KRAFTON and PUBG Corporation have released Title Update 35.1 for PUBG: Battlegrounds, and it’s a significant one with numerous changes affecting virtually all aspects of the game, from core gameplay to seasonal content and bug fixes, among so many other improvements. This marks the second big update since the game’s 8-year anniversary about a month ago.
Title Update 35.1
PUBG’s Patch 35.1 introduces a new aim punch system for all guns, varying in strength by weapon type and decreasing with distance. Spawn changes make the Zipline Gun, Stun Gun, and Emergency Cover Flare world spawns on all maps and add them to Ranked, while the Self-AED is now solo-only. Several items have been removed from spawning.
Gameplay adjustments include increased Zipline Gun range and Stun Gun tweaks. Audio for self-used items is reduced, and the Mortar sound is improved. The Recall system is now on all maps. Custom Matches get text chat (PC), persistent lobbies, map changing, AI options, and increased player limits. A new Workshop feature, Contender, allows character upgrades.
PUBG: Battlegrounds Patch 35.1 Release Notes
Gunplay
The new aim punch system, previously introduced in the Gunplay Labs, will be implemented in Update 35.1.
Aim Punch
New aim punch mechanics have been applied to all firearms, with varying levels depending on the weapon category.
SRs
- The highest level of aim punch is applied.
Shotguns
- A high level of aim punch is applied.
SMGs
- A high level of aim punch is applied, though slightly lower than that of Shotguns.
- The VSS has the same level of aim punch as SMGs.
ARs / LMGs / DMRs
- Feature a low level of aim punch, with 7.62mm ammo demonstrating stronger aim punch than 5.56mm ammo.
Other Weapons (Handguns, Crossbow, etc.)
- A very low level of aim punch is applied.
Misc.
- Aim punch decreases with distance.
- The aim punch of SMGs and Shotguns decreases significantly with distance. At 50 meters, SMGs have similar aim punch to ARs.
- SRs also experience a distance-based reduction in aim punch, but they still have a strong aim punch at mid-range.
- ARs and DMRs have a marginally higher base aim punch than in the current game version, but beyond 100 meters, the aim punch decreases to levels comparable to the current game.
Gameplay
Spawn Changes
※ The following updates do not apply to Sandbox Mode.
- The Zipline Gun, Stun Gun, and Emergency Cover Flare will now world spawn on all maps.
- The Stun Gun and Emergency Cover Flare have also been added to Ranked.
- The Self-AED will now world spawn on all maps, but only in Solo mode.
- Removed from Duo & Squad modes
- Removed from special spawn locations
- It will no longer be available as a reward for Rondo’s In-Game Challenge.
- The Blue Chip Transmitter, Decoy Grenade, Spike Trap, Thermal 4x Scope, and Battle Ready Kit have been removed from every spawn spot.
- The spawn rates of the Zipline Gun and Zipline Gun Cable have been slightly increased.
- Fixed spawn spots for the Inflatable Boat have been added to Erangel, but the total spawn quantity remains unchanged.
Zipline Gun
- The maximum range has been increased by approximately 50%.
Stun Gun
- Muzzle velocity has been slightly increased.
- Effective range has been reduced, making it more difficult to hit targets at longer distances.
Emergency Cover Flare
- Weight increased from 23 → 27.
Audio
In Update 35.1, we’re making several audio adjustments that many players have been requesting for some time.
- 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.
Misc.
- The kill effect of Progressive weapon skins, which was previously visible only to teammates, will now be visible to all players.
Recall System
The Recall system is now available across all maps, including Karakin and Paramo!
- On these maps, Recall flights are available every 2 minutes and 30 seconds but will not appear from Phase 5 onwards.
- Also applies to Custom Match.
Arcade
- Hot Drop mode has been removed and may return as a limited-time event mode in the future.
Team Deathmatch
- Kill messages will no longer display kills or knockdowns made by teammates.
Ranked
Season 35
- Ranked weapon skins for the Lynx AMR have been added as Tier Rewards (permanent) for Season 35.
- The Stun Gun and Emergency Cover Flare have been added.
- The leaderboard will reset after the live server maintenance.
- Check out your final Tier from the previous season through your Career page.
Workshop
New Feature: Contender
Introducing Contender, a new character upgrade system that lets you express your unique style on the Battlegrounds! Contenders are available in the Workshop, and full details on the first Contender can be found in the April Store Update announcement.
- 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.
Special Crafting
New Contender-related items have been added to Artisan Crafting. Further details can be found in the April Store Update announcement.
Custom Match
Update 35.1 brings a variety of long-awaited improvements to our beloved Custom Match!
- (PC) You can now use text chat in Custom Match lobbies.
- Two chat channels are available: Custom Match and Team. You can access the Custom Match channel by entering the new commands /cm or /custom.
- A System Menu button has been added to the bottom of the lobby screen.
- Lobbies will now remain even after a match ends.
- You can now change the map in Match Settings even after the lobby has been created.
- Applies Custom Match – Normal, Esports, Intense Battle Royale, and Hot Drop modes.
- Changing the map will reset all settings to the default values of the newly selected map.
- A “Match Start Standby Time” setting has been added under Match Settings – Basic – Game Settings, allowing you to adjust the waiting time before the match begins.
- A “Blue Zone Activation” option has been added under Match Settings – Rules – Blue Zone.
- This option is available only to players with Partner or Clan Master privileges.
- If the match doesn’t end when deactivating the Blue Zone, the match will automatically end after a certain period of time.
- Two new AI-related settings have been added under Match Settings – Rules – Gameplay.
- These settings allow you to enable AI and adjust AI damage.
- Available only in Custom Match – Normal Mode.
- These options are available only to players with Partner or Clan Master privileges.
- AI Damage settings do not apply to Throwables.
- When AI is added, bots will fill the lobby up to the max player count, but will not be placed on the same team as players.
- Matches can now start even if there is only one team, when AI is added.
- Matches will continue even when only bots remain.
- The maximum player count has been increased to 100 in all modes except Team Deathmatch and 1v1 Arena.
- (Console) Due to performance issues, the Hot Drop mode’s max player count has been reduced from 100 to 32.
- After a match ends, the Match Results screen will now be displayed to all players.
- Applies to Custom Match – Normal, Esports, and Intense Battle Royale modes.
- The Spike Trap, Decoy Grenade, and Blue Chip Transmitter have been removed from the Spawn tab.
- Match setting presets saved before 2020 can no longer be loaded.
Training Mode
- The Hall of Fame decorations have been removed.
UX/UI
- 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.
Performance
- 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.
Bug Fixes
Gameplay
- 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.
World
- Fixed collision, texture, performance, and some other general Karakin issues.
UX/UI
- 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.
Items & Skins
Clipping issue: Graphics that are shown outside the visible part of an image/object.
- 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.
