PUBG: Battlegrounds‘ latest update has added some new systems and removed a couple of player favorite spawn items, along with various QoL improvements. PUBG: Battlegrounds Update 35.1 rolled out yesterday bringing a new firearms mechanics system called aim punch which had previously only been available in the Gunplay Labs. Another new system called Contender is a character upgrade system that is available in the Workshop. Changes have been made to spawns, which include new additions but also the removal of some items including two that were player favorites, custom matches, audio, updates to Eraangel’s Hall of Fame honoring The Expendables (winners of PGC 2024), a new survivor pass update, and various bug fixes.
A list of the patch notes is detailed below while the complete patch notes can be found here. So PUBG players get ready, April’s first update is out now and there’s a lot to check out!
The new aim punch system has been applied to SRs, Shotguns, SMGs, ARs, LMGs, DMRs, and other assorted weapons including handguns and crossbows. Varying damage levels have been applied to firearms with damage falling off as distance increases.
Dev’s comment: The new aim punch system introduced through the Gunplay Labs in January and March is now being rolled out to live servers with this update. After the first Gunplay Labs, we reviewed community feedback from various regions and made several adjustments in Gunplay Labs: Aim Punch 2 to reduce discomfort during gameplay.
- SRs have the highest level
- Shotguns are at high level
- SMGs are at high level but less than shotguns, VSS is the same as SMGs
- ARs/LMGs/DMRs are at low level with 7.62 mm ammo having more aim punk than 5.56 mm ammo
- Other weapons are set at low level
Spawn changes
The Zipline Gun, Stun Gun, Emergency Cover Flare are now available on all maps and their spawn rates have increased. Items removed include the decoy grenade, thermal 4x scope, battle ready kit, blue chip transmitter and spike trap. Players have been expressing frustration at the removal of the blue chip transmitter and spike traps, hoping for a decision reversal to bring them back.
Contender
The contender is a new feature/character upgrade system for customizing character appearances. Outfits and other character features can be modified with additional unlocks available through upgrades. More details can be found in the April Store Update.
- Each Contender includes both appearance and outfit as a set. Additional features unlock through upgrades.
- Contender materials can be obtained at a certain probability from Contender Prime Parcels, which are available through Archivist’s Chests.
- Required Materials for Collecting and Upgrading Contenders:
- Record Files
- Can be crafted in the Workshop – Special Crafting, using Artisan Tokens.
- Each Record File is tied to a specific Contender.
- Record Files can be repurposed or disassembled. When repurposed, they yield a random item of the same tier, just like Imprints.
- Credits
- Record Files
- A Contender page has been added to the Workshop, where you can view all available Contenders and manage them — including collecting, upgrading, and previewing.
- A Contender tab has been added to the Customize – Character page, where you can view your collected Contenders.
General Changes
- Recall System – Now available across all maps, flights are available every two minutes and thirty seconds but cease after Phase 5, includes custom matches
- Festive 8th-anniversary and previous Hall of Fame themes and decorations have been removed
- Hot Drop has been removed from Arcade but could return as a time-limited mode in a future update/event
- Display kill and knockdown messages have been removed from Team Deathmatch
- Season 35 rank changes include new Lynx AMR skins, stun gun, an emergency cover flare has been added, leader boards will now reset after server maintenance, and players check out their final Tier from the previous season through their Career page
- A new survivor pass is in the works with details to be revealed in the April Store Update announcement
Bug Fixes/Optimizations:
- The sound of firearms you’re using, as well as vehicles and planes you’re currently in, has been slightly reduced.
- This change only applies to the player performing the action. Other players will continue to hear them at their original volume
- We’ve also improved the Mortar explosion sound to better reflect distance.
- Fixed an issue where items outside of the spectated player’s Inventory area are not displayed when opening their Inventory.
- Fixed an issue where the Emergency Pickup plane sound plays incorrectly.
- Fixed an issue where the observer gets disconnected several minutes after a bear dies while observing a match on Vikendi.
- Fixed an issue where the Blanc’s left and right wheels rotate abnormally when braking.
- The brightness of kill messages displayed at the bottom center of the screen for kills or knockdowns made by teammates has been reduced.
- With the Store and Workshop revamp, related UI and text elements have been updated and improved.
- Optimized the Sanhok map to improve average frame rates and reduce stuttering.
- Improved hitching issues that occurred when players were near building destruction or destroyed buildings in Sanhok.
- Fixed spacing errors in certain interaction-related UI elements in the Korean language setting.
- Fixed an issue where kill messages do not display the Mastery Tier icons for Throwables or Miscellaneous weapons.
- Fixed an issue where the Clan rejoin cooldown message is displayed abnormally in the Russian language setting.
- (PC) Fixed an issue where the Clan chat channel is visible while not being a member of a Clan.
- (PC) Fixed an issue where the error popup does not appear when clicking the ‘Add G-COIN’ button with the Steam Overlay disabled.
- Fixed an issue where textures appear abnormally when the male character wears the Cerberus’ Boots.
- Fixed an issue where part of the outfit becomes transparent when the female character wears the Baby It’s Cold Outside Shorts with certain tops.
- Fixed an issue where the back of the NieR:Automata Combat Goggles is missing when worn with certain hoodies.
- Fixed an issue where the necklace is missing when the female character wears the Bloody Tank Top (White).
- Fixed an issue where the hood of the Leather Hoodie (White) disappears when lowered by certain item combinations.
- (PC) Fixed an issue where the number on the tablet is not clearly visible when using the Roll the Dice emote in certain lobby skins.