Following a powerful buff in Season 4 Reloaded, the DM10 marksman rifle is dominating Warzone matches. With pro players calling for its ban ahead of the World Series of Warzone, will developers act before the Esports World Cup?
With the World Series of Warzone (WSOW) fast approaching, competitive Call of Duty players are raising serious concerns about the current meta, specifically, the overwhelming power of the DM10 marksman rifle. A significant buff in the recent Season 4 Reloaded update has positioned the DM10 as a dominant force across both casual and Ranked Play, and many pro players argue that it now threatens the integrity of the upcoming tournament.
Among the most vocal critics is Rhys ‘Rated’ Price, a top player for AG Global Warzone, who did not mince words when addressing the impact of the DM10. “Marksman rifles are an absolute snooze fest for Ranked and WSOW,” Rated tweeted. “Absolutely nothing competitive about dying in three to four bullets by a team of three using it from any range. Please ban marksman rifles for Ranked and WSOW.”
The Season 4 Reloaded patch introduced various buffs and nerfs aimed at improving weapon variety and balancing across modes. While the intention was to freshen the meta, the DM10’s performance spike has had the opposite effect, cementing it as a go-to weapon for nearly every serious competitor. Capable of downing players with just a few shots at nearly any range, the DM10 has drawn sharp criticism not only from Rated but also from other professional players. Deus Amir from Leviatan echoed the sentiment, stating, “Honestly, all marksman rifles should be gone.”
The main complaint among pros is that the DM10 and the marksman rifle class as a whole undermine competitive fairness by rewarding teams for abusing long-range, high-damage output with minimal risk. In a format like WSOW, where strategy, movement, and precision should determine success, players argue that dying instantly to a barrage from semi-automatic rifles stifles the high-level play the series aims to showcase.
Raven Software, the lead developer behind Warzone, has a history of listening to community and professional feedback. While there’s no official word yet on whether changes will be implemented before the WSOW, fans and players alike hope the developers act quickly to address the imbalance. The company has previously pushed out hotfixes to stabilize gameplay after similar concerns were raised in prior seasons.
Before the World Series of Warzone kicks off, Warzone will be featured at the Esports World Cup from August 6–9, where 21 of the world’s best teams will battle it out for a slice of the $1 million prize pool. If a balance patch isn’t deployed by then, the DM10 could heavily influence outcomes at both major events, leaving the competitive scene in an uproar.
For now, all eyes are on Raven Software and tournament organizers to see whether they’ll step in and restore competitive integrity, or risk letting one weapon dictate the fate of Warzone’s biggest tournaments.
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