Will CoD Black Ops 7 Season 5 Quietly Killing Off Endgame Mode? The Free Trial Is Ending Soon!

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• CoD BO7 Season 05 Ultimate Roadmap Details Revealed: New Maps, Gameplay, Gear, and More Are Waiting for You!

  After much anticipation and speculation, Black Ops 7 Season 5, confirmed to launch on July 23 at 9:00 AM PT, revealed further details on the 13th. Now is the time to start preparing and get hyped for the new season!

  Below, we break down the new gameplay mechanics and gear available across various BO7 modes. Pay close attention to these details so you don't fall behind when the new season kicks off!

  

  Endgame Updates

  As a key PvE mode, CoD BO7 Endgame was free to play at launch, but this perk ends when Season 5 concludes. If you and your teammates want to keep playing this mode and retain your achievements, you should permanently unlock it as soon as possible.

  Additionally, Season 6 introduces a new mode called Burn Run. Blending racing with parkour elements, it tasks you with driving a bomb-rigged vehicle along a set route; you must overcome obstacles to extend the bomb's countdown timer and safely reach the finish line.

  Regarding standard Endgame combat, Season 5 introduces new Exotic Ability Boosts, found in Nightmare Zones or Zone IV, that grant your abilities unique new effects.

  If you want to master these boosts and maximize their combat effectiveness, the best option is to buy IGGM Black Ops 7 Bot Lobbies, so that you can practice in a more controlled environment against AI opponents.

  Multiplayer Mode Updates

  If you thrive on the sense of accomplishment that comes from combat, you're in luck! BO7 Season 5 Multiplayer ranked mode offers a wealth of tier-based rewards that are sure to satisfy you.

  Furthermore, CoD Black Ops 7 will roll out multiple new maps and mini-modes in phases throughout Season 5.

  Season 5 Launch

  At the start of the season, the game will debut Jubilee, a medium-sized map themed around the Japanese countryside. Featuring a mix of gardens and traditional Japanese architecture, it serves as an excellent setting for firefights.

  Another medium-sized map, Frequency, will transport you deep into the mountains of Hunan. This map blends rugged natural terrain with complex industrial structures; beyond just the enemy, you must watch out for cliffs and pipes that pose a constant risk of falling.

  Dig, a small-scale map, is set at the archaeological excavation site familiar from Avalon; you can use historical relics as cover and devise unique tactics around them.

  As for the new modes launching early in the season, both Overdrive Domination and Gauntlet Rush feature a lightning-fast combat pace.

  The former focuses on earning stars by completing specific objectives and then redeeming the subsequent rewards, while the latter requires you to defeat enemies to gain buffs and ensure your continued survival.

  Season 5 Reloaded

  This phase introduces Turbo Tilt, a compact map. It creatively transforms Nuketown Turbo Era Rampage pinball machine into a dynamic environment where you and your teammates can shrink down to explore its interior.

  Another new map is Freerun: Descent, designed as an obstacle course where you can hone your movement skills at designated training stations.

  The new mode arriving in this phase is Cranked Moshpit. Once the match begins, you must eliminate an enemy to start the timer and keep it running by securing continuous kills; if the timer hits zero, you die.

  Zombies Mode Updates

  At the launch of CoD BO7 Season 5, Zombies mode will debut a new survival map, Eidskallen Lighthouse, offering rewards based on how many waves you survive.

  Additionally, Kowakujo main quest will receive a new Directed Mode and a Starting Room variant. The former requires completing specific steps and rounds, while the latter tests your ability to scavenge for survival resources, the longer you last, the greater the rewards.

  Another feature launching early in Season 5 is the integration of Astra Malorum into Rogue Run mode. You can choose between Casual, Normal, and Hardcore difficulties, earning rewards based on the number of rounds survived in each.

  Come mid-season, Black Ops 7 will update Zombies mode with the final story chapter and reintroduce additional usable gear. Further details are expected to be revealed closer to the update's release.

  

  Warzone Updates

  First, much like in Multiplayer, Warzone will launch Ranked Play in Season 5, allowing you to climb the ranks and unlock rewards through your own performance. Ranked Play map rotation includes Rebirth Island, Fortune's Keep, and Haven's Hollow.

  Additionally, following Season 5 launch, Warzone will introduce a new drone-base-themed POI in Verdansk; you are free to explore the area or practice your drone piloting skills in designated zones.

  More new Warzone gameplay elements and features will roll out across two phases, launch and mid-season, including:

  Season 5 Launch:

  • Limited-Time Mode: Lockdown Casual
  • New Items: Juggernaut Armor, Supply Drones, and HKDs Killstreak

  Season 5 Reloaded:

  • Limited-Time Mode: Heavy Metal Heroes
  • New Items: Quickdrop Kit and Special Delivery Drone

  More new content

  Beyond the items serving as rewards within various CoD Black Ops 7 modes, Season 5 brings a host of extra gear. You can unlock these items through Season 5 Battle Pass, weekly challenges, and daily events, such as:

  • FG42 Assault Rifle and associated camos
  • Gremlin SMG and associated camos
  • Mammoth LMG and associated camos
  • Mace Melee Weapon and associated camos
  • MFS Ambilateral Stock
  • 9" MFS Cestus Barrel
  • 14" MFS Cascade Barrel
  • Jäger 45 Grid-Breaker Kit
  • M34 Novaline Garand Conversion
  • EAM IR-VIZ Thermal Reflex

  Furthermore, this year marks the 30th anniversary of Call of Duty franchise's development studio; consequently, Black Ops 7 will host special celebratory events during Season 5. Simply log in and play daily during this period to earn a variety of rewards!

  That wraps up our comprehensive breakdown of CoD Black Ops 7 Season 5 roadmap. With the new season launching in just one week, don't forget to finish up any remaining Season 4 tasks!

• CoD Black Ops 7 Season 5 Release Date and Preview | Final Regular Season before Halloween

  The Season 4 of CoD Black Ops 7 is expected to wrap up by the end of July, and immediately after that, we will start hearing about Season 5 and the promotional rollout for Modern Warfare 4.

  Following the usual pattern, Season 6 tends to revolve around Halloween themes and various crossover events, which effectively makes Season 5 the last regular season for Black Ops 7. Let us take a closer look at its projected release timeline and what it will bring.

  

  Black Ops 7 Season 5 Release Date

  Based on the in-game Battle Pass timer, the season is scheduled to go live on Thursday, July 23, at 9:00 AM PT (11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET). The pre-load for Season 5 should become available no later than July 21.

  Looking back at the marketing rhythm of previous seasons, the studio typically puts out a blog post and a roadmap about one week ahead of the launch, which would place that around July 16.

  In addition, Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 will take place from July 16 through July 19 at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Modern Warfare 4 will offer public playable demos there, so players might get an early look at gameplay demonstrations of the new mechanics.

  Also, Call of Duty League Championship Weekend falls on the same dates - July 16 to 19. The studio could choose to overlap all these events and synchronise Season 5 promotion within that same week, or it might follow the approach from Season 4, where the blog and roadmap only appeared a few days before the season went live.

  Multiplayer Content

  During a developer interview in Season 3, the studio confirmed that either Arsenal or Frequency would be returning to Black Ops 7.

  Since neither map showed up in Season 4, they will most likely arrive in Season 5. After all, the final season of a Call of Duty title usually introduces only one or two new maps, and those are often reskinned Halloween variants rather than pure remasters. Thus, Season 5 represents the last window for these two classics to make their comeback.

  Beyond the returning maps, we can expect one or two permanent modes and a large number of LTMs either in Season 5 or during Season 5 Reloaded update.

  

  Endgame

  Story

  The end-of-season cinematic for Season 4 will bring the entire story of CoD BO7 to a close. The studio has confirmed that the final Endgame sequence, together with Season 4 opening cutscene, marks the beginning of the end for Black Ops 7 story.

  From Season 5 onward, there will be no further narrative content. Usually, post-launch storylines extend through the final season, but this time they have concluded at the end of Season 4. That means Season 5 is unlikely to offer any new story developments.

  While Season 6 will feature plenty of cutscenes and crossover promos, those typically do not carry substantive narrative weight. CoD Black Ops Cold War was an exception, as it successfully wove six seasons of post-launch storytelling together, but Black Ops 7 clearly is not taking that route.

  Therefore, any new operator included in Season 5 Battle Pass will probably be an original character unrelated to the plot, or it might follow the approach seen late in Vanguard's lifecycle, where a random character was inserted just to drive pass sales.

  Endgame Mode

  Season 5 will not add any new Campaign Missions, story chapters, or Glitch Fracture content. However, Endgame mode still has plenty of other material to offer. Season 5 is set to end around mid-September, so you will be able to enjoy Endgame for free throughout the entire summer. After that, accessing it will require owning the base Black Ops 7 game.

  The studio might introduce limited-time world events into Endgame through some crossover activity, or add bosses and events on the map that are not tied to Black Ops 7 storyline.

  Zombies Mode

  Survival Maps: Lighthouse and Castle

  According to leaks, Season 5 will include two survival maps: one is Lighthouse from Totenreich, and the other is Castle from Kawakujo. Both areas have distinctive features - Lighthouse offers ample holding spots and a Vending Machine, while Castle's vertical terrain makes for engaging gameplay.

  That said, these are still only leaks, and there is no guarantee they will appear in Season 5. The studio might also hold them back.

  DLC 5

  DLC 5 represents the final chapter for Black Ops 7 Zombies, featuring the last large round-based map. The studio has already confirmed that it will arrive with Season 5 Reloaded update, expected around the end of August.

  Since Modern Warfare 4 will not include a Zombies mode, this final map in Black Ops 7 will be the last brand-new Zombies experience that players will see for the next one to two years.

  At the same time, fans may finally see Widow's Wine Perk-a-Cola make its appearance. This perk has been leaked for over a year, and DLC 5 is its final opportunity to appear within the game's lifecycle.

  Rogue Run

  The studio has confirmed that Rogue Run in Black Ops 7 Zombies will be added as a permanent feature. If the player data for Rogue Run debut in Season 4 proves strong, the developers might add more maps, explorable areas, bosses, and rewards for it in the future.

  Warzone

  On Warzone side, we can expect the usual batch of new Ranked Play rewards and fresh win streak camos. Overall, however, Season 5 will not focus heavily on Warzone; it may not introduce any new permanent modes, though you can look forward to more in Season 6.

  These are all the known details so far regarding Season 5 content update for Black Ops 7. Keep in mind that the season is actually not far off, given that Season 4 itself is relatively short. The studio will release more information throughout July, so let us stay tuned for further announcements.

  ---

  If your character cannot complete the progress and obtain the respective camouflage rewards before the end of CoD Black Ops 7 Season 4, you can buy CoD Black Ops 7 Bot Lobbies from IGGM. This will help you complete various challenges more easily and claim the rewards.

• CoD Black Ops 7 Season 4 Reloaded Meta: 5 Best Gun Loadouts after Weapon Buffs & Nerfs

  Players, the weapon buffs and nerfs in Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Season 4 Reloaded have significantly changed CoD BO7 combat environment.

  Based on the changes to weapon strength in CoD BO7 Season 4 Reloaded, here are five of the most worthwhile top-tier weapon builds to help you quickly adapt to the environment and control the battlefield:

  • AN-94
  • REV-46
  • Maddox RFB
  • MPC-25
  • DS20 Mirage

  AN-94

  As a new weapon added in Season 4 Reloaded, especially after Voyak KT-3 was nerfed, AN-94 has undeniably become the strongest assault rifle in Season 4 Reloaded, and arguably the best weapon in the entire game.

  First, we'll equip AN-94 with a basic Suppressor.

  For the barrel, we'll choose a 16-inch model, increasing both damage range and bullet velocity, making AN-94 even more powerful in mid-to-long-range engagements. We'll use a 40-round extended magazine to ensure less frequent reloading during continuous engagements.

  It's worth noting that AN-94's default aiming speed is not ideal, so we must choose a suitable rear grip.

  For the stock, we'll use a Redwell Austral Stock to improve the speed of scope movement. Combined with the game's powerful aim assist mechanics, this makes it difficult for opponents to pinpoint our location.

  This build doesn't require any recoil control attachments because AN-94's actual recoil is negligible; the muzzle shake seen during firing is more of a visual sway than actual bullet trajectory deviation.

  

  REV-46

  REV-46 is arguably the weapon that benefited most from Season 4 Reloaded, as the development team significantly improved its overall damage output, especially within its effective range.

  Furthermore, its long-range headshot damage multiplier has been increased, further enhancing its already considerable combat power.

  However, REV-46's default iron sights have poor view range, so we can start by equipping it with FANG HoverPoint ELO as a base attachment.

  Considering REV-46's top-tier rate of fire in BO7, recoil control will be a core consideration in our build.

  Hawker Series 45 muzzle brake significantly reduces vertical recoil, while Sapper Guard Handstop provides horizontal recoil control and slightly improves mobility, making this light machine gun feel lighter and smoother to handle.

  Players usually don't need to use a second extended magazine, but the 55-round extended magazine is indeed necessary on REV-46 in CoD BO7 Season 4 Reloaded.

  Furthermore, REV-46's Folding Stock requires players to manually extend it by pressing the left arrow key after each respawn. Extending it significantly improves aiming and movement speed, but many players often forget this step, fighting the entire match with the stock extended, wasting the huge advantage of this attachment.

  Maddox RFB

  Maddox RFB has consistently ranked among the top weapons since Season 1. In Season 4 Reloaded, the development team lowered the recoil control barrier and reverted some of the previously excessively nerfed damage range, making Maddox RFB competitive again.

  For Maddox RFB's optics, FANG HoverPoint ELO is still the preferred choice, utilizing its recoil stabilization effect. A compensator is used for the muzzle device to specifically suppress vertical recoil, with immediate results.

  For underarm attachments, Vast Drift Lock foregrip provides significant horizontal recoil control, complementing the vertical muzzle control, making this high-rate-of-fire assault rifle virtually stationary during continuous fire.

  Maddox RFB paired with a 50-round extended magazine ensures that players don't need to rush reloading before taking down multiple enemies. Quickdraw Grip is also an essential attachment for making Maddox RFB's aiming speed even faster and more responsive.

  The stock is chosen with a Rout Stride Stock to further enhance the highly valued attribute of scope-raising movement speed, and the recoil spring further solidifies recoil control.

  After CoD BO7 Season 4 Reloaded adjustments, Maddox RFB is significantly easier to use, and its suppressive power in actual combat has been fully restored!

  MPC-25

  Although MPC-25 didn't receive any direct changes this time, its performance was already powerful enough to maintain its place among the top weapons without a doubt.

  Long Barrel attachment is banned in ranked matches due to its overwhelming strength, so we can use it in regular matches.

  All attachments are icing on the cake, and MPC-25 will firmly hold its place in the Top 5 weapons.

  DS20 Mirage

  Frankly, DS20 Mirage is severely underestimated by players because it's almost never seen in actual combat.

  But in reality, DS20 Mirage's true strength absolutely deserves its place among the top weapons.

  For optics, it uses a basic ELO scope, and the muzzle is fitted with a Redwell 5.56 Compensator for vertical recoil control. The barrel is a 16" Redwell JX-201 Barrel, which improves both DS20 Mirage's damage range and bullet velocity.

  Overall, DS20 Mirage's build strategy is similar to AN-94; the weapon's base stats are already excellent, and there's no need to pile on numerous attachments to compensate for any weaknesses.

  If used well, DS20 Mirage could definitely be a dark horse in CoD BO7 Season 4 Reloaded.

  ---

  Alternatively, you can buy CoD Black Ops 7 bot lobbies at IGGM.com, allowing you to easily upgrade these recommended top-tier weapons!

  Hopefully, these five top-tier builds in Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Season 4 Reloaded bring you good luck!

• CoD Black Ops 7 Season 4 Reloaded New Map, Modes and Rewards Preview | Nicolas Cage Becomes an Operator

  CoD Black Ops 7 Season 4 Reloaded goes live on June 25, and the official team has already released a detailed roadmap for the update, with substantial additions coming to both Zombies and Warzone modes.

  Beyond that, this mid-season patch features a particularly unusual crossover event, as Nicolas Cage joins the roster as an operator. Call of Duty series usually ties its collaborations to a specific franchise, so Cage’s inclusion stands out as something genuinely different.

  All in all, a flood of activities is heading our way, and since you probably have no desire to wade through lengthy patch notes, let us break down the most important highlights of Season 4 Reloaded.

  

  Endgame: Act IV – Operation King Killer (Launch)

  Endgame enters its fourth chapter, Operation King Killer, which also marks the final operation for this mode. As Endgame storyline reaches its conclusion, this update brings the last batch of Glitch content. That does not mean, however, that Season 5 will offer nothing for the mode, though the official channels have not yet clarified what comes after.

  On the narrative front, Act III saw Guild successfully counter JSOC’s attempt to deploy a virus into Guild network, but that counterattack exposed Guild itself. Now players must collect Command Data across the entire Avalon region, locate its source, and destroy it.

  The first mission of Chapter IV requires players to enter Tier 3 or higher zones, similar to the setup in Chapter II. Completing various objectives unlocks new rewards, while additional CR bonuses further enhance operator capabilities. These rewards include weapon blueprints, XP tokens, and cosmetic items.

  To cope with the new challenges, Endgame also adds Guardian skill tree, along with the new Nightmare Skill and a throwable called Psych Grenade.

  Endgame mode will remain free to access until the end of Season 5. Season 5 may still deliver some extra content, but the free-to-play period will likely end around the start of Season 6.

  Multiplayer Updates

  New Maps

  Two new maps join the rotation: Zenith and Launch. Zenith is a brand-new 6v6 map set in a cliffside luxury estate.

  Launch is a remastered classic from the original Black Ops, and although Black Ops 4 previously offered a nighttime variant, this version returns to the daytime setting of Black Ops 1 original.

  New Modes

  Season 4 Reloaded introduces two fresh modes. Team Blueprint Sharpshooter is a party-style 6v6 mode with enhanced scorestreak rewards, where players’ weapon blueprints rotate on a regular schedule. Knife Fight, on the other hand, is a 2v2 mode restricted to melee weapons only.

  On a positive note, Black Ops Classic mode has proven so popular that it is becoming a permanent fixture, and four additional classic maps are being added to its rotation:

  • Launch (Black Ops)
  • Fringe (Black Ops 3)
  • Hacienda (Black Ops 4)
  • Gridlock (Black Ops 4)

  Zombies: Kowakujō

  As the squad members discover and make contact with Dark Ether, the catastrophic consequences for the real world begin to unfold. In this update, the team must rescue the last Shado Smith and retrieve the mysterious World Seed.

  The new map, Kowakujō, is set in a burning castle. The squad escapes in time and lands in Outer World, where they must explore the flaming fortress, fend off hordes of zombies within, and free both Takeo’s soul and a Shadowsmith.

  Players will face a new enemy type on this map: Oni. Although the official Twitter account previously teased it, it is still unclear whether Oni is classified as a Special or an Elite enemy.

  Hell Hounds and Scorch Zombies - both fire-based foes - make a return. They are not especially troublesome, but you will want to keep your distance from them. Maintain space and use your weapons to tear apart their bodies.

  Map-Specific Mechanics

  Weapons are not the only answer to the swarming horde. Once the power is turned on, you can activate Ghostly Rifleman Trap, which summons the undead spirits of long-departed riflemen from the castle to provide covering fire.

  Rivers of Fire in Kowakujō are not mere decoration; they deal damage to anything that touches them. You will need to carefully avoid these hazardous areas, but you can also use them strategically against your enemies.

  Wonder Weapon

  The identity of this update’s Wonder Weapon has not been disclosed. The official blog post completely blacked out that section, a move that is extremely rare in Black Ops history - at least, neither Black Ops 6 nor Black Ops 7 has ever done so before. Players will have to discover its true form for themselves after the mid-season patch goes live.

  This update also introduces tier-three Pack-a-Punch camos, all of which feature animated effects. After completing the corresponding kill challenges, they can be unlocked for general use across other round-based Zombies maps.

  GobbleGum and Mystery Box Weapons

  Hellping Hound GobbleGum lets you summon a Hellping Hound to tear into enemies in standard Zombies mode, whereas in Dead Ops Arcade (the top-down arcade mini-game) you can call in three of them.

  PPSh-41 SMG has been confirmed as a new Ultra Rarity Mystery Box weapon in Black Ops 7, with stats approaching Wonder Weapon level. It is not yet known whether this weapon is exclusive to the new map.

  Warzone

  Rebirth Island receives a summer-themed makeover, and several new modes as well as classic ones become available.

  Squad Gun Game

  Squad Gun Game rotates across Rebirth Island, Haven’s Hollow, and Fortune’s Keep. Thirty players are split into ten squads, battling across the map. Eliminate enemies to upgrade your weapon.

  The first squad to complete all weapon rotations wins. Players have unlimited ammunition, and eliminated players respawn after ten seconds. The gas circle does not shrink but instead moves around the map. This mode is designed to encourage aggressive, kill-oriented play.

  Buy Back Quads Mode

  This is a limited-time mode running from July 9 through July 13. A total of 152 players drop into the same map, so competition is extremely intense.

  Champion’s Quest

  Champion’s Quest returns with a more generous reward structure, going beyond the standard contract rewards for five consecutive victories. This update offers top-tier players additional unlockable content.

  Season 4 Reloaded Events

  Nicolas Cage Pass

  Season 4 Reloaded event pass comes with both a Free and a Premium Track. Free-track rewards include "Opportunist" Samuels Operator Skin, "Hired Muscle" Grimm Operator Skin, and two new weapons: Executioner’s Duet (melee) and AN-94 assault rifle.

  "Unlimited" Nick Cage Operator Skin appears as the final reward on Premium Track, which costs 1,100 COD Points.

  The event pass is experience-driven, so it is advisable to activate XP tokens and join longer objective-based matches to level up quickly. Players who own Black Cell variant receive an additional XP bonus.

  If you complete the free track early and later unlock Premium Track, all corresponding rewards will be unlocked retroactively.

  You can buy CoD Black Ops 7 bot lobbies at IGGM to complete Season 4 Reloaded challenges faster and accelerate your Battle Pass progression.

  Summer of Action Daily Login Rewards

  Logging in for a set number of consecutive days grants Tier Skips, XP Tokens, and "Catharsis" X9 Maverick Assault Rifle Weapon Blueprint, among other rewards. This event lasts for roughly a week or more.

  Kowakujō Leaderboard Event

  Kowakujō Leaderboard Event offers camos and candy as rewards. Based on player feedback, the leaderboard system has been reworked.

  Leaderboards reset every three hours, allowing players to participate multiple times during the week-long event. Once a player achieves first place, they will no longer be eligible for subsequent leaderboard rounds. As long as you improve on your previous performance, you can earn higher-tier rewards.

  In addition, Ranked Multiplayer and Ranked Warzone will each host their own leaderboard events, with rewards distributed according to division rankings.

  That wraps up all the major content coming in Black Ops 7 and Warzone with Season 4 Reloaded update. The download size is roughly 35 GB, so if you want to jump in as soon as possible, you can pre-load the patch ahead of time.

• Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Season 4 New Weapon VX Compact Attachment Setup Crafting: How to maximize its mid-to-long range combat effect?

  Among the wealth of new content added in CoD BO7 Season 4 are four new weapons. While KRS-7.62 and CBRS-3 are unlocked via the battle pass and Grimhawk is a weekly challenge reward, VX Compact requires you to complete a specific event: Illicit Cargo.

  This event began on June 11 and runs until June 25. Since the event is already halfway through, VX Compact should be your priority among the four new weapons, especially if you lack a weapon that excels at medium range.

  Here, we'll briefly cover how to obtain VX Compact, its unique advantages at medium range, and the best attachment setup for it.

  

  How to unlock VX Compact?

  Limited-time event Illicit Cargo associated with this assault rifle assigns nine tasks across four major game modes, respectively. Completing all tasks in any single mode unlocks both a standard and an animated camo.

  If you complete all 36 tasks, you'll also unlock the remastered Cherry Fizz animated camo. However, if your goal is simply to acquire VX Compact, you only need to complete the nine weapon class challenges found within the event.

  To save time and clear these tasks efficiently, the best approach is to buy Black Ops 7 Bot Lobbies on IGGM. Bot movement patterns are predictable, allowing you to hit various kill objectives much faster.

  Alternatively, if your budget allows, you can unlock the weapon by unlocking VX Compact blueprint from the in-game store. Note that once Season 4 ends, VX Compact will probably only be obtainable via the armory challenges.

  VX compact: basic stats and performance

  This weapon boasts the fastest fire rate of any BO7 assault rifle, clocking in at 1,034 rounds per minute, with a typical time-to-kill (TTK) requiring 6 to 8 shots.

  This results in a close-range TTK of 290 milliseconds, a figure that falls below the average for assault rifles. However, it is not the slowest-killing assault rifle in the game.

  Most importantly, the gun retains its 6-shot kill capability even within the second damage range bracket. At longer ranges, provided your aim is precise, its TTK actually outperforms the average assault rifle.

  In other words, it only falls slightly short at close range, precisely where other assault rifles excel. Consequently, you can confidently use VX Compact for mid-range engagements and switch to a different weapon when moving into close-quarters combat.

  Unfortunately, however, VX Compact offers lackluster rewards for headshots. You need to land 3 to 4 headshots, combined with body shots, to reduce the total number of rounds required for a kill.

  Even with a damage-boosting barrel equipped, it still takes 2 to 3 headshots to achieve the same result. Therefore, unless you are grinding for a specific camo challenge, aiming for the torso is generally more effective when using VX Compact.

  Regarding range performance, the weapon retains its 6-shot kill capability well into the second damage drop-off zone; it maintains a 290ms TTK out to 36 meters, a performance that compares favorably to most other assault rifles.

  In short, the gun's true strength lies in mid-to-long-range engagements. That said, it isn't useless at close range, it simply suffers a slight disadvantage in raw firepower compared to other assault rifles.

  Best VX Compact attachment setup

  The weapon features nine attachment slots, including optic, muzzle, barrel, underbarrel, and more, though not all of them significantly boost VX Compact's performance.

  Starting with the barrel: equipping Long Barrel increases the damage range by 45%. This extends the 6-shot kill range (with its 290ms TTK) to 52 meters, further bolstering its potency at medium-to-long ranges.

  Other options include Hybrid Barrel, which boosts both range and muzzle velocity by 20%, and Damage Barrel, which extends the one-shot-headshot range into the second damage zone.

  In terms of hip-fire performance, VX Compact sits at an average level for the assault rifle class. In fact, given its extremely high fire rate, its hip-fire performance actually surpasses that of many other assault rifles, as the rapid fire helps mitigate the impact of missed shots.

  Furthermore, thanks to its fire rate, VX Compact boasts excellent recoil characteristics: minimal kick and easy control. This makes it a highly accurate weapon, further highlighting its advantages in medium-to-long-range combat.

  However, a major drawback of VX Compact is its default magazine capacity of just 25 rounds; given its high fire rate, ammunition is depleted very quickly.

  Consequently, equipping a magazine attachment is essential. A standard Fast Mag reduces reload times without sacrificing capacity, though various extended magazine options are also worth trying.

  It is also worth noting that if you max out the weapon's level and prestige it twice, you can enter Weapon Prestige Master level and equip exclusive prestige attachments.

  For VX Compact, Black Ops 7 Prestige Magazine offers increased capacity and faster reload speeds. Additionally, it reportedly improves bullet spread and enhances recoil stability.

  To round out your VX Compact build, you can equip Gunfighter Wildcard, FANG HoverPoint ELO, Redwell Shade-X Suppressor, and VAS Convergence Foregrip.

  Compared to the base configuration, VX Compact now offers significantly improved accuracy. While its handling stats aren't exceptional, this setup isn't designed for hyper-aggressive playstyles; instead, it aims to leverage VX Compact's strengths at longer engagement ranges.

  If VX Compact's performance appeals to you, jump into the event to unlock it and upgrade it using our recommended build! It's sure to be a reliable asset in your CoD Black Ops 7 experience!

• CoD Black Ops 7 Season 4 Illicit Cargo Guide | Tips for Multiplayer, Zombies, Endgame, and Warzone

  The long awaited camouflage event, CoD BO7 Season 4's Illicit Cargo, has finally arrived. Its ultimate reward is a remastered version of Cherry Fizz camo, and it serves as a direct follow up to Season 2 Escalation Directive event.

  To complete Illicit Cargo Camo Event efficiently, you should team up with a few friends, especially in modes like Endgame. Working together greatly reduces the risk of being eliminated and helps you finish various challenges much faster. Below is detailed information and challenges for Illicit Cargo event.

  

  Event Overview

  Illicit Cargo camo event is a limited-time event for CoD Black Ops 7 Season 4. Its start and end times are as follows:

  • Start: June 11, 2026, 10:00 AM PST.
  • End: June 25, 2026, 10:00 AM PST.

  Rewards include a brand new VX Compact assault rifle, several nostalgic camos paying tribute to Black Ops 3, and the final reward is the remastered classic Cherry Fizz animated camo.

  To participate, you need to complete weapon specific challenges across four major modes: Multiplayer, Zombies, Endgame, and Warzone. Each mode has its own set of challenges for different weapon categories, and completing them unlocks respective rewards and the final camo.

  Endgame Mode Challenge Guide

  • Assault Rifles: 300 kills (Rare or higher quality)
  • Submachine Guns: 200 kills (against Zone III or higher tier enemies)
  • Shotguns: 100 close range kills
  • Light Machine Guns: 25 special enemy kills (special or elite enemies)
  • Marksman Rifles: 50 kills (with a 4x or higher magnification optic)
  • Sniper Rifles: 100 critical kills
  • Pistols: 100 Fear enemies killed
  • Launchers & Specials: 30 kills inside Command Centers
  • Melee: 100 kills (with combat rank no lower than 40)

  Rewards

  • Standard Camo: Royal
  • Animated Camo: Permafrost

  Note that you must complete all nine challenges above to unlock the animated camo. The same rule applies to the other game modes.

  Most challenges can be done in lower tier zones except those that require specific zones. Having a higher combat rank on your Operator will make these challenges easier. However, you might not know where certain enemies spawn, such as special or elite enemies.

  You can wait near Exfil, as special or elite enemies tend to spawn there. A more efficient method is to go to Car Factory, where a large number of computer controlled enemies appear. You will find some enemies that are usually black and green in color; these are actually special zombies that are very easy to defeat, and they are located in Zone 1.

  Fear enemies usually spawn near coastal waters or in open forest areas. They will not appear if there are buildings close by. Carry a pistol as your secondary weapon and keep an eye out for these enemies while working on other challenges. Around five of them typically spawn per wave, so they will accumulate naturally over multiple waves. Since their spawns are completely random, it is best to always keep that secondary weapon equipped.

  Multiplayer Mode Guide

  • Assault Rifles: Kill enemies affected by tactical or non lethal Scorestreaks (50 times)
  • Submachine Guns: Get kills after sliding, diving, or wall jumping (25 times)
  • Shotguns: Earn double kills or higher medal (10 times)
  • Light Machine Guns: 30 headshot kills
  • Marksman Rifles: Get 3 consecutive kills without reloading (5 times)
  • Sniper Rifles: 15 objective kills
  • Pistols: 30 kills (with akimbo attachment equipped)
  • Launchers & Specials: In a single match, get 5 kills or 5 Scorestreak destructions using a launcher or special weapon
  • Melee: 5 heavy melee attacks

  Rewards

  • Standard Camo: Transgression
  • Animated Camo: Haptic

  In Multiplayer, the assault rifle challenge might be the most difficult. It is recommended that you equip Scorestreaks such as UAV, Counter UAV, or Scout Pulse, as these are easy to obtain quickly. After calling in a Scorestreak, simply use your assault rifle to shoot enemies. You can also use Looper or Dispatcher perk to speed up the process. This challenge becomes easier on Face Off or Nuketown maps.

  The submachine gun challenge is also very hard, and there are not many shortcuts. Just play a lot of Multiplayer matches and aim to reach the required kill count before the event ends. It might be slightly easier in Hardcore mode.

  

  Zombies Mode Guide

  • Assault Rifles: 750 kills (with Pack a Punch Tier III upgrade)
  • Submachine Guns: Obtain an SMG from Mystery Box and get 1000 kills with it
  • Shotguns: 5 elite zombie kills
  • Light Machine Guns: Earn 10 Carnage Medals (15 rapid kills each)
  • Marksman Rifles: 25 rapid critical kills (5 times)
  • Sniper Rifles: 300 kills (with Cryo Freeze or Napalm Burst ammo mods)
  • Pistols: 300 critical kills
  • Launchers & Specials: Kill 10 enemies within 5 seconds (10 times)
  • Melee: Get 50 consecutive kills without taking any damage

  Rewards

  • Standard Camo: Nuk3town
  • Animated Camo: Overgrowth

  For challenges that require high kill counts, you can play on Nuked Survival, because zombies spawn faster and the area is enclosed and compact, so you do not need to run across the map.

  The melee challenge is best done in early rounds, since in higher rounds zombies will sneak up on you from behind and cause chaos. Right at the start of the match, use your knife to kill a zombie, run away, kill another, run away again, until you reach 50 kills. You can also use Monkey Bombs to distract zombies or use Aether Shroud Field Upgrade.

  Warzone Mode Guide

  • Assault Rifles: Get 3 kills without dying (repeat 3 times)
  • Submachine Guns: 10 kills without taking damage
  • Shotguns: 10 kills while moving
  • Light Machine Guns: 15 kills with an LMG picked up from the ground
  • Marksman Rifles: Longshot kills
  • Sniper Rifles: Kill 10 enemies after reaching the top 20 placement
  • Pistols: Quickly get a kill after switching weapons (2 times)
  • Launchers & Specials: In a single match, get 3 kills or destroy enemy vehicles
  • Melee: 2 kills from behind (with the enemy not looking at you)

  Rewards

  • Standard Camo: Wartorn
  • Animated Camo: Storm

  If you want to be efficient, be sure to choose the casuals mode. Regardless of which map you pick, you will get kills much faster in Resurgence Casual.

  Getting 2 kills from behind sounds almost too easy. For average players, flanking a bot or a real enemy might be a bit challenging, because opponents sometimes turn around. Still, this is a matter of repeated attempts. Right at the start of a match, take out your melee weapon, circle behind an enemy, strike them down, and then finish them off with another weapon if needed.

  Once you have completed every weapon category in all game modes of Black Ops 7, that means you have earned 8 camos. Then you will directly receive Cherry Fizz Camo without any additional challenges. You can immediately apply this camo to any weapon and in any game mode.