Deathclaws are one of the most dangerous enemies you’ll face in Black Ops 7 Zombies, especially during the Project RADS limited-time mode. These Fallout-inspired monsters are fast, heavily armored, and capable of wiping out an unprepared squad in seconds. If you rush into the fight without a plan, you will go down fast.
Where Deathclaws Appear in BO7 Zombies
Deathclaws only appear in Project RADS, the Fallout-themed Zombies mode available on:
- Astra Malorum
- Ashes of the Damned
You’ll encounter two main variants:
- Standard Deathclaws, which are aggressive but manageable with upgrades
- Irradiated Deathclaws, elite enemies that deal extreme damage and require specific tactics
Some encounters are tied to progression and high rounds, while others are triggered through map-specific mechanics .
How Deathclaws Behave in BO7 Zombies
Before talking about damage, it’s important to understand how Deathclaws fight.
Deathclaws:
- Sprint extremely fast, similar to Shock Mimic-style movement
- Chain heavy melee attacks that can down players in one or two hits
- Absorb large amounts of bullet damage
- Pressure players into tight spaces where mistakes are punished instantly
Irradiated Deathclaws are even more dangerous, acting as Elite HVT enemies with boosted health, damage, and aggression .
Do Deathclaws Have Ammo Mod Weaknesses?
Deathclaws do not have a specific elemental weakness. This means:
- No Ammo Mod deals bonus elemental damage
- You cannot counter them with a single “correct” mod
However, Ammo Mods are still useful for utility and survivability rather than raw damage.
Useful Ammo Mod setups include:
- Light Mend with Big Game to generate healing drops
- Fire Works with Big Game and Big Bang to deal explosive bursts against elite targets
These mods won’t melt Deathclaws instantly, but they help sustain you during long fights .
Best Way to Kill Irradiated Deathclaws on Astra Malorum
If you are fighting an Irradiated Deathclaw on Astra Malorum, traps are your strongest option.
Use the Apogee Annihilator Trap
- Location: Stargazer’s Courtyard
- Cost: 1,600 Essence per activation
- Effect: Massive explosive damage that shreds elite enemies
Lure the Irradiated Deathclaw into the trap’s blast zone and activate it. In most cases, one or two activations are enough to kill it outright.
Important tips:
- Keep your distance from the explosion
- Clear nearby zombies first
- Save Essence before triggering the encounter
This is the fastest and safest method on Astra Malorum .
Best Way to Kill Irradiated Deathclaws on Ashes of the Damned
On Ashes of the Damned, the most reliable strategy revolves around Ol’ Tessie.
Using Ol’ Tessie Effectively
Once power is active at Ashwood, Ol’ Tessie becomes available with:
- Abomination Beam
- DG-2 Turret
- Heavy ramming damage
You can:
- Stay protected inside Ol’ Tessie
- Fire continuously while moving
- Ram the Deathclaw without exposing yourself
This setup allows you to deal sustained damage while avoiding most melee attacks, making it ideal for solo players and squads alike .
Best Weapons for Fighting Deathclaws
If traps or vehicles are unavailable, weapon choice becomes critical.
Recommended traits:
- High fire rate
- Strong sustained DPS
- Good mobility
Effective examples include:
- Fast-firing Assault Rifles
- Mobile SMGs with upgrades
Make sure to:
- Upgrade weapon rarity
- Apply Pack-a-Punch tiers
- Avoid slow, heavy reload weapons
Damage consistency matters more than burst damage in Deathclaw fights .
Essential Perks for Surviving the Fight
Perks won’t kill Deathclaws for you, but they decide whether you survive the encounter.
Must-Have Perks
- Stamin-Up – Keeps distance from lunges and charges
- Double Tap – Improves damage output and time-to-kill
Optional support perks can help, but mobility and DPS are the priority when dealing with elite enemies that punish hesitation. Play Now!
