PUBG: Battlegrounds update 42.3 is now live on PC and console. The patch introduced the RPD and made several changes to other light machine guns.
The update also adjusted shooting from vehicles, refreshed store items and added the Summer Getaway Survivor Pass.
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The RPD uses 7.62 mm ammunition
The RPD deals 43 damage per shot and fires 750 rounds per minute. It begins with a 50-round magazine and can reach 110 rounds with a compatible magazine attachment. Players can attach assault-rifle and light-machine-gun magazines and stocks. The weapon also supports sights up to six-times magnification, but it does not accept a foregrip or muzzle attachment.
The RPD appears as normal world loot on every map. Players can therefore test it without opening a special crate.
Other light machine guns became easier to handle
Reload times for the class were reduced by about 25 percent. Maximum horizontal recoil was reduced by 30 percent, and the sharp vertical jump at the start of sustained fire became softer. These changes begin a new schedule for weapon updates. PUBG plans to give another weapon class a major update about every four months.
The goal is not to make every light machine gun identical. The M249 keeps a higher firing rate and faster bullet speed, while the RPD offers high damage and a controllable pattern.
| RPD feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Ammunition | 7.62 mm |
| Damage per shot | 43 |
| Firing rate | 750 rounds per minute |
| Standard ammunition capacity | 50 rounds |
| Maximum ammunition capacity | 110 rounds |
Firing from a moving vehicle now carries more risk
A player can fire only after leaning fully out of the window.
The animation timing delays the first shot and gives opponents a clearer moment to react. Weapon spread begins with a 10 percent penalty and can reach 20 percent as vehicle speed increases. Accurate fire from a fast car is therefore less reliable.
The passenger should choose between shooting and staying protected. Leaning out too early can expose the player before the driver reaches a safe angle.
Players should test the changes before replacing every weapon
The new numbers make light machine guns more practical, but map position and available ammunition still matter. A large magazine does not replace cover or controlled bursts. The practice area provides a simple way to compare the RPD and M249. Players can use the same distance and attachments to see how each recoil pattern feels.
Update 42.3 is already active. The next weeks will show whether this update creates more variety in normal matches.
The RPD supports a different firing rhythm
A 110-round magazine allows long pressure, but firing the entire magazine without a pause still reveals the player’s position and wastes ammunition. Shorter groups of shots remain easier to control. The weapon’s 7.62 mm ammunition competes with other rifles for space in the backpack. A squad should share available ammunition instead of allowing one player to carry more than can be used.
The RPD is strongest when the player has cover and a clear reason to hold an angle. Moving across open ground with a heavy weapon does not create the same advantage.
Vehicle passengers need earlier communication
The new delay before firing means the driver should warn the passenger before reaching the target area. A sudden turn can waste the short moment after the passenger leans out. The passenger should also call when returning inside. Shared timing helps the driver choose cover and prevents the car from staying exposed only for inaccurate fire.
Squads can practise this timing before a difficult match. A clear warning gives both players time to prepare and reduces shots taken while the vehicle is still turning.
The RPD gives squads another option for sustained fire
The new weapon is designed for longer bursts and pressure on moving targets. Its value is not limited to direct eliminations. A squad can use sustained fire to stop an opponent crossing open ground or to protect a teammate who is changing position.
The wider light machine gun update also changes reload and vehicle use. Players should test the timing before relying on an old routine. A faster reload can create a new safe moment, while the delay for a vehicle passenger requires an earlier warning from the driver.
The best use will depend on position. The RPD is powerful when the user has cover and time to control recoil. It is less comfortable in a sudden close fight where a lighter weapon can aim and move more quickly.
