What Are Permanent Unlock Tokens and How Do You Get Them?
Let’s talk about one of the most valuable currencies in Black Ops 7: Permanent Unlock Tokens. These bad boys let you bypass the level grind and unlock gear permanently across all prestige ranks.
Here’s how the system works:
- Vault Edition owners get one token right off the bat
- Every prestige rank rewards you with an additional token
- Once spent, the unlock is permanent – you’ll never have to re-unlock that item again, even through future prestiges
The keyword here is “permanent.” Choose wisely, because these tokens are precious, and you want to spend them on items that’ll genuinely impact your gameplay rather than something you’ll unlock naturally in a few matches anyway.
The Golden Rule: Pick What You’ll Actually Use
Before we dive into specific recommendations, here’s the reality check: the “best” unlock is whatever fits your playstyle. That said, some items are objectively more impactful than others, especially those locked behind high level requirements that you’d otherwise have to grind for repeatedly.
I’ve broken down the top choices for both Multiplayer and Zombies players, ranked by overall impact and utility. Whether you’re a competitive multiplayer grinder or a Zombies marathon runner, there’s something here for you.
Best Permanent Unlock Tokens for Multiplayer
1. Specialist Wildcard (Level 53) – The Game-Changer
Why it’s #1: This is hands-down the most transformative unlock in multiplayer. Period.
Here’s what makes Specialist so powerful:
- Trades scorestreaks for perks – not everyone’s cup of tea, but hear me out
- Earn perks at 200, 400, and 600 score – three additional perks throughout the match
- Unlock ALL remaining perks at 1,200 score – you become an absolute unit
Imagine running around with 6+ perks active simultaneously. The stat bonuses, tactical advantages, and sheer versatility you gain is unmatched. You essentially become a Swiss Army knife of destruction.
Who should unlock this: Players who prioritize consistent performance over flashy killstreaks. If you’re someone who dies before earning high-tier scorestreaks anyway, this is a no-brainer. The perk bonuses will keep you alive longer and performing better throughout the entire match.
Who should skip this: Dedicated scorestreak farmers who live for those high-tier rewards. If calling in a Chopper Gunner is what gets you out of bed in the morning, maybe look elsewhere.
2. Gunfighter Wildcard (Level 29) – Attachment Overload
The appeal: Your primary weapon jumps from 5 attachments to a whopping 8 attachments.
This unlock is deceptively powerful. Three extra attachment slots means you can:
- Fine-tune your weapon without sacrificing key stats
- Build specialized loadouts for specific map types or game modes
- Use blueprint weapons that require more than 5 attachments to reach their full potential
Think about it: you could run a weapon with maxed recoil control, extended mags, faster ADS, improved range, AND maintain stealth with a suppressor. That level of customization turns good guns into great ones.
Important note: If you’ve purchased weapon blueprints that require 6+ attachments to function properly, this should jump to your #1 priority. Some premium blueprints are literally designed around having Gunfighter equipped.
3. MPC-25 or Your Favorite Weapon (Level 55) – The Final Boss Unlock
The situation: The MPC-25 sits at the absolute end of the level progression at 55.
Here’s the thing about weapon unlocks – normally, I’d say save your token for something else. Battle Pass blueprints and store purchases often unlock weapons permanently anyway. But the MPC-25 is a special case because:
- It’s the LAST unlock – meaning you’ll constantly hit prestige right after unlocking it
- SMG meta is strong in Black Ops 7, and this is a top-tier option
- Extremely high damage with excellent mobility makes it deadly in close-quarters
The weapon excels in:
- ✅ Small, confined maps
- ✅ Objective-based game modes where you’re constantly in tight spaces
- ✅ Aggressive, run-and-gun playstyles
- ✅ Quick-scope backup weapon for snipers (check out these sniper loadouts)
The trade-off: Limited range and very high recoil. This isn’t your long-range battle rifle, but in its intended range, it absolutely melts opponents.
Alternative approach: If SMGs aren’t your thing, use this token on whatever weapon you genuinely love using. Maybe it’s a Level 45 assault rifle, or a Level 38 marksman rifle – whatever keeps you engaged and performing well. Personal preference matters here.
4. Tracker Perk (Level 32) – Or Your Favorite Perk
What it does:
- See enemy footsteps in the world
- ADS auto-pings enemies
- Killing an enemy shows the direction of the next closest enemy on your minimap
- Combat Specialty: Recon
Tracker is intelligence warfare at its finest. In a game where information wins matches, knowing exactly where enemies have been (and where they’re going) is incredibly powerful.
Why it’s good:
- Footsteps create a visual trail you can follow to predict enemy movement
- Auto-ping while ADS means you’re essentially wallhacking legally
- Direction indicator after kills keeps your momentum going without guessing
This perk shines in:
- Search & Destroy
- Free-for-All
- Any mode where individual kills matter
- Maps with multiple flanking routes
The perk token philosophy: Honestly, this slot is flexible. If there’s a different perk you absolutely love that’s locked at a high level, go for that instead. The key is choosing something that complements your playstyle and is locked far enough in the progression that you’ll appreciate having it immediately.
Best Permanent Unlock Tokens for Zombies
1. Aether Shroud Field Upgrade (Level 48) – The Ultimate “Oh Crap” Button
Why it’s essential: This Field Upgrade has saved more high-round runs than any other item in Zombies history.
What it does: Temporarily phases you into the Dark Aether, making you invisible to zombies. You can move, shoot, and reposition while enemies completely ignore you.
Clutch scenarios where Aether Shroud saves you:
- Cornered with no escape route
- One hit away from death and need to regenerate
- Need to revive a teammate in a hot zone
- Training zombies got messy and you need to reset your positioning
- Completing an Exfil when the HVT spawn gets overwhelming
Veterans will unlock this through Augment Research, but newer players won’t see it until Level 48. That’s way too late if you’re serious about Zombies. Unlock it permanently and never worry about it again.
Pro tip: Pair Aether Shroud with the best field upgrade augments to maximize its cooldown and duration. Game-changer.
2. Napalm Burst Ammo Mod (Level 35) – Zursa’s Worst Nightmare
What it is: An ammo mod that converts your bullets to fire damage with a chance to apply burn effects over time.
Why you need it: Two words – Zursa bears.
If you’ve played Ashes of the Damned or the Farm Survival Map past Round 16, you know these zombie bears are absolute tanks. They soak up damage, move fast, and hit like a freight train. Napalm Burst is specifically effective against them because:
- Fire damage exploits their weakness – they take significantly more damage from burning
- DoT effect stacks – burn them once and the damage keeps ticking
- Works on all weapon types – from wall buy weapons to wonder weapons
Beyond Zursa: Napalm Burst is also excellent for general crowd control. Burn effects help thin hordes while you focus on high-priority targets. And when combined with the best ammo mod augments, it becomes even more devastating.
If you’re planning to push high rounds or farm prestige rewards in Zombies, this unlock is worth it.
3. Combat Axe (Level 54) – The Reusable One-Hit Wonder
The appeal: A throwable axe that one-shots enemies and can be picked up and reused infinitely.
Level 54 is painfully close to prestige, meaning you’ll unlock this, use it for barely any time, then lose it again. Permanently unlocking the Combat Axe solves that frustration forever.
Why Combat Axe dominates:
- ✅ One-hit kills on zombies even in high rounds (with proper perk augments)
- ✅ Reusable lethal – just pick it up after throwing
- ✅ Bounces off surfaces – you can bank shots around corners
- ✅ Fast throw animation – quicker than most other lethals
- ✅ Effective against Zursa – interrupt their charge attacks or finish them off
Tactical usage: The Combat Axe shines when you’re training zombies and need a quick, reliable way to eliminate stragglers without wasting ammo. It’s also invaluable when you’re low on resources but still need to clear a path.
Pair this with the Crafting Table for easy resupplies when you do lose it in the chaos.
4. Disciple Injection Scorestreak (Level 53) – The Emergency Transformation
What it does: Temporarily transforms you into a Disciple, giving you enhanced abilities and survivability.
Locked at Level 53, this Scorestreak is one you’ll rarely get to use if you’re constantly prestiging. But when you DO use it, it can completely turn around a bad situation.
Why it’s worth considering:
- Massive damage output – clear entire hordes in seconds
- Enhanced survivability – harder to kill while transformed
- Great for panic moments – when you’re overwhelmed and need breathing room
- Crafting Table access – requires both the salvage AND the unlock level
Similar to the Mutant Injection from previous games, this transformation Scorestreak is all about raw power when you need it most.
The trade-off: Unlike the previous three picks, Disciple Injection is more situational. It’s powerful but not essential. If you’re the type of player who meticulously manages their positioning and rarely gets into desperate situations, this might not be your first choice.
However, if you’re pushing high-round content where even skilled players can get caught off-guard, having this in your back pocket is reassuring.
Strategic Thinking: Planning Your Token Spending
Now that you know the top picks, let’s talk strategy. You’ll accumulate tokens as you prestige, but you can’t unlock everything immediately. Here’s how to prioritize:
Priority Framework
Ask yourself these questions:
- What mode do I play most? – Focus tokens on your primary mode first
- What’s my playstyle? – Aggressive players need different unlocks than tactical ones
- What level range do I usually prestige at? – No point unlocking Level 30 items if you always prestige at 50
- What consistently frustrates me about the grind? – That frustration is your answer
Prestige Order Suggestion
First prestige token:
- Multiplayer main: Specialist Wildcard
- Zombies main: Aether Shroud
Second prestige token:
- Multiplayer main: Gunfighter Wildcard or favorite weapon
- Zombies main: Napalm Burst or Combat Axe
Third and beyond:
- Fill in gaps based on your specific needs
- Consider unlocking high-level items you rarely get to use
What NOT to Waste Tokens On
Avoid these mistakes:
❌ Low-level unlocks (1-20) – You’ll reach these quickly anyway
❌ Items you don’t actually use – Don’t unlock meta picks if they don’t fit your style
❌ Weapons with purchasable blueprints – Unless it’s the MPC-25 or your absolute favorite
❌ Attachments – These unlock through weapon leveling, not level progression
The Vault Edition Advantage
If you purchased the Vault Edition of Black Ops 7, you started with a token before your first prestige. This is a significant advantage because you can immediately unlock a game-changing item without grinding at all.
Smart Vault Edition token usage:
Use your bonus token on whichever #1 pick from above matches your main mode:
- Specialist Wildcard for Multiplayer dominance
- Aether Shroud for Zombies survival
This gives you an immediate competitive edge while everyone else is still grinding through levels.
Make Every Token Count
Permanent Unlock Tokens are valuable precisely because they’re limited. You can’t buy them, you can’t farm them faster – you get them through prestige progression and that’s it.
The items I’ve recommended aren’t just my favorites; they’re the unlocks that provide the most consistent value across the widest range of situations. That said, personal preference should always be your ultimate guide.
If you love a specific weapon, perk, or piece of equipment that’s locked at a high level, don’t feel pressured to follow this guide religiously. The entire point of these tokens is to enhance YOUR experience with the game.
Remember:
- Check the all perks location guide to see what you’re working with in Zombies
- Visit the Pack-a-Punch guide to maximize your weapon damage
- Optimize your overall performance with the best settings
Play smart, prestige with confidence, and make those tokens work for you. See you in the Dark Aether – or on the battlefield, depending on your preference.
What did you spend your first Permanent Unlock Token on? Any regrets, or did you nail it on the first try? The prestige grind is long, but with the right unlocks, it becomes significantly more enjoyable.
