Hidden within the Ashes of the Damned map lies one of Black Ops 7 Zombies’ most emotionally charged easter eggs—a secret that rewards players with the “Good Soldiers” trophy/achievement while revealing a glimpse into Dempsey’s haunted past. After stumbling upon this easter egg during a routine exploration run, I was genuinely surprised by both its narrative weight and the generous rewards it offers.
This isn’t just a trophy hunt—it’s a story moment that longtime Zombies fans will appreciate, wrapped in practical benefits like legendary weapon drops, Salvage, and Essence. Whether you’re achievement hunting or just looking for free high-tier loot, this hidden sequence delivers both.
Good Soldiers Trophy/Achievement Requirements
Achievement Name: Good Soldiers
Description: Discover the secrets of a war hero
Difficulty: Easy (requires specific Operator and map knowledge)
Time Required: 10-15 minutes from match start
Repeatable: Yes (rewards given each completion)
Platform availability:
- PlayStation: Trophy
- Xbox: Achievement
- PC (Steam/Battle.net): Achievement
Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting
Before attempting this easter egg, ensure you have these requirements met:
1. Operator Selection: Dempsey (Mandatory)
This easter egg is exclusive to Dempsey as your playable Operator. You cannot trigger the sequence with any other character—the game simply won’t recognize your interaction.
How to select Dempsey:
- From the Zombies lobby menu, navigate to Operator selection
- Choose Dempsey from available Operators
- Confirm selection before loading into the map
If you don’t own Dempsey, you’ll need to unlock him through progression or purchase. Check our complete Operators guide for unlock requirements.
2. Map Access: Ashes of the Damned
Load into the Ashes of the Damned Zombies map. This easter egg is map-specific and cannot be completed on other Zombies maps.
3. Ol’ Tessie Vehicle Access
You need to have activated Ol’ Tessie (the driveable truck) to efficiently reach the Crashed Rocket location. While technically possible to reach on foot, driving Ol’ Tessie is significantly faster and safer.
Quick Ol’ Tessie activation:
If you’re unfamiliar with the activation process, see our complete Ashes of the Damned walkthrough for detailed instructions on freeing T.E.D.D. and getting the vehicle operational.
4. Map Progression to Ashwood
The Crashed Rocket location sits between Ashwood and Zarya Cosmodrome. You’ll need to have progressed far enough through the map to access this area, which typically happens around Round 7-10 if following optimal progression routes.
Step-by-Step Guide: Unlocking Good Soldiers
Step 1: Select Dempsey and Load In
Before starting your match:
- Navigate to Operator selection screen
- Choose Dempsey (this is mandatory)
- Confirm your loadout
- Launch into Ashes of the Damned
Pro tip: Bring a solid starting loadout since you’ll need to survive until you reach the Crashed Rocket area. Check our best loadout guides for weapon recommendations.
Step 2: Progress Through Early Map Setup
Follow standard early-game progression:
- Spawn at Janus Towers Plaza
- Free T.E.D.D. from the Server Room (costs 1,250 Essence)
- Activate Ol’ Tessie by installing T.E.D.D.’s head
- Drive to Vandorn Farm and activate power
- Continue to Ashwood and unlock the upper areas
For detailed early-game strategy, including optimal Essence spending and power activation, see our step-by-step walkthrough.
Recommended round for attempt: Round 8-12
Minimum Essence needed: ~3,000-5,000 for door purchases en route
Step 3: Navigate to Ashwood
Drive Ol’ Tessie from Vandorn Farm to Ashwood:
- Head south through the newly opened gate
- Drive through the Grounded Ship (follow the linear path)
- Hit green Dark Aether plants for Essence, Salvage, and vehicle healing
- Arrive at Ashwood and park temporarily
At Ashwood:
- Purchase necessary doors to access upper levels
- Activate the Ashwood Bridge power if you haven’t already
- Ensure you have enough Essence for the next area’s doors
Step 4: Unlock the Southeast Gate to Zarya Cosmodrome
From Ashwood, you need to open the path leading southeast toward Zarya Cosmodrome.
Gate location:
Southeast of Ashwood, you’ll find a large barrier gate that requires Essence to unlock. This opens the route to the Crashed Rocket area.
Cost: Varies (typically 1,750-2,500 Essence depending on progression)
Navigation tip:
Look for the southeastern exit from Ashwood—it’s distinct from the other routes and clearly leads toward industrial/military infrastructure rather than rural areas.
Step 5: Locate the Crashed Rocket Area
Area name: Crashed Rocket
Location: Connecting path between Ashwood and Zarya Cosmodrome
Once you’ve opened the southeast gate from Ashwood:
- Drive Ol’ Tessie through the gate (you can do this on foot, but the vehicle is safer)
- Follow the path toward Zarya Cosmodrome
- Watch for the crashed rocket debris on the right side of the road
The Crashed Rocket area features significant wreckage—large rocket parts scattered across the landscape, charred ground, and clear signs of a catastrophic impact. It’s hard to miss once you’re in the correct zone.
Step 6: Find the Dog Tags Interaction Point
Exact location:
On the right side of the main crashed rocket debris, you’ll see several charred corpses. The dog tags are positioned directly to the right of these bodies, near a large rocket fragment.
What to look for:
- Charred bodies/corpses (dark, burned remains)
- Large metallic rocket debris
- Interaction prompt appears when close enough
Interaction method:
Hold the reload button when standing near the dog tags. The game will display an interaction prompt once you’re in the correct position.
Important: You must be playing as Dempsey for the interaction prompt to appear. Other Operators will not see the option to interact with the dog tags.
Step 7: Watch the Cutscene
Upon successfully interacting with the dog tags:
What happens:
- Dempsey picks up the military dog tags
- A brief cutscene triggers showing Dempsey’s reaction
- You’re immediately teleported to a Dark Aether realm
Narrative context:
The dog tags belong to a fallen comrade, triggering a PTSD-induced memory for Dempsey. This brief story moment adds emotional depth to a character often portrayed as purely comedic or aggressive. For longtime Zombies fans, these character-building moments are what make Black Ops lore compelling.
Step 8: Complete the Dark Aether Challenge
Once teleported into the Dark Aether realm, you’ll enter a combat sequence:
Objective: Follow the black floating orb and eliminate all spawning zombies
Phase structure:
- First orb phase: Black orb appears → follow it → kill zombies that spawn
- Second orb phase: Orb relocates → follow again → kill more zombies
- Third orb phase: Final location → eliminate remaining zombies
Combat tips:
Weapon recommendations:
Bring a Pack-a-Punched weapon if possible, though the challenge isn’t particularly difficult even with base weapons. The zombie count isn’t overwhelming—focus on accuracy rather than panic spraying.
Field Upgrade strategy:
If you have Aether Shroud or Frenzied Guard available, save it for the final phase when zombie density peaks. Energy Mine also works well for area control during the orb-following sections.
Movement strategy:
Keep moving while tracking the orb. Don’t let zombies surround you—maintain spacing by kiting in circles around the orb’s location.
Equipment usage:
Lethal grenades (Semtex, Frag) quickly clear grouped zombies. Tactical equipment like Stuns can provide breathing room if you get cornered.
Step 9: Transformation into Disciple
After completing the third orb phase and eliminating all zombies:
What happens:
- You’re temporarily transformed into a Disciple (Elite Enemy)
- Experience a brief power fantasy moment as this powerful zombie form
- Automatically return to the Crashed Rocket location in the normal world
Disciple transformation:
This is purely cinematic—you don’t need to do anything except enjoy the brief moment of being an invincible Elite Enemy. The transformation serves as your “reward fanfare” before returning to reality.
Fun fact: The Disciple is the same Elite Enemy you can temporarily become using the Disciple Injection Scorestreak. This easter egg gives you a taste of that power without spending Salvage.
Step 10: Collect Your Rewards
Upon returning to the Crashed Rocket area:
Trophy/Achievement unlocked: Good Soldiers ✓
Loot rewards (randomized):
- Salvage (typically 500-1,000)
- Essence (typically 2,000-5,000)
- Legendary Weapon (random legendary-tier weapon)
- Scorestreak (random Scorestreak item)
Loot appears: Directly at the dog tags interaction point where you started the sequence
What you’ll likely receive:
The exact rewards vary per completion, but you’re guaranteed significant resource drops. The Legendary weapon is particularly valuable early-game, as it provides weapon rarity typically requiring 1,500+ Salvage to achieve through Arsenal upgrades.
Reward Analysis: Is It Worth It?
Time investment: 10-15 minutes from match start
Essence cost: ~5,000-8,000 for door purchases
Difficulty: Very easy
Repeatability: Yes, every match
Value assessment:
For achievement hunters:
Absolutely worth it. Easy trophy/achievement that most players can complete within their first few serious attempts.
For resource farmers:
The rewards (Salvage, Essence, Legendary weapon) justify the time investment, especially if you’re already progressing through Ashwood naturally. The Legendary weapon alone saves significant Salvage that would otherwise be spent on Arsenal upgrades.
For casual players:
Provides a narrative moment that enriches the Zombies experience while delivering practical benefits. Even if you’re not chasing achievements, the free loot helps you survive longer.
Comparison to normal progression:
Following our optimal walkthrough route, you’ll naturally pass through Ashwood around Round 7-9. Adding 5-10 minutes to detour for this easter egg is minimal compared to the rewards received.
Strategy Tips for Efficient Completion
Optimize Your Route
Efficient progression path:
- Complete standard early-game setup (T.E.D.D., Ol’ Tessie, Vandorn Farm)
- Progress to Ashwood for Pack-a-Punch
- While at Ashwood, purchase necessary Perks (Jugger-Nog minimum)
- Head southeast to Crashed Rocket for Good Soldiers easter egg
- Use the free Legendary weapon to accelerate your high-round attempts
This route ensures you’re properly equipped for the Dark Aether challenge while maximizing efficiency.
Combat Preparation
Minimum recommended loadout:
- Weapon: Any primary with 2+ magazines of ammo
- Armor: Tier 2 minimum (preferably Tier 3)
- Perks: Jugger-Nog recommended but not mandatory
- Field Upgrade: Any defensive option works
The Dark Aether challenge isn’t difficult enough to require extensive preparation. Standard mid-game loadouts easily handle the zombie spawns.
Solo vs. Squad Completion
Solo advantages:
- Complete at your own pace
- All rewards go to you
- No coordination required
Squad advantages:
- Teammates can cover you during cutscene triggers
- Faster zombie elimination in Dark Aether
- Share the narrative experience
Note: Each player running Dempsey can trigger their own instance of the easter egg individually, even in squad play. Rewards are per-player, not shared.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
“I don’t see the interaction prompt”
Possible causes:
- Wrong Operator: You must be playing as Dempsey specifically
- Wrong location: Ensure you’re at the Crashed Rocket area, not a different wreckage site
- Incorrect position: Stand directly next to the charred corpses and rocket debris on the right side
Solution: Double-check your Operator selection before loading in. If you’re certain you’re Dempsey, try walking around the entire rocket debris field to find the exact interaction point.
“The black orb disappeared”
Cause: The orb moves to new locations after you clear each zombie phase.
Solution: Follow the orb to its next position. It doesn’t disappear—it relocates. Keep your eyes on it between combat phases.
“I died during the Dark Aether section”
What happens: You return to the normal world at the Crashed Rocket location and must restart the easter egg from the dog tags interaction.
Prevention tips:
- Bring more ammo/better weapons
- Use Field Upgrades defensively
- Keep moving—don’t let zombies corner you
- Prioritize staying alive over fast kills
“I already completed it but want rewards again”
Good news: This easter egg is repeatable every match. Simply load into a new Ashes of the Damned game as Dempsey and complete the sequence again for fresh rewards.
Advanced Optimization: Speedrun Strategy
For players wanting to complete Good Soldiers as quickly as possible:
Fastest possible completion time: ~8-10 minutes
Speedrun route:
- Round 1-2: Rush Server Room (1,250 Essence via headshots)
- Round 3: Grab T.E.D.D., activate Ol’ Tessie
- Round 4-5: Drive to Vandorn Farm, skip power activation (not needed for easter egg)
- Round 6-7: Rush to Ashwood, buy only essential doors
- Round 8: Open southeast gate, drive to Crashed Rocket
- Round 8-9: Complete easter egg sequence
Key optimization: Skip all non-essential purchases. You only need enough Essence for door costs between spawn and Crashed Rocket. The Dark Aether combat is easy enough with starting weapons.
Risk factor: This aggressive speedrun leaves you under-equipped for post-easter egg gameplay. Only attempt if you’re solely focused on unlocking the achievement and plan to extract immediately after.
Lore Context: Why This Matters
For players invested in Black Ops Zombies storytelling, this easter egg provides meaningful character development for Dempsey.
Character background:
Tank Dempsey, the stereotypical “loud American Marine,” typically serves as comic relief in the Ultimis/Primis storylines. This hidden sequence reveals a more vulnerable side—the psychological trauma that haunts soldiers who’ve experienced loss in combat.
The dog tags:
Represent fallen comrades from Dempsey’s past military service. The PTSD-induced flashback shows that beneath the bravado lies genuine emotional scarring from his experiences.
Narrative weight:
These brief character moments are what elevate Black Ops Zombies from “arcade survival mode” to “story-driven experience.” The developers didn’t need to include this optional sequence, but doing so rewards exploration while deepening the protagonist’s characterization.
For longtime fans who’ve followed Dempsey’s journey across multiple games, this easter egg lands with emotional resonance that justifies the “war hero” achievement name.
Related Easter Eggs and Secrets
Ashes of the Damned contains multiple hidden secrets beyond Good Soldiers:
Other discoveries:
- Various musical easter eggs triggered by interacting with specific objects
- Hidden Intel documents providing lore context
- Alternative Pack-a-Punch camo unlocks
- Secret training spot locations
Main Easter Egg quest:
The Good Soldiers achievement is separate from Ashes of the Damned’s full main Easter Egg quest. If you’re interested in the complete storyline experience, that requires additional steps beyond this guide’s scope.
Quick Reference Checklist
Pre-match preparation:
- ☐ Select Dempsey as Operator
- ☐ Equip preferred starting loadout
- ☐ Launch into Ashes of the Damned
In-match progression:
- ☐ Free T.E.D.D. and activate Ol’ Tessie (Round 2-3)
- ☐ Progress to Ashwood (Round 7-9)
- ☐ Activate Ashwood power and access Pack-a-Punch
- ☐ Purchase Tier 2+ Armor
- ☐ Grab Jugger-Nog if possible
- ☐ Open southeast gate toward Zarya Cosmodrome
- ☐ Drive to Crashed Rocket area
Easter egg execution:
- ☐ Locate charred corpses on right side of rocket debris
- ☐ Hold reload button to interact with dog tags
- ☐ Watch cutscene
- ☐ Phase 1: Follow black orb, kill zombies
- ☐ Phase 2: Follow orb to new location, kill zombies
- ☐ Phase 3: Final orb location, kill remaining zombies
- ☐ Experience Disciple transformation
- ☐ Return to Crashed Rocket
- ☐ Collect rewards (Salvage, Essence, Legendary weapon, Scorestreak)
- ☐ Achievement unlocked: Good Soldiers ✓
Maximize Your Zombies Experience
Essential guides for Ashes of the Damned:
Optimization guides:
Combat strategies:
General Zombies help:
Join the Black Ops 7 community on Reddit or Discord to share your easter egg discoveries and coordinate achievement hunting.
For official game updates, visit the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 website or check the Wikipedia page.
Final Thoughts: The Good Soldiers achievement represents everything great about hidden Zombies content—easy enough for casual players to complete, rewarding enough to justify the time investment, and narratively significant enough to resonate with longtime fans. Whether you’re chasing 100% completion or just want free Legendary weapons, this easter egg delivers on all fronts. Load in as Dempsey, follow the steps, and discover what makes a soldier truly “good.”
