PUBG Mobile v1.2 patch notes: Runic Power Mode, Metro Royale Honor system, FAMAS, more

PUBG Mobile, unlike its PC and console counterpart, continues to go from strength to strength with a new update dropping on the 12th January that introduces a new superhero-fueled game mode called Runic Power, the Power Armor mode that will be found in the EvoGround from the 5th February, as well as new content for the Metro tie-in.

Runic Power mode

Runic Power takes the regular battle royale format and adds a little spice. Players will now select one of three Runes, the Flame, Artic or Wind Rune.

(Picture: PUBG Corporation)

Each Rune gives the player two unique skills, using these skills will consume Rune energy which can be found and replenished throughout the map.

(Picture: PUBG Corporation)

Metro Royale: Honor

The Metro Royale mode has also seen changes with a new Honor system being implemented. Player's will build up their Honor by defeating players, finding Honor items, and completely weekly Honor challenges.

(Picture: PUBG Corporation)

Doing so will unlock new voice packs, outfits and other permanent rewards.

All progress in Metro Royale has also been reset for this new chapter.

There is quite a few more additions, bug fixes, and performance improvements in this patch which are all listed below in the patch notes.

PUBG Mobile is currently in Season 16, with Season 17 expected to start on 19th January.

PUBG Mobile v1.2 full patch notes

Runic Power available from 12th January to 7th March

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 bring 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