Following Ubisoft’s acknowledgment of community concerns, the company released the Y4S2 Designer’s Notes today. The notes detail Smoke changes that are still a ways off and a massive Glaz nerf coming sooner, rather than later.
Ubisoft will change some attachment options in the coming patch. While attachment changes seem like a small matter, the ones listed in the post are pretty massive. The D-50, used by the Navy Seals and Nøkk, will now be able to use a suppressor and muzzle brake. Giving the D-50 a suppressor is an odd move, especially this late in the game, while the muzzle brake makes a bit more sense in terms of controlling the weapon.
Smoke’s FMG-9 will now use the same optic as Mozzie’s primaries, according to Ubisoft. While Mozzie’s optic doesn’t have any inherent perks, it’s a bit more comfortable to use. But that may just be a placebo effect.
The main attraction in these Designer’s Notes is the Glaz nerf. Glaz was given a thermal scope in March 2017 to help buff the player and make him a more viable option to take into the field. Since the implementation of the thermal scope, Glaz has become more of an overpowered entry fragger.
To combat the use of Glaz in a role better suited for Ash, the devs have added a movement nerf to the thermal scope. Now, when Glaz aims down his sights with the thermal scope activated, he’ll no longer be able to move freely and use the scope to his advantage. Ubisoft has implemented a visual indicator of when the thermal scope will stop working in the form of yellow lines that deplete as the player moves. Overall, this update seems fair and balanced, although that may change once Glaz comes up against Warden.
Fixes for Maverick, Smoke, and the deployable shield rework are also in the works. Maverick’s audio cue for the SURI torch and Smoke’s gas cloud propagation issue are still being worked on and have no ETA, according to Ubisoft. The deployable shield rework Ubisoft showed off at the Six Invitational has had the Black Mirror panels swapped for regular bulletproof glass. The change to the shields seems balanced considering that players would have no way of knowing if an enemy player is behind the Black Mirror panels—aside from droning, which is too time-consuming late in a match.
Fans will most likely learn more information at the Milan Finals on May 19 when Operation Phantom Sight is fully revealed.
