Every gamer’s probably got their own bingo card, but I doubt anyone ever had Blood Strike go full Minecraft. But here we are. The “Block Strike x TACZERO” crossover event just dropped, and it’s turned the whole game into a blocky, retro battleground where everything from characters to guns is now chunky and pixelated.This July 2025 update doesn’t just stop at cool visuals either – it packs a new weapon, a new map, fresh game mechanics, and a heap of rewards that have players (myself included) excited to hop in and explore.

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And it’s not just a visual overhaul, this update also packs in a new weapon, a brand new map, and even some crazy teleportation gadgets to play with. Let’s get to it.

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Story Highlights:

• Pixel Paradise: Blood Strike’s Block Strike x TACZERO event gives the game a pixelated, retro look and introduces teleporting mechanics alongside a new UMP45 SMG.
  
  
• Fresh Content: A new blocky map called Blockfield, a Pixel Trend Strike Pass, and limited-time Ultra skins add plenty of new content to keep things interesting.
  
  
• Free Rewards & More: July 2025 is packed with free rewards like gold bars and time-limited skins, plus new events and features that reward both new and veteran players.

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New SMG: UMP45 with Laser Attachment

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There’s a new toy in town! One of the first things you’ll want to try out is the UMP45, the newest SMG in Blood Strike’s arsenal. It’s a compact SMG that comes with a special Laser attachment which basically lets you shoot accurately while sprinting. In a game as fast-paced as Blood Strike, being able to spray on the move without losing accuracy is a game-changer. In other words, you can zip around the battlefield and still land your shots. You can unlock the UMP45 by leveling up the new Strike Pass, so it’s accessible to active players pretty early in the season. If SMGs are your thing (or you just like having the latest toy in the sandbox), the UMP45 is a must-try for those high-octane firefights.

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Retro Pixel Art Makeover & New In-Game Items

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The entire game has received a full retro pixel art makeover. Characters, weapons, items, even the menus now have a blocky 8-bit look. Despite the visual change, the core gameplay of high-intensity battles and quick matches remains the same.

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The blocky theme isn’t just for show. Scattered around the maps are block piles (or “Crystal Ore”) that you can mine or break open for extra loot. Crack one of these and you’ll pick up Crystals, Warp Grenades, or even a random weapon. The Crystals act as power-ups, giving you special temporary buffs that can turn the tide of a fight. The Warp Grenades and new Shadow Pearl items let you teleport short distances; throw one, and you’ll blink to wherever it lands. (Sound familiar to sandbox fans? It’s a clever nod that adds a fun twist to moving around.) There are also Portals that can pop up, plus airdrops raining down supplies, so every match in Block Strike mode keeps you on your toes with surprise opportunities.

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For the more strategic players, the update added a Shard Store feature. This lets you spend collected in-game shards (from those block piles and other loot) to buy upgrades mid-match. In other words, if you’re doing well and hoarding resources, you can gear up on the fly without waiting to respawn or find a random drop. It’s a bold addition, one that could shake up match balance, but it definitely makes each game more dynamic. Overall, the Block Strike mode is a limited-time event (available until August 10, 2025), so you’ll want to dive in soon to experience this quirky retro battlefield while it lasts.

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New Map: Blockfield

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If you’re tired of the same old battlegrounds, the Blockfield map is going to be your playground. True to its name, Blockfield is built in the same chunky, pixelated style. But don’t let the playful look fool you; this map is designed for intense combat. It supports multiple game modes (I’ve seen Hot Zone, Arms Race, and others in rotation on it), giving a fresh backdrop for different playstyles. Blockfield’s layout features plenty of high ground, bunkers, and sniper perches. In my matches, I quickly learned the hard way that if you run out in the open, someone perched up high might pick you off from their pixel tower. The key here is to use cover wisely. Move between those blocky bunkers, check corners, and control the high ground when you can. If you’re a sniper fan, Blockfield is a dream (just remember that those bright retro colors make you stand out too). Overall, it’s a fun, well-designed map that fits the theme perfectly and offers a new arena for players to master.

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Weapon and Striker Balance Changes

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A few weapons and character Strikers got balance tweaks in this update as well:

• Akimbo Uzi nerf: The dual Uzis now deal slightly less damage per shot. It’s a small tweak, but you might notice it if you were melting enemies with them before.
  
  
• Lucian’s teleport rework: Lucian’s teleport skill has been modified (likely to sync better with the new pixel/portal mechanics, and some visual bugs on it were fixed). You’ll want to test it out to see how the timing or range feels now.
  
  
• Kraken buffed: Kraken can heal more than before and absorbs souls faster, making this character even tankier over time. If you play a support/tank role, Kraken just got more rewarding.
  
  
• Jack adjustments: Jack’s Scare Box skill activates more smoothly now (no more clunky deployment). However, the trade-off is his damage resistance has been reduced, so he’s a bit less durable when his fear gimmick is active.

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Pixel Trend Strike Pass

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A new season means a new Strike Pass, and this one is perfectly on-theme. The Pixel Trend Strike Pass kicks off on July 15, 2025, bringing a fresh batch of rewards to earn as you level it up. By progressing through the pass (even the free tier), you’ll get to unlock the UMP45 SMG, a slick new car skin to ride in style, and plenty of other goodies. For those who go premium, here’s how it breaks down:

• The Elite Pass grants instant goodies like 520 gold bars, plus exclusive Ultra-grade and Epic skins, and extra items. (It’s a good value if you’re playing a lot, since those gold bars can be used for more crates or cosmetics.)
  
  
• The Premium Pass is the top-tier option and it even throws in a special UZI gun skin on top of everything from Elite, along with more rewards at every level. Basically, if you’re the kind of player who wants it all, the Premium Strike Pass has you covered.
  
  

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If you’re itching to speed up your progress or grab some skins outright, remember you can also top-up your Gold balance via the Carry1st shop for Blood Strike Golds. Nothing wrong with treating yourself to a few extra bars to snag the rewards you’ve got your eye on!

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Limited-Time Skins and Weapons

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Cosmetic collectors, this update might drain your wallet (or your patience grinding). Throughout July, Blood Strike is rolling out multiple limited-time skins and weapon camos that look wild. We’ve got the M4A1 "Tiadraco" dragon-themed skin, Nova "Nightmare", Kar98k "Netherflame", P90 "Phantomrift", and more, each with its own flashy effects. The catch is they’re only around for a short while. If one of them catches your eye, be sure to snag it before it’s gone.

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Free Rewards, Events, and New Features

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Beyond the paid stuff, the update is generous with free rewards and events for everyone. Here are some freebies you can claim without spending a dime:

• Maze Event: A new maze exploration event has kicked off. Navigate the maze in-game and you can earn free Ultra-tier skins, exclusive music packs, and crates. It’s a fun little side activity that rewards you just for playing and exploring.
  
  
• Login Rewards (Mark the date!): On July 19, 2025, simply logging in will net you a free AR97 – Bit Strike Pixel skin. It’s a special pixelated skin for the AR97 rifle, and while it’s only available to use for one day, it’s a cool thank-you from the devs. Even if it’s a 24-hour rental, you get to show it off and maybe screenshot some memories.
  
  
• Invite Friends for Gold: This month, bringing your friends to the game literally pays off. You get 100 gold bars just for logging in daily, plus you can invite up to three friends and earn a total of 500 extra gold if they join in. It’s a win-win: your squad grows and your wallet grows.
  
  
• Weekly Challenges: There are new weekly events and match challenges that grant free vouchers and various in-game items. These range from weapon upgrade materials to cosmetic vouchers. Make sure to check the Events tab each week so you don’t miss easy rewards just for hitting milestones or trying out the new mode.

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On top of all that, a few new features have dropped as well. A new system lets you customize your PlayPal companion (with more options unlocking over time). The in-game shop also has four new weapon skins added, and daily sign-in rewards have been improved for both new and returning players.

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The Bottomline

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The Block Strike x TACZERO update is one of the most refreshing events Blood Strike has seen to date. It takes the game’s successful battle royale formula and gives it a quirky retro twist, without losing the competitive edge that makes the game fun. New guns, a funky new map, tons of freebies, and a heap of cosmetic bling; this update basically has it all.

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Better yet, it truly offers something for every kind of player. Competitive folks will appreciate the balance tweaks and the new mid-match power-ups from those pixel block piles, while casual players can just enjoy the wacky pixel mode and scoop up all the free rewards.

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Just remember that Block Strike’s pixel paradise won’t last forever; the mode is only live until August 10, 2025. So jump in while it’s here!