If you’re diving into Black Ops 7 Zombies, you’ll quickly realize that regular undead aren’t your only problem. The game throws Special and Elite Zombies at you—tougher, meaner enemies that require actual strategy to take down. Whether you’re grinding camos, chasing Dark Ops challenges, or just trying to survive past round 30, knowing how to handle these threats is essential.
I’ve spent countless hours fighting these monsters across Ashes of the Damned and the various survival maps, and trust me, understanding their weaknesses makes all the difference. Let’s break down every Special and Elite Zombie you’ll encounter, where to find them, and exactly how to put them down efficiently.
What’s the Difference Between Special and Elite Zombies?
Before we jump in, here’s the key distinction:
- Elite Zombies are major threats with significant health pools, multiple phases, and mechanics that can end your run if you’re unprepared
- Special Zombies are still dangerous but typically easier to handle once you know their patterns
Both types are necessary kills for various weapon camo challenges and Dark Ops objectives, so you’ll be hunting them down regularly.
All Elite Zombies in Black Ops 7
Zursa: The Ashes of the Damned Boss
Where to Find: Ashes of the Damned map (naturally spawns round 16+, or earlier during the Main Easter Egg at Zaya Cosmodrome)
Ammo Mod Weakness: Napalm Burst
Zursa is probably the Elite you’ll encounter most frequently if you’re playing Ashes of the Damned. This hulking enemy becomes a regular spawn once you hit round 16, though you can face him earlier during the Main Easter Egg quest at the Cosmodrome.
Combat Strategy:
- Target the glowing weak points on his body first—bursting these opens him up for critical damage
- Keep moving to avoid his devastating chain swipe attacks
- When he summons Zombees (yes, zombie bees), prioritize killing them immediately before they swarm you
- Equip at least one weapon with Napalm Burst for maximum damage
- Pro tip: Psych Grenades temporarily turn him friendly, then deal massive damage when the effect wears off
Since Zursa appears so frequently in later rounds, having the right best weapons for Zombies setup really helps. I recommend keeping a Pack-a-Punched weapon with Napalm Burst specifically for these encounters.
Uber Klaus: The Mechanized Threat
Where to Find: Ashes of the Damned (Necrofluid Gauntlet quest only)
Ammo Mod Weakness: Napalm Burst & Cryo Freeze
Unlike Zursa, Uber Klaus is a one-time encounter tied to acquiring the Necrofluid Gauntlet Wonder Weapon. You’ll face him after round 8 once you’ve freed regular Klaus from the Ashwood Sheriff’s Office and headed to the western corner of Janus Towers Plaza.
Combat Strategy:
- Phase 1: Destroy the two glowing weak points on his shoulders to break his protective shield
- Phase 2: Focus fire on his exposed core until he goes down
- Stay mobile—he has both close-range melee attacks and a three-shot AOE projectile barrage
- Watch for his boost-jump ability where he rockets toward your last position
- Cryo Freeze can slow him down significantly, giving you breathing room
Having good Field Upgrades active during this fight makes a huge difference, especially Energy Mine or Healing Aura for survivability.
All Special Zombies in Black Ops 7
Uber Klaus Core: The Second Phase
Where to Find: Ashes of the Damned (ejects from Uber Klaus upon defeat)
Ammo Mod Weakness: Napalm Burst & Cryo Freeze
Once you destroy Uber Klaus’s mech body, his core ejects and becomes a separate Special Enemy. The good news? It’s way easier to handle than the full mech.
Combat Strategy:
- Aim for the torso for quick damage
- Keep moving to dodge AOE projectile attacks
- This is basically a cleanup phase—just stay alert and finish it quickly
Doppelghast: The Twin-Headed Terror
Where to Find: Cursed Mode (Relic Trials), Vandorn Farm Survival, or rounds 40+ in Cursed Mode
Ammo Mod Weakness: Light Mend (available Season One)
Doppelghasts are sneaky—many players encounter them without realizing they’re a distinct Special Enemy type. They primarily appear in Cursed Mode with Relics active, though they also spawn naturally on Vandorn Farm Survival and in Cursed runs that reach round 40+.
Combat Strategy:
- Target both heads for critical damage
- Stay constantly mobile—these enemies are fast and relentless
- They alternate between melee rushes and ranged slowing attacks
- Critical warning: They explode upon death with a slowing effect, so create distance before the kill shot lands
Light Mend doesn’t launch until Season One, so early on you’ll need to rely on raw firepower and good training spots to handle these efficiently.
Shock Mimic: The Black Ops 6 Returnee
Where to Find: Cursed Mode only (Relic Trials or when Lawyer’s Pen Relic is active)
Ammo Mod Weakness: Brain Rot
Shock Mimics made their return from Black Ops 6, but they’re exclusive to Cursed Mode in BO7. You’ll encounter them during Relic Trials—specifically the Lawyer’s Pen challenge—or in any Cursed match where you have the Lawyer’s Pen Relic equipped.
Combat Strategy:
- Focus fire on the glowing mouth for critical hits
- Maintain distance to avoid their pull-grab-throw combo attack
- Brain Rot is essential for quick kills
- The pull attack chains into immediate damage, then throws you backward for additional hurt
If you’re grinding through Cursed Mode, having Brain Rot equipped on at least one weapon is non-negotiable when Shock Mimics are in play.
Essential Tips for Fighting Special & Elite Zombies
Based on my experience grinding through these encounters, here are some universal strategies:
Loadout Preparation:
- Always run two weapons with different ammo mods to cover multiple weaknesses
- Check out the best loadout for Ashes of the Damned for optimal setups
- Weapon Prestige your favorites for additional stat boosts
General Combat:
- Use best tactical equipment and lethal equipment strategically
- Learn proper training spots for each map
- Farm Essence efficiently to afford Pack-a-Punch and perks
- Get permanent perks when possible for survivability
Resource Management:
- Know all perk locations and wall buy spots
- Use Gobblegums wisely during tough encounters
- Complete TEDD tasks for extra rewards
Why These Enemies Matter
Special and Elite Zombies aren’t just obstacles—they’re essential for progression:
- Required for numerous weapon camo unlocks
- Mandatory kills for Dark Ops challenges and calling cards
- Often tied to Main Easter Egg steps
- Great sources of high-tier loot drops
- Necessary for mastering Cursed Mode and Relic Trials
If you’re serious about completing everything Black Ops 7 Zombies has to offer, you’ll need to get comfortable fighting these enemies. The learning curve is steep, but once you understand their patterns and weaknesses, they become manageable challenges rather than run-enders.
Additional Resources
For more Black Ops 7 Zombies content:
- Check the complete beginner’s guide if you’re new to the mode
- Learn how to Exfil properly when things get too hot
- Explore all Prestige rewards and level unlocks
For official updates and community discussion:
- Official Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 site
- Black Ops 7 Wikipedia
- COD Black Ops 7 Reddit
- COD Community Discord
Mastering Special and Elite Zombies takes practice, but with the right ammo mods, proper positioning, and solid loadouts, you’ll be farming these enemies for camo challenges in no time. Good luck out there, and watch out for those Zombees.
