The PUBG Mobile 4.0 update nerfed P90's torso damage multiplier from 1.05x to 1.0x in Arena modes, while buffing Vector's base damage from 30 to 31. Vector now leads SMG DPS, UMP45 emerges as the most versatile option, and P90 remains viable for sustained fire scenarios.
July 25 Update Overview: P90 Nerf Details
The Numbers Don't Lie - Here's What Actually Changed
So the 4.0 update finally did what we've all been expecting (or dreading, depending on your P90 addiction level). That torso damage multiplier dropped from 1.05 to 1.0 in Arena modes - seems small, right? Wrong.
This 5% reduction is absolutely brutal in practice. We're talking about going from clean 4-shot kills to awkward 5-shot scenarios against Level 3 armor. In Arena duels, that extra shot might as well be a death sentence. Your opponent gets that crucial window to return fire and potentially turn the tables.
The nerf hits exclusively where it matters most: Team Deathmatch, Ranked Arena, and Domination. Classic Mode players can breathe easy - your beloved P90 remains untouched there.
But here's the kicker - while they were nerfing P90, they quietly buffed Vector's base damage from 30 to 31. That's not just a consolation prize; it's a complete power shift. Vector now sits as P90's direct competitor, offering superior DPS for players who can handle the recoil beast.
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What Else Got Hit in This Balance Massacre?
The P90 nerf wasn't happening in isolation. Assault rifles got some love: SCAR-L jumped from 43 to 44 damage, M762 went 46 to 47, ACE32 climbed 45 to 46, and FAMAS got bumped from 39 to 40. These aren't massive changes, but they're enough to make ARs genuinely competitive against SMGs on those tighter Arena maps.
DMRs? They got absolutely hammered. SKS torso multiplier dropped from 1.3 to 1.05, Mini14 went 1.3 to 1.1, and both SLR and QBU got crushed down to 1.0 from 1.3. Ouch.
This isn't random balancing - it's a calculated attempt to break up the P90 monopoly and force some actual weapon diversity into Arena matches.
Why Tencent Finally Pulled the Trigger
Let's be honest - P90 was absolutely broken after that March 2024 transformation in patch 3.1. Remember when it was just regular ground loot? Then suddenly it became this airdrop monster with built-in suppressor, laser sight, unique 5.7mm ammo, and recoil so low it felt like cheating.
The community complaints were getting loud. Zero recoil, extended SMG range, high damage, rapid fire, 50-round capacity, fast reload - P90 was basically the Swiss Army knife of Arena destruction. It made most other close-to-mid-range weapons feel pointless.
P90 Performance Analysis: The Before and After Reality Check
DPS Numbers That'll Make You Rethink Everything
Pre-nerf P90 was the undisputed Arena king. That 1.05x torso multiplier gave it DPS numbers that made other SMGs look like toys. Now? The math tells a different story.
Vector's sitting pretty with 31 base damage and a fire rate of 0.054 seconds (that's 1,111 RPM for those keeping track). This creates what I like to call the melting effect - enemies just disappear in close quarters when you land your shots. But here's the catch: you need to actually land those shots.
UMP45 maintains its steady 40 base damage with 0.086-second intervals. Not flashy, but reliable as a Swiss watch. Sometimes boring wins games.
Time to Kill Reality Check
Those TTK calculations are brutal for P90 now. We're looking at 15-20% longer kill times against Level 3 armor in body-shot scenarios. That's not just a number - that's the difference between winning and losing duels.
Vector offers the fastest theoretical TTK when you're hitting vital areas, but that 19-round default magazine is unforgiving. Miss a few shots and you're reloading while your opponent is shooting back.
Micro Uzi deserves a mention here with its insane 0.048-second fire rate (1,250 RPM), but 26 base damage means it's really only viable for those panic moments when someone's literally breathing down your neck.
New SMG Hierarchy: Welcome to the Post-P90 World
Tier 1: The New Kings
Vector takes the crown for pure DPS potential
. That 31 base damage combined with ridiculous fire rate creates close-quarters devastation that's honestly scary when you're on the receiving end. But - and this is a big but - you need to master recoil control and manage that tiny magazine. Extended Quickdraw Magazine isn't optional; it's mandatory (bumps you from 19 to 33 rounds).
UMP45 is the people's champion now
. Forty base damage with stability that makes it feel like you're cheating. This weapon excels everywhere without demanding perfection. It's the Honda Civic of SMGs - reliable, efficient, gets the job done.
P90 still deserves respect despite the nerfs. That built-in suppressor and laser sight give you immediate advantages, and 50 rounds means you can handle multiple opponents without sweating reloads. Perfect for those squad-wipe moments that make great clips.
Tier 2: The Solid Alternatives
Thompson SMG brings 39 base damage with 0.092-second fire rate, putting it in direct competition with UMP45. That 50-round magazine gives you P90-level sustainability, making it a strong early-game pickup with decent attachment flexibility.
PP-19 Bizon is the magazine monster with 53 rounds by default. Thirty-six base damage with high fire rate creates respectable DPS, and that massive magazine lets you suppress multiple angles without thinking twice. Low recoil makes it beginner-friendly too.
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Tier 3: The Specialists
Micro Uzi fills a very specific niche with that 1,250 RPM fire rate. When someone's literally in your face, this thing creates a bullet storm that overwhelms opponents. But step back even a few meters and that 26 base damage becomes a liability.
DBS shotgun isn't technically an SMG, but it competes in ultra-close quarters with devastating two-shot burst potential. Fourteen shells give you staying power, and it's perfect for aggressive entry-fragging when you know exactly where enemies are hiding.
Head-to-Head: Vector vs P90 in the New Meta
Vector's all about that aggressive 1v1 dominance. Superior DPS means quick eliminations when you're skilled enough to handle the recoil and smart enough to position correctly. You absolutely must master those recoil patterns and prioritize extended magazine attachments.
P90's strength lies in forgiveness and sustainability. Those built-in attachments eliminate setup time, and 50 rounds mean you can engage multiple targets without panic reloading. The low recoil provides a safety net for average players, though the damage nerf means you can't afford to be sloppy with accuracy anymore.
UMP45: The Dark Horse Rising
Here's what's interesting about UMP45's sudden meta relevance - it's not flashy, but it's incredibly consistent. That 40 base damage provides serious stopping power with recoil that's manageable for sustained fire. You can engage at multiple ranges without feeling handicapped.
The attachment versatility is huge in Arena. Suppressors enhance stealth plays, laser sights improve hip-fire accuracy, and compensators with grips stabilize already excellent recoil patterns. It's the Swiss Army knife P90 used to be.
Arena Strategy: Adapting to the New Reality
Loadout Philosophy Post-Update
Aggressive entry-fraggers should embrace Vector loadouts, but this demands exceptional positioning skills and quick decision-making. You're leveraging massive advantages while minimizing reload exposure - high risk, high reward gameplay.
Versatile players will find success with UMP45-centered builds that provide consistent cross-range performance. Those balanced characteristics enable tactical adaptation without significant performance penalties.
Map-Specific Weapon Selection
Tight maps like Warehouse absolutely favor Vector's superior TTK. In confined spaces where you can maintain positioning advantages and recoil becomes less critical, Vector's devastating close-range performance shines.
Medium-range maps like Town and Hangar benefit from UMP45's superior stability at extended distances. Those balanced characteristics enable effective engagement across the varied sight lines these maps present.
The Numbers Game: Updated Performance Metrics
DPS Rankings That Matter
Vector hits approximately 574 damage per second under optimal conditions - significantly exceeding other SMG options when all shots connect. But here's the reality check: theoretical maximum requires perfect accuracy and recoil control. Practical DPS for most players will be lower.
UMP45 achieves steady 465 damage per second without Vector's demanding requirements. That consistent performance attracts players who prioritize dependable results over theoretical maximums.
Post-nerf P90 drops to approximately 520 damage per second on body shots. That's a significant reduction from its previous dominance, but large magazine and sustained fire capabilities often enable practical DPS that exceeds theoretical calculations.
Recoil Patterns: What You're Actually Dealing With
Vector's recoil is honestly intimidating - intense vertical climb with significant horizontal deviation. You need extensive practice and precise muscle memory for effective spray control, especially during extended engagements where recoil accumulation becomes problematic.
UMP45 recoil is refreshingly manageable. Predictable vertical climb with minimal horizontal deviation means you can develop effective spray control without dedicating your life to practice mode.
Community Reaction: The Good, Bad, and Ugly
What Players Are Actually Saying
Community response has been... mixed, to put it diplomatically. Competitive players are celebrating the balance changes while casual players are expressing frustration over their beloved P90 getting nerfed. Forum discussions show genuine appreciation for increased weapon diversity and more dynamic Arena matches.
The positive feedback centers on improved match variety and reduced P90 dominance frustration. Players report more engaging encounters with diverse weapon selections, creating dynamic gameplay scenarios that were rare when P90 dominated everything.
Updated Community Tier Lists
Community tier lists are reflecting this new SMG hierarchy with Vector and UMP45 sharing top-tier status. GameLeap rankings place Vector first for pure DPS potential while acknowledging UMP45's superior accessibility and consistency.
Mid-tier weapons are getting increased attention as the meta diversifies. Thompson SMG and PP-19 Bizon are gaining recognition as genuinely viable alternatives rather than consolation prizes.
Optimal Loadouts for the New Arena Meta
Aggressive Playstyle Builds
Aggressive players benefit from Vector-centered loadouts that maximize close-quarters dominance. Essential attachments: Extended Quickdraw Magazine, Compensator, and Vertical Foregrip. Secondary weapons like SCAR-L or M416 provide medium-range coverage when Vector's limitations become apparent.
Utility selection should emphasize positioning enhancement through smoke grenades and flashbangs, creating controlled engagement scenarios that favor Vector's strengths.
Defensive Strategy Weapons
Defensive players find success with UMP45 loadouts emphasizing versatility and sustained performance. Suppressor attachments enhance stealth capabilities while compensators improve sustained fire accuracy for angle-holding.
DMR or assault rifle secondaries excel at medium-long ranges. Mini14 or SLR provide excellent defensive capabilities, while M762 offers versatile cross-range performance that adapts to changing situations.
FAQ
How much damage did the P90 actually lose in the July 25 update? P90's torso damage multiplier dropped from 1.05x to 1.0x in Arena modes - that's a 5% body-shot damage reduction. This significantly impacts Time-to-Kill, often requiring additional shots against armored opponents. The nerf only affects Arena modes; Classic Mode remains unchanged.
What's the best SMG in Arena after the P90 nerf? Vector leads with 31 base damage and 1,111 RPM, providing highest theoretical DPS for close-quarters combat. UMP45 offers superior accessibility with 40 base damage and excellent stability. Your choice depends on skill level - Vector favors aggressive specialists, UMP45 suits versatile players.
Is P90 still worth using in Arena mode? Absolutely. P90 remains highly viable thanks to built-in suppressor/laser sight providing immediate advantages and 50-round magazine enabling sustained engagements. It excels in squad-wipe situations and suppression tactics, though you'll need improved accuracy to compensate for reduced body-shot damage.
Which SMG has the highest DPS now? Vector achieves highest theoretical DPS at approximately 574 damage per second under optimal conditions. That combination of 31 base damage and 0.054-second fire rate creates devastating close-quarters performance when all shots connect. Extended magazine attachments are essential for maintaining this performance.
How did the July 25 update change Arena meta beyond SMGs? The update included assault rifle buffs (SCAR-L, M762, ACE32, FAMAS) and DMR nerfs (SKS, Mini14, SLR, QBU). These changes increased weapon diversity by making ARs competitive in close-range scenarios while reducing DMR body-shot effectiveness.
What are the best P90 alternatives for Arena? Vector and UMP45 serve as primary alternatives. Vector provides superior DPS for skilled players who master recoil control. UMP45 offers excellent balance and accessibility with reliable cross-range performance. Thompson SMG and PP-19 Bizon provide large magazine alternatives for sustained fire scenarios.