements to systems already in place. With your continued feedback, we’re refining how loadouts feel and function, pushing Gray Zone Warfare to the next level. Read on!

DOMINATE WITH NEW WEAPONS

We’re expanding the arsenal in Gray Zone Warfare with a new batch of weapons and fresh variants of existing gear — giving you more flexibility to overcome any challenge. Whether you’re engaging from a distance, clearing buildings up close, or depending on your sidearm in a pinch, this update brings a mix of modular platforms and time-tested classics, each offering distinct advantages for different situations.

• SIG MCX – A modular rifle that supports the .300 Blackout caliber. Its short-stroke gas piston system ensures reliable suppressed performance, making it ideal for flexible mid-range builds. The SIG MCX is a modern evolution of the AR platform, designed to overcome its limitations while retaining familiar handling.
• MP7A1 / A2 – Compact PDWs firing 4.6×30mm, compatible with a range of specialized ammunition. With low recoil, a high rate of fire, and strong armor penetration against adequately protected enemies, they excel in close-quarters and fast-paced combat.
• SVD Dragunov – This legendary semi-automatic DMR uses 7.62×54R and is known for its reliability and long-range precision. It's built for players who prefer to stay back, pick their shots, and apply pressure from a distance. As the first designated marksman rifle in Gray Zone Warfare, it introduces an entirely new role to the battlefield.
• Beretta M9A1 – A rugged, classic 9mm sidearm featuring an improved grip, Picatinny rail, and support for both 15-round and 30-round magazines. Built for dependable performance in tough conditions, this iconic pistol brings more variety and personality to the sidearm lineup.
• For new variants of existing weapons, we’re introducing the Colt 1911 Commander — a lighter, more compact take on the classic Colt 1911, perfect for those who want strong stopping power in a faster, more responsive sidearm. We’re also adding a new variant of the Mosin Nagant — the carbine version with a straight bolt handle.

We’ll be adding more weapons over time — and when we do, we always consider what fits the world and atmosphere of Gray Zone Warfare. Realism and context matter; we want each addition to feel right at home in Lamang. Got a weapon you’d love to see in the game? Make sure to let us know in the comments.

LOAD UP WITH NEW AMMO

As mentioned, we’re expanding the ammunition pool with two new calibers. First up: .300 Blackout, known for its heavier rounds that deliver greater stopping power. It excels when suppressed and easily punches through barriers like doors and soft covers. We’re also introducing 4.6×30mm, a high-velocity PDW cartridge built for low recoil and effective armor penetration — perfect for fast, close-quarters engagements.

WITNESS THE BALLISTICS IMPROVEMENTS

To make combat feel more grounded, we’re enhancing the terminal ballistics system — the part of the simulation that governs what happens after a bullet hits a target — with deeper detail and expanded functionality.

A major improvement lies in how we model projectile stability in soft tissue. Bullets will now behave more realistically based on their type, including when and how they destabilize. We’re also refining the tumbling effect — where rounds rotate or destabilize after impact — to better reflect how it disrupts tissue and influences the temporary cavity, amplifying internal damage more realistically.

Combined with the addition of intestines as a new organ, shot placement is about to matter more than ever — hits to the abdomen and pelvic area will now result in greater damage. It’s all part of delivering a more authentic and impactful combat experience.

CUSTOMIZE WITH NEW PARTS AND ATTACHMENTS

You’ll be getting access to over 80 new weapon parts in this update — including mounts, receivers, foregrips, barrels, iron sights, and more — giving you even more ways to fine-tune and personalize your loadout. Whether you're optimizing for performance or dialing in the perfect look, you now have greater flexibility in how your weapons come together.

We’re also expanding your optics options. New additions include compact red dots like the Aimpoint ACRO P-2 and Aimpoint Micro H-2, along with four new scopes: the Vortex Spitfire HD Gen II 5x, a compact prism scope ideal for mid-to-long range engagements; the Kaps Classic 4x36 OC, offering a clean 4× zoom with traditional styling; the PSO-1 4x24, a Soviet classic with integrated rangefinding and fixed 4× magnification; and the NPZ PSO 3-9x24, a variable optic with zoom from 3× to 9× for flexible distance control. These additions give you more ways to tailor your weapon setup to fit your preferred range and playstyle.

Moreover, the Winds of War update introduces a new item inspired by community feedback — the Tracking Tag. These can be purchased from vendors and attached to weapons or gear to track their location on the map. T-Tags help you locate your body after death or follow the movement of your equipment if it’s looted. Tags are time-limited — once the timer runs out, the item will no longer be visible on the map.

DISCOVER QUALITY-OF-LIFE UPGRADES

Additionally, as first outlined in the QoL Devlog, we are also making some quality-of-life improvements to gear overall to support these upgrades. We are implementing smooth scope zooming to make aiming feel more natural and responsive. Scopes and sights now sit closer to the player’s view, enhancing clarity and immersion during combat.

Moreover, you'll be able to manage your damaged gear in a more realistic way. Durability loss and the repair system are being overhauled. We're removing automatic durability loss upon death or coma. Instead, weapons will now degrade slowly through use — and much more significantly when hit by bullets.

The expanded repair system introduces several options to maintain your gear. You’ll need to choose between a slower repair method (during which the item remains unusable) or newly added repair kits that restore items instantly. The system will continue to be balanced and refined in future updates.

SUIT UP WITH NEW ARMOR

One of the most significant gear updates in Winds of War is the expansion of protection options. You’ll be able to equip yourself with new ballistic vests and armor plate carriers, offering increased ballistic resistance for frontline engagements. Among them is the Plate6 Plate Carrier, delivering extended side coverage and the highest level of protection in the game — at the cost of added weight. The Phantom Type 2 provides solid front and back protection while maintaining a more balanced approach to mobility.

Need solid head protection? You’ll be able to equip one of the new helmets designed to bolster military-grade gear and raise the overall challenge of combat. We’ve also reworked existing helmets to include variants with and without mounting options, expanding your choices and amplifying the tension of losing a more valuable setup.

As a counterpart, we’re introducing the Skullcrusher — a lightweight rig for mounting NVGs without the full coverage of a helmet. These additions bring more depth to your loadout choices. As gear variety increases, so does the intensity of the fight — and you’ll need the right tools to stay ahead.

On top of all this, we’re rebalancing the game economy, which brings meaningful changes to loot. You’ll now encounter more crates across Lamang, including hidden variants scattered throughout the map. The gear you find in the field has been reworked to feel more valuable and practical — the kind of loot you’ll actually want to keep. Expect rewards that better reflect the risks you take during your missions.

MORE INTEL INCOMING

That’s another batch of new info, and there’s still more to come as we get closer to the update’s release. We hope you’re just as excited for Winds of War as we are — and as always, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Your feedback is a big part of shaping Gray Zone Warfare, so don’t hesitate to share it. Stay tuned to our socials for upcoming dev streams and posts — there’s plenty more on the way.

And, if you want a quick recap of what happened last month, check out the March Community Briefing video — it covers all the key highlights in just a few minutes.

Every Move Matters, MADFINGER Games Team