The highly anticipated Update 7.2 for PUBG is now live. The update finally added Bots on the PC version of the game. Developers are aware that their community is divided about the introduction of bots. The long-awaited Ranked mode is also made available, Ranked mode will replace the ongoing Survival Mode. Devs have decided that Bots will not feature in the Ranked playlist.

Ranked mode is placed in the ‘Play’ section. You can play Ranked mode in the 1/2/3 player team as well. The total number of players in a match is fixed at 64 players. Ranked mode is not unlocked for everyone. You will have to complete several steps to gain entry into the Ranked playlist. Two players can’t play together if their rank is too far apart. Players will have to reach Level 20 in Survival Mastery if they want to unlock the Ranked playlist. Players will have to verify their account using SMS, however this requirement may differ depending on regions.

That’s not all that the new update includes. Several weapons have been balanced, UI improvements have been made and multiple bugs are fixed. Highlights of the update are mentioned below. You can read the complete patch notes on the official site.

PUBG Update 7.2 Patch Notes Highlights

MATCHMAKING

Ranked Mode

• A new ‘Ranked’ sub navigation option has been added to the ‘Play’ section of the primary navigation menu.
• Options for Ranked play include TPP or FPP Squad modes.
  • 1/2/3 man squad options are also available.
• Matches will feature a maximum of 64 players.
  • Ranked matches will not have Bots.
• There are additional requirements for starting a match in the Ranked queue. All squad members must meet these requirements in order to begin matchmaking.
  • A squad cannot enter the queue if two players (who have completed placements) are too far apart in rank from each other (10 divisions maximum).
  • Players need to reach a minimal Survival Mastery level of 20 before they qualify for ranked.
  • Depending on their platform and region, players may need to verify their account using SMS before they qualify for Ranked mode.If an SMS verified account is banned, the device connected to it will also be permanently blocked.
  • Players who have received ranked matchmaking penalties for actions such as repeatedly ‘dodging’ games after loading onto the island will need to wait out a matchmaking penalty timer before they can play ranked again.
• Players may cancel Ranked matchmaking at any time with no penalty.
  • Players who find a match and load into the pregame lobby will face Ranked penalties if they then choose to abandon the match.

Ranked Mode Ruleset

• Ranked mode games will be randomly played on Erangel, Miramar, or Sanhok.
• Ranked mode will operate under its own game settings.
• Unique Season 7 Ranked settings include:
  • Overall increase in item loot spawns
  • No Crossbow spawns
  • Red zone has been removed
  • Motor glider has been removed
  • The timing and speed of the Blue Zone has been adjusted to increase the pace of play
• Exact settings are subject to adjustment throughout the season and especially at the start of new seasons.
  • Changes in the ranked mode rule set will be posted via announcements

Tiers and Divisions

• There are a total of 6 tiers in the Ranked system (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Master) with 5 Divisions (V – I) within each tier.
• A player’s current rank is determined by their Rank Points (RP) in a given queue.
• At the start of a Ranked season, players will be considered ‘Unranked’ in all queues.
• The first 5 games they play in each ranked queue will count as placement matches.
• At the end of the fifth placement match, players will be given an initial rank for the season.

How Climbing Works

• After a player dies, they will receive an adjustment to their RP based on their performance. The metrics that determine performance are
  • Kills
  • Assists
  • Personal placement
• When a player exits a Ranked match, they will be presented with a new pop-up modal celebration that shows the player their performance metrics as well as the change to their RP.
• Players who are at Diamond rank or above will begin to face RP ‘decay’ if they do not play any Ranked games for a week or more in a row

Ranked Rewards

• At the end of the season, players will receive Ranked rewards based on their Highest Ranked tier that season
  • Ranked rewards are unique and only obtainable by playing Ranked during the season they are awarded
• All players will receive a nameplate and emblem recognizing their Tier
• Players who ended the season at Gold or higher will receive a set of Ranked reward skins

GAMEPLAY

Weapon & Armor Balance

Assault Rifle:

• Increased reload times for M416, M16A4 and SCAR-L
  • We’ve adjusted the reload time of some of these mid-range weapons to make them less of a go-to for their effectiveness in all situations. This change should especially affect close quarters engagements, as you’ll have a longer window to rush opponents reloading an AR.
• M416
  • While fully equipped, the M416 was lethal even in far distances with its superior stability.

Kill distribution rate over Distance/Phase

The power of rapid and accurate sprays were even capable of replacing DMR positions in ranges over 30m. We don’t believe one gun should always be the optimal choice in all circumstances, but rather give players choices depending on their needs in the current situation. Of course, we will be watching the data constantly for future adjustments.

• Decreased base damage by 1 (41 → 40)
• Decreased muzzle velocity from 880 m/s to 780 m/s
• Changed damage curve distances from 60m – 450m to 50m – 350m

Weapon damage per round per pick up

• M16A4, MK47 Mutant
  • These two weapons do not support full-auto firing mode, which already led to them being picked up less. Add to that stability issues or lower firing rates and it’s easy to see why they weren’t being picked up as often. We’ve made some adjustments to give them more life on the Battlegrounds.
  • Decreased recoil when firing in quick succession in semi-auto and bursts mode.
  • Added tracers (shooter only).
• Beryl M762
  • Based on the analysis result on the weapon damage per round per pick up, it seemed Beryl M762 had somewhat less performance than expected compared to other assult rifles.
  • Increased muzzle velocity from 680 m/s to 740 m/s.
  • Decreased recoil.

Shotguns:

• As the gun metas in the game have stabilized, shotguns were quickly left in the dust as they had little use in most late game situations. With this update, we have adjusted the shotgun group so that they can be used more reliably throughout a match.
• Body damage multiplier changes
  • Increased limb multiplier from 0.9 to 1.05.
  • Increased head multiplier from 1.25 to 1.5.
• Increased hip-fire accuracy.
• Decreased accuracy penalty during movement.
• Decreased damage drop over distance for all shotguns.
• Saiga S12K
  • Extended and Ext. Quickdraw magazines now hold 10 rounds.
  • Suppressor adds slight pellet spread reduction (2/3 of choke bonus).
• S1897
  • Increased the pump-action speed
• Sawed-off
  • Increased reload speed.

Armor:

• Vests not only provided armor but also provided additional inventory space. However, it felt pretty bad to immediately lose that space when your vest was destroyed in combat. Your survivability also drastically decreased once your vest was destroyed. leaving you extremely vulnerable until you found a new one. With this change, ‘destroyed’ vests will no longer disappear, and neither will your inventory space.
• In addition, vests will continue to provide 20% protection and slight aim punch reduction once destroyed. The base protection level of the destroyed vest is the same no matter the type of vest you’re wearing. This should mean more competitive engagements, even if the situation doesn’t allow for the looting of a new vest.