Modern Warfare 4's DMZ extraction shooter mode, available only to those who pre-ordered the game, has sparked player discontent over the "Possum" trait, which allows players to self-revive once per match. This mechanic, unlockable through operator progression, activates a Last Stand state upon death, requiring ten uninterrupted seconds to return to gameplay. While revived players lose their acquired loot, the ability to return from a downed state has proven divisive.
The introduction of any form of resurrection in an extraction shooter has been met with skepticism. A primary concern is the inability to reliably determine if a defeated opponent possesses the Possum trait, leaving players vulnerable to surprise attacks from those who have revived. The trait can be unlocked relatively quickly, potentially enabling players to return to the fight within hours of focused progression.
Community reactions have been largely negative, with players expressing frustration on the DMZ subreddit. User pdmaloney94 called Possum "garbage" and argued that it "breaks DMZ" by diminishing match stakes, necessitating players to confirm downed opponents are permanently eliminated. SkinDiesel echoed this sentiment, recounting a personal experience where a player they had just killed used the trait to eliminate them. Concerns were raised that this "free" revive fundamentally alters the extraction shooter experience.
However, some players have suggested counter-strategies. User cleppingout advised players to simply move on from downed opponents, as a revived player with no loot would have little incentive to pursue. Wilus82 proposed placing traps, such as trip mines or land mines, on downed bodies to deter or eliminate revived players.
Prominent Call of Duty content creators have also voiced criticism. YouTubers Phixate and Wynn-Gaming have described the trait as "broken" and "crazy," respectively. The core of the criticism revolves around Possum's potential to disrupt established team-vs-team combat dynamics, where eliminating an opponent to gain a numerical advantage is a common tactic. The sudden reappearance of a downed player could negate this advantage.
Despite the outcry, some believe it is too early to definitively label the trait as broken. The argument is that allowing the meta to develop and players to fully explore Possum's capabilities will provide a clearer picture of its impact. This perspective suggests that the trait may encourage novel strategies and that a more thorough evaluation should be conducted after a longer period.
Beyond the Possum trait, players have also reported instances of spawning directly into the path of vehicles, leading to immediate deaths, a humorous bug that has drawn attention as the wider player base gains access to the game.