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Black Ops 7 Season 2: Patch Notes – MP, Zombies, Warzone

Posted on by clementon
Black Ops 7 Season 2: Patch Notes - MP, Zombies, Warzone

The clock ticked down to zero, and a hush fell over the room as the squad prepped for the drop. It was the moment everyone had been waiting for, all those rumors finally put to rest. But as the patch notes went live, whispers turned to shouts: “Did they actually listen to us?” A jam-packed Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Season 2 is en route, bringing new content for Warzone, Zombies, and Multiplayer.

Starting with Multiplayer, players can anticipate new maps and events, while Warzone delivers a winter makeover for Rebirth Island. The launch offering is a bit light on the Zombies front, although the game mode will receive a new in-season map sometime in the coming weeks.

If you want a complete rundown on all the content and events, here are the full Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Season 2 patch notes.

Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Season 2 Patch Notes

Black Ops 7 Season 2 will go live on February 5 at 9 AM PT. Players can anticipate a colossal amount of content, including new and returning Multiplayer Maps and Modes; a new Zombies Survival Map; Guild Strikes, Nightmare Zones, and the Eagle Eye Skill Track in BO7 Endgame; new Weapons; new Weekly Challenges; and more, including the launch of Multiplayer Ranked Play.

New and Returning Maps

Maps are the soul of Call of Duty Multiplayer. Here’s what’s new for Season 2:

Black Ops 7 Torment Map
Image Credit: Activision
  • Torment (6v6): Tendrils grip and blood rains in Torment, a new small Multiplayer map. Atwood seeks C-link data, creating this “Torment,” a mix of David Mason’s memories and fears.
  • Sake (6v6): Fight now, celebrate later as Operators hit a Japanese sake factory, a mid-sized map featuring a Production facility, Depot, and Steaming Room. Visitors learn about the brewing process through Displays.
  • Nexus (6v6, 2v2): Battle in David Mason’s hallucination of a subzero testing facility where TVs with red static signal are stuck in ice. As Victoria Atwood tortures Mason to extract his C-Link data, this twisted vision takes shape.
  • Slums (6v6): The fan-favorite Slums Multiplayer map first seen in Black Ops 2 returns! Duke it out around the central Plaza, an iconic Multiplayer map location in the Black Ops series, adjacent to the Electronics chokepoint, providing cover in a tight space at a meeting point between the middle and bottom lanes.

New Weapons

In the wrong hands, a tool is just a hunk of metal. But in yours? It’s a game-changer.

Black Ops 7 REV-46 SMG
Image Credit: Activision
  • REV-46 (SMG): Full-auto submachine gun. Extremely fast fire rate. Switch between a folded and unfolded stock position to change handling and recoil characteristics. Sporting the highest fire rate in its class at a blazing fast 1,111 rpm, the REV-46 is flexible both literally and figuratively, with a stock you can fold and unfold.
  • EGRT-17 (Assault Rifle): Full-auto assault rifle. Fires superheated rounds that ricochet off solid surfaces. Second only to the Peacekeeper MK1 in fire rate, the EGRT-17 Assault Rifle rapidly outputs rounds, dealing impressive damage to the body and head, with the added feature of ricocheting rounds to catch enemy targets in the rebound.
  • H311-SAW (Melee): Melee weapon. High damage, moderate to long range, and slow to moderate attack speed. Hack up the competition with a rotating saw that makes short work of enemies. The H311-SAW shares a similar damage profile as the Knife and Flatline Mk.II, but with a longer reach and a slightly slower attack speed, and the results are messier.
  • GDL Havoc (Special): Pump-action grenade launcher. Grenades stick to solid surfaces and can be remote detonated. No ADS. Enjoy the look on the enemy’s faces as you fire flashing sticky grenades that latch onto the first solid surface they encounter. Shoot volleys of them at enemy targets, use them as traps on the ground and walls, and pull the trigger to set them off.

Returning Multiplayer Mode

Sometimes the old ways are the best. Especially when they involve robots.

Safeguard

In this high-tension game mode not seen in many years, teams alternate escorting a non-combative robot into enemy territory along a set path. Fight off enemies to reach the robot’s destination near the defending team’s spawn. At least one Operator must be near the robot for it to continue down its path.

The defending team must work together to prevent the robot from reaching its objective within the round time limit. Stall the attacking team by downing Operators near the robot, halting its forward progress, and by unleashing damaging attacks on the robot itself, forcing it to shut down and reboot as the clock keeps ticking.

Multiplayer Ranked Play

Ranked Play is back, and it’s looking to separate the wheat from the chaff.

The definitive Ranked Play experience returns for Black Ops 7! Compete using the same settings, maps, modes, and weapon restrictions as the Call of Duty League® to earn and progress your Rank and earn exclusive Ranked rewards. Competition begins with the launch of Season 2.

Note: Read on, or consult the Competitive Settings Page of the Call of Duty League Website here, for the available Modes, Maps, Game Settings, and Restricted Items in this mode. In addition to Restricted Items listed on the Call of Duty League Website, any items not used by Pro players in CDL competition due to “Gentleman’s Agreements” between players (“GAs”) will be restricted in Ranked Play. This makes the Ranked Play experience matches what you see in official Black Ops 7 Call of Duty League competition as closely as possible.

When Multiplayer Ranked Play launches in Season 02, RICOCHET Anti-Cheat will require a stronger form of Remote Attestation for PC players, in partnership with Microsoft. This extra layer of protection sets a new standard for Ranked Play, building on our existing TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements.

New Zombies Survival Map: Mars

The red planet calls… and it’s hungry.

Black Ops 7 Zombies Survival Mars
Image Credit: Activision
  • “Decaying Orbit” Animated Emblem and 1,000 XP (reach Round 10).
  • “Phase 5” Weapon Charm and 2,500 XP (reach Round 25).
  • “Gift Card” Ultra GobbleGum and 5,000 (reach Round 50).

New Zombies Mode: Cursed Survival

Ever wonder how far you could push yourself? Now’s the time to find out.

Test your zombie-slaying limits while gaining the benefits of Golden Armor, Pack-a-Punch IV, and Ultra Weapon Rarity, as Cursed Survival arrives to all four maps. Accessible across Vandorn Farm, Exit 115, Zarya Cosmodrome, and Mars at launch, defeat rounds of fetid foes starting with only a pistol, limited HUD, and a Black Ops 3-inspired points system.

Simply choose the Relics you’ve earned in Cursed on the existing Round-Based Zombies maps to increase the difficulty, then survive for as long as you can. The rewards are more than simple bragging rights and include highly prized Relic Charms!

Vandorn Farm Cursed Survival Rewards:

  • “Hidden Power” Ultra GobbleGum and 10,000 XP (reach Round 100 with Tier I Relics).
  • “Wonderbar!” Ultra GobbleGum and 20,000 XP (reach Round 100 with Tier II Relics).
  • “Blood Vials” Weapon Charm and 30,000 XP (reach Round 100 with Tier III Relics).

Exit 115 Cursed Survival Rewards:

  • “Reign Drops” Ultra GobbleGum and 10,000 XP (reach Round 100 with Tier I Relics).
  • “Near Death Experience” Ultra GobbleGum and 20,000 XP (reach Round 100 with Tier II Relics).
  • “Dragon Wings” Weapon Charm and 30,000 XP (reach Round 100 with Tier III Relics).

Zarya Cosmodrome Cursed Survival Rewards:

  • “Time Out” Ultra GobbleGum and 10,000 XP (reach Round 100 with Tier I Relics).
  • “Wonderbar!” Ultra GobbleGum and 20,000 XP (reach Round 100 with Tier II Relics).
  • “Rocket” Weapon Charm and 30,000 XP (reach Round 100 with Tier III Relics).

Mars Cursed Survival Rewards:

  • “Hidden Power” Ultra GobbleGum and 10,000 XP (reach Round 100 with Tier I Relics).
  • “Reign Drops” Ultra GobbleGum and 20,000 XP (reach Round 100 with Tier II Relics).
  • “Golden Spork” Weapon Charm and 30,000 XP (reach Round 100 with Tier III Relics).

New Zombies Mode: Starting Room

Back to basics. See if you really have what it takes.

The fan-favorite Zombies mode from Black Ops 6 returns permanently. Survive against the horde in Starting Room, where the crew is trapped in the starting area of a Round-Based Zombies map armed only with the resources and machines available in the area. All doors are sealed, and there are no avenues of escape. Starting Room Mode kicks off on Ashes of the Damned and Astra Malorum, with more maps to come! Expect additional rewards for those skilled enough to survive:

Ashes of the Damned Starting Room Rewards:

  • “Near Death Experience” Ultra GobbleGum and 1,000 XP (reach Round 10).
  • “Noir Bash” Calling Card and 2,500 XP (reach Round 25).
  • “Colorful Bash” Calling Card and 5,000 XP (reach Round 50).

Astra Malorum Starting Room Rewards:

  • “Hidden Power” Ultra GobbleGum and 1,000 XP (reach Round 10).
  • “Noir Stand Off” Calling Card and 2,500 XP (reach Round 25).
  • “Vivid Stand Off” Calling Card and 5,000 XP (reach Round 50).

New Endgame Abilities and Skills

These abilities can turn the tide, if you know how to use them.

Once earned, access these in the Operator Slot Loadout where you choose your Operator and both Abilities.

Sentinel Protocol (Major Ability)

  • Call in a modified Guild robot to fight your enemies and assist your team. Can revive you and your teammates when downed and inflict a small area of effect attack when swarmed.
  • For those requiring additional robotic support personnel to aid in Avalon infiltrations, Sentinel Protocol provides an additional, temporary ally. This G-R5 Guild robot has been reprogrammed and offers ranged combat, a close combat pulse attack, and can revive you and teammates when downed. This can be useful when clearing out enemy strongholds or Exfil sites at lower player levels where one wrong firefight can jeopardize your Exfil.

Blood Burner (Minor Ability)

  • Spawn a mysterious motorcycle good for traversal and combat. Running over enemies charges a special area of effect attack.
  • Summon an armored bike that not only allows rapid deployment across Avalon but can be used in combat engagements. The Blood Burner can only be ridden by the summoner, though other Operators can be passengers. Dismount, and the bike disappears. The Blood Burner isn’t damaged by enemies or obstacle collisions, can cross water, and can emit a massive energy pulse that can floor multiple foes in its area of effect!

New Endgame Skill Track: Eagle Eye

Secure precise takedowns by accessing the new Eagle Eye Skill Track, then secure the new Sentinel Protocol and Blood Burner Abilities.

  • Increased Crit Damage: Critical hits deal more damage.
  • Big Hit: Increases Critical Damage dealt to full health enemies.
  • Last Shots Plus: Deal more damage when your weapon is low on ammo.
  • Rampage: Getting rapid kills briefly increases weapon damage with that weapon.
  • Aim Faster: Aim down sights faster.
  • Armor Breaker: Stun and damage enemies when breaking enemy armor.

New Endgame Guild Strikes and Nightmare Zones

The stakes just got higher. Can you survive the nightmare?

Guild Strikes can trigger at any moment during a match, as Alden Dorne detonates hidden Cradle stockpiles across Avalon. When a Strike hits, the affected location becomes a Nightmare Zone, a high‑intensity hotspot featuring extreme challenges more difficult and dangerous than a current Tier IV area. In Nightmare Zones, standard activities shut down and enemy difficulty spikes.

Find yourself in a Nightmare Zone, and aside from staying alive, you have one overriding objective: hunt down and defeat the Strike Boss. Anticipate heavier resistance, aggressive enemy waves, and experimental Guild constructs pushing to keep you out.

Nightmare Zones remain active for the rest of the match, offering a fast, high‑risk, high‑reward challenge for squads willing to push into the most dangerous of Guild territory. Anticipate additional activities to complete, along with impressive rewards that make the danger of a Nightmare Zone well worth the risk!

New Weekly Challenges

Time to prove your mettle, one challenge at a time.

Complete Challenges every week of the season to earn new Loadout items, Camo rewards, and XP. At the start of Season 02, check the Weekly Challenge menu to see the available rewards and the challenges required to access them. Complete any six Challenges across any or all of the four supported modes to earn the weekly reward

Global

The playing field has to be level for everyone. Here’s how things are getting fairer.

  • Disabling Cronus Zen and XIM Matrix: New detections target these input-modifying devices that simulate machine-perfect aim and recoil control, removing advantages no human player can naturally achieve.
  • Ranked Play Protections: New remote, cloud-based attestation with Microsoft strengthens protection for Ranked Play by blocking tampered systems before matches begin, setting a new industry standard in security.

Multiplayer

Fine-tuning and tweaks: here’s what’s changing in the core game.

Playlists and Modes

  • Season 2 Moshpit (NEW)
    • Maps
      • Torment
      • Sake
      • Slums
    • Modes
      • Team Deathmatch
      • Kill Confirmed
      • Domination
      • Hardpoint
  • Safeguard (NEW)
  • Nuketown 2025 24/7
  • Standard Moshpit
  • Face Off Moshpit (+ Nexus)
  • 10v10 Moshpit

Weapons

  • Addressed an issue resulting in inconsistent melee behavior when using certain attachments on XM325.
  • Note: Season 02 weapon balancing is planned for an update in the near future to allow the team to monitor the latest weapons in the live game.

Perks

  • Scout Hybrid Combat Specialty
    • Scout is no longer a hard counter to enemy HARP. Instead, a player with an active Scout buff should appear as a red dot.
  • Recon Combat Specialty
    • Addressed an issue where the Recon Perk bonus was not displaying red cone indicators.

Wildcard

  • Specialist
    • Addressed an issue where players would not hear audio cues when earning bonus Perks.

Field Upgrades

  • Black Hat
    • Addressed an issue where the first hack state would be erased on screen if looking away from a target.
    • Addressed an issue where the Sentry Turret would “pop” when hacked.

Scorestreaks

  • Care Package
    • Returning Black Ops 6 Scorestreaks have been added to Care Packages.
  • D.A.W.G.
    • D.A.W.G. now receives 20% less damage while in Sentry Mode (Overclock).
    • Improved server stability with D.A.W.G.
  • Deadeye Drone
    • Addressed an issue where Deadeye Drone Proximity Chat was not functioning as expected.

UI

  • Addressed an issue causing some players to appear as Lvl. 56 in Private Matches.
  • Addressed various visual issues within the Armory.

Ranked Play

  • Play Like the Pros: Play competitive 4×4 matches using the same settings, maps, and mode, and restrictions as the Call of Duty League.
  • Show Your Skill: Win 3 Placement Matches to receive a starting Rank and then earn SR (Skill Rating) after wins based on your performance to further progress your Rank. Losing matches deducts SR.
  • Earn Rewards: Earn exclusive Ranked Play rewards as you reach new Ranks or career win milestones. Rewards include Rank Skins, Rank Camos, Blueprints, and additional Ranked Play rewards each season.

Ranked Play Access: To make sure everyone competing in Ranked Play has a baseline experience with Multiplayer, all players must earn 50 Wins in Matchmade Multiplayer games to earn access to Black Ops 7 Ranked Play. Wins earned before the start of Season 02 count towards earning the mode. Wins in Party Game and Limited Time Modes do not count towards this unlock requirement. Then you’re ready to play.

Ranked Play Security Requirements

When Multiplayer Ranked Play launches in Season 02, RICOCHET Anti-Cheat will require a stronger form of Remote Attestation for PC players, in partnership with Microsoft. This extra layer of protection sets a new standard for Ranked Play, building on our existing TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements.

Placement Matches

How you earn your starting Rank has changed in Black Ops 7 Ranked Play with the addition of Placement Matches! Placement Matches get you into higher Ranks significantly faster than in Black Ops 6 and make starting your Ranked Play career easier than ever. Players start Unranked and must win three Placement Matches to receive a starting Rank. After each Placement Match Win, your Minimum Starting Rank will update to show a projection of where you’re expected to place. Win three Placement Matches to receive your starting Rank and begin your climb!

SR (Skill Rating)

When you earn a starting Rank, you’ll also earn a starting SR (Skill Rating) number. Your SR directly corresponds to your Rank and Tier:

  • Win to Earn SR: Earn SR after each Ranked Play win — the amount you receive is directly related to your performance in the match relative to the skill of the other players, your team’s margin of victory.
  • How SR is Calculated: If you’re seeing large SR gains after wins, it’s a good indicator that the Skill Rating system considers you to currently be a lower Rank than you deserve to be based on your recent performances. Continue to win matches to increase your SR and climb towards promotion into higher Ranks.
  • SR Losses: When you lose in Ranked Play, you’ll also lose SR. This is similarly determined by your performance and the other match factors outlined above.
  • Loss Forgiveness: Occasionally, an SR Loss will be forgiven to minimize frustration and help a fair playing field:
    • New Season Protection: Your first three Losses of the Season won’t result in SR Losses (kicks in after Placement Matches).
    • Rank Up Protection: If you get promoted into a higher Rank, your first 3 Losses in that new Rank won’t result in SR Losses.
    • Daily Loss Protection: Your first Loss of the Day won’t result in a SR loss.
    • Matchmade Teammate Quit: To reduce the frustration of having to play shorthanded, you will not lose SR if you lose a match where a matchmade teammate quit while the match was in progress. This does not apply if a player in your party quits, however.
    • Matchmade Teammate Rejoined: Your SR Loss is reduced in the case that a matchmade teammate quits but then rejoins the match later.

Ranks

Ranking System: Your SR directly corresponds to a Rank and Tier. Continue to win matches to increase your SR and work towards promotion into higher Ranks and Tiers:

  • Bronze
    • Bronze I: 0 SR | Bronze II: 300 SR | Bronze III: 600 SR
  • Silver
    • Silver I: 900 SR | Silver II: 1300 SR | Silver III: 1700 SR
  • Gold
    • Gold I: 2100 SR | Gold II: 2600 SR | Gold III: 3100 SR
  • Platinum
    • Platinum I: 3600 SR | Platinum II: 4200 SR | Platinum III: 4800 SR
  • Diamond
    • Diamond I: 5400 SR | Diamond II: 6100 SR | Diamond III: 6800 SR
  • Crimson
    • Crimson I: 7500 SR | Crimson II: 8300 SR | Crimson III: 9100 SR
  • Iridescent
    • 10,000 SR+

Top 250 Rank: Only the best of the best will claim a spot in the highest Rank: Top 250. Here players who’ve reached 10,000 SR (Iridescent Rank) are ranked by their current SR from #1-250. All Ranked players can follow along the battle for Top 250 #1 Overall via the Top 250 Leaderboard accessible via the Ranked Play menu. Active CDL Pros and CDL Broadcast Talent are visually called out in the Leaderboard with info cards so it’s easy to keep track of your favorite players and personalities over the course of the Season.

Hot Streak Flames: Win three matches in a row to earn a flaming Rank, which your teammates and rivals can see as one indication of your impressive skills! Continue winning to progress the Hot Streak Flames. Flames expire after a loss or after 72 hours.

Your Rank Each Season: Each Season of Ranked Play is its own skill journey and depending on your Rank you’ll need to re-place at the start of a new Season:

  • Bronze, Silver, and Gold Players: Your Rank and SR are not impacted at the start of a new Season, and you can continue where you left off at the end of the previous Season.
  • Platinum+ Players: You must win one Placement Match to get placed into a Rank and start the new Season.

Competitive Integrity Solo & Duo Parties Only in Higher Ranks: To make sure a fair playing field for players in the Top 250 and highest Ranks, only parties of 1-2 players will be allowed to form in Crimson Rank or above. Players in Diamond Rank or below will continue to be able to form 1-4 player parties as long as they fit within the Party Skill Restrictions:

  • Crimson Rank and Above: Can only form 1-2 player parties. Can only form parties with players within 1 Rank.
  • Diamond Rank: Can only form parties with players within 2 Ranks.
  • Bronze-Platinum Rank: No Party Skill Restrictions.
  • 4-Player Parties: Can form Ranked parties with any combination of Ranks as long as all players are Diamond Rank or below. Party will matchmake based on the highest Rank in the party.

Map and Mode Veto: Before each Ranked match, three map and mode combinations are presented in the Lobby and Ranked Play teams can vote to veto one of the presented options. After both teams make their veto pick, the remaining option is selected. If both teams veto the same option, the match’s map/mode will be randomly selected out of the two non-vetoed options.

Forfeit: Vote with your team to end a match early if your team is getting blown out, or you’ve lost a teammate. All teammates must vote for the Forfeit. Forfeited matches count as a standard loss and do not result in SR penalties or suspensions. Forfeit becomes available in the Options Menu at a designated point in each mode:

  • Hardpoint: Winning Team reaches 100 Points
  • Overload: After the First Round
  • Search & Destroy: After the Third Round

Rules and Restrictions Overview

It’s important you understand the ruleset of Ranked Play before you challenge the best Call of Duty players to a match or two:

  • Loadout and Restrictions: All Loadout content is unlocked in Ranked Play to help a fair playing field. Some items are restricted based on CDL rules and “Gentleman’s Agreements” (“GAs”) as decided by the CDL Pro player community:
  • Weapons: Only Assault Rifles, SMGs, Pistols, and Melee are allowed in Ranked Play. Snipers can be used in Search & Destroy but are restricted in Hardpoint and Overload. Individual Weapons in each of the above Weapon Classes are also restricted based on CDL Rules and “GAs”.
  • Attachments: Many Weapon Attachments are restricted in Ranked Play and cannot be used. You may bring a Weapon Builds with restricted Attachments into your Ranked Play Loadouts, but the problematic Attachment will be flagged and removed if you try to use it in-game.
  • Equipment, Field Upgrades, Perks & Scorestreaks: Individual Loadout and Scorestreak item types are also restricted for use in Ranked Play based on CDL Rules and “GAs.”
  • Wildcards: Only the Perk Greed Wildcard is currently allowed in Ranked Play according to CDL Rules and “GAs.” All other Wildcards are restricted.
  • Perk Combat Specialties: Core and Hybrid Perk Specialties are not used in Ranked Play and will not activate.
  • Overclocks: Overclocks are not used in Ranked Play.
  • Friendly Fire: Watch where you’re aiming! Friendly fire is enabled in Ranked Play.
  • Suspensions and Penalties: Disconnecting from matches, friendly fire, and inactivity will incur SR Penalties and Suspensions.

Ranked Play: Available Maps and Modes

It’s important to know the available weaponry and Equipment you’re able to use in Ranked Play at launch, as well as the confirmed maps and modes:

  • Available Maps: Blackheart, Colossus, Den, Exposure, Raid, Scar.
  • Available Modes: Hardpoint, Overload, Search & Destroy.

Ranked Play Rewards

There are three types of rewards to earn for playing Black Ops 7 Ranked Play:

  • Rank Skins: Show off your Rank wherever you play! Instantly earn a set of Male and Female Home and Away Competitor Skins when you are placed in or reach Gold Rank and higher.
  • Win Challenges: Win Ranked matches to reach Career Win milestones and earn a variety of rewards including the “BO7 Ranked Competitor” Skin, “Pro Issue M15 Mod 0” Blueprint, Win Tracker Gunscreen