How to Kill OSCAR in Black Ops 7 Zombies – Astra Malorum Boss Guide

If you’ve been exploring the Astra Malorum map in Black Ops 7 Zombies, you’ve probably encountered O.S.C.A.R. – the intimidating electrified robot that patrols the corridors like a mechanical nightmare. This elite enemy isn’t your typical zombie threat, and honestly? He’s designed to make your life difficult.

The good news is that while OSCAR is tough, there are smart ways to handle him (or avoid him altogether). Let’s break down everything you need to know about this robotic menace and how to send him back to the scrap heap.

What Is OSCAR in Black Ops 7 Zombies?

O.S.C.A.R. serves as the primary elite enemy in Astra Malorum, functioning similarly to George Romero from the classic Call of the Dead map. He’s essentially a roaming miniboss that spawns periodically and patrols the map looking for players to zap with his laser attacks.

Think of him as the map’s built-in difficulty modifier – he’s not really meant to be killed every time he shows up. Instead, he’s designed to create tension and force you to adapt your strategy on the fly.

OSCAR’s Abilities and Why He’s So Dangerous

Before we talk about killing OSCAR in Black Ops 7 Zombies, let’s understand what makes him such a threat:

• Absurdly High Health Pool: This guy can tank damage like nobody’s business
• Zombie Buffing: OSCAR empowers nearby zombies with red eyes, making them faster and more aggressive
• Powerful Laser Attacks: His ranged attacks hit hard and can down you quickly
• Drone Shield System: He deploys drones that make him completely immune to damage
• Respawning Mechanic: Like George Romero, he comes back every few rounds

The silver lining? He moves extremely slowly, making him easy to outrun if you just want to survive.

OSCAR Weaknesses in Black Ops 7 Zombies

Here’s the thing that surprised me when I first fought him: OSCAR has no elemental weaknesses. Yep, you read that right. No fire, ice, electricity, or toxic damage will do extra harm to this metal monstrosity.

However, his drones are weak to Brain Rot. This is crucial because those drones are what make OSCAR invulnerable. Taking them out quickly should be your first priority if you’re planning to damage him.

Best Ammo Mods for Fighting OSCAR

While OSCAR himself isn’t weak to any specific ammo mod, here’s what actually works:

Brain Rot – Your MVP for this fight. Use it to quickly eliminate the drones that protect OSCAR. Without those drones, he becomes vulnerable to your attacks.

Light Mend with Big Game Augment – This combo has a chance to deal massive chunks of damage to OSCAR. The Big Game augment is specifically designed for high-health enemies, making it perfect for this situation. Check out our best ammo mod augments guide for more details.

How to Kill OSCAR in Black Ops 7 Zombies – Step by Step

Alright, let’s get to the actual strategy for taking down this mechanical beast:

Step 1: Prepare Your Loadout

Before engaging OSCAR, make sure you have:

• At least one weapon with Brain Rot (for the drones)
• A high-damage Pack-a-Punched weapon
• Full armor and perks equipped
• Plenty of salvage for crafting equipment

Step 2: Use the Environment to Your Advantage

The trap method is honestly the most effective way to kill OSCAR in Black Ops 7 Zombies. Astra Malorum is loaded with traps that can deal significant damage to him:

• Lure OSCAR near activated traps
• Let the traps do most of the heavy lifting while you focus on drones
• Keep moving to avoid his laser attacks and buffed zombies

Step 3: Target the Drones First

When OSCAR deploys his protective drones:

1. Switch to your Brain Rot weapon immediately
2. Take out all drones as quickly as possible
3. Only damage OSCAR once the drones are eliminated
4. Rinse and repeat when he spawns new drones

Step 4: Hit and Run Tactics

OSCAR moves slowly, so use this to your advantage:

• Deal damage in short bursts
• Retreat when he buffs nearby zombies
• Circle back once the area is clear
• Never let yourself get cornered

Should You Even Bother Killing OSCAR?

Here’s some real talk: OSCAR is designed to be avoided, not actively hunted. The developers intentionally made him a recurring threat that respawns every few rounds, similar to classic zombie minibosses.

Unless you’re specifically grinding for elite zombie challenges or Dark Ops achievements, your time and resources are better spent focusing on other objectives like the main Easter egg or camo challenges.

The fight itself is more of a resource drain than a rewarding experience. OSCAR doesn’t drop unique loot or significantly boost your progression – he’s purely a gameplay obstacle.

Best Strategies for Different Playstyles

Solo Players

If you’re running Astra Malorum solo:

• Prioritize avoidance over combat
• Use training spots to keep zombies grouped and away from OSCAR
• Only engage if you have optimal positioning near traps
• Save your field upgrades for emergency escapes

Team Play

With a squad, killing OSCAR becomes more manageable:

• Assign one player to drone duty (Brain Rot weapon)
• Have others focus fire on OSCAR with high-damage weapons
• Coordinate trap usage to maximize damage output
• One player should manage zombie cleanup while others focus on OSCAR

Additional Tips for Fighting OSCAR

Stay Mobile: OSCAR’s slow movement speed is your biggest advantage. Keep circling the map and never stay in one spot too long.

Watch for Red-Eyed Zombies: When zombies near OSCAR get buffed, they become significantly more dangerous. Clear them out before focusing on the boss.

Use Gobblegums Wisely: Save your best Gobblegums for OSCAR encounters if you’re committed to killing him.

Optimize Your Loadout: Check out our best weapons for Zombies guide and best Zombies loadout recommendations.

Farm Resources First: Make sure you have enough essence before attempting to kill OSCAR.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Fighting OSCAR in tight spaces – You need room to maneuver
• Ignoring the drones – They make him invincible, so prioritize them
• Using the wrong ammo mods – OSCAR has no elemental weaknesses, so standard damage is fine
• Staying too close – His laser attacks and buffed zombies will overwhelm you
• Fighting without preparation – Always have full armor, perks, and upgraded weapons

Rewards for Killing OSCAR

Let’s be honest here: the rewards for killing OSCAR aren’t spectacular. You won’t get any unique wonder weapons or exclusive items. The main benefits are:

• Progress toward elite zombie elimination challenges
• Personal satisfaction of defeating a tough enemy
• Slightly safer gameplay for the next few rounds (until he respawns)

For most players, the resource cost outweighs the benefits. But if you’re a completionist or going for specific challenges, then taking him down is worth the effort.

Alternative Strategy: Just Avoid Him

Remember, OSCAR is extremely slow. You can literally just run away from him. Here’s how:

1. Keep an eye on your surroundings as you play
2. Listen for his distinctive mechanical sounds
3. When you spot him, simply move to a different area of the map
4. Continue your normal gameplay in safer zones
5. Wait for him to despawn or move far away

This is honestly the most efficient strategy for most players. Save your ammo, armor, and sanity for the actual threats and objectives.

FAQs About Killing OSCAR in Black Ops 7 Zombies

Thoughts on Killing OSCAR

OSCAR is one of the most interesting elite enemies in Black Ops 7 Zombies because he challenges the typical “kill everything” mentality most of us bring to zombie modes. He’s a strategic obstacle that rewards smart play and resource management over brute force.

Whether you choose to fight or flee, understanding his mechanics makes Astra Malorum a much more manageable experience. If you’re just getting started with the map, check out our complete Ashes of the Damned walkthrough and beginner tips for Zombies.

For more Black Ops 7 content, updates, and community discussions, visit the official Call of Duty website, join the Black Ops 7 subreddit, or connect with other players on the COD Community Discord.

Now get out there and show OSCAR who’s boss – or just run away. Both strategies work perfectly fine!

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Related Guides:

• All Special Elite Zombies Complete Guide
• Best Perk Augments for Zombies
• How to Unlock Augments and Research
• Best Field Upgrade Augments