Quick answer: Delta Force Season Aurora goes live on November 10, 2026 at 02:00 UTC on PC, mobile, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, as a no-downtime update. It adds the Assault Operator Martelo, the AN-94 assault rifle, five new ammo types, a reworked Brakkesh 2.0 with a faction clash mode, the Warfare map Zenith Port, and a new hard AZ3 mode called Supercritical (from December 18). Akh Canal is removed from Warfare. Balance changes are split by mode: the AKM loses range in Operations, the Thompson's headshot multiplier drops in Warfare, and Detonation shotguns, the KC-17 and a long list of operator gadgets are retuned.
Key takeaways
- Live time: the update unlocks at 02:00 UTC on November 10, 2026. Ranked closes at 00:30 UTC, and Operations, the Market and the Auction House shut at 01:59 UTC.
- New content: Martelo, AN-94 (5.45x39mm), Zenith Port, Brakkesh 2.0 and AZ3 Supercritical, plus Loading Plans for ammo order at Operations Level 35.
- Five new ammo types, including two .300BLK rounds whose built-in micro explosives blow up with a 4m blast radius after repeated hits within 3 seconds.
- Weapon stats differ by mode. The K416 gets 31 → 32 damage in Operations, while the Thompson's Warfare headshot multiplier falls from 1.9x to 1.6x.
- Season reset: all Season 11 mission progress is cleared, and previous Ultimate Safe Box season access and Safe Box Trial Cards expire. Detonation ranks do not reset for now.
This guide covers the official notes Team Jade posted on Steam on November 7 (Major Update: Season Aurora Is Coming!) and November 8 (Version Update: New Season Aurora). Every patch number below is quoted from those two posts; where we add context from older official guidance or our own reading, we say so. The changes go live on November 10, 2026, not on the posting dates. We'll update this page if a hotfix changes anything after launch.
When does Delta Force Season Aurora go live?
Season Aurora rolls out on all platforms at the same time on November 10, 2026. Team Jade calls it a "non-stop update", so there is no server maintenance window. Here's the official schedule:
| Time (UTC, November 10) | What happens |
|---|---|
| 00:30 | Operations and Warfare ranked matches go off-season and close |
| 01:59 | Operations entry and matchmaking close; Market and Auction House disabled |
| 02:00 | Update available on PC, Android, iOS, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S |
iOS players need iOS 13 or later. If something looks wrong after you update, Team Jade's advice is short: "try restarting the game to complete the update." One player on r/DeltaForceGlobal reported that their account showed as "not on whitelist" after the last Steam update and fixed it by downloading the client from the official site. It is a single player report, not an official fix.
Several seasonal events, including the Warfare Season Challenge and Weekend Select, run until January 25, 2027, which gives a good idea of how long the season will last. Team Jade hasn't posted an official end date for Aurora yet.
What's new in Season Aurora?
The headline list in the official notes reads: "New Assault Operator, Martelo; Brakkesh 2.0: major map updates; a new mode for AZ3, Supercritical; a new Warfare map, Zenith Port; the new firearm, AN-94 Assault Rifle; new ammo and Attachments."
Martelo (Veronica Cardozo)
Martelo is a new Assault operator. Her kit, from the notes:
- Ariete: charges forward with reduced frontal damage, ending in a Heavy Strike that knocks enemies down. She can end the charge early with a leaping slam.
- Smoke Halo: a shoulder launcher fires a ring of smoke grenades, or one grenade that covers a whole area if you hold to aim.
- High-Explosive Grenade: a thrown grenade with a short fuse.
- Guerreira (passive): knocking down an enemy or dropping below an HP threshold briefly boosts movement and reload speed.
Unlocking the Season Pass gives you Martelo for free. In Operations, a skill trial event (November 10 – December 10) pays out Armament Vouchers and a calling card. Our Martelo abilities guide covers counters and how to play her.
AN-94 Assault Rifle
The AN-94 fires 5.45x39mm and arrives in the Arsenal on day one. Kill missions with it (November 10 – December 10) unlock the Avatar - Breakout and Armament Vouchers in both Operations and Warfare. Team Jade hasn't published its base stats, so treat early tier-list claims carefully until people have tested it. It also joins the Elite Gear Ticket (Balanced) loadout, replacing the QJB201 and MK4.
Brakkesh 2.0 and the faction clash mode
Brakkesh gets its biggest rework yet. The notes say "Babel has been completely reworked" along with the Central Command Zone layout. You now find hidden Ahsarah and Haavk contacts in a match, pick a side and earn a faction badge. At badge Lv.2 you unlock faction milestones and faction hunts. The faction events and the Brakkesh Token store run November 10 – 26. Our Brakkesh loot and extraction guide still covers the parts of the map that didn't change.
Zenith Port (new Warfare map)
Zenith Port is a beach assault map. Its signature mechanic is the Riptide Event: when enough guided missiles are intercepted over the sea, "huge waves" flood the battlefield and push the fight onto the rooftops. Amphibious vehicles and boats rise and fall with the waves, which only happens on this map for now.
AZ3 Supercritical
Supercritical is a new Hard Operations mode on AZ3. It isn't in the game on day one:
| Supercritical detail | Official value |
|---|---|
| Availability | December 18, 2026 – January 25, 2027 |
| Unlock | Operations Level 30 |
| Entry value | 600,000 Tekniq Alloys |
| Polaris Patrol | Supported |
If you're new to the map, start with our AZ3 Nuclear Plant guide before you queue into a mode with a 600,000 Tekniq Alloy entry value.
What new ammo is in Season Aurora?
Season Aurora adds five rounds. All values are from the official notes.
| Ammo | Type | Penetration | Damage / armor pen multiplier | Special effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .300BLK TIV | Detonating | Level 4 | 0.95x / 1x | Multiple hits within 3s explode, 4m radius |
| .300BLK TTV | Detonating | Level 5 | 0.95x / 1x | Multiple hits within 3s explode, 4m radius |
| 5.56x45mm CINDER | Incendiary | Level 4 | 1x / 1x | Burning damage over a few seconds; more recoil |
| 9x19mm 7N30 | AP | Level 5 | 0.9x / 0.85x | More recoil |
| 5.45mm SPALL | AP | Level 4 | 1x / 1x | Hit targets need longer to repair helmet and vest |
The SPALL round pairs naturally with the AN-94 and the AK-74 family, since they share the caliber. The notes describe the .300BLK rounds this way: "The projectile has built-in micro explosives that detonate after consecutive hits." For how penetration levels work against armor classes, see our ammo and armor penetration guide.
What weapons got buffed or nerfed in Season Aurora?
Team Jade lists Operations, Warfare and Detonation changes separately, so check the table for the mode you play.
All modes
- MCX LT: gunshot audible range 500m → 350m (buff, it's harder to hear).
- SVCH Extended Mag: reload time penalty removed; handling -6 → -4.
Operations
| Weapon | Change | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| AR-57 | Armor penetration 31 → 32; arm damage multiplier 0.4 → 0.5 | Buff |
| K416 | Damage 31 → 32; falloff 27m/54m 0.85x/0.7x → 27m/40m 0.9x/0.7x | Buff, shorter range |
| MCX LT Fierce Barrel | Abdomen damage multiplier 0.9x → 1.0x | Buff |
| AUG 45-Round Extended Mag | Handling -8 → -5 | Buff |
| Thompson Advanced Frame System | First-stage falloff 0.85x → 0.8x | Nerf |
| AKM Performance Barrel Combo | Range and muzzle velocity buff removed; falloff 42m/74m → 30m/45m | Nerf |
The AKM change is the big one for Operations. Its performance barrel combo was popular because it pushed the rifle's falloff out to 74m. That bonus is gone, so the AKM now loses damage much sooner.
Warfare
| Weapon | Change | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| MDR .308 Extended Mag | Handling -12 → -4 | Buff |
| Thompson SMG | Headshot multiplier 1.9x → 1.6x; second-stage falloff 0.75x → 0.7x | Nerf |
| Compound Bow | Reserve arrows 30 → 16; calf damage 0.9x → 0.7x | Nerf |
Detonation
| Weapon | Change | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| G17 Pistol | Damage 27 → 30 | Buff |
| KC-17 | Armor penetration 48 → 44 | Nerf |
| 725 Shotgun | Damage 18x8 → 16x8; falloff 0.9x/0.8x → 0.8x/0.7x | Nerf |
| M870 and FS-12 | Falloff at 10m/15m 0.9x/0.8x → 0.8x/0.7x | Nerf |
Detonation also gets a new penetration rule: "A single bullet can now pass through and damage multiple enemies." If you play the bomb mode, our Detonation guide explains the round structure.
Two small fixes apply everywhere: custom reticle spacing now scales correctly, and cycling the bolt feels better on the SV-98 and R93.
New Haavk attachments
Three limited-time Haavk attachments arrive, with different numbers in each mode:
| Attachment | Operations | Warfare |
|---|---|---|
| SR-25 HVK Binary Trigger Stock Kit | Control +8, Stability +3, Accuracy -12, Handling +3, special firing mode | Control +7, Stability +2, Accuracy -12, Handling +2, special firing mode |
| PKM Bullpup Kit | Control -4, Stability +6, Accuracy +16, Handling +12, no trigger delay | Same as Operations |
| M250 Monolith Magazine | Control +8, Stability +4, Accuracy -16, Handling +8, no trigger delay | Control +6, Stability +4, Accuracy -12, Handling +2, no trigger delay |
The Haavk Military Attachments event (November 10 – 17) sells the PKM and binary stock kits at the Auction House in Operations, with a low drop chance in Large Weapon Crates. In Warfare you unlock them through Armory missions.
Which operators changed in Season Aurora?
The most important change for Operations squads is the new limit on Nox stacking. Silent Assault now lasts 25s with one Nox but only 15s with two or three on the squad. If a squad with several Nox players is down to one survivor, it goes back to 25s.
Other Operations, Warfare and Polaris Patrol changes:
- Rover (all modes): Clover can now detect enemies by the noise they make and leap at them from range. In Operations, Level 6+ ammo now deals 2x damage to Clover.
- N-Two: Cryo-Flask duration 10s → 7s in all modes. In Operations its area damage rises 4 → 7 HP per 0.5s and its cooldown drops 55s → 45s. Homing Stun Grenade cooldown 45s → 40s. In Warfare, area damage goes 8 → 10 HP per 0.5s.
- Polaris Patrol Desmoulins: remote vehicle range 150m → 120m; low-penetration ammo now does far more to it (Level 0–1 multiplier 0.2x → 0.9x). Seeker Bomb Vehicle duration 15s → 10s.
- Polaris Comms Guard: Flare HP 50 → 1, so one shot takes it down.
Detonation gets the longest list. D-wolf's Motorized Exoskeleton costs 5 charge points instead of 6 and lasts 25s instead of 20s. Uluru's Loitering Munition main blast goes 50 → 80, while its submunitions drop 100 → 60. Stinger's Hive-Tech Pistol self-heal falls 20s → 15s, Vlinder's rescue drone now restores 50 HP instead of 100, and Nox and Morse flashbangs lose the immunity players got after repeated hits.
The rest of the Detonation operator changes, from the official notes:
| Operator | Detonation change | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Rover | Clover charge points 7 → 6; Dart Rifle max HP reduction 30 → 45; Irritant smoke 15s → 18s | Buff |
| Toxik | Blinding Gas max quantity 2 → 3, cooldown 60s → 75s | Mixed |
| Raptor | Wing Cam charge points 6 → 4; Silver Wing mobile speed 7 → 8 m/s | Buff |
| Morse | Throwable Jammer radius 7m → 10m; Delayed Flashbang fuse 0.05s shorter | Buff |
| Uluru | Composite Incendiary price 300 → 250 | Buff |
| Gizmo | Smoke Mine duration 15s → 18s | Buff |
| Stinger | Smokescreen price 250 → 300 | Nerf |
| Mai Xiaowen | Flash Drone delay +0.05s; max range 50m → 40m | Nerf |
| Luna and Shepherd | GE2 Frag Grenade minimum damage 10 → 5; warning icon range 10m → 20m | Nerf |
Check our operator tier list after launch week, since Nox's position is the one most likely to move.
Which maps are in the Season Aurora rotation?
Team Jade's Aurora rotation graphic uses 2-hour blocks:
- Rotating Hard maps: Tide Prison Hard and Space City Hard take turns every 2 hours. Tide Prison has the blocks starting at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20; Space City has the others.
- AZ3 Easy: rotates in during the Tide Prison blocks (0–2, 4–6, 8–10 and so on).
- Permanent Easy: Zero Dam and Layali Grove.
- Permanent Normal: Zero Dam, Brakkesh, AZ3 and Space City.
- Weekends only: Layali Grove Normal and Brakkesh Hard.
The Aurora graphic doesn't print a time zone. Last season's graphic used UTC, so we read these blocks as UTC until Team Jade says otherwise. The graphic also warns that the schedule is "subject to change after launch". Our map rotation schedule has the full table.
In Warfare, Akh Canal is removed. The notes give no reason, and an r/DeltaForceGlobal thread has players asking why one of their favorite King of the Hill maps is going. Other Warfare map fixes: battle areas in Threshold - King of the Hill are fixed, and the defenders' LAV-AA spawn in Sector A of Cyclone moves in Victory Unite and Attack and Defend. The Mog also gets balance tweaks to some locations and a better Black Hawk convoy route, which matters if you've been getting farmed by that convoy.
What resets in Season Aurora?
- Season missions: "All progress on Season 11 missions will be completely reset and cleared." Season 12 starts a new mission line.
- Safe Box: earlier Ultimate Safe Box season access and every Safe Box Trial Card, used or not, expire. The new Season Pass includes a 2x2 / 2x3 Season Safe Box. See our safe box guide.
- Ranked: Operations and Warfare ranked go off-season at 00:30 UTC on November 10. Detonation ranks "will not reset for the time being", and Legend rank and above in Detonation is now solo or duo queue only.
- Armament Vouchers: Team Jade's earlier Tactical Armament rules say vouchers reset each season while guaranteed reward progress carries over; the Aurora notes don't change that. Our voucher guide quotes the rule.
Your Tekniq Alloy, stash and Delta Coins are not part of any reset listed in the notes.
What else changed: Full Verity Mode, Loading Plans and events?
Full Verity Mode (PC, Warfare): the notes say it's "Powered by UE5, global illumination (Lumen), geometry (Nanite), virtual shadow maps (VSM)", with better water and vegetation. A separate Verity Mode audio mix is in preview on Zenith Port only. PC Warfare also gets an Immersive Mode that hides most of the HUD. If your frame rate drops with the new graphics, our best settings guide still applies.
Loading Plans (Operations Level 35): in Gunsmith, under Plans, you can now set your magazine's ammo order, such as a few high-penetration rounds on top and a repeating pattern after them. You can switch plans mid-match from the radial menu.
Other Operations changes: a new Chroma collectible tier above Red, new collectibles such as the Plasma Cutter, Neutron Detector, Queen Piece and Nuclear Battery, fish trading at the Bazaar, and the Genius Ratty achievement (extract with red collectibles filling at least 24 slots, found in containers nobody had opened; Dark Matter Fuel doesn't count).
Main events:
| Event | Dates | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Phantom Blade Zero collab | Nov 10 – Dec 10 | Free collab cosmetics |
| Collab Legendary Gift | Nov 10 – Dec 3 | Seven-Star Sword - G3 skin, Armament Vouchers |
| Tekniq Alloy Store | Nov 10 – 19 | Quantum Keys, Logistics Vouchers |
| Battle of Zenith Port | Nov 10 – 19 | Toro Scatenato - Tank appearance |
| Weekend Merit Boost | Nov 14 – 15 | Double Merit on first 3 Warfare grade matches |
The Raptor - Breath of Thunder Operator Research draw accepts Delta Coins or Delta Tickets. They are different currencies: Delta Tickets come from events and the Season Pass, while Delta Coins are bought. Our Delta Coins vs Delta Tickets explainer breaks it down.
FAQ
When does Delta Force Season Aurora start? On November 10, 2026. The update unlocks at 02:00 UTC on PC, mobile, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S at the same time, with no maintenance downtime.
Is Season Aurora Season 12? Yes. Aurora is the season's name, and the official notes call it S12 for season missions and supply packs. The previous season, Reorientation, was S11.
Why is Akh Canal removed from Delta Force? The patch notes only say "Removed the Akh Canal map" under Warfare and give no reason. Zenith Port is the new Warfare map this season.
When does AZ3 Supercritical come out? December 18, 2026. It runs until January 25, 2027, needs Operations Level 30 and lists an entry value of 600,000 Tekniq Alloys.
Is the AN-94 good in Delta Force? It's too early to say. Team Jade hasn't published its base stats, only that it uses 5.45x39mm ammo. Wait for launch-week testing before you spend Alloy on attachments.
Did Nox get nerfed in Season Aurora? Yes, in two modes. In Operations, Silent Assault lasts 25s with one Nox but only 15s with two or three on a squad. In Detonation, Silent Assault no longer gets longer when Nox is the last survivor. Nox's Detonation flashbang got better, though: a 0.05s shorter fuse, and enemies no longer gain immunity after repeated flashes.
More Delta Force guides
- Season Aurora release date and Martelo reveal
- Ranked explained: ranks and season reset
- Best sniper rifles: Operations vs Warfare
- Tactical Armament Voucher guide
Applies to Season Aurora (live November 10, 2026). Last verified on November 9, 2026. Patch figures come from the official Delta Force posts on Steam (app 2507950): "Major Update: Season Aurora Is Coming!" (November 7, 2026) and "Version Update: New Season Aurora, Massive Events & Rewards & Store Updates" (November 8, 2026). Community context comes from r/DeltaForceGlobal threads dated November 7–9, 2026.
