Which Lethal Equipment Should You Use in BO7 Zombies?
After countless hours battling the undead in Black Ops 7 Zombies, I’ve tested every piece of lethal equipment the game offers. Whether you’re grinding through early rounds or pushing for high-round strategies, your choice of throwable can make or break your survival chances.
In this guide, I’ll break down all 7 lethal equipment options available in Zombies mode, explaining what works, what doesn’t, and why certain choices will save your life while others will leave you scrambling for cover.
Understanding Lethal Equipment in Black Ops 7 Zombies
Before we dive into rankings, let’s talk about how lethal equipment functions in BO7 Zombies. Unlike tactical equipment which provides utility and support, lethals are your offensive throwables designed to eliminate zombie hordes quickly and efficiently.
Each lethal requires:
- Unlocking at specific player levels (some are default, others require grinding)
- Salvage to craft at the Crafting Table (ranging from 200-400 salvage per piece)
- Strategic use (timing and placement matter more than you’d think)
If you’re new to the mode, check out our Zombies beginner tips and tricks guide to get the fundamentals down first.
Complete Lethal Equipment Stats & Unlock Requirements
Here’s everything you need to know about unlocking and crafting each lethal option:
| Equipment | Unlock Level | Salvage Cost | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frag | Default | 250 | All-around reliability |
| Cluster Grenade | 5 | 250 | Spread damage (kinda unpredictable) |
| Semtex | 12 | 250 | Quick toss-and-run plays |
| Molotov | 26 | 350 | Area denial & melting specials |
| Point Turret | 33 | 300 | Distraction tool (low-tier, not recommended) |
| C4 | 41 | 400 | Strategic trap setups |
| Combat Axe | 54 | 200 | Infinite damage champion — skillshot heaven |
Need more salvage to craft these? Our salvage farming guide will help you stock up quickly.
Ranking Every Lethal Equipment (Worst to Best)
7. Point Turret – Skip This One
Unlock: Level 33 | Salvage: 300
The Point Turret sounds cool on paper—a mini sentry that shoots zombies automatically. In practice? It’s more headache than help.
Why it fails:
- Disrupts zombie trains by thinning herds unpredictably
- Forces more zombies to spawn (exactly what you don’t want)
- Mediocre damage output doesn’t justify the salvage cost
- Works better in multiplayer than Zombies
Honestly, save your salvage for literally anything else. The concept is interesting, but execution falls flat when you’re trying to manage massive hordes efficiently. If you want tactical support instead, check out our best tactical equipment guide.
6. Cluster Grenade – Too Unpredictable
Unlock: Level 5 | Salvage: 250
The Cluster Grenade splits into multiple mini-explosives that scatter in a cone pattern. Sounds great until you realize the scatter is completely unpredictable.
The issues:
- Random spread makes damage inconsistent
- Can stun you even with PhD Flopper equipped
- Later rounds with faster zombies make this even riskier
- Not enough concentrated damage compared to alternatives
I’ve been caught by my own cluster explosions more times than I’d like to admit. It’s decent for new players in early rounds, but you’ll quickly outgrow it.
5. Molotov – Situationally Useful
Unlock: Level 26 | Salvage: 350
The Molotov creates a patch of flames that deals tick damage over time. It’s okay, but comes with annoying drawbacks.
Pros:
- Great against Zursa Zombie Bears (they’re weak to fire damage)
- Area denial can control zombie pathing
- Satisfying to watch zombies burn
Cons:
- You can get burned by your own flames
- Interrupts health regeneration if you step in fire patches
- Higher salvage cost than basic explosives
- Requires careful positioning
Pro tip: If you’re facing Zursa Bears, the Molotov pairs excellently with Napalm Burst ammo mod. Just don’t pull a Nikolai and set yourself on fire!
4. C4 – High Risk, High Reward
Unlock: Level 41 | Salvage: 400
C4 is beloved by veteran players, but it requires strategy and quick thinking to use effectively.
What makes it interesting:
- Carry up to 3 charges simultaneously
- Sticks to any surface for trap setups
- Devastating blast radius
- Can detonate individually or all at once
The downsides:
- Most expensive option at 400 salvage per charge
- Requires pre-planning and setup time
- Self-damage risk if you’re too close
- Delay between placement and detonation can be dangerous
C4 shines in coordinated team plays or when you have time to set up defensive positions. Solo players might find it too clunky compared to instant-throw options.
3. Frag Grenade – The Classic Choice
Unlock: Default | Salvage: 250
The standard frag grenade is default for good reason—it’s reliable, affordable, and gets the job done.
Why it works:
- Cookable timer for precise detonations
- Bounces off surfaces for creative angles
- Generous blast radius
- Affordable salvage cost
The catch:
- Holding to cook eats into sprint time
- Not as fast as Semtex for quick escapes
- Requires slight learning curve for timing
The frag is your bread-and-butter option. It won’t wow anyone, but it won’t let you down either. Perfect for players who want consistent results without gimmicks.
2. Semtex – Speed and Simplicity Win
Unlock: Level 12 | Salvage: 250
Semtex is my go-to for fast-paced gameplay. This sticky grenade is all about speed and efficiency.
Why I love it:
- Lightning-fast throw animation
- Sticks to zombies for guaranteed hits
- Timed detonation (no cooking needed)
- Same affordable cost as frag
- Perfect for kiting and training zombies
The strategy: Throw Semtex at the lead zombie in your train, sprint away from the blast zone, and watch the entire horde explode. It’s that simple. The speed difference between Semtex and frag might seem minor, but in high rounds when every second counts, it’s a game-changer.
Want to maximize your mobility? Learn how to use emotes and sprays while moving efficiently.
1. Combat Axe – The Undisputed Champion
Unlock: Level 54 | Salvage: 200 (cheapest!)
There’s absolutely no competition here. The Combat Axe is hands-down the best lethal equipment in Black Ops 7 Zombies, and I’ll die on this hill.
What makes it godlike:
- Infinite damage – one-hit kills on regular zombies regardless of round
- Retrievable – pick it up and throw again infinitely
- Cheapest to craft at only 200 salvage
- Fast throw speed for quick reactions
- Never runs out (unless you throw it out of bounds)
Real talk from experience: I’ve used the Combat Axe to clutch situations that should’ve been death sentences. Out of ammo? Combat Axe. Surrounded? Combat Axe. Need to quickly clear a path? Combat Axe. It’s essentially a free kill button that recharges by walking forward.
The only “downside” is unlocking it at level 54, but trust me—it’s worth the grind. Once you get used to the throwing mechanics, you’ll never equip anything else.
Equipment Tier List (At a Glance)
S-Tier:
- Combat Axe (infinite value, infinite damage)
A-Tier:
- Semtex (speed and reliability)
- Frag Grenade (solid all-arounder)
B-Tier:
- C4 (good for trap strategies)
- Molotov (situational but effective)
D-Tier:
- Cluster Grenade (too random)
- Point Turret (actively harmful)
Strategic Tips for Using Lethal Equipment
After hundreds of rounds played, here are my top tips for maximizing lethal effectiveness:
General Principles:
- Always craft lethals early from salvage—don’t rely on random drops
- Time your throws when zombie trains are tightly packed
- Learn the maps to know safe throw spots
- Coordinate with teammates to avoid wasting equipment
Economy Management:
- Prioritize permanent perks over stockpiling lethals
- Combat Axe offers best salvage-to-kill ratio
- Don’t over-craft expensive options like C4 early game
Advanced Techniques:
- Pair lethals with augments for enhanced effects
- Use area-denial lethals during exfil sequences
- Switch lethals based on map and enemy types
Complementing Your Lethal Loadout
Your lethal equipment is just one piece of the puzzle. To create the ultimate Zombies loadout:
- Tactical Equipment: Balance offense with utility (tactical guide here)
- Ammo Mods: Pair the right ammo with your lethal (best ammo mods)
- Field Upgrades: Complement lethals with powerful abilities (field upgrade augments)
- Perk Augments: Enhance survivability (best perk augments)
Progression Path: What to Use When
Levels 1-11: Stick with Frag Grenade (default option works fine)
Levels 12-53: Switch to Semtex immediately upon unlock for faster gameplay
Level 54+: Grind to unlock Combat Axe, then never look back
If you’re wondering whether to prestige and lose access temporarily, check our should you prestige guide for the pros and cons.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t do these:
- Wasting salvage on Point Turrets (seriously, just don’t)
- Throwing explosives without checking your position
- Over-relying on lethals instead of weapon kills
- Ignoring the Combat Axe because it “seems basic”
- Crafting multiple C4 charges when broke on salvage
Do these instead:
- Master one lethal completely before experimenting
- Practice throwing angles in early rounds
- Save Combat Axe throws for emergency situations
- Keep salvage reserves for critical moments
Community Insights & Discussion
The Black Ops 7 community has some interesting takes on lethal equipment. Some players swear by C4 for high-round strategies, while speedrunners exclusively use Combat Axe for efficiency.
Want to discuss strategies with other players? Join the conversation on the COD Community Discord where players share daily tips and tricks.
My Personal Recommendation
If you’re asking me what to run, here’s my honest answer: grind to level 54 and get the Combat Axe. Nothing else comes close to its versatility, economy, and raw power.
Until then, Semtex is your best friend for fast, reliable horde clearing. Save your salvage, avoid the gimmicky options, and focus on fundamentals.
Remember, lethal equipment is just one aspect of Zombies mastery. You’ll also need to understand weapon loadouts, map knowledge, and combat specialties to truly dominate.
Now get out there and start slaying some zombies! And whatever you do, don’t waste salvage on that Point Turret. You’ve been warned.
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