Welcome to Black Ops 7. Here's How to Not Die Immediately
It's launch day. You're going to die. A lot. Here's how to make it happen a little less often.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is finally here, and it is fast. Between the new movement system, the complex loadouts, and the fact that everyone already seems to be a pro, jumping in can be a brutal experience.
You're probably getting shot from twelve directions at once, and that's okay. This isn't your old Black Ops. This is a whole new beast. This is your crash course on how to survive your first few matches and (hopefully) not feed the other team's Nuke.
The First 10 Minutes: Your Settings
Before you play a single match, go to the Firing Range. Do not jump straight into a game. Your first job is to fix your settings.
Tweak your sensitivity. Don't just copy what a pro uses. Start low and find what lets you turn 180 degrees comfortably but still make micro-adjustments.
Also, find your Field of View (FOV). For most players, 90-100 is the sweet spot. And while you're in the Firing Range, pick up every weapon and just... shoot. Every gun has a specific spray pattern. You need to learn how to control it.
You're Moving Wrong (How to Use Omnimovement)
This is the single biggest change to the game. BO7 introduces Omnimovement, which is the ability to sprint, slide, and dive in any direction.
This is a complete game-changer. You can slide sideways into cover. You can dive backward to challenge an enemy chasing you. You must master this. Go into the Training Course and just practice moving around.
The other key is Wall Jumps. You can bounce off surfaces up to three times in a row. Use this to get to weird, high angles, surprise enemies, and escape fights you can't win. The players who master this will be untouchable.
Your Loadout Sucks (Here's a Better One)
You unlock custom loadouts at Level 4. This is when the real game begins.
Don't get fancy. For your first class, you need stability. Grab a reliable assault rifle like the AK-27 or XM4.
For your secondary, equip the Combat Knife. You're not using it to stab people; it gives you a massive boost to your sprint speed.
Your Perks should be simple: Scavenger (for ammo), Quick Fix (or Fast Hands, for faster reloads), and Ninja (to shut up your elephant footsteps). For your Field Upgrade, take the Trophy System. It will save your life.
Play the Fucking Objective
I'm serious. Stop playing Team Deathmatch. The real XP (and the real fun) is in objective modes like Domination, Hardpoint, and the new Overload mode.
You get a ton of points for capturing a zone or holding the Hardpoint, which levels you up way faster. This is also where your Trophy System becomes the most valuable item in the game. Throw it on a flag, and it'll block the inevitable grenade spam.
Watch your minimap. Rotate to the next Hardpoint early. Don't just chase kills; that's how you lose.
The "Other" Modes: Campaign & Zombies
Campaign: The co-op campaign is a fantastic way to learn the fundamentals. It teaches you map awareness, how to use cover, and how to coordinate with a squad. Replay the "Avalon" missions for a tougher challenge and better rewards.
Zombies: This mode is brutal. Your first priority is economy. You need Essence. Your first big purchase should always be Armor, before you buy Perks. Tier 2 Armor is better than Jugger-Nog in the early rounds. Pick up Salvage and use it at the Arsenal to upgrade your weapon's rarity. And when you find the "Ol' Tessie" vehicle, protect it. It's fragile.
The Last Tip
Your fastest path to leveling up is Daily Challenges. Always check what they are and focus on them. They give massive XP boosts and will speed up your progress.
Now, stop reading. Go practice.