Patch Notes: PUBG Mobile's Big 1.2 Update Is Out Now

PUBG Mobile's latest big update has arrived, bringing with it new modes and corresponding loot. Check out everything that's been added in the patch, including the brand new Runic Power Mode in the full patch notes below.

Runic Power is a new event that'll run from the moment you update until March 7. Available on the Erangel map, Runic Power has players select one of three special powers that they can then use by collecting rune fragments on the map.

The three runes are the Flame Rune, Arctic Rune, and Wind Rune, each with different abilities to suit varied playstyles. The Flame Rune is the most attack-based, with the ability to summon a fire-based attack and apply burning damage with your regular ammo. The Arctic Rune summons an ice wall that can be used either to impede opponents or to lift up anything on top of the wall's area. The Wind Rune creates a shield that will reduce projectile damage, as well as increasing player movement speed.

There's also a new battle pass that's themed to match the Runic Power event, which will unlock items to help players achieve victory in the new event.

Another new game mode is Power Armor Mode, which will launch in EvoGround on February 5. The mode sees players looking for materials to build various parts of the Power Armor set, with a powerful weapon to be unlocked when the full set is completed.

A new assault rifle named the FAMAS has also been introduced to the game, boasting the fastest rate of fire of any of PUBG's rifles.

Players who update the game before January 17 will get a bonus pack including BP, AG, and an Acolyte of Justice backpack, so make sure to update soon. The full patch notes--including more new content, fixes, and tweaks--can be found below.

Runic Power Gameplay (January 12 to March 7)

Runes from another world have brought three special powers with them. Choose the power that suits you, collect Rune fragments, and use them to aid you in your fight to become the final winner on the battlefield. Choose Erangel in map selection to experience this exclusive gameplay mode.

• Gameplay

• Players will choose their Rune energy type on Spawn Island. You will need to choose to bring either the Flame Rune, Arctic Rune, or Wind Rune into the current match.
• After selecting a rune, you will get 2 skills. The first skill summons an object, and the second skill gives you a boost. Using these skills consumes Rune energy.
• Rune energy can be obtained in matches.

• Rune Abilities
  • Flame Rune:
    • Summon skill - Summons a wheel of flame that rolls forward slowly, dealing burn damage to enemy players it touches.
    • Boost skill - Adds a burning effect to your Ammo for a short time.
  • Arctic Rune:
    • Summon skill - Summons an ice wall. Each block of the ice wall can be destroyed separately. When the ice wall appears, it will lift up players or vehicles directly above them.
    • Boost skill - Adds a freezing effect to Ammo for a short time. Freezing reduces the effectiveness of healing.
  • Wind Rune:
    • Summon skill - Summons a semi-transparent shield of wind that reduces the damage of bullets shot from outside the shield.
    • Boost skill - Increases your movement and reload speed.

New Firearms, New Options

FAMAS

• A new assault rifle that uses 5.56mm Ammo. It can be loaded with 25 rounds, has the fastest Rate of Fire among rifles, and is outstanding in close range firefights.
• The FAMAS can be equipped with a Muzzle (Rifles), Scope, and Mag (Rifles). There is no foregrip, but it comes with its own bipod that reduces recoil when shooting with it in a prone position.
• Only appears in the Livik Classic Battle Royale map.

Power Armor Mode (Launches in EvoGround on February 5)

New high-tech Power Armor has been created on Livik. To create your own set of Power Armor you must bringing Nano Crystals and an Armor Blueprint to the Matrix Base. You will have 2 additional chances to respawn yourself or your teammates during a match. Matrix Events will also be available for you to participate in during each match.

• Respawn
  • Teammates can be respawned at research stations. All players can respawn twice. You can choose to respawn yourself or your teammates during a match. Players respawn with basic equipment.

• Power Armor
  • Power Armor Chest Piece: Reduces chest damage and increases backpack capacity.
  • Power Armor Arm Piece: Reduces arm damage and increases melee damage.
  • Power Armor Leg Piece: Reduces leg damage and fall damage. Gives a quick dash ability.
  • Assembling the full Power Armor set unlocks its ultimate weapon, the Dragon's Breath Grenade.

• Matrix Events
  • Matrix Event 1: Improved regional supply output.
  • Matrix Event 2: Multiple Matrix airdrops and significantly increased supplies in each airdrop.
  • Matrix Event 3: Life Detectors in research stations are activated and can be used to detect surrounding players.

Metro Royale: Honor (From January 12)

• The Newest Chapter
  • Metro Royale: Honor will be available after the game is updated. In keeping with our Season tradition, at the start of a new chapter your rankings and inventory in Metro Royale will be reset. Fame and NPC Favorability, however, will be retained.
    • New rewards will be available in the latest chapter. Accumulate Honor to get voice packs, outfits, and other permanent rewards!
    • Added new weekly rankings, including Loot and Elimination Rankings.
    • Improved enemy AI from Steel Front and the Cobras to make them more intelligent and challenging.

• New Metro Royale Honor System

• Your Honor represents your strength in Metro Royale Mode. Accumulate Honor to get voice packs, outfits, and other permanent rewards.
• Honor is obtained by defeating players or picking up Honor items. A player's Honor level increases when a player reaches the maximum amount of Honor. Honor can also be obtained by completing weekly missions.
• Honor is reset whenever a chapter is updated. Players will start with an initial amount of Honor based on their performance in the previous chapter.

• New Solo Mode
  • In Metro Royale Mode, all maps and modes support Solo.
  • Solo players won't encounter players who play as a team.

• Metro Royale Improvements
  • Mail can be read in the Metro Royale Lobby.
  • Removed the NPC chat feature.
  • Missions do not award any more Fame after your Fame reaches the max level.
  • Missions do not award any more Favorability after your NPC Favorability has reached the max.

Game Performance and Other Improvements

• Basic Performance Improvements:

1. Improved the loading logic so that backpacks open faster the first time they are opened.
2. Improved the performance and rendering efficiency of Cheer Park so that many players can appear on the same screen.
3. Improved the power consumption of high-end iOS devices so that devices are less likely to overheat because of the game.
4. Android users can use the incremental update feature to update game resources, significantly reducing the size of resource downloads needed to start the game.
5. Android users can now download the initial game pack in the background.

• Security Improvements:

1. New Security Zone updates waiting for you to discover.
2. Enhanced the detection for auto-aiming, x-ray vision, long-distance jumping, and movement speed hacks.
3. Enhanced the detection for grass-removal hacks.
4. Enhanced detection and protection against unofficial versions of the game client.
5. Adjusted the condition to enter stat-related rankings from Lv. 30 to Lv. 35.
6. Further improved the efficiency of the report and feedback systems to provide more timely and accurate feedback.

Basic Experience Improvements:

• Sight Model Improvements

1. Improved the Holographic Sight, making the model clearer for players.
2. Improved the model of the 2× Scope to make it more natural.
3. Improved the 8× Scope to make the movement of the crosshair more natural when changing directions.
4. Adjusted the frequency at which the black circle of the Muzzle shakes to make the shaking more realistic when shooting with a weapon.
5. The landing animation has been improved to better correspond to the speed at which players land.
6. Made the landing process smoother.

• Skydiving and Landing Action Improvements

• Feature to Cancel Reloading

Tap the shoot button when reloading to stop reloading.

• Firearm Balancing:

Bolt Action Sniper Rifle Enhancements

1. Increased the damage of the Kar98K and M24.
2. Shortened the interval between shots for the Kar98K and M24.
3. Slightly increased the bolt action speed of the Kar98K and M24.

• Other System Improvements:

Social System Improvements

1. Friend sidebar: Players can now view their friends' online status to find out what mode they are playing and the size of their teams.
2. The Crew feature will be upgraded and is under maintenance. It is expected to return in v1.3.0.
3. Added a feature that gives players exclusive points that can be used to redeem rewards when they team up with their old friends who've recently returned to the game.
4. Added a search feature.
5. Added the following to the filter: Time of Acquisition and Owned.
6. Added a quick voice feature to delete all.

• Voice Pack Inventory Improvements

Other New Season Content

• Royale Pass Season 17: RUNIC POWER (January 19 to March 21)

1. RUNIC POWER themed interface and rewards: Spin the Wheel of Fate to obtain upgraded rank rewards! Choose between Resplendent Dawn and Deadly Sickle at rank 50, and reach rank 100 to get the majestic Guardian Armor Set and the new themed UZI and M16A4!
2. RP missions have been overhauled to lower the difficulty while increasing the point rewards! Added season match time rewards. Accumulate match time to collect point rewards. Added RP point rewards to weekly Activity progress. Complete missions to accumulate Activity and collect point rewards.
3. RP Activity Pack event: Purchase Activity Packs to rank up your RP quickly, and collect Mission Activity Points to convert them all into UC refunds. Purchase the RP Activity Pack to immediately get RP Points of equivalent value and extra crate coupons. You will also activate the Mission Activity Point rebate, and the Mission Activity Points you collect can be converted into UC refunds.
4. The adventure event is back with the RUNIC POWER theme: Go to the RP exclusive event tab and obtain Metro Badges to go on an adventure like no other. Unlock the story as you explore and choose to advance for free or after making a purchase. Collect exclusive supplies to redeem 1 of 2 sets, exclusive vehicles, and other grand rewards.
5. Improved the selection between UC and AG: It is now only necessary to choose this once per season, and you can change your mind at any time. Adjusted the pace at which currency is returned to players via rank rewards to increase the amount given at lower ranks.

• New Cheer Park Theme:

Runic Power Theme (January 12 to March 7)

1. Runes have appeared in Cheer Park, bringing a magical power with them. Players can sense rune energy once per day in Cheer Park to collect free rewards from a rune.
2. After claiming the reward, players can use the power of the Runes to search for and match with other players. Players can then become Rune friends for the day. You can only become Rune friends for one day and can rematch with another player once per day.
3. Players can complete specified Rune missions with their Rune friend in Cheer Park to collect great rewards.
4. When this theme is available, a pier leading to Cheer Park Island will appear. There you'll find a giant bunny doll waiting for you.
5. Players can project Valentine's Day notes in the air for all to see! The projection will have the sender and receivers' names on it.

• Dream Team Theme (Feb 9 to Mar 7)

• Subscription Festival (January 13 to January 27)