‍

‍Call of Duty Mobile just turned 6 years old, and it’s celebrating with arguably the biggest update in recent memory. Season 11 – dubbed the “6th Anniversary” season – is here, and it’s a beast. We’re talking a brand-new DMZ-style extraction mode, an epic crossover with Street Fighter (yes, you can Hadoken people now), a stacked Battle Pass with new weapons, and a slew of events and visual upgrades. As someone who’s been playing CODM since launch, I’ve seen a lot of seasons come and go, but Season 11 hits different. It manages to cater to casual players just jumping in, hardcore COD veterans who crave depth, and even brand-new recruits finding their footing. 

‍

In this review, I’ll break down everything you need to know – from the new DMZ: Recon mode and Street Fighter collab, to the Battle Pass goodies and anniversary rewards – all in a conversational way so whether you’re a newbie or a grizzled vet, you’ll get the intel you need.

‍

(Oh, and pro-tip up front for the deal hunters: the Carry1st Double Double promo is on! Double CP, Double Discount Points, and double the smiles as you flex! Don’t miss out – it’s a limited-time deal and truly the best gift a CODM player could ask for this anniversary season. Happy top-ups, and see you on the leaderboard with all that premium loot!)

‍

DMZ: Recon – A Whole New Way to Play CODM

‍

Let’s start with the flagship addition: DMZ: Recon. This is a completely new game mode for COD Mobile, and it’s a big shift – it’s an extraction-based mode akin to what you might’ve seen in Warzone 2.0’s DMZ or games like Escape from Tarkov. In CODM’s DMZ: Recon, you drop in as a squad of three onto one of two maps, Serpent Island or Building 21, to loot and complete objectives, then extracting (exfiltrating) before you die. If you die without extracting, you lose the loot you found. If you make it out, you keep it for future runs. It’s high-stakes, high-reward, and incredibly intense.

‍

For those unfamiliar: think of it like Battle Royale but with more objectives and a PvE twist. You’re not just fighting other players (though there are enemy squads out there); you’re also facing AI-controlled enemies guarding key areas. The adrenaline rush when we barely made it onto the chopper with backpacks full of loot... man, that’s something Battle Royale doesn’t quite give in the same way.

‍

Serpent Island is a large map – think Battle Royale scale – with zones inspired by classic COD multiplayer maps. There’s an urban city area, an anchored freight ship, some ancient ruins, you name it. It’s big enough that vehicles are in play (you can even purchase them at Buy Stations using cash you scavenge). Keep your eyes peeled for a boss enemy roaming somewhere on the island; if you take it down, it drops unique high-tier loot. In one run, our trio managed to kill a boss juggernaut and got an upgraded rifle and keycards for hidden loot stashes – totally turned the tides in subsequent fights. Just don’t linger too long: a toxic gas (radiation) cloud slowly closes in as the match progresses, forcing players toward extraction points marked on your map. Miss the last helo, and you’re toast.

‍

Building 21, on the other hand, is a different beast. It’s an indoor map with three floors, originally from Modern Warfare II’s DMZ mode on PC/console. Think of Building 21 like a close-quarters labyrinth: tight hallways, labs, a parking garage, offices – it’s all about fast-paced, frenetic combat. If Serpent Island is a slow-burn looter’s paradise, Building 21 is a claustrophobic gauntlet where you’re almost always in a firefight. Because of the smaller map, you run into hostiles (both AI and players) much quicker. This mode will test your team’s coordination and reaction time – there’s no sprawling map to hide in, so either you come out on top, or you go down fighting. Veterans will love the challenge here, while newer players might find it a bit brutal at first. My advice: try a few runs on Serpent Island to gear up and get a feel for extraction gameplay before you tackle Building 21’s meat-grinder.

‍

Strategies and Progression in DMZ: Recon

‍

What sets DMZ apart is the persistent loot and progression. You’ll gather weapons, attachments, and gear during your runs. Extract successfully, and those items get added to your inventory (so you can start your next run better equipped). If you die, anything you didn’t insure or weren’t carrying in your secure slot is gone. It’s this risk-reward loop that makes DMZ insanely addictive. One more run to try to get a better scope or more cash – and suddenly hours have flown by.

‍

There are also Contracts scattered around (like mini-missions: e.g., take out a high-value target or rescue a hostage). Completing them gives you resources, cash, and sometimes rare loot. We often prioritize a quick contract at match start to bankroll our run – the cash can buy armor plates, UAVs, or vehicles at Buy Stations, making survival more likely. One contract type, Bounty Squad, literally points you to another player team to eliminate – which is equal parts terrifying and thrilling, because you’re knowingly engaging real enemies for a payout. There’s also a Black Market system in DMZ: between matches, you can spend the resources you extracted to buy better gear for your stash. It’s kind of like a prep stage – if you extracted a bunch of valuables last game, you can convert them into a better rifle or extra meds for the next run. It’s a smart way to keep progression going even if you take a break between matches.

‍

Another layer: Factions and missions. DMZ: Recon has multiple in-game factions that offer missions for rewards. Think of these like quests – e.g., “Faction X wants you to retrieve a intel item from the science lab in Building 21” or “take out 5 AI soldiers with headshots.” Completing faction missions gives you additional loot and sometimes unlocks story bits or new items. This keeps even PvE-focused players engaged; you’re not just looting aimlessly, you have goals to chase.

‍

For newcomers, DMZ might sound overwhelming, but trust me, it’s actually very accessible. You can treat it like a co-op adventure – stick with your friends, avoid unnecessary fights, grab what you need, and extract. You’ll still get that heart-pounding action without having to be the last man standing like in BR. And for COD veterans, DMZ is a fresh challenge that rewards map knowledge, teamwork, and tactical play. It’s quickly become my favorite mode when I have a squad online.

‍

(One more tip: Since DMZ runs can get tough, it doesn’t hurt to gear up your account a bit. If you’re low on XP cards or want to unlock weapon attachments faster, remember that the Carry1st Shop has a promo on COD Points – you can snag CP with double the usual discount points during this anniversary period. Basically, you get extra CP and loyalty points for every purchase, which is a sweet deal if you plan on grabbing weapon XP cards or the Battle Pass to speed up your progression.)

‍

Street Fighter Collab – Hadokens and Shoryukens Galore

I never thought I’d see the day where Call of Duty and Street Fighter cross paths, but here we are – and it’s glorious. Street Fighter 6 has crashed into COD Mobile with a special collaboration, bringing iconic moves and characters into both MP and BR modes. This isn’t just a couple of character skins (though there are skins too, which I’ll get to later); we’re talking full-on gameplay modes where you can perform Ryu’s Hadoken or Akuma’s Shoryuken on enemies.

‍

Multiplayer: Shoryu and Hadoken Mode

‍

In multiplayer, there’s a limited-time mode I’ll call the Shoryu & Hadoken Moshpit. It rotates through a set of maps and strips everyone’s loadout down to just Prizefighters (boxing gloves) and your fists. No guns, no scorestreaks – just pure Street Fighter style brawling in first-person. When the match starts, you notice your operator can jump higher than usual (gotta have those fighting game leaps). As you land punches and knock out enemies, you build up a Rage Meter. Fill that meter and you can literally transform into a Street Fighter character: either Hidora Kai – Ryu or Shigenori – Akuma, each with their signature move set.

‍

Powering up as Ryu, you’ll have smiles with your operator throwing Hadokens (fireball projectiles) down Nuketown’s main street. Land enough hits, and you could unleash Shinku Hadoken – Ryu’s massive wave-motion blast – which can take out multiple foes if lined up. On the flip side, choosing Akuma gives you Shoryuken (rising uppercut that yeets you into the air) and even the infamous Shun Goku Satsu as an ultimate – yes, the raging demon is in CODM and it will one-hit KO an enemy. The match turns into this wild king-of-the-hill brawl where the first player to rack up enough eliminations as a powered-up fighter becomes the champion. It’s absolute mayhem and I love it. 

‍

Importantly, it’s all in good fun – this mode isn’t about K/D or rank, so even casual players should jump in for laughs. One moment you’re dodging fireballs, the next you’re getting uppercutted into the sky by an Akuma player. It’s chaotic, it’s silly, like and it’s something only a game CODM could pull off while still feeling smooth.

‍

Battle Royale: Street Royale

‍

The collab extends to Battle Royale (Isolated map) with something I call Street Royale enhancements. Scattered around the BR map are special holograms of Street Fighter characters – specifically, Ryu (Hidora Kai style), Akuma (Shigenori style), Chun-Li (Shadowfall style), and Cammy (Fiona St. George style). If you find and interact with these holograms, your operator gains a temporary ability themed to that fighter. For example, grabbing Ryu’s hologram lets you perform a Hadoken in BR, and Akuma’s gives you the Shoryuken leap attack. Chun-Li’s ability is the Spinning Bird Kick, which basically torpedoes you forward feet-first, and Cammy’s is the Spiral Arrow, a diving kick move.

‍

These abilities last the whole match once acquired (or until you’re taken out), so it almost becomes like a power-up metagame within BR. Seeing someone Spiral Arrow into a squad or Hadoken a helicopter is not something I expected from CODM, but here we are. The abilities aren’t overpowered to the point of ruining BR’s balance – you can still be gunned down normally while trying to do a Shoryuken if you’re not careful. But they add a fun twist and another layer of strategy. If you’re a casual player, imagine using these moves as creative ways to get kills or escapes. If you’re a hardcore player, you might find ways to incorporate them into high-level play (picture combo-ing a Hadoken to break an enemy’s armor then following up with conventional weapons).

‍

Importantly, all this Street Fighter content is free to experience. You don’t need to buy a skin or anything to play the modes or pick up the hologram powers. It’s just part of the seasonal event. So I urge everyone: give it a try. Even if you’re here for serious military sim action normally, it’s okay to let loose and Dragon Punch somebody in CODM – it’s oddly satisfying.

‍

(For those who do love Street Fighter characters, CODM introduced a bunch of premium SF operator skins and weapon blueprints in the store too. You can play as Cammy, Chun-Li, Ryu, or Akuma with authentic outfits. Each comes with a unique emote and finisher. These are in the Operator Series Armory and Weapon Armory collections. If you’re a collector, completing the whole set even gives bonus variant colors. They are pricey though, being high-end cosmetics. If you’re short on CP but really want one, remember the Carry1st promo: you can effectively get more CP for your money right now with the double points deal. No pressure, but it’s a good opportunity if you’re thinking of spending.)

‍

New Weapons & Balance Changes

‍

Season 11 isn’t just fluff and fun – there’s meat for the hardcore crowd too. The new functional weapon this season is the SO-14 marksman rifle. If you’ve played Modern Warfare 2019 or Warzone, you might recognize the SO-14 (it’s basically a variant of the M14 that can switch between semi-auto and full-auto). In CODM, the SO-14 arrives with a punchy 7.62 caliber shot. It packs a bigger wallop per shot than your average assault rifle, and with Gunsmith you can kit it out to mitigate recoil or increase fire rate. It’s unlocked free at tier 21 of the Battle Pass – which is awesome because everyone gets to try it. One headshot plus one body shot from the SO-14 can drop most enemies at medium range. If you’re newer, it’s worth grabbing and leveling; marksman rifles reward accuracy but this one can also go full-auto if you’re in a pinch up close (just be ready to control that recoil).

‍

Another new toy is the Wheelson-HS scorestreak, available free at tier 14 of the pass. If you’ve used the regular Wheelson before (that remote-controlled mini-tank), you know it’s a menace. This variant, the Wheelson-HS, seems to have a few tweaks – it’s still an RC drone with a mounted gun that you control, great for area denial. It’s not invincible – a well-placed EMP or FHJ rocket can blow it up – but if you deploy it smartly (like around corners or watching flanks), it can turn the tide of an engagement. For casual players, it’s a fun new streak to experiment with. For competitive folks, I suspect we’ll see Wheelson used in objective modes quite a bit.

‍

Weapon balance-wise, this season didn’t drop a ton of nerfs or buffs (the last few seasons already did some major tuning). There’s mention of continued optimization for future seasons, but as of now, expect the meta from Season 10 to largely carry over, with the SO-14 potentially joining the upper tier guns. And hey, since this is a review: I have to mention – if you’re into weapon camos, over 20 new camos were added specifically tied to DMZ: Recon challenges. They look sick and give completionists more to grind.

‍

Events & Rewards – Anniversary Extravaganza

It wouldn’t be a CODM anniversary without free stuff and events, and Season 11 delivers plenty:

• Anniversary Events: There are two special anniversary events going on, each with its own set of tasks. By participating, you can earn a themed Vargo-S “Spectral Sixth” blueprint, which has a rad futuristic design with a “6” etched on it, and a bunch of cosmetics like a 6th Anniversary calling card, weapon charm, etc. The Vargo-S skin is the real prize; it’s not a pay-to-win gun or anything, but it’s solid and the skin looks great. Don’t miss it because once the anniversary is over, that skin probably won’t be obtainable.
  
  
  
• Street Fighter “Secret Cache” Event: This one is cool – as you play and log in, you earn Secret Caches (loot boxes essentially). These have random rewards, but for the first time, they’ve included Street Fighter collab items in the pool. There’s also an epic ICR-1 weapon blueprint with Street Fighter vibes, plus emotes, stickers, and more in these caches. You get four caches just from logging in daily, and more from grinding modes. It’s a generous way to let everyone snag at least some SF loot. You have a chance at the new legendary Striker shotgun “Source Code” as well via these caches, though that one’s super rare. Even if you don’t get the jackpot items, the consolation prizes (weapon shards, credits, etc.) are useful. Pro tip: open all your free caches every day – there’s literally no downside, and you might get a cool surprise.
  
  
  
• Challenge Pass (Seasonal Challenges): Instead of the old method of a dozen seasonal challenges, this time they’ve bundled it into a Season 11 Challenge Pass. You do standard, special, and elite missions to earn tokens, then trade those tokens in the exchange store for rewards. Notably, there’s a new UAV scorestreak reskin in there and some other goodies. It’s actually less confusing than it sounds – basically, just check the “Challenges” tab and you’ll see what to do. If you’re new, these challenges are a great way to learn different weapons or modes because they’ll have you try things like “get 30 kills with LMGs” or “play 5 matches of Kill Confirmed” – all while rewarding you.
  
  
  
• Festive Reskin Events: Since it’s also holiday season, CODM threw in some winter flair. One of the events rewarded an Archangel operator skin with a Santa twist (imagine a high-tech soldier in festive colors) and a Chopper Gunner scorestreak skin that makes the chopper look like a holiday sleigh. These were part of “other events” mentioned, likely simple tasks like playing BR matches or doing specific kills. Even if you’re not into the silly skins, it’s free stuff that shows CODM’s lighter side.
  
  

‍

Battle Pass Highlights – Santa Soldiers and Sleigh Guns

Season 11’s Battle Pass is a treat, both free and premium tracks. Free tier highlights as mentioned are the Wheelson-HS scorestreak (tier 14) and SO-14 rifle (tier 21). So even if you don’t spend any CP, by just playing you can earn those and significantly expand your arsenal. There are also some weapon blueprints and cosmetics on the free side; one I recall is a KN-44 skin that has a winter camo vibe, pretty sleek for a freebie.

If you do go premium (costs 220 CP which is around $3-4, or even less with the current Carry1st discount), you unlock a lot more goodies. The theme this season mixes holiday cheer with martial arts, interestingly. For operators, we’ve got:

• Ajax – Mauy Claus: Ajax dressed like a buff, tactical Santa Claus. It’s hilarious and awesome. He’s got a red outfit, white fur trim, and a hockey mask painted like a Santa beard. It’s the kind of skin that says “I’m here to drop nukes and pass out presents.”
  
  
  
• Sparrowhawk – Iron Kata: A new character (looks like a female martial artist) in a dojo-inspired outfit. Very sleek, black-and-gold gi with some modern armor touches. If you’re into a more serious look compared to Ajax’s meme skin, Sparrowhawk is dope and fits the Street Fighter vibe in a grounded way.
  
  

On the weapons side in the Pass:

• Krig 6 – Noel Protocol: A Krig assault rifle decked in festive lights and circuitry. It literally has blinking lights on it. The Krig 6 is a top AR in CODM, so having a flashy skin for it is welcome.
  
  
  
• CBR4 – Gingershot: The CBR4 SMG (a fan favorite for its high fire rate) with a gingerbread house paint job. It’s brown icing, gumdrops, the works. Surprisingly, it manages to look stylish not tacky – maybe because it’s so detailed.
  
  
  
• SO-14 – Sleighstrike: A blueprint for the new marksman rifle, unlocked at a higher premium tier. It has a metallic red and green finish, with subtle holiday motifs. If you plan to use the SO-14 a lot, this skin gives it a nice flair. And since it’s a mythic drop weapon’s base, it has some extra geometry (like bayonet spikes that look like icicles).
  
  
  

One more thing: They brought back a 2023 Battle Pass (Siren Song) into the Battle Pass Vault. So if you missed that one, you can now unlock things like Soap – Buzzard King and Lerch – Chemical Santa from that older pass by progressing it with Vault coins (which you earn from playing or the current pass). It’s great that CODM gives second chances at old content – new players, this is your shot to catch up on some legacy loot.

‍

Store Update – New Mythic & Draws (For the Lucky and Whale-ish)

‍

If you like to test your luck or are a cosmetic enthusiast, Season 11’s store has a lot going on:

‍

• Mythic Draw – SO-14 “Razor Torrent”: The SO-14’s mythic version is insane. The gun looks like it’s literally made of knives – think a steampunk chainsaw aesthetic. It has custom muzzle flash, kill effects, unique inspects, the whole shebang. The draw also includes a badass Templar’s Shadow operator skin which is like a dark, knightly figure.
  
  
  
• Four Horsemen Draw – Famine: Continuing the Four Horsemen series, this draw introduces Tengu – Famine operator skin. It’s creepy-cool, with a skeletal famine motif. The draw’s main gun is a Vargo-S “Famine’s Curse” legendary – a rifle with a black-and-green necrotic design, complete with special death effects (enemies turn to withered husks on kill, which is morbidly satisfying). There’s also an Epic Nail Gun – Faminewing blueprint that looks like something out of a horror movie. If you’re into darker, edgier cosmetics, this draw will speak to you.
  
  
  
• Street Fighter Collections: Outside of lucky draws, they have two big bundles (armory collections) in the store. One is the Operator Series – Hero’s Collection which includes the Chun-Li, Cammy, Ryu, Akuma operator skins as mentioned, each with matching emotes/finishers. The other is the Weapon Series – Champion’s Collection with Street Fighter-themed blueprints for various guns (I saw one for the KN-44 that has a flaming dragon design like Ryu’s headband, and one for the MSMC SMG with electric effects like Chun-Li’s lightning kick). These collections are expensive if you want everything, but they’re a dream for Street Fighter fans. Notably, if you complete the entire Operator collection, you unlock alternate color outfits for each character. And if you complete both the operator and weapon collections, there are extra bonus rewards – likely a special avatar or frame to flex your dedication.

If you’re a casual or F2P player, the store stuff might not be your focus, and that’s okay – CODM offers plenty for free. But I find it fun to keep an eye on what’s there. Sometimes even one lucky 10-pull on a draw can net you something great. If you budget for games, this season is a tempting time: with all the collabs and the anniversary, your CP goes a long way entertainment-wise. And since I keep mentioning it: Carry1st’s 10% discount + Double CP promo basically means if you spend, say, ₦5,000 on CP through them, you’d get double the usual shop loyalty points and extra CP from the double event. It’s essentially the best deal of the year for CODM currency, so that’s why I’m highlighting it – it’s rare to see “bonus CP” sales.

‍

Conclusion – A Triumphant Anniversary Season

To wrap up, Call of Duty: Mobile Season 11 – 6th Anniversary is an absolute win in my book. It’s rare for a live service game to meaningfully innovate six years in, but CODM’s devs pulled it off. DMZ: Recon brings a whole new dimension to gameplay, Street Fighter collab brings the charm and crazy cross-genre fun, and the mountain of events and rewards ensures every type of player has something to do and earn. The season manages to be both a nostalgia trip (for those of us who remember early CODM days or love Street Fighter from childhood) and a forward-looking update (extraction mode is the future, baby!).

‍

For those eyeing the competition (like how does this stack up to, say, PUBG Mobile’s latest or Free Fire’s events) – I’d say CODM really set a high bar here. It’s not resting on being a known franchise; it’s innovating within mobile FPS space. The blend of casual and competitive content is commendable. I find myself bouncing from sweating out a Ranked MP match one minute to goofing off in the SF mode the next, to chilling with friends in a DMZ loot run after that. It’s variety that keeps the game fresh daily.

‍

Lastly, if you’re excited by all this and want to dive deeper, now is a great time to do so. The Carry1st Double Double promo (Dec 10–Jan 19) means if you purchase any CP through their shop, you get double the CP and double the Carry1st discount points you’d normally get. It’s literally extra COD Points for free and extra loyalty points to use on future discounts. Essentially, you can grab the Battle Pass or a Mythic Drop at a fraction of the usual cost.

‍

Season 11 has set a new standard for CODM. If they keep this momentum going into year 7, we’re in for a treat. See you online, and happy 6th anniversary to Call of Duty Mobile! May your shots be sharp, your Hadokens hit their mark, and your extractions be successful.

‍