A new operator trait in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's DMZ mode, dubbed "Possum," is drawing significant player criticism for its perceived imbalance. This perk allows a player to self-revive after being fully killed, meaning they can return to the game even after their operator is no longer in a downed state. This capability has led to confusion and frustration among players who feel it is "broken."
The Possum perk, found on the Warfighter skill tree, can reportedly be unlocked within a few matches. It differs from the standard self-revive available in the Down But Not Out (DBNO) state. Possum enables a player to revive from a state of complete death, storing enough health to return to maximum.
Players have shared instances where this perk has led to surprising outcomes in combat. One widely circulated clip shows an opponent who was seemingly eliminated, only to re-emerge and eliminate the player who had just defeated them. This scenario highlights the tactical advantage the perk can provide, particularly when opponents assume a player is permanently out of the fight.
While the self-revival process is not instantaneous and still requires the player to rise from the DBNO state with a tourniquet, it presents a significant challenge for those who believe they have secured a kill. The perk's design appears to lean towards a more passive use case, where a player might revive after enemies have moved on, allowing for an escape rather than an immediate counter-attack. YouTuber JGOD has demonstrated this more cautious application, suggesting players wait for threats to dissipate before utilizing the revive.
DMZ is designed to be less punishing than some other extraction shooters, and the Possum perk aligns with this philosophy by offering a second chance. However, its current implementation has raised concerns that players who win a firefight cannot be certain their opponents are truly eliminated. Some suggestions for balancing include making the revive process louder, increasing the wait time significantly, or implementing a mechanic to "burn bodies" similar to Hunt: Showdown's Necromancer perk, which allows players to confirm a kill by burning the corpse. This would place the onus on the victorious player to neutralize the threat permanently, either through fire or by waiting out the potential revive.
Given the community's reaction and the potential for exploits, it is anticipated that Infinity Ward will address the Possum perk in a future update to improve balance within DMZ.