Free Fire January 2023 Update: OB38 update notes; see what changes

The Free Fire update takes place this Wednesday, January 11th from 1:00 am

08 de January de 2023 Ronny Rolim

Free Fire arrives in 2023 as one of the most downloaded games of the year and remains the main Battle Royale in Brazil and the world. Now, Garena 's flagship game will bring a major update to keep the game up and, as usual, the new Free Fire January 2023 update is about to arrive, bringing new characters, pets, weapons, gameplay improvements and other features.

Now, Free Fire Mania , the largest independent Free Fire portal in the world with around 10 million monthly hits, exclusively publishes the notes with all the changes that are about to arrive in Garena's Battle Royale. Also, the Free Fire January 2023 update , with version OB38.

See also: Free Fire 2023 update date

Free Fire Update January 2023: know everything that will change

battle royale

sheds

Time to get weapons!

“If you find the blue zone loot area less challenging or valuable, then you should try Barracão. The Shed contains quality weapons and items for you and your team. Many surprises are waiting for you!”

• There is a chance to get tier 3 weapons and exclusive weapons in the Barracks. Remember to bring your team!
• Each map has 5-6 Arsenal. Your location can be seen on the minimap.
• A key is required to enter the Shed.
• There are 1-2 keys located in each main area of ​​each map.
• Keys can be purchased from vending machines. (Each key costs 600 FF Coins. There are only 3 keys in the entire vending machine per game, so run for them!)
• Keys can be purchased from Airdrop vending machines. (Each key costs 400 FF Coins. Each Airdrop vending machine carries 1 key.)

Battle Card

Show your battle results!

“The Battle Cards feature allows players to show off their battle stats and skills before starting a Contra Squad (CS) match. This feature is now also available for BR (Battle Royale) mode!”

• The Battle Card is shown to teammates after leaving the starting island
• Players can change battle card display
• The skills used will also be shown

Vehicle optimization

Take me to the moon! - Free Fire Cars

“Vehicles generally lack the ability to conquer the road conditions in most areas, especially steep hills. In this update, we are optimizing the vehicle by increasing its power and mobility. Now, you can easily cycle in hilly areas. Also, try taking the vehicle at top speed over the hills for a gravity-defying experience!”

• Vehicles are easier to control.
• Vehicles are adapted to climb hills.
• At high speeds, driving the vehicle up a steep hill can make you fly for a moment!
• Increases HP and reduces vehicle damage.

New Item - Blocker

Position remains unknown.

“Scanner skills, Drones and other scanning items are important items in every match to know the position and are very difficult to avoid after being used by the enemy. Now, as long as you have the Blocker, your position will not be known!”

• After using Blocker, you will not be detected by scanning skills, Drones and others.
• The minimap will not show your position.
• It can be obtained via Airdrop.
  

New Item - Loot Radar

Item search won't be a burden!

"Searching for loot at the start of a match can be a chore in itself. Each player will start the match with a Loot Radar, so searching for items will be more efficient!"

Instructions for using Loot Radar :

• Loot Radar shows all top tier loot within 75 meters every 25 seconds.
• Players will be notified of the item's position via a tag.
• Loot Radar will be on by default. Players can disable the Loot Radar feature from inside their backpack.
• Used by default for all Battle Royale players.
  

Revive in Solo Mode (Battle Royale)

Everyone deserves a second chance! The match will not end if you lose immediately after landing.

“We know that solo Battle Royale (BR mode) is the only mode that does not have a revive feature. In this update, players will have a chance to revive if they lose at the start of a battle.”

Casual and Ranked Solo Battle Royale:

• The chance to revive is only given once per match and is only available for the first 3 minutes.
• The heart symbol in the upper right corner indicates whether the revive system is active.
• A gray heart indicates an inactive resuscitation system.
• A yellow heart indicates an active resuscitation system.
• A red heart indicates that the resuscitation system is active, but will stop in 30 seconds.

Other Battle Royale changes

• Weapons available in the vending machine are changed to M1014-1, AN94, M4a1-1 and Carapina. Price goes up: 300 FF Coins → 400 FF Coins
• Added M82B to Vending Machine (Price: 600 FF Coins. Only 2 available from each Vending Machine during match).
• Time needed to revive at revive point: New Earth: 20s → 25s, other maps: 25s → 33s.
• Defense airdrop: First Phase: 4s → 6s, Second Phase: 8s → 12s, Third Phase: 16s → 24s
• Treasure Map: Removed Hook and replaced with a weapon (MAC10, XM8 or AK47)
• Number of vehicles has been increased on each map.
• Chip update drop rate reduced by 30%
• Remove oil barrels
• Scan will be the default passive skill for all players while using a parachute (Scan shows all nearby players).

Against Squad

Safe Zone Movement

Stuck Safe Zone makes the game not fun. We want them to go out and fight!

“We found that on some maps (Factory or Clock Tower), the number of players is too large. Their strategy is to stay quiet, use bonfires and avoid exchanges in matches that are unfair and leave the opposing team with no resistance options. It makes the gaming experience worse.”

After the first safe zone shrinks, the next location will randomly appear on the map. The safe zone will move to that location before shrinking again.

Weapon Price Changes

• M14-II: 1900 -> 1700

CS shop changes

• New weapons available: M1917, SVD, M60

other modes

free for all

Practice to become more perfect!

“Whether you're looking for intense combat or a little challenge to go along with your weapons training routine, find it all in the new Free for All mode! Prove that you are the best and beat the leaderboard!”

Updates:

• Added a leaderboard showing the number of eliminations and current rank
• Changed HP recovery buff after elimination. To encourage elimination, the buff now restores HP and EP and repairs armor instead of recovering HP over time.
• Armor now has durability that can be restored after gaining an elimination buff.
• Players can now revive at the nearest respawn point.
• Players now seek each other out, but cannot move. Players can search for weapons before the countdown ends.
• Added time period to buy weapons after respawning. The Shop will not close until the player fires the first shot. Now players can also buy weapons during the countdown.

Big Head Mode

Be the biggest or go home!

“Fastest game length, classic Big Head mode is back! Defeat enemies, get buffs and become the best boss ever!”

Main updates:

• Added a buff system where players can get buffs after respawning and leveling up
• Optimized UI where game progress and player head level will be shown more clearly
• Added a live view showing your current score and ranking
• Added a warm up section to improve game performance for low system devices
• Shorten the duration of the parachute to speed up the game

Gel Mason (Big Head Mode)

New Gel Walls crafting tool!

“On the battlefield full of danger, the Gel Wall is your Booyah friend. The new Gel Mason will serve you well. They create Walls of Ice over time and free players to rely on loot!”

Gel Mason is divided into 5 levels:

There are 3 ways to get EXP:

• Gel Mason gains 1 EXP per second.
• Dealing 1 damage will receive 0.5 EXP.
• Picking up the gel chip will give you 200 EXP.

There are 3 ways to get Ice Walls:

• Gel Mason produces Ice Walls over time.
• The enemy loot you eliminate will give you 2 Gel Walls.
• Enemy loot cleared by others will give you 1 Gel Wall. (Eliminated players will gain 1 Gel Wall while the enemy is being looted.)

Characters and Pet

santino valentine

Fashion designer.

“Santino is the founder of Angelical, a sports and urban fashion brand. It makes almost every trend popular in town, a pair of pants with an angel wing pattern that hit social media all of a sudden.”

Transport Dummy Skill:

Spawns a 200 HP dummy that will work for 12 seconds, then use the skill again to teleport to the dummy's location. Mannequins will be destroyed after use. Usage time: 130/120/110/100/90/80 seconds.

See more: Santino Valentine Free Fire

Change in Characters

skyler

The time needed to destroy the Ice Wall has been increased, HP recovery has been removed.

“Skyler is a tough opponent for Walls of Ice, and that's known by every player. Enemies hit by Skyler's ability barely have time to strike back. We've made changes to the Breaker skill and replaced it with damage per second. This will help Wall of Ice users without taking Skyler's powers too far. Meanwhile, we are also doing away with the healing effect because offensive skills should still be offensive skills.”

Smash Skill:

Releases a frontal sonic wave within 50/58/67/77/88/100 yards, causing blast armor to explode and dealing damage to Ice Walls within 3.5 yards for 4 seconds. Use time: 75/70/65/60/55/50 seconds.

Kenta

Kenta can now use the shield after shooting.

“It's obvious that defensive skills like Chrono are more popular than skills like Kenta. The skill level required to use Kenta's abilities makes him less popular with most players. This change is expected to drive Kenta's use as a counter-offensive specialist."

Samurai Protection Skill:

Forms a 5 meter wide shield that reduces damage from weapons coming from the front by 50%. When shooting, the overall damage reduction is only reduced by 10%. It lasted 2/3/3.5/4/4.5/5 seconds. Use time: 150/140/130/120/110/100 seconds.

Character Balance Changes

Alok

Movement speed bonus increased, HP recovery decreased.

“Sound in the Box started out as a versatile skill, but we noticed that it is now becoming very strong in combat scenarios. To change Alok's playstyle a bit, we've reduced his HP recovery and increased his movement speed bonus. Run for rewards!”

Ability Sound in the Box:

Generates 5 meters of aura that can increase running speed by 10/11/12/13/14/15％ → 15% and grants 5 → 3HP for 5/6/7/8/9/10 seconds. Effects do not stack. Usage time: 70/66/62/58/54/50 seconds.

Tatsuya

Accelerated cooling.

“For skills that tackle enemies like Wukong, Rebel Shot's long cooldown prevents players from playing aggressively. We've reduced the cooldown on Tatsuya's abilities to encourage players to play aggressively with him."

Rebel Shot Skill:

Advance at full speed for 0.2/0.2/0.2/0.3/0.3/0.3 seconds. Charging time: 175/160/150/140/130/120 → 110/100/90/80/70/60 seconds. This skill can be stacked for up to 2 uses, with a 5 second cooldown between each use.

Movement will be smoother after using the skill.

Hayato

Armor penetration is reduced, damage reduction is reduced.

“As one of the most used passive skills, Bushido provides a versatile buff, making it unrivaled in battle. We took a few things so that the other passive skills can compete with Hayato.”

Bushido Skill:

• When health decreases by 10%, increases 4.5/5/5.5/6/6.5/7 → 2.5/3/3.5/4/4.5/5% Armor Penetration
• Awakening: Reduces frontal damage by 1/1.5/2/2.5/3/3.5% → 0.5/1/1.5/2/2.5/3% for every 10% loss Max HP.

Iris

Increased skill duration.

“The short duration of the Trackadorah ability makes it difficult for players to execute tactics perfectly. We've increased the duration of Iris' ability so that players are more motivated to choose her to fight the Gel Wall."

Tracking Skill:

For 5/6/7/8/9/10 → 10 seconds, a successful shot on the Gel Wall will mark enemies within 7 meters of it and penetrate the Ice Wall to deal damage to the marked enemy (damage dealt will be less than normal). Effective on 3/3/4/4/5/5 Ice Walls max. Cast Time: 80/75/70/65/60/55 seconds.

J. Biebs

Fixed skill range, reduced damage reduction.

“When used with Bushido, Silence of Night becomes a bit too strong and makes J.Biebs too tanky. We're reducing his damage reduction a bit so the enemy is still rewarded for shooting him. The skill range will always be the same so the enemy is more used to that skill.”

Night Silence Skill:

Ability users and teammates within 6/8/8/10/10/12 → 12 meters can block 7/7/10/10/15/15% → 6/6/9/9/12/12% of damage using EP them. In that case, the amount of EP deducted from teammates will be added to the skill user's EP.

Leon

Recovery speed reduced, total HP recovery increased.

“Although Leon can restore HP quickly, the amount recovered doesn't have much effect in battle. To enhance your role as a healer, we're doing a balancing act by increasing your healing power but decreasing your recovery speed."

Free Throw Skill:

Heals 5/10/15/20/25/30 → 16/24/32/40/48/60 HP after surviving battle. Recovers 5 → 4 HP per second for 1/2/3/4/5/6 → 4/6/8/10/12/15 seconds.

Character skill slots unlocked from the start

Goodbye to locked skill slots!

“Finally got your dream character but found there are 3 skill slots you need to unlock? Do not you worry anymore! As of this update, skill slots for all characters you own will open automatically! (Of course, characters that don't have skill slots are exceptions... get it, Nulla and Primis?)"

Skill slots for all characters (except Nulla and Primis) are automatically unlocked.

New Pet: Mandacaru

Shut up!

“Always carry Mandacaru with you if you want a bonus EP in life. Mandacaru absorbs nutrients from the Earth and converts them into EP. But for that to happen, you have to be a little more patient than usual.”

Self-Reliance Skill:

When user is idle for 8/7/6 seconds, it will recover 10 EP/s. Recovery stops when 100 EP is restored or while moving/jumping.

Systems

Arms Glory Regional Ranking

Be the best weapon user in your region!

“Want to show your friends who the real master of weapons is? The gun glory leaderboard gives you a chance! Increase weapon glory by defeating enemies in ranked mode. In addition to being able to show off, you will also receive a special title that you can show off if you are ranked in the top 100.”

Changes to the battle readiness system

A hub for all battle preparation!

"We like the abilities of the characters. We love Pets. What we don't like is that when we want to change it, we have to enter several different pages one by one. We know it's difficult, so we make changes to the system! Now you can select all skills and loadouts on the default page.”

The new Strategy Battle page includes:

• Main character settings (determine appearance and main abilities)
• Pet skill settings
• Two predefined pages that can be changed easily
• Quickly equipped strategy recommendations

Page patent UI optimization

Challenge yourself and increase your rank!

"Let's welcome the new page of the patent system, which is cleaner and more organized!"

• Added a link to the Weapon Glory Leaderboard
• Moved the question mark symbol next to the player's current rank
• Optimized the Master and higher rank display to show information on advancing to the next rank
• The CS Challenger will be able to see the minimum stars needed to remain at that level.

game environment

“Anti-hack detection encompasses much more.”

• Updated detection model to include skin mods and textures

Social systems and resources

Dynamic Duo system update

Spend time with your friend and your skill character!

“The long-awaited Dynamic Duo system change has arrived! In addition to raising the maximum level to Lv. 6, we also added a new feature: character skill sharing. When you start Dynamic Duo with your friend, you have access to all of your character's skills! Find skill combinations and make new friends!”

• Skill Sharing System: Equip and use each character's skills after creating the Dynamic Duo.
• If you remove Dynamic Duo, any shared skills you have equipped will be lost.
• New Max Level of Dynamic Duo: Lv. 6.

Changes to the Recruitment System

Good cooperation is essential for victory.

“Find your dream team through the recruitment system! We've added a new filter on the recruiting page to find players that are right for you.”

New filters on the recruiting page:

• game modes
• game maps
• Great team

Optimization of Team Recommendations

There are no more unsung heroes.

“Have you ever felt disappointed that you worked well with someone, but didn't have a chance to thank them after the match was over? There is good news! As of this update, we have made a good and reliable teammate in the recommendation list. No more regrets!”

Priority recommendation:

• online player
• last MVP match
• Players you interact with well (help revive, give hearts, etc.)
• Same teammate for 10 matches

Free Fire Performance

Optimization of the opening duration of the Free Fire application

What's faster than fast?

“Want to play a match, but the game takes too long to enter? In this update, we are optimizing load times. Try it and feel the difference!”

• Reducing the time required from entering the app to entering the lobby
• Added auto login feature
• Reducing the time it takes to open a new page in the lobby
• Several reduced popups on login
• Optimized login time for some device models when joining a match
• Optimized processing time after matching for some device models

Balance and Weapons

Changed some weapons for better game balance.

“In addition to the usual changes, we are also beefing up the M60 because we feel the machine gun is not being valued enough. Don't forget the machine gun, crouching will give you a huge advantage!"

Change to Assault Rifles:

• Shield Weapon: Damage +10%, shield HP +6%, shield recovery speed +15%
• G36 (Assault): Range +10%
• Parafal: Shot speed +10%, accuracy +10%, magazine 30 → 18
• AUG: Fire Speed ​​+10%, min. damage -10%, armor penetration +10%

SMG changes:

• MAC10: damage +5%, min. damage +10%, max. damage +5%

Shotgun Changes:

• Trogon (shotgun mode): fire speed +12%, accuracy +10%

Machine gun changes:

• M60: Fire Speed+5%, Accuracy +10%, Crouch Fire Speed ​​+15%

Other weapons:

• M79: Reload speed +15%
• M79 can now only use M79 ammo compared to all other grenade launcher ammo

gameplay

ping compensation

Opponents with high ping and good play.

“We've all been through a situation where the internet is bad. There's nothing more annoying than being lost to a sudden spike in ping. Lagged enemies have a negative impact on the match. As of this update, we are making optimizations for it. We face the biggest problem - an indestructible Ice Wall and sudden teleports when we are lagged.”

High ping packet loss optimization:

• Damage dealt by ammo before placing the Ice Wall will now take effect.
• Note that when the lag is too high, the damage dealt or received may not pass the server check and is therefore null.

Character movement display optimization:

• Reduced the number and range of abnormal character movements that other players see when getting high pings, so they don't mistake players with high lags for hackers
• Optimizing situations where players will go back and forth continuously when experiencing high ping

Quick chat tool changes

Good pin for the win!

“Try the new quick chat feature! Move the on-screen markup to a more interactive and sophisticated communication system.”

Pins and markers can now be assigned by moving the button to a location on the screen (the previous quick-dial function still works).

Here are instructions on how to use the new system:

• Slide the tag button to any loot or item to alert that item and send a message to teammates.
• Sliding the pin button to any location on the map will link that location to teammates.
• Automatic messages will be sent if you slide the pin button to multiple buttons.
• Active skill → Skill status like “Ready” or “Cooling down”
• Medical Kit → “I need a medical kit”
• HP → "I'm still full of HP" or other things
• FF Coin → “I need FF Coin”
• Ice Wall → “I need a Gel Grenade” or “I have x Ice Walls”
• Weapons→ “I need ammo for weapon x” (if you have a weapon) or “I need a weapon” (if you don't have a weapon) If you want to give a warning of a dangerous area, press and hold the button to change the message type.
• When in danger, the system will automatically change the type of message to a warning.

Changes to quick chat response

Thanks and much more!

“Do you feel that the answer “OK” is not enough but you can't find other options? We've added a bunch of new responses for a lot of different scenarios.”

• The “OK” symbol when responding to location and tactic markers
• The "Helmet" symbol when you want to get equipment
• "Heart" symbol when you want to give a help signal
• "Like" symbol after friendly cooperation and exchange
• Add supplemental text like "Nice photo!" and thank you"

PS: In order to avoid distractions, this feature will be automatically disabled during battle.

Teammate Introduction

Teammates are more than just people with guns.

“We've received messages from players saying that it's hard to tell friend from foe in battle. To make teammates more easily recognized and differentiated, we emphasize associating players with their numbers and colors."

• Added symbols showing colored numbers above teammates to make them easier to spot
• To better know your team's location, if your teammates are not visible, their number and color will appear on the edge of the screen based on their position.

More directional jump

Smoother movement with better animations.

“In the past, your characters could only move in the direction they were jumping from. We can admit that it is quite strange. For more realistic combat and aesthetics, we're updating the jump mechanic so we can jump in multiple directions."

Updated jumping mechanics and animations:

• Players will be able to go in different directions when jumping and the camera will remain locked.

Map sequence changes

"To make matchmaking more efficient and reduce the game's pack size, we've changed the map pool for ranked and casual modes."

Latest map set for BR & CS:

• Bermuda
• New Earth
• Purgatory

Finally, the Free Fire 2023 update goes live from 01:00 am this Wednesday, January 11th, scheduled to end at 10:00 am. During this period, Garena 's battle royale will have the servers closed for maintenance .