In Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Zombies, racking up Critical Kills is essential for unlocking camo challenges, leveling weapons, and progressing efficiently through the mode. If you’re aiming for Mastery camos or just trying to maximize your zombie-slaying efficiency, understanding how to consistently land Critical Kills is key.
What Are Critical Kills in BO7 Zombies?
A Critical Kill is awarded when you kill a zombie by hitting its critical hit zone, which is always the head. This applies to both firearms and melee attacks. You’ll know you’ve landed one when you see the yellow text: “+115 Zombie Critical Kill” on your HUD.
Why You Need Critical Kills for Weapon Camos
To unlock all Military Camos in Zombies, you need to reach milestones of Critical Kills per weapon. Here’s the progression:
| Camo Name | Critical Kills Required |
|---|---|
| Char | 100 |
| Tundra | 200 |
| Flood Digital | 300 |
| Cedar | 400 |
| Marshland | 500 |
| Mire | 600 |
| Ravine | 700 |
| Skulk | 800 |
| Emerald Snake | 1,000 |
This 1,000 kill grind per weapon is the key to unlocking the Special Camo tier, and eventually, the Mastery Camos like Singularity or Infestation.
Best Ways to Get Critical Kills Consistently
1. Use Deadshot Daiquiri (With “Dead First” Augment)
This perk makes headshots significantly easier by snapping your ADS (Aim Down Sight) directly to the zombie’s head. The Dead First augment further boosts damage against full-health zombies:
- Effect: Increased bullet tracking to the head.
- Dead First Bonus: Double critical hit damage on zombies at full health.
If you’re focusing on grinding headshots, this perk is non-negotiable.
2. Equip a Damage Barrel Attachment
Most guns in Black Ops 7 offer barrel attachments that increase headshot multipliers or critical hit damage. When selecting your loadout:
- Look for: Barrels labeled as “Damage” or “Long Range.”
- Benefit: Increased damage for headshots, making kills more efficient.
- Fallback: If a pure “Damage Barrel” isn’t available, go for one that extends Damage Range.
3. Train Zombies for Easy Headshots
Headshots require precision, and training zombies into tight groups makes lining up their heads much easier. A controlled loop of movement gives you time to line up critical shots.
Recommended Maps:
- Vandorn Farm (Survival Map): Tight layout, easy zombie spawns, great for early headshot farming.
- Ashes of the Damned: Larger and more complex, better suited for experienced players. It offers more space but takes longer for waves to ramp up.
Weapons That Don’t Use Critical Kills in BO7 Zombies
Not all weapon classes follow the Critical Kill rule in Zombies mode:
| Weapon Type | Challenge Type Instead of Critical Kills |
|---|---|
| Shotguns | Point-Blank Kills |
| Sniper Rifles | One-Shot Kills |
| Melee Weapons | General Eliminations |
| Launchers | General Eliminations |
So if you’re using a shotgun or launcher, don’t waste time aiming for the head—just fulfill the mode-specific requirements.
Special Camo Challenges Tied to Critical Kills
After unlocking all 9 Military Camos for a weapon in Zombies, you unlock Special Camo Challenges. Some of these still require critical-focused kills:
For example, for the MXR-17 Assault Rifle in Zombies:
- Mutilate: Get 5 Critical Kills rapidly 15 times.
- Slither: Get 10 Kills without reloading 15 times.
- Pathfinder: With Cryo Freeze Ammo Mod equipped, get 300 eliminations.
This is another reason to stay sharp with headshots even after hitting 1,000 kills.
Read More:
- Pack-a-Punch Location in Black Ops 7 Zombies
- Black Ops 7 Season 1 Release Date: When the New Season Starts and Countdown Timer
- Black Ops 7 Zombies Beta: How to Get the Free Raygun Fast
- All Black Ops 7 Mastery Camos – Full List for Multiplayer, Zombies, Campaign, and Warzone
- How to Prevent Packet Bursts in Black Ops 7: Best Settings and Fixes
- Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Aim Assist Changes Explained: New Rotational Rules and Right-Stick Requirement
Getting 1,000 Critical Kills in Black Ops 7 Zombies might sound like a grind, but with the right tools and strategy, it becomes a steady and satisfying part of your progression. Equip your perks, tweak your loadout, and pick maps that make training zombies easier. Every headshot brings you closer to that sweet Emerald Snake camo—and eventually, the coveted Mastery tier. Play Now!
