The camo grind in Black Ops 7 Zombies is massive, and if you’re committed to unlocking every skin from base camos through the coveted Infestation, you’re looking at hundreds of hours of zombie slaying. Every weapon in the game has its own unique set of 16 challenges to complete, and trust me, some are significantly easier than others.
I’ve been working through these challenges since launch, and having a reference for exactly what each weapon requires has been essential. Whether you’re targeting specific weapons for your best loadouts or systematically grinding through entire categories, this complete breakdown will help you plan your approach and knock out challenges efficiently.
Understanding the Zombies Camo System
Before diving into specific weapons, here’s how the camo progression works:
Base Camos (Camos 1-9): Progressive critical kill challenges (100 to 1,000 kills)
- Char, Tundra, Flood Digital, Cedar, Marshland, Mire, Ravine, Skulk, Emerald Snake
Special Camos (Camos 10-14): Unique challenges per weapon
- Mutilate, Slither, Pathfinder, Golden Dragon, Bloodstone
Mastery Camo (Camo 15): Elite enemy eliminations
- Doomsteel: Eliminate 30 Elite Zombies
Ultimate Mastery (Camo 16): Cross-weapon requirement
- Infestation: Unlock Doomsteel on 30 weapons total
Pro Tip: The Golden Dragon (10 rapid kills 15 times) and Bloodstone (20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times) challenges are universal across all weapons, so you’ll get familiar with them quickly.
Assault Rifles Zombies Camo Challenges
M15 MOD 0
Critical Kill Path: 100 → 200 → 300 → 400 → 500 → 600 → 700 → 800 → 1,000
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 300 hipfire kills
- Slither: 3 consecutive critical kills 5 times
- Pathfinder: 300 kills with Fire Works activations
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
The M15 is a solid starter AR for camo grinding. Check our best M15 MOD 0 loadout guide for optimal attachments.
AK-27
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 2 critical kills with a single shot 15 times
- Slither: 300 eliminations with Napalm Burst ammo mod
- Pathfinder: 10 kills without taking damage 5 times
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
The AK-27 requires Napalm Burst for one challenge, so plan accordingly. See our best AK-27 loadout for details.
MXR-17
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 2 critical kills with a single shot 15 times
- Slither: 10 kills without reloading 15 times
- Pathfinder: 300 eliminations with Cryo Freeze ammo mod
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Our MXR-17 loadout guide covers the best attachments for these challenges.
X9 Maverick
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 75 kills with Shadow Rift activations
- Slither: 300 eliminations while Pack-a-Punched
- Pathfinder: 75 Armored Zombie eliminations
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Check best X9 Maverick loadout for optimization tips.
DS20 Mirage
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 10 kills without taking damage 5 times
- Slither: 150 eliminations with Tier 2+ armor equipped
- Pathfinder: 300 eliminations with Dead Wire ammo mod
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
The DS20 is one of the stronger ARs. See best DS20 Mirage loadout.
Peacekeeper MK1
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 300 eliminations at Rare rarity or higher
- Slither: 100 kills while Field Upgrade is active
- Pathfinder: Kill 100 enemies affected by Tactical Equipment
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Find the optimal setup in our Peacekeeper MK1 loadout guide.
SMG Zombies Camo Challenges
Ryden 45K
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 300 eliminations with Dead Wire ammo mod
- Slither: 5 rapid critical kills 15 times
- Pathfinder: 300 eliminations with Cryo Freeze ammo mod
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
The Ryden is a camo grinder’s favorite. Check best Ryden 45K loadout.
RK-9
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 300 eliminations with Napalm Burst ammo mod
- Slither: 75 Armored Zombie eliminations
- Pathfinder: 3 consecutive critical kills 5 times
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
See best RK-9 loadout for maximum efficiency.
Razor 9MM
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 300 hipfire kills
- Slither: 150 eliminations with Tier 2+ armor equipped
- Pathfinder: 100 kills without reloading 15 times (likely 10 kills without reloading 15 times)
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Find optimization tips in best Razor 9MM loadout.
Dravec 45
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 300 eliminations with Brain Rot ammo mod
- Slither: 5 rapid critical kills 15 times
- Pathfinder: 100 kills while Field Upgrade is active
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Check best Dravec 45 loadout for details.
Carbon 57
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 300 kills with Fire Works activations
- Slither: 10 kills without reloading 15 times
- Pathfinder: 75 Armored Zombie eliminations
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
See best Carbon 57 loadout for optimal attachments.
MPC-25
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 300 eliminations with Napalm Burst ammo mod
- Slither: 3 consecutive critical kills 5 times
- Pathfinder: 300 point blank kills
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Find the best setup in MPC-25 loadout guide.
Shotgun Zombies Camo Challenges
M10 Breacher
Point Blank Kill Path: 100 → 200 → 300 → 400 → 500 → 600 → 700 → 800 → 1,000
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 5 rapid critical kills 15 times
- Slither: 300 eliminations with Brain Rot ammo mod
- Pathfinder: 3 consecutive critical kills 5 times
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Note: Shotguns use point blank kills instead of critical kills for base progression.
Echo 12
Point Blank Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 300 point blank kills
- Slither: 300 eliminations with Cryo Freeze ammo mod
- Pathfinder: 10 kills without taking damage 5 times
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Akita
Point Blank Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 10 kills without taking damage 5 times
- Slither: 300 eliminations with Napalm Burst ammo mod
- Pathfinder: 300 point blank kills
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
LMG Zombies Camo Challenges
MK.78
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 150 eliminations with Tier 2+ armor equipped
- Slither: 75 kills with Shadow Rift activations
- Pathfinder: 100 kills while Field Upgrade is active
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
XM325
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 300 eliminations with Dead Wire ammo mod
- Slither: 300 hipfire kills
- Pathfinder: 10 kills without reloading 15 times
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Marksman Rifle Zombies Camo Challenges
M8A1
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 300 eliminations while Pack-a-Punched
- Slither: 300 eliminations with Cryo Freeze ammo mod
- Pathfinder: 100 kills while Field Upgrade is active
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Check best M8A1 loadout for optimization.
Warden 308
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 300 kills with Fire Works activations
- Slither: 300 eliminations at Rare rarity or higher
- Pathfinder: 2 critical kills with a single shot 15 times
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
M34 Novaline
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 3 consecutive critical kills 5 times
- Slither: 300 eliminations with Brain Rot ammo mod
- Pathfinder: Kill 100 enemies affected by Tactical Equipment
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Sniper Rifle Zombies Camo Challenges
VS Recon
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 3 consecutive critical kills 5 times
- Slither: 300 eliminations with Dead Wire ammo mod
- Pathfinder: 300 eliminations while Pack-a-Punched
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Snipers can be tough—check best sniper loadouts.
Shadow SK
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 5 rapid critical kills 15 times
- Slither: 300 kills with Fire Works activations
- Pathfinder: 300 eliminations at Rare rarity or higher
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
XR-3 ION
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 2 critical kills with a single shot 15 times
- Slither: 75 Armored Zombie eliminations
- Pathfinder: 10 kills without taking damage 5 times
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Pistol Zombies Camo Challenges
Jager 45
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 300 eliminations at Rare rarity or higher
- Slither: 3 consecutive critical kills 5 times
- Pathfinder: 300 eliminations with Napalm Burst ammo mod
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Find more pistol options in best pistol builds guide.
Velox 5.7
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 75 Armored Zombie eliminations
- Slither: 75 kills with Shadow Rift activations
- Pathfinder: 300 eliminations at Rare rarity or higher
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
CODA 9
Critical Kill Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 75 kills with Shadow Rift activations
- Slither: 300 hipfire kills
- Pathfinder: Kill 100 enemies affected by Tactical Equipment
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Launcher Zombies Camo Challenges
AAROW 109
Elimination Path: 100 → 200 → 300 → 400 → 500 → 600 → 700 → 800 → 1,000
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 300 kills with Fire Works activations
- Slither: 300 eliminations while Pack-a-Punched
- Pathfinder: 10 kills without taking damage 5 times
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Note: Launchers use eliminations instead of critical/point blank kills for base progression.
A.R.C. M1
Elimination Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 150 eliminations with Tier 2+ armor equipped
- Slither: 75 Armored Zombie eliminations
- Pathfinder: 300 kills with Fire Works activations
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Melee Zombies Camo Challenges
Knife
Elimination Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 300 eliminations while Pack-a-Punched
- Slither: 300 eliminations with Brain Rot ammo mod
- Pathfinder: 100 kills while Field Upgrade is active
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Learn how to equip melee weapons properly.
Flatline MK.II
Elimination Path: Standard progression (100 to 1,000)
Special Challenges:
- Mutilate: 300 eliminations at Rare rarity or higher
- Slither: 300 eliminations with Cryo Freeze ammo mod
- Pathfinder: Kill 100 enemies affected by Tactical Equipment
- Golden Dragon: 10 rapid kills 15 times
- Bloodstone: 20+ consecutive kills without damage 5 times
- Doomsteel: 30 Elite Zombie eliminations
Pack-a-Punch Special Camos
Beyond individual weapon challenges, Black Ops 7 includes special camos earned through Pack-a-Punch usage and Cursed Mode completion:
Pack-a-Punch Level Camos (Ashes of the Damned)
- Runic: Kill 1,000 zombies using Pack-a-Punch Level I weapons
- Necromancer: Kill 1,000 zombies using Pack-a-Punch Level II weapons
- Incantation: Kill 1,000 zombies using Pack-a-Punch Level III weapons
Cursed Mode Main Quest Camos
- Caustic Ash: Complete Main Quest in Cursed Mode with Tier I Difficulty
- Molten Ash: Complete Main Quest in Cursed Mode with Tier II Difficulty
- Putrid Ash: Complete Main Quest in Cursed Mode with Tier III Difficulty
These require completion of the Ashes of the Damned Easter Egg with specific Cursed Mode Relics active.
Essential Camo Grinding Tips
Based on hundreds of hours grinding these challenges, here’s what actually works:
General Strategy
Start with weapons you enjoy: Don’t force yourself through painful grinds first—burn out is real
Work on multiple weapons simultaneously: Swap when you complete specific challenges to stay efficient
Use best training spots: Consistent zombie flow makes challenges easier
Understand critical kills: Most weapons require 5,000+ critical kills total
Challenge-Specific Tips
For “rapid kills” challenges:
- Train large hordes before engaging
- Use Dead Wire or Brain Rot ammo mods
- Focus on rounds 15-25 for ideal zombie density
For “kills without taking damage”:
- Use best perks like Juggernog and Quick Revive
- Maintain distance and good positioning
- Best tactical equipment helps control hordes
For ammo mod challenges:
- Equip required mod early in the match
- Farm Essence efficiently to afford upgrades
- Check our best ammo mod augments guide
For Elite Zombie kills:
- Learn spawns and weaknesses for all Elite Zombies
- Zursa spawns naturally from round 16+ on Ashes of the Damned
- Use appropriate Field Upgrades
Efficiency Optimization
Consider Weapon Prestige: Weigh benefits vs starting over
Use custom wall buys: Keep your grind weapon accessible
Farm resources smartly:
- Essence farming for Pack-a-Punch
- Salvage farming for upgrades
Unlock augments: Complete Research system for permanent benefits
Prestige Considerations
Before you prestige, check:
- Should you prestige – pros and cons
- Best permanent unlock tokens – what to prioritize
- All prestige rewards – what you earn
Planning Your Grind
Category-by-Category Approach:
- Start with SMGs—generally fastest
- Move to Assault Rifles—well-rounded
- Tackle LMGs and Marksman Rifles—moderate difficulty
- Finish with Snipers and Launchers—most challenging
Challenge-Type Focus:
- Prioritize universal challenges (Golden Dragon, Bloodstone) across all weapons
- Group weapons with similar special challenges
- Save Elite Zombie challenges for weapons you’re actively using
Season Pass Integration: Remember that new weapons will be added throughout Black Ops 7’s seasonal content, so pace yourself for the long haul.
Additional Resources
For more Zombies guides:
- Check beginner tips and tricks if you’re new
- Master best weapons for Zombies
- Learn how to level up fast
- Understand complete level unlocks
For official updates:
- Official Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 site
- Black Ops 7 Wikipedia
- COD Black Ops 7 Reddit
- COD Community Discord
The camo grind in Black Ops 7 Zombies is extensive, but systematic progress makes it manageable. Focus on weapons you enjoy, leverage efficient strategies, and remember that Infestation requires Doomsteel on only 30 weapons—you don’t need to complete every single one. Good luck with your grind, and enjoy showing off those hard-earned camos!
