THIS WEEK IN GEARS: DEC 1 – 7
This Week in Gears will fill you in on everything happening in-game this week for Gears 5!
 
Beyond the usual store and event updates, we’re also adding the most recent tuning to the developer playlist so make sure to play and pass along any feedback.
We’ve also added the Scorcher to the maps below. Please note that weapon spawns have a 50% chance of being one of the following:
Blood Drive: Scorcher and Dropshot  Lift: Scorcher and Boomshot Exhibit: Scorcher and Dropshot  Forge: Scorcher and Boomshot VERSUS EVENT: FFA GNASHERS ONLY

Just you, your Gnasher and your dream of ruining the day of seven other players.
Lace up your best bouncing shoes on and head into Gnashers Only FFA this week to prove your skills.
HORDE EVENT: CLASSIC HORDE
Classic Horde is… well, Classic, meaning there are no fabricators, ultimate abilities, skill cards or passives, and everyone starts off with a Lancer, Gnasher and Snub.
Unlike the original Horde, however, the Classic Horde playlist uses the Horde Frenzy model of 12 waves with a boss every 4 waves. The playlist will also be restricted to only the new maps introduced in Operation 5, giving players a great opportunity to try out the new maps as well!
As an added treat, we’re rolling out a Classic Horde medal group where you can earn the complete Bloody Weapon set.
Here are the challenges:
Classically Trained – Survive 36 waves of the Classic Horde event Lone Wolf – Get 100 kills with the Gnasher (any MP mode) Hold ‘em Back – Get 100 kills with the Lancer (any MP mode) Scavenger – Get 25 kills with heavy weapons (any MP mode)  
 

ESCAPE HIVE: THE GAUNTLET
Fresh weekly hive. Fresh weekly rewards.
The Gauntlet returns! This intense, one-act Hive forces you and your squad to battle through three huge fights (and bosses) in rapid succession to escape the Venom in time.  
WEEKLY STORE
 

Stranded Dizzy – 500 Iron Dizzy Banner – 100 Iron Dizzy Skull Mark – 65 Iron FEATURE STORE
 

Winter Armor JD – 250 iron or 2,000 Gears Coins Swarm Winter Sniper – 250 Iron or 2,000 Gears Coins Frigid Blast Weapon Set (Full) – 850 Iron or 6,800 Gears Coins Snowflake Bloodspray – 125 Iron or 1,000 Gears Coins ESPORTS
 

Chrome Steel Hivebuster Mac – $9.99 USD GEARS TACTICS TITLE UPDATE
 
Attention Gears fans!
Here are the patch notes for the latest update for Gears Tactics!
This Title Update will be out at November 30, 2020 at 7:00 pm PT. The full patch notes can be found below:
ALL PLATFORMS – GENERAL
Improved narration in the equipment screens. Improved narration of the hit chance UI element. Fixed white flash that could occur for one frame in the loading screen. Fixed the character animation snapping when backing out of name customization in the Barracks. Fixed goggles not disappearing from the Deviant Sniper when it is killed by a headshot. Fixed flickering between the occlusion shader and some buildings in Act 2 and Act 3. Optimized content in Act 2 to improve performance. ALL PLATFORMS – GAMEPLAY
Controller Only: Fixed a timing issue where sticky cursor abilities (e.g. execute) could be confirmed before the preview was shown. Controller Only: Added camera limit to Jacks free aim abilities so the camera won’t push past the limit of the ability. Improved targeting of free aim abilities, like Overwatch or Jacks capsules.
The ability can now be confirmed while hovering over another unit instead of that unit being selected. Fixed the turn getting stuck when a player unit attempts to chainsaw an enemy unit that has an opportunity attack
and the opportunity attack is triggered while the player unit is mantling over cover. Fixed enemies spawning in the ground if player units are too close in some missions. Fixed a case where a unit revived in a corner could get stuck. Fixed elite enemy reveals being in the wrong location when loading a save game. Fixed hit chance UI element background sometimes not appearing. Fixed sounds cutting out during later stages of the Brumak fight. Fixed Tickers appearing on the ground for one frame while dropping from the Reaver. Fixed Jack facing in the wrong direction after opening doors. PC
Improved boot times. Added a new advanced video setting “Fast Pipeline State Cache”. This setting decreases boot times but increases system memory usage by up to 600MB. Optimized planar reflections, the GPU cost of the feature has been greatly reduced. Added a user facing message when file read errors happen so the user can be alerted to potential file corruption errors. Fixed misaligned text on buttons in some resolutions. XBOX CONSOLES
All: Fixed lighting being too dark in night environments. All: Fixed Gabe missing his undershirt during the intro cinematic if the game is still installing Act 2 content when the cinematic loads. Xbox One X|S: Fixed a visible hitch when units drop from a Reaver for the first time. Xbox Series X: Enabled enhanced reflections. See below for comparison images  
Xbox Series X: Enhanced Reflections – OFF
 
Xbox Series X: Enhanced Reflections – ON
STABILITY
Fixed a crash on Xbox One X when browsing characters in the convoy later in the campaign. Fixed a crash that could happen when using bayonet charge. Fixed a rare crash while using the torque bow. Fixed a rare crash in gameplay while planning the enemy turn. Fixed a rare rendering crash. Fixed a few rare crashes in loading screens. Fixed a rare crash during streaming install when the game is suspended. Fixed a rare crash that could happen after the game is saved. Fixed a rare crash on boot while registering users and controllers. Fixed a crash when a mine explodes on an e-hole and the unit that placed the mine is dead.  
 
 
 
 
 
 

WHAT’S UP – OPERATION 5: HOLLOW STORM
 
Get ready for Operation 5: Hollow Storm!
Operation 5 takes us back to the vibes of Gears 2 and 3. We’ve added iconic characters, new maps including River and the all-new Imulsion-themed map Nexus, the fiery Scorcher, and much more.  
We’ve overhauled Horde and Escape by separating characters from classes, continuing to refine the PvP experience, introduced a new Heroic cosmetic as well as added an all-new Tour of Duty.
CHARACTERS
 
There is only one option…ATTACK! Grab Dizzy Wallin and Tai Kaliso to recreate the fight against Skorge (we recommend mid-bridge in River for all the Gears 2 feels). Or pick up Anya Stroud and pair her with Marcus to fight for tomorrow.
Dizzy, Tai, Anya and Skorge are now available individually or as part of the Operation 5 bundle in the Gears 5 Store.
The Lambent Drone, Lambent Grenadier, and Lambent Theron Guard will make their way into Gears later this Operation. Stay tuned!
 
And don’t forget Gabe Diaz! Any player that completes the Gears Tactics tutorial will automatically unlock him once they log back into Gears 5.
MAPS
NEXUS
 
Set deep under Mount Kadar, this Locust Stronghold will have you battling amongst rivers of Imulsion.
REGENCY
 
Set high above the clouds, this regal map has features fights inside and outdoors with views that will inspire both awe and fear.
RIVER
 
Echoes from past permeate this classic Gears 2 map. Which path will you choose – rush to the bridge for a head-to-head fight or make your way to the houses to grab the Longshot / Torque Bow and lay waste to the foes below you?
GRIDLOCK
 
Bombed-out cars and trucks provide plenty of cover in this classic map – take note of the new cool blue lighting which we think provides a subtle calming effect to this seaside warzone.
CLOCK TOWER
 
The Swarm’s arrival at this city center has brought this once revered plaza from disrepair to complete ruin.
And as a special bonus, we’ve added another tile-based FFA map – War Room. This map is set within an underground COG bunker where you will navigate the many winding halls trying to slay out and stay alive. This map will be playable in both Ranked FFA and in custom lobbies.
TOUR OF DUTY
 
The rewards in the new Tour of Duty will keep you playing throughout Operation 5.  Make your push to General to unlock Lambent RAAM.
Along the way you’ll earn three new weapon sets, marks, bloodsprays and expressions. And if you progress beyond General, you can continue to progress and earn precious Gears Coins that you can use for items in the store.
PVE AND PVP UPDATES
PvE has received a major update in Operation 5. We’ve decoupled characters and classes, added new and skill cards rewards and unveiled variety of Horde and Escape challenges. Read our recent PvE blog for all the details.
For the PvP players, we’ve implemented our Community Service program to deal with quitters, updated the Ranked bonuses, and made some changes to our playlists. Here is a breakdown of all thew news.
That’s all for us. We can’t wait to hear what you think of Operation 5, join in the conversation on Twitter, the forums, Discord or the community reddit /r/GearsofWar!