Tripwire Interactive has released the massive Killing Floor 3 Rearmament Update, a transformative patch introducing sweeping gameplay system changes, weapon rebalances, and major technical optimizations. This update marks one of the most significant overhauls yet, with complete freedom in perk and specialist selection, allowing players to mix any perk combination without restriction. Alongside this, the new Zed Bump Physics System introduces dynamic combat mechanics that enable players to use movement-based attacks to push, knock down, or even crush enemies from above.
The Rearmament Update also delivers an impressive performance boost through improved rendering, optimized CPU usage, and faster UI responsiveness. Players can expect enhanced weapon responsiveness, refined balance across all classes, and over 790 bug fixes addressing animation glitches, matchmaking issues, and AI behavior. Combined with a lineup of new weapons, visual enhancements, and free cosmetics, this update reshapes the core experience of Killing Floor 3 from the ground up.
Full Patch Notes
Core System Changes
- Perk & Specialist Decoupling: Specialists can now use any perk, granting complete build freedom. Access full skill trees, grenades, and gadgets from any perk.
- Specialist selection is now found in the Cosmetics sub-menu.
- A one-time save migration preserves all player progress.
- New Zed Bump Physics System:
- Enables sprinting, sliding, and dashing to push Zeds.
- Landing on enemies’ heads can knock them down or instantly kill them after high falls.
- Affects Crawlers, Larvae, Clots, Sirens, Husks, and more.
- Disabled during Zed attacks to prevent abuse.
New Weapons
- Streik Dual Defender (Engineer Shotgun): Extended Barrel and Quad-Barrel mods.
- M14 EBR (Sharpshooter Rifle): Match Grade ammo, Fast-Attach Suppressor, and Full-Auto Receiver.
- MKR-350 (Commando Rifle): Polymer Tip ammo, Dual Mag, Green Dot Sight, and Multi-Round Burst mode.
Performance Optimizations
- Rendering optimized with reduced decals, improved Nanite settings, and trimmed VFX.
- CPU load lowered by consolidating background updates.
- Shotguns converted to instant hit detection for better performance.
- UI and HUD rendering optimized for faster updates.
- Streaming and shader caching improved to reduce loading hitches.
Major Balance Changes
Weapons (Global)
- All shotguns now use instant hit.
- Faster transitions from bash to ADS.
- Enhanced weapon audio for better headshot feedback.
Perks
- Increased proficiency gains on Hard and Hell on Earth difficulties.
- Ninja Gadget now shocks Fleshpounds more consistently and adds slight knockback.
- Commando Gadget Boom Cycle reworked to boost explosion damage per shot.
- Execution grants 1 second of invulnerability post-kill.
- Armor and tool damage adjustments favor armor degradation.
Enemies
- Husk fireball speed reduced by 30 percent; less homing.
- Siren projectiles slower by 37.5 percent, no homing, added minimum range.
- Impaler charge and leap damage halved.
- Scrake and Fleshpound blocking mechanics made more dynamic.
- Mutation wave spawn rate for Horde and Fodder Zeds increased by 50 percent.
Weapon-Specific Adjustments
- Commando: Damage buffs to X295 Wraith, SCAR EIR, and Knightsbridge.
- Engineer: Budget increases and rebalancing of G33 and Vulcan TA.
- Firebug: Pyre .357 stronger; IR-50 Brimstone nerfed for balance.
- Ninja: Yumi more powerful and accurate; Kunai and Dual Katanas rebalanced.
- Sharpshooter: ESR 36 damage boosted with slower reload; improved recoil control.
- Medic: Biomorphic Projector healing improved; underbarrel grenades heal more.
Mod Changes
- AOS and Red Dot sights reduce recoil significantly.
- Sniper Scopes renamed and adjusted for tighter spread.
- Large damage buff to G33 Three Round Cylinder.
- Cost reductions across several weapon attachments.
- Deadly Resupply trigger rate reduced from 33 percent to 10 percent.
Bug Fixes
- Over 790 issues resolved, including:
- Fixed ladder interaction when downed.
- Added slide grab invulnerability.
- Fixed Scrake grab and Gorefast damage bugs.
- Improved matchmaking and weapon animation consistency.
- Corrected player outlines and targeting AI.
New Cosmetics
- Free Login Rewards: Evolution of a Monster card, Obi AR Helmet, and Foster M60 Mask.
- Store Bundles: Sewer Dweller, Biological Agent, Gas Attack, and Augmented Reality sets.
- Weapon Skins & Trinkets: Nightfall, Old Painless, Ripley skins, and new collectible trinkets.
Killing Floor 3 is a first-person survival horror shooter set in the dystopian year 2091, where up to six players fight to survive against waves of bioengineered horrors known as Zeds. Developed and published by Tripwire Interactive, the game launched on July 24, 2025, and is available on PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with full cross-play support across all platforms.
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