Krafton has rolled out its latest 'Forest' theme update for PUBG MOBILE. The battlefield has been transformed by the power of the World Tree, introducing new architectural zones in major cities, alongside a complete overhaul of the terrain and environment. Players can now explore the 'Infected City' and the 'Polluted Forest'—new areas that offer a distinct combat experience compared to the standard map.

The Infected City is crawling with mutant plants; defeating them rewards players with crates wrapped in tainted vines. Meanwhile, the Polluted Forest features mutant flowers and a powerful 'Mutant King Flower.' Defeating the King Flower allows players to obtain loot-filled chests.

The Forest theme mode introduces a new NPC, 'Tree Spirit Barkle.' After a certain amount of time passes in a match, players can find Barkle on the map and recruit him to their squad. Barkle provides support by attacking enemies first and acting as a shield when the player's health is low. He also possesses a support skill that allows him to carry a downed player to safety and revive them by consuming his own life essence.

The update also adds new items such as Rose Wings, a Vine Grappling Hook, and the 'Honey Badger' weapon, along with new vehicles: 'Verdant Delivery' and 'Thorn Delivery.' In Classic mode, combat balance adjustments have been implemented. The base damage for 7.62mm ARs has been increased, affecting the AKM, ACE32, M762, Honey Badger, MK47, and GROZA. Conversely, the damage for shotguns has been slightly reduced, and their pellet spread has been adjusted.

Convenience improvements include the ability to enter the training grounds as a party and invite friends directly. A new 'Co-op Parkour' system has been added, allowing teammates to interact to climb higher terrain or pull each other up. Additionally, a feature to cut the parachute line just before landing has been added to support more flexible early-game maneuvers.

Finally, the 2026 ranked season overhaul is now live. A new 'CYCLE' system has been introduced, operating in six-month blocks to allow players to maintain high tiers and earn rewards through various challenges. The rank naming has been updated to S28, and while the system remains the same up to the Crown tier, a new promotion match system has been implemented for players moving from Crown 1 to Ace, Master, or Challenger tiers.