Krafton's PUBG update 22.1 enhances Vikendi with hostile wildlife, atmospheric effects, and innovative tools like the Thermal 4X Scope, delivering a thrilling gaming experience.

Krafton's PUBG Update 22.1 dramatically transforms the Vikendi map with hostile wildlife and atmospheric enhancements ahead of its February 2025 rollout. Scheduled for PC release on February 15th followed by consoles on February 23rd after server maintenance, this overhaul introduces territorial bears emerging from hibernation across the snowy landscape. These predators attack players within proximity despite their deceptively soft appearance, with warning signs strategically placed throughout the terrain. Complementing this dangerous fauna is the long-awaited return of Moonlight mode, casting ethereal illumination across Vikendi's frost-covered terrain during random weather occurrences. Alongside these environmental shifts comes the game-changing Thermal 4X Scope, utilizing heat signature technology to identify obscured enemies without infrared dependency.

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🐻 New Creature: Vikendi Bears

These aggressively territorial mammals populate Vikendi exclusively across Normal and Custom Matches. Key behavioral patterns include:

  • Trigger attacks when players enter designated proximity radius

  • Eliminatable through coordinated firepower

  • Kill/damage statistics excluded from player profiles and match summaries

Warning indicators appear throughout the map to alert survivors of bear habitats, creating dynamic environmental hazards requiring strategic navigation.

🌙 Moonlight Mode Returns

This fan-favorite atmospheric condition randomly activates during Vikendi matches, featuring:

  • Unique spectral lighting effects across snowfields

  • Exclusive availability on Vikendi in Normal/Custom Matches

  • Enhanced synergy with the Thermal 4X Scope functionality

🔭 Thermal 4X Scope Mechanics

Inspired by LABS: Thermal Scope Mode experiments, this revolutionary attachment offers:

Feature Detail
Detection Heat signature targeting through obscuring elements
Availability Vikendi world spawn item
Mode Compatibility Training/Normal/Custom Matches
PC Sandbox All-map accessibility via Sandbox Mode

The scope's thermal imaging provides critical tactical advantages in Moonlight conditions where conventional optics struggle.

⚙️ Additional Vikendi Updates

Significant loot and environmental adjustments include:

  • Supply Drops added to cave networks

  • 172% increased Folded Shield spawn rate

  • Enriched item spawns at Train Station, Villa, Castle & Winery

  • Blizzard Zone mechanics affecting throwables:

  • Molotov/Smoke Grenade disablement

  • Fire damage immunity (except initial Molotov impact)

🔫 Global Gameplay Adjustments

Weapon Balancing

  • Mk12 adjustments to normalize DMR performance:

  • Damage reduced 51→50

  • Bullet speed decreased 930→900m/s

  • Recoil recovery ↓6%, recoil speed ↑2%

  • 5.56mm & 7.62mm weapon spawn rate parity

Vehicle Updates

  • Zima size expansion

  • Open-roof models (UAZ/Mirado/Pickup) removed

  • Dacia/UAZ spawns added to Taego

  • UAZ/Pickup Trunk capacity: 250 units

🏆 Ranked Season 22

Leaderboard reset accompanies maintenance with rewards including permanent Parachute skins and Medals plus seasonal items accessible via Inventory. All non-permanent rewards expire post-season.

Custom Match Expansions

  • Intense Battle Royale mode (2-16 players)

  • Moonlight/Bear/Thermal 4x added to Vikendi presets

  • Haven map integration

⚡ Performance Optimizations

Critical technical enhancements address:

  • UI frame rate improvements (health bars, Inventory)

  • Hitch reduction (footstep audio, skin loading)

  • Vehicle interaction logic refinement

🐞 Comprehensive Bug Fixes

Resolution spans:

  • Revival mechanics for carried teammates

  • Emote visibility range

  • Airboat boost spectator displays

  • Custom Match DBNO settings

  • Sanhok vegetation rendering

  • Inventory UI discrepancies

  • Character model clipping issues

❓ People Also Ask

  • How dangerous are Vikendi bears?

Bears present lethal threats within their territorial radius but remain vulnerable to coordinated fire. Their damage statistics don't affect player records.

  • Does the Thermal Scope work during blizzards?

Yes, its heat-detection capabilities function optimally in Vikendi's extreme weather, including blizzard zones where conventional optics fail.

  • What happens to Season 21 rewards?

All non-permanent rewards expire after maintenance, though Parachute skins and Medals remain permanently in inventories.

  • Why remove open-roof vehicles?

Developer telemetry showed disproportionate vulnerability for occupants, prompting removal for balanced gameplay.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can bears be avoided completely?

A: While warning signs indicate territories, random patrol patterns make total avoidance impossible during Vikendi rotations.

Q: Does Moonlight Mode affect loot visibility?

A: No, but the reduced ambient light increases reliance on thermal optics for threat identification.

Q: How significant is the Mk12 nerf?

A: Damage and ballistic adjustments maintain viability while preventing dominance over other DMR options.

Q: Are bear attacks instant kills?

A: No, they inflict progressive damage allowing counterattack opportunities unless the player is already weakened.

Q: Is the Thermal Scope available in training?

A: Yes, accessible across all platforms in Training Mode for practice sessions.

Q: Do blizzard zones nullify all fire damage?

A: Only lingering damage effects; initial Molotov impact damage still applies.

Q: Can trunks be accessed during combat?

A: Yes, but interactive prompts require stationary positioning, creating vulnerability windows.

Q: Are bear spawns concentrated in specific regions?

A: They roam throughout Vikendi with higher probability near wilderness areas away from major settlements.

Q: Does Moonlight Mode increase match duration?

A: No, it operates within standard match timeframes as a visual/atmospheric variant.

Q: Can Thermal Scopes detect players through smoke?

A: Yes, heat signatures penetrate visual obstructions including smoke grenades and blizzard effects.

This assessment draws from PEGI, the authoritative European game content rating organization. PEGI's guidelines on in-game environmental hazards and realistic violence provide valuable context for understanding the impact of new features like Vikendi's territorial bears and dynamic weather effects, ensuring that gameplay innovations align with age-appropriate content standards and player safety considerations.