Gold Camo in Black Ops 7 is one of the most satisfying unlocks in multiplayer. Getting there requires you to complete a series of challenges across three tiers: Military Camos, Special Camos, and finally the Gold Camo challenge itself. This guide covers every challenge type, proven strategies for efficient completion, and advanced tips to speed up your grind.
How the Camo Progression System Works
The unlock system follows a strict linear path:
- Military Camos come first (universal challenges that vary by weapon category)
- Special Camos unlock after you finish Military Camos (three weapon-specific challenges per gun)
- Gold Camo unlocks after you complete all Special Camos (one final challenge)
You have to fully complete each tier before the next one becomes available. There's no skipping ahead or working on multiple tiers at once for the same weapon.
What's Different from Black Ops 6
Black Ops 7's camo grind works differently in several ways:
- Fewer headshots required: You need 80 instead of the previous 100
- Weaker aim assist: It's been toned down compared to Black Ops 6 and the beta, making headshots harder to land consistently
- Larger maps: The current rotation tends toward bigger maps. Close-quarters options like Stakeout weren't available at launch
- Weapon substitution: Once Season 1 drops, you can swap difficult weapons for new DLC additions (Maddox AR, Crossbow, and Ballistic Knife are confirmed) since mastery camo completion needs 30 weapons total, not every gun in the game
Military Camo Challenges
Military Camos are the foundation of your Gold Camo journey. Every weapon shares identical Military Camo challenges, though specific requirements change based on weapon category.
Standard Weapons (ARs, SMGs, LMGs, Tactical Rifles)
While 80 headshots sounds simple enough, the reduced aim assist makes this grind tougher than you might expect.
Why Hardcore Mode Works Best
Hardcore turns most weapons into one-shot headshot kills, which cuts down your time-to-kill dramatically. In Core, you might land a headshot but lose the gunfight before finishing the enemy. In Hardcore, that first headshot ends things immediately.
Picking Your Optic
Find a sight that helps you consistently target head level:
- Iron sights work if you're comfortable with the weapon's default sight picture
- 1x red dots give minimal zoom with fast target acquisition
- 2x scopes offer a bit more precision for medium range
- 3x scopes are better for longer sightlines
Consistency matters most here. Once you find an optic that works, stick with it across all weapons in the category.
Building Better Aim Habits
Getting used to aiming at head level is the single most important skill for this grind:
- Pre-aim high: Keep your crosshair at head height while moving around the map. Most players default to chest level, which forces you to adjust upward during fights.
- Start above, pull down: Aim slightly above head level and pull down while firing. One headshot in Hardcore gets the kill.
- Accept the stat hit: Prioritizing headshots will probably tank your K/D. Missing kills because you aimed too high is fine since the goal is headshot completion, not great stats.
- Don't settle for body shots: If you miss the head and the enemy shoots back, don't just take the body kill. It won't count toward your challenge anyway, so dying or getting a non-headshot kill produces the same result for your progress.
Using Mounting for Recoil Control
Mounting on surfaces almost completely removes weapon recoil, making headshot alignment way easier:
- Find high-traffic lanes where enemies frequently run through
- Locate a mountable surface (walls, crates, barriers) with a clear view
- Mount your weapon and wait for enemies to cross
- Line up headshots with barely any recoil fighting you
This trades aggressive play for consistent headshot farming. Individual engagements take longer, but you can pull 20 to 30 headshots per match with patient play versus maybe 5 or 6 when rushing around.
Map Awareness and Flanking
Mix mounting with active play when you have information:
- UAV scorestreaks reveal enemy positions
- When you know where enemies are but they don't know where you are, flank behind them for easy headshot opportunities
- Enemies facing away from you give you stationary targets for clean shots
Shotguns
Shotguns need close-range eliminations instead of headshots. Point-blank kills mean you have to be right in the enemy's face when you get the kill.
Best Approach
- Small maps matter: Queue for naturally smaller maps in the rotation. Nuketown releases shortly after launch and will probably have a 24/7 playlist, making it ideal for shotgun grinding.
- Objective modes help: Domination and Hardpoint force players into predictable spots. Set up at choke points near objectives where enemies have to push into close quarters.
- Interior objectives are best: Flags inside buildings or Hardpoints in tight spaces create perfect point-blank distances.
- Hold choke points: Instead of chasing enemies, let them come to you. Camp corners and doorways where enemies funnel through at close range.
Sniper Rifles
Best Approach
- Hardcore mode guarantees it: Every sniper gets one-shot body kills in Hardcore, removing the need for precise upper-body or headshot placement.
- Core mode still works: Some snipers like the VS Recon already one-shot to the body in Core. Headshots count too.
- Play how you want: Unlike headshot challenges, you can be aggressive with snipers since hit location doesn't matter as long as you get the kill.
Launchers
Best Approach
- Target aerial streaks: UAVs and Counter-UAVs show up constantly and go down easily. Both launcher types destroy these without much trouble.
- First launcher (lock-on): Automatically tracks aerial targets, making streak destruction simple. Just wait for UAVs to appear.
- Second launcher (charged/leading required): You need to lead the target, but it still works well against aerial streaks once you get the timing down.
- Hardcore for kills: Direct launcher kills come easier in Hardcore thanks to reduced enemy health. This gives you an alternative when streak opportunities are scarce.
Special Camo Challenges
After finishing Military Camos, you unlock three Special Camo challenges unique to each weapon. While these vary by gun, many repeat across different weapons. Knowing each challenge type lets you plan efficient strategies.
Challenge Stacking Saves Time
Before covering individual challenges, understand that many Special Camo challenges can be done at the same time. This cuts your grind significantly.
Example with the AK-27:
- Challenge 1: Get 30 hipfire kills
- Challenge 2: Get two kills without reloading 10 times
- Challenge 3: Get 20 kills with underbarrel launcher equipped
These overlap in multiple ways:
- Hipfire kills where you don't reload count toward both Challenge 1 and Challenge 2
- Underbarrel launcher kills don't register as "reloading" (only magazine reloads count), so launcher kills can progress Challenge 2 and Challenge 3 together
- The "two kills without reloading" challenge tracks between matches. If you end a game with one kill and get one more at the start of the next match, that counts as completion
Common Special Camo Challenges
Kills While Moving
Requirement: Get kills while in motion
What Counts: Any movement works. Jumping, sliding, running, walking, strafing while ADS. Only completely still or mounted positions don't count.
Strategy: This one finishes naturally through normal gameplay. Just avoid camping or mounting and you'll make steady progress.
Objective Kills
Requirement: Get kills while on or near objectives
Recommended Modes: Domination and Hardpoint give you the most objective-focused gameplay.
Strategy: Position yourself on capture points or inside Hardpoint zones. You'll have sightlines to common approach routes while standing on objectives. Any kills from these spots count.
Kills Without Attachments
Requirement: Get kills using a weapon with zero attachments
Strategy: Strip everything off your weapon and play Hardcore. The lower enemy health makes up for losing attachment benefits. Simple but requires adjusting to the base weapon feel.
Kills Without Taking Damage
Requirement: Kill enemies before taking any damage yourself
Strategy: Hardcore mode makes this almost automatic. Taking damage in Hardcore usually means you're dead, so any kill where you survive likely qualifies. Outside of rare cases where you tank minor damage and live, normal Hardcore play finishes this naturally.
Kills After Sprinting
Requirement: Get kills right after or during sprinting
What Counts: Kills during sprint (with the right perks), kills immediately after stopping sprint, and kills during sprint transitions like jump shots or slides.
Helpful Perks: Gung-Ho (Enforcer perk) lets you hipfire while sprinting, so you can keep moving and shoot at the same time.
Settings: Turn on Auto Tactical Sprint or Sprint Assist for consistent sprinting. With these enabled, kills track naturally during aggressive play.
Strategy: Sprint toward engagement areas, then jump-shot or slide around corners. The timing window after sprinting is pretty forgiving.
Two Kills Without Releasing the Trigger
Requirement: Get two kills in a single trigger pull, repeated multiple times
Strategy:
- Throw on the biggest extended magazine your weapon has
- Set up at choke points where multiple enemies push through
- Play Hardcore to drop enemies with fewer bullets, boosting your odds of getting both kills before emptying the mag
- Spray through doorways and tight corridors where enemies cluster together
Kills with Five or More Attachments
Requirement: Get kills with at least five attachments equipped
Strategy: Load five attachments and play normally. Use the Gunfighter wildcard if you want even more slots. This one finishes through standard gameplay once your loadout is set.
Kills After Switching Weapons
Requirement: Get kills shortly after swapping to the required weapon
Relevant Weapons: Mostly affects melees and pistols
Strategy: For close-quarters maps, switch to your required weapon immediately after spawning. On longer-range maps, force weapon switches before entering engagement areas by swapping when you approach corners or choke points. The gameplay feels awkward, but it finishes quickly on action-heavy maps.
Kills with 4x Scopes or Higher
Requirement: Get kills while using a 4x or higher magnification scope
Strategy: Equip a 4x or 5x scope and get normal kills. No special gameplay needed. Works best for medium to long-range fights where higher magnification actually helps.
Additional One-Shot Kills
Requirement: Some weapons need extra one-shot kills beyond Military Camos
Strategy: Go back to Hardcore where most weapons one-shot regardless of where you hit.
Kills After Sliding, Diving, or Wall Jumping
Requirement: Get kills right after these movement actions
Strategy: Slide before hitting choke points, jump around corners, or wall-jump into combat areas. Many maps naturally encourage this playstyle, and you'll finish through slightly more aggressive movement.
Kills on Enemies Affected by Your Tactical Equipment
Requirement: Kill enemies while they're stunned or flashed by your tactical grenades
Recommended Equipment: Concussions or Flashbangs (easy to confirm the effect landed and easy follow-up kills)
Strategy:
- Throw your tactical before entering fights
- Use Assault Pack field upgrade to replenish tactical equipment for more attempts per life
- Leading every engagement with a tactical feels awkward at first but becomes routine
Kills with Suppressor Equipped
Requirement: Get kills with a suppressor on your weapon
Strategy: Unlock and equip any suppressor attachment. Play normally since there are no special conditions beyond having the attachment on.
Longshot Medals
Requirement: Get kills at long range (triggers the Longshot medal)
Strategy:
- Look for maps with extended sightlines
- Skirmish (20v20 mode) offers the most long-range opportunities thanks to larger map sections
- Hardcore reduces bullets-to-kill, making long-range fights more manageable
- Hold long sightlines and let enemies cross rather than pushing aggressively
Hipfire Kills
Requirement: Get kills without aiming down sights
Strategy:
- Stack hipfire attachments: laser sights, appropriate muzzles, specific barrels, and underbarrel attachments that tighten hipfire spread
- Play small, close-quarters maps where hipfire range works
- Vote for smaller maps in the rotation
Gunfighter Wildcard Kills (Eight Attachments)
Requirement: Get kills with eight attachments using the Gunfighter wildcard
Strategy: Pick the Gunfighter wildcard, load eight attachments, and play normally. Standard kills count without extra conditions.
Launcher-Specific Special Challenges
Launchers have their own unique Special Camo requirements:
Destroy Aerial Streaks
Strategy: Focus exclusively on UAVs and Counter-UAVs. Both launchers handle these easily, and they appear regularly throughout matches.
Destroy Streaks, Vehicles, Equipment, or Field Upgrades
Strategy: This overlaps heavily with aerial streak destruction since UAVs and Counter-UAVs count for both challenges at once. You can also:
- Run Engineer perk to see enemy equipment through walls
- Shoot Assault Packs, Trophy Systems, and other deployed gear
- Destroy any ground vehicles that show up
Direct Impact Kills (First Launcher)
Requirement: 10 kills by directly hitting enemies with the rocket
Strategy: The first launcher fires straight without projectile drop, making direct hits doable. Core mode gives you one-hit kills on direct impact. Just accept that you'll die a lot while lining up shots since aiming the launcher leaves you vulnerable.
Kills Before Taking Damage (Second Launcher, Arc Charger)
Requirement: Get kills without taking damage first
The Problem: The Arc launcher needs to charge before firing, which creates a vulnerability window.
Strategy: Hardcore helps because if you're going to take damage during the charge time, you'll probably die anyway. That removes the ambiguous scenarios. This challenge is tedious because of the charge time but still doable with patient play.
The Gold Camo Challenge
After completing all three Special Camos, you unlock the final Gold Camo challenge. This one tests your overall gunplay and map knowledge.
Standard Weapons
Streaks stack: Going on a six-kill streak counts as two separate three-kill streaks. A nine-kill streak gives you three completions.
Getting Consistent Three-Kill Streaks
Play carefully:
- Stick to parts of the map you know well
- Stay out of open areas with multiple angles on you
- Don't push into high-traffic zones where you're likely to trade kills
Run information scorestreaks:
- Equip UAV and Counter-UAV
- UAV shows enemy positions for setting up ambushes
- Counter-UAV denies enemy information, giving you the awareness edge
Position smart:
- Hold power positions with limited approach angles
- Let enemies come to you instead of hunting them
- Back out of bad fights since surviving matters more than kill count
Make your streaks count:
- Once you hit three kills, keep playing carefully to potentially double your progress
- A six-kill streak represents solid progress (2 out of 10 completions)
- Patient play beats aggressive pushing here
Launcher Gold Challenge
Unlike standard weapons, launcher kill progress carries over between matches. If you finish a game with two kills and start the next with one, that counts as one completion.
Strategy: This effectively means you need 30 total kills since progress doesn't reset between games. Focus on getting consistent kills rather than worrying about per-game streaks. The cross-match tracking makes this way easier than the standard weapon requirements.
Advanced Tips
Grind Meta Weapons First
Work on currently strong weapons before balance patches hit:
- Weapon balance changes happen regularly, especially around Season updates
- A weapon that's easy to grind today might become much harder after nerfs
- Currently weak weapons might get buffed later, making them easier down the line
Season 1 Weapon Swaps
For mastery camo completion (requiring 30 weapons), you can substitute difficult weapons with Season 1 DLC options:
- Maddox AR: Might be easier than some of the base game ARs
- Crossbow: Could replace tough weapons in other categories
- Ballistic Knife: Good option for players who prefer melee over difficult pistol or shotgun grinds
If a specific weapon feels way harder than others, consider waiting for DLC options instead of forcing yourself through it.
Mode Selection Quick Reference
| Challenge Type | Best Mode | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Headshots | Hardcore | One-shot headshot kills |
| Point-blank kills | Core (small maps) | Need close range, not faster TTK |
| One-shot kills | Hardcore | Guarantees one-shot anywhere |
| Kills without damage | Hardcore | Taking damage means death, so surviving means no damage |
| Kills without attachments | Hardcore | Makes up for weaker weapon stats |
| Longshots | Hardcore or Skirmish | Easier ranged kills / more long sightlines |
| Underbarrel launcher | Hardcore | Easier kills, but watch for Flak Jacket |
| Direct impact launcher | Core | Already one-shots on direct hit |
Content to Watch For
- Nuketown: Drops shortly after launch with a likely 24/7 playlist. Perfect for shotguns, SMGs, and any close-quarters challenge
- Small Map Mosh Pit: May come in future updates and would significantly speed up multiple challenge types
Frequently Asked Questions
Play Hardcore, use an optic you're comfortable with, practice keeping your crosshair at head level, and try mounting on high-traffic lanes for recoil control.
Destroy UAVs and Counter-UAVs for Military Camos. Run Engineer to spot equipment. For the Gold challenge, remember that kill progress carries across matches, so aim for consistent kills rather than three-kill games.
Many challenges can be completed at the same time through stacking. Check your three challenges and find the overlap. Some challenges like "kills without reloading" also track between matches.
For specific challenges like launcher Gold Camo and "kills without reloading," yes. Ending a match mid-progress and continuing in the next still counts.
Consider waiting for Nuketown or a Small Map Mosh Pit playlist. Point-blank kills are much easier on smaller maps, and the current rotation favors medium to long-range fights.
You can swap out some weapons with Season 1 DLC additions (Maddox AR, Crossbow, Ballistic Knife) since mastery completion needs 30 weapons, not every gun in the game.
Wrapping Up
Gold Camo in Black Ops 7 takes you through Military Camos, Special Camos, and one final Gold challenge. The reduced headshot count (80 versus 100) seems easier on paper, but weaker aim assist and larger maps create new obstacles.
Success comes from understanding each challenge type, using Hardcore mode when it helps, and taking advantage of techniques like challenge stacking and cross-match progress tracking. With patient, strategic play and the tips from this guide, Gold Camo is well within reach for any dedicated player.