Bottom line: Mods have moved from “same effect no matter what” to “quality makes the difference”
Until now, the modifier parts (item_modifier) you slot into weapons, armor, and vehicles had the same effect no matter which one you got—the value was fixed. Starting with V3.0, this has been completely overhauled so that the modifier parts themselves have a quality level (1–6), and higher-quality mods produce stronger effects. It’s easiest to think of it like the star markings on weapons and armor: now modifier parts have their own “good rolls and bad rolls” too.
What changed
- Quality star display: Many modifier parts now show a quality star. When you get one from a trader or as loot, two mods with the same name can have different performance if their quality differs.
- Effects scale by tier: For example, “magazine extension” type mods give only a slight increase to ammo capacity at low quality, and the increase grows larger the higher the quality—effects improve according to quality. Those numbers are reflected in the tooltip (description) as well.
- Also affects weapon durability: Some mods now also boost the maximum durability (resistance to breaking) of the weapon they’re slotted into, the higher their quality.
- Mods whose odds shift with quality: Among the special-effect modifier parts, some have a higher proc rate the higher their quality (think of it as the likelihood of the effect triggering now depending on quality).
In other words, the big change this time is that it’s no longer “just slot anything and you’re fine”—there’s now real value in searching for, buying, and choosing better-quality mods.
Benefits and things to watch out for
Benefits
- Modifier parts gain a “grow them / collect them” appeal, adding range to how strong your gear ultimately becomes.
- Because the tooltip shows the effect value for each quality, it’s now easier to compare performance before equipping.
Things to watch out for
- Even a mod with the same name has a modest effect if its quality is low. We recommend choosing by looking at the stars (quality) rather than judging by name alone.
- The categorization of modifier parts has been organized more finely than before—things like muzzles and suppressors attached to the tip of the barrel. The slots where they can be equipped may differ slightly from how you pictured it before, so check the slot compatibility when equipping.
- High-quality mods are likely to be harder to come by. Since even low-quality ones are plenty useful early on, you’ll probably raise your quality little by little as you progress through the game.
All in all, V3.0’s modifier parts are an update that lets you refine your gear even further along a new axis: quality. When finishing off your favorite weapons and armor, be sure to pay attention to the stars on your modifier parts as well.
Related: List of V3.0 articles