Updated: May 31, 2026

Phantom Forces Update May 2026 — Zarovian Weapons

By Earnaldo Team • May 31, 2026 • 10 min read

Phantom Forces just dropped the Zarovian Weapons update, and it's one of the meatiest patches StyLiS Studios has shipped this year. Seven new guns spanning four weapon categories headline the release, alongside a full suppressor stats revamp, Hollow Point attachment changes, weapon rebalances for the M60E6, IA2 BR, and Tommy Gun, and several quality-of-life improvements. Coming hot off the heels of the Spring Update in April, this patch leans hard into Zarovian-origin hardware and gives high-rank players a fresh batch of gear to chase.

What's New in the Zarovian Weapons Update

The Zarovian Weapons update centers on a thematic weapon drop inspired by Zarovian military hardware — Phantom Forces' fictional counterpart to Russian-pattern weapons. All seven new guns share that design lineage, drawing from real-world platforms like the PKP Pecheneg, PKM, and AEK family of firearms. Beyond the weapons themselves, this patch reshapes how suppressors and Hollow Point ammunition work across the entire arsenal, which has downstream effects on virtually every loadout in the game.

Here's everything the update includes at a glance:

New Weapons Breakdown

Seven new weapons is a substantial addition for a single patch. The unlock ranks skew high — the lowest entry point is Rank 161, and the highest sits at Rank 254 — so this is clearly content aimed at veteran players. Lower-rank players can still access everything through credit purchases, but the grind to unlock these naturally is significant. Let's break down each weapon by category.

LMGs: PKP Pecheneg, PKM, and AEK-999

Three new light machine guns join the roster, and they're all belt-fed Zarovian designs that fit into different niches within the LMG category.

The PKP Pecheneg (Rank 161) is the most accessible of the three and serves as the gateway LMG for this update. It's chambered in 7.62x54mmR — a full-power cartridge that hits hard at range. The PKP Pecheneg features a heavy barrel designed for sustained fire without overheating, which translates in-game to tighter sustained accuracy compared to most LMGs. If you've been running the M60 or HK21 and want something that maintains groupings during long bursts, the Pecheneg is your pick. The tradeoff is mobility — it's heavy, and your movement speed takes a noticeable hit when carrying it.

The PKM (Rank 186) is the lighter counterpart. While it shares the same 7.62x54mmR chambering as the Pecheneg, the PKM trades the heavy barrel profile for a more traditional design that's faster to handle. ADS speed is noticeably quicker than the Pecheneg, making the PKM better suited for players who reposition frequently rather than holding down a single angle. The PKM feels more like an oversized battle rifle than a traditional LMG in how it plays, which gives it a unique identity in the category.

The AEK-999 (Rank 222) sits at the top of the LMG lineup in both rank requirement and firepower. This is a high-rank reward weapon that brings a distinct fire rate and damage profile compared to the other two. The AEK-999 is derived from the AEK platform rather than the PK family, and it plays noticeably differently — faster cyclic rate, more aggressive recoil, and a damage model that rewards controlled bursts over sustained suppression. For veterans who've already mastered the PK-style LMGs and want something with more bite per burst, the AEK-999 delivers.

AEK-971 — Assault Rifle (Rank 197)

The AEK-971 is the sole assault rifle addition in this update, and it's a distinctive one. The real-world AEK-971 is known for its balanced recoil system that counteracts muzzle climb, and StyLiS Studios has translated that into a weapon that has noticeably lower vertical recoil than most ARs at similar damage tiers. The result is a rifle that stays on target during sustained automatic fire in a way that feels immediately different from the typical Phantom Forces AR experience.

At Rank 197, the AEK-971 is firmly in veteran territory. It competes for the same loadout slot as established assault rifles like the AK-47 and AN-94, but its recoil characteristics give it a clear differentiator. The tradeoff for that stability is a slightly lower fire rate compared to the most aggressive ARs, which means you're giving up raw time-to-kill at point-blank range in exchange for consistency at medium range. For players who value landing every shot over spraying at close range, the AEK-971 is one of the best ARs in the game right now.

The balanced recoil system also means the AEK-971 responds differently to attachments than most rifles. Compensators provide diminishing returns because the baseline recoil is already controlled. Consider running a Muzzle Brake instead to tighten first-shot accuracy, or skip the barrel attachment entirely and invest in a grip that improves hip-fire for emergency close-range encounters.

Carbines: AEK-973S and PKP Bychok

The AEK-973S (Rank 192) is the carbine variant of the AEK-971 and inherits the same balanced recoil system in a more compact package. Carbines in Phantom Forces trade range and damage for faster handling, and the AEK-973S follows that formula. What sets it apart from other carbines is that same recoil stability — it stays flatter during automatic fire than nearly any carbine in the game, which makes it exceptionally reliable on maps where engagement distances vary rapidly.

The PKP Bychok (Rank 254) is the highest-rank unlock in the entire update and one of the highest-rank weapons in Phantom Forces period. It's a compact variant derived from the PKP platform, reclassified as a carbine for faster handling and ADS speed. The Bychok retains some of the damage characteristics of its LMG parent, which gives it a heavier punch than most carbines. The combination of carbine mobility with LMG-adjacent damage makes it a genuine endgame reward for players who've invested hundreds of hours into ranking up.

If you're nowhere near Rank 254, don't stress it. The AEK-973S at Rank 192 is the more practical choice for most players and performs excellently in its own right. The Bychok is aspirational content — something to work toward rather than something you need to compete.

AEK-919K — Machine Pistol (Rank 191)

The AEK-919K rounds out the Zarovian weapon lineup as a machine pistol. Unlocked at Rank 191, it fills the secondary weapon slot and gives players a compact automatic option for situations where their primary runs dry or engagement distances collapse to point-blank range.

Machine pistols live and die by their fire rate and swap speed, and the AEK-919K delivers on both fronts. It cycles fast enough to win emergency close-range encounters against players caught reloading, and its swap time from primary is competitive with other machine pistols in the category. The magazine capacity is reasonable for a secondary, though you'll burn through it quickly at full auto. Trigger discipline matters — treat it as a finisher for wounded enemies rather than trying to win extended gunfights with it.

Suppressor Stats Revamp

The suppressor overhaul is arguably the most impactful change in this update, even more so than the new weapons. Every suppressor in Phantom Forces has had its stat modifiers rebalanced, which affects damage range, muzzle velocity, and detection radius across the entire weapon roster.

Previously, running a suppressor on most weapons was a clear net negative. You stayed off the minimap, but the damage range penalties were so steep that you lost gunfights at distances where an unsuppressed weapon would've won comfortably. The trade was only worth it on weapons that already excelled at close range or had enough damage overhead to absorb the penalties — which limited suppressor use to a handful of meta picks.

The revamp softens those penalties meaningfully. Damage range reductions are less severe across the board, and the muzzle velocity penalties have been tuned down as well. Suppressors are no longer free — you're still giving up raw combat stats for stealth — but the gap between suppressed and unsuppressed performance is smaller than it's ever been. This opens the door for suppressed loadouts on weapons that previously couldn't justify the trade, including the new Zarovian guns.

For flankers and players who rely on staying off the minimap, this is a significant quality-of-life improvement. The suppressor changes also interact with the new sight transparency options in an interesting way: players who run transparent iron sights on suppressed weapons can now maintain better visual clarity while staying stealthy, which is a combination that wasn't practical before.

Hollow Point and Weapon Rebalances

Hollow Point Changes

Hollow Point ammunition received targeted adjustments alongside the suppressor revamp. Hollow Points increase limb damage multipliers at the cost of reduced penetration, and the specific values have been tweaked in this patch. The changes are less sweeping than the suppressor overhaul, but they affect weapons where Hollow Points were either mandatory or completely useless.

The net effect is that Hollow Points are now more specialized — they remain strong on weapons where limb damage matters (PDWs, shotguns, certain SMGs) but the bonus is slightly reduced on weapons where the penetration loss was already borderline. If you were running Hollow Points as a default attachment on everything, it's worth re-evaluating on a weapon-by-weapon basis.

M60E6, IA2 BR, and Tommy Gun Rebalances

Three existing weapons received direct stat adjustments in this patch.

The M60E6 has been a contentious weapon in the LMG category for a while, and this rebalance brings it more in line with where StyLiS Studios wants the LMG power curve to sit — especially now that three new LMGs have entered the rotation. The changes are subtle enough that M60E6 mains won't feel like their weapon was gutted, but the gap between the M60E6 and the new PKP Pecheneg is narrower than it would've been without the adjustment.

The IA2 BR receives tweaks that adjust its position within the battle rifle category. This is a balancing pass that accounts for how the overall weapon ecosystem has shifted across the last two updates.

The Tommy Gun changes are the most community-requested of the three. The Thompson has bounced between overtuned and underwhelming across multiple patches, and this adjustment aims to settle it into a consistent niche as a close-to-medium range PDW-style weapon with distinctive handling characteristics.

Quality-of-Life Improvements

Separated Sight Transparency

This is a small change that matters a lot to players who care about visual clarity. Previously, Phantom Forces had a single sight transparency slider that controlled the opacity of both iron sights and red dot sights simultaneously. If you wanted transparent irons, you got transparent red dots too — and vice versa.

The Zarovian Weapons update splits this into two independent controls. You can now run fully transparent iron sights while keeping your red dots opaque, or any other combination that suits your preference. For players who switch between iron-sight builds and optic builds across different loadouts, this is a genuine improvement that eliminates the need to adjust settings every time you swap weapons.

Menu Scaling Commands

Two new chat commands have been added: /menuscale and /menuaspectratio. These let you adjust the size and proportions of in-game menus directly from chat, which is particularly useful for players on ultrawide monitors or non-standard resolutions where the default menu sizing doesn't look right.

These aren't game-changing additions, but they address a long-standing usability issue that affected a subset of players. If you've ever felt like the in-game menus were too large, too small, or awkwardly stretched on your display, try typing /menuscale in chat and adjusting the value until it feels right.

How This Affects the Meta

The Zarovian Weapons update shifts the meta in two distinct ways: through the new weapons themselves and through the systemic attachment changes.

On the weapons side, the LMG category is the biggest beneficiary. Three new LMGs in a single patch gives players genuine variety in a category that has historically been dominated by a small number of picks. The PKP Pecheneg and PKM each offer a different LMG playstyle — defensive suppression versus mobile aggression — while the AEK-999 adds a burst-focused option for experienced players. The M60E6 rebalance, combined with three new competitors, means the LMG tier list has been reshuffled substantially.

The AEK-971 slots into the assault rifle category as a strong mid-to-long range option for players who prioritize recoil control over raw fire rate. It doesn't dethrone the top-tier ARs at point-blank, but it carves out a niche that wasn't well-served before. The carbine additions follow a similar pattern — the AEK-973S and PKP Bychok offer new options without invalidating existing picks.

The suppressor revamp is where the meta shift gets more interesting. By reducing the penalties for running suppressed, StyLiS Studios has effectively buffed every flanking-oriented playstyle in the game. Weapons that previously couldn't afford the suppressor tax can now run them without crippling their effective range. Combined with the Spring Update's map additions like Stardom, which reward flanking routes and minimap awareness, the suppressor changes feel like a deliberate push toward making stealth builds more competitive.

Updated Tips and Strategies

For LMG Players

The three new LMGs each want different attachment setups. The PKP Pecheneg benefits from accuracy-focused attachments since it's designed for sustained fire — Compensator, Stubby Grip, and a medium-magnification optic let you hold angles at range. The PKM wants mobility attachments that lean into its faster handling — Angled Grip and a low-magnification sight keep your ADS snappy. The AEK-999 performs best with recoil-controlling attachments that tame its aggressive climb during bursts.

Don't sleep on the bipod if you're playing defensively with the Pecheneg. Phantom Forces' bipod mechanics dramatically reduce recoil when deployed, and the Pecheneg's sustained-fire design was built for exactly that kind of setup. Find a window, deploy the bipod, and lock down a lane.

For AR and Carbine Players

The AEK-971's balanced recoil system means standard attachment wisdom doesn't fully apply. Since vertical recoil is already controlled, you get more value from attachments that address horizontal spread or improve handling speed. A Muzzle Brake or Angled Grip can be more effective than the usual Compensator and Stubby Grip combo.

The AEK-973S inherits this same behavior at carbine scale. If you're running the 973S on maps with variable engagement distances — most maps, frankly — consider a Folding Grip for the mobility benefits. The weapon's recoil is manageable enough that you can afford to trade some stability for faster sprint-to-fire and ADS transitions.

Post-Suppressor Revamp Loadouts

With the suppressor penalties reduced, revisit every weapon in your rotation. Assault rifles and battle rifles that previously couldn't justify suppressors may now be viable. The key test is whether the suppressed damage range still lets you secure kills at the distances you typically fight at. Check the weapon stats menu after equipping a suppressor — if the damage dropoff still works for your engagement range, the stealth benefit is now worth the cost on far more weapons than before.

The AEK-971 is particularly interesting as a suppressed weapon. Its already-low recoil means you can focus your attachment slots on compensating for the suppressor's drawbacks rather than fighting baseline recoil, which makes it one of the cleanest suppressed AR setups in the current meta.

Community Reaction

Early community response to the Zarovian Weapons update has been strong. The LMG additions are generating the most discussion, with players debating whether the PKP Pecheneg or PKM is the better pick for general use. The consensus is leaning toward the PKM for its versatility, though the Pecheneg has a dedicated following among players who prefer the sit-and-hold playstyle.

The suppressor revamp is the most universally praised change. Players have been asking for suppressor buffs for months, and the stat rebalance addresses the core complaint that suppressors were too punishing on most weapons. The increased viability of stealth loadouts has already changed how games play on flanking-heavy maps, with more players running suppressed builds in the first few days than was typical before the patch.

The PKP Bychok at Rank 254 has predictably sparked debate about rank gating. Some players feel that locking a weapon behind such a high rank makes it inaccessible to the vast majority of the player base. Others argue that high-rank rewards give veteran players something to work toward and that credit purchases keep the weapon accessible to everyone regardless of rank. This is a recurring conversation in the Phantom Forces community, and this update won't be the one to settle it.

The Hollow Point changes and weapon rebalances have generated less discussion, largely because they're more nuanced adjustments that don't dramatically change how any single weapon feels. The Tommy Gun changes have been noted positively by players who felt the weapon needed stabilization after bouncing between patches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Reading