Rogue Run is the new permanent Zombies mode in Black Ops 7 Season 04, and it is a roguelite twist on round-based Zombies set on Ashes of the Damned. You start with nothing but a random pistol, clear waves of zombies, pick rewards between rounds, and try to survive long enough to hunt down HVT bosses or push for high rounds.
The mode launched on June 4, 2026, as part of the Season 04 update, and sits alongside Standard, Survival, Directed, Cursed, and Dead Ops Arcade 4 in the Zombies menu. Unlike limited-time events, Rogue Run is here to stay.
- Roguelite Zombies mode on Ashes of the Damned with 5 playlists
- Start with a random Common Pistol and infinite ammo for primary weapons
- Pick rewards from 3 pedestals after each round (weapons, Perks, Ammo Mods, Field Upgrades)
- 3 HVT bosses: Luci (Doppelghast), Mal (Amalgam), Mo (Abomination)
- Permanent upgrades carry across all playlists
How Rogue Run Works
Rogue Run drops the normal Zombies loadout system entirely. You load in with a randomly selected Common Rarity Pistol and infinite ammo. That is your starting point, every single run.
The core loop is simple: survive a round of zombies, then teleport to an area with three pedestals. Each pedestal offers a reward from a different pool. Pick one within the time limit, or the game picks for you. Then you teleport to the next arena and do it again.
Primary weapons have infinite ammo throughout the entire mode, but Wonder Weapons and Underbarrels do not. This means you never run out of bullets on your main gun, but powerful special weapons still require resource management. If you want to know which weapons perform best in Zombies, check our BO7 Zombies loadout guide.
Pedestal Rewards and Build Strategy
After clearing each round, you teleport to a reward area with three pedestals. Each pedestal draws from a different pool of rewards:
- Utility upgrades
- Weapons (including Wonder Weapons once unlocked)
- Perks
- Field Upgrades
- Ammo Mods
You have a limited window to make your choice. Take too long and the game auto-selects for you. This keeps the pace fast and forces quick decisions about your build path.
All Five Playlists
Rogue Run offers five distinct playlists, each with its own objective and rewards. The first three revolve around hunting a specific HVT boss, while the last two test your overall skill.
Target: Luci
Luci is a Doppelghast that summons volatile attackers to disrupt the fight. The key here is mobility. Stand still and you get overwhelmed by the adds Luci spawns. Completing this playlist unlocks Wonder Weapons as pedestal rewards across all playlists, making it a strong first pick.
Target: Mal
Mal is an Amalgam that drains nearby zombies and resists standard bullet damage. You need elemental damage (Ammo Mods) to deal with Mal effectively. Prioritize Ammo Mod rewards from the pedestals if you are running this playlist.
Target: Mo
Mo is an Abomination that adapts to your weapons over time. The longer you use the same gun against Mo, the less effective it becomes. You need to scavenge and switch weapons regularly to stay effective, which fits the roguelite theme perfectly.
All Targets
All three bosses in a single run. Luci appears at round 20, Mal at round 30, and Mo at round 40. This is the ultimate test. You need a versatile build that can handle all three boss mechanics, and you need to survive 40+ rounds to see Mo. The rewards here are the best in the mode, including the Perkaholic GobbleGum.
Endurance
No boss, no time limit, just survive. Every round gets harder, so your build decisions matter more than in any other playlist. Endurance is where you unlock starting pistol upgrades (Uncommon and Rare) that improve your early game across all playlists.
The Three HVT Bosses
| Boss | Type | Mechanic | Counter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luci | Doppelghast | Summons volatile attackers | Stay mobile, clear adds fast |
| Mal | Amalgam | Drains zombies, resists standard damage | Use elemental/Ammo Mod damage |
| Mo | Abomination | Adapts to your weapons | Switch weapons frequently |
Each boss has its own playlist where you can learn its mechanics before facing all three together in the All Targets playlist.
Permanent Upgrades
One of the most important features of Rogue Run is the permanent upgrade system. These upgrades persist across all matches and all playlists, meaning every run makes future runs easier.
Complete playlist challenges to unlock upgrades like:
- Wonder Weapons appearing as pedestal rewards (from Target: Luci)
- Aether Tools for weapon upgrades (from Target: Luci)
- A permanent 4th reward pedestal (from Target: Mal)
- Pack-a-Punch Crystals (from Target: Mo)
- Augments (from Target: Mo)
- Uncommon and Rare starting pistols (from Endurance)
- Armor Upgrades (from Endurance)
All Rewards by Playlist
Target: Luci
| Challenge | Reward | XP |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Round 5 | ”Who’s Keeping Score?” GobbleGum | 1,000 |
| Complete Round 15 | Wonder Weapons (Permanent Unlock) | 2,500 |
| Defeat Luci | Aether Tools (Permanent Unlock) | 5,000 |
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Click to enlargeTarget: Mal
| Challenge | Reward | XP |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Round 5 | ”Arsenal Accelerator” GobbleGum | 1,000 |
| Complete Round 15 | Permanent 4th Reward Pedestal | 2,500 |
| Defeat Mal | ”Hidden Power” GobbleGum | 5,000 |
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Click to enlargeTarget: Mo
| Challenge | Reward | XP |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Round 5 | ”Profit Sharing” GobbleGum | 1,000 |
| Complete Round 15 | Pack-a-Punch Crystals (Permanent Unlock) | 2,500 |
| Defeat Mo | Augments (Permanent Unlock) | 5,000 |
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Click to enlargeAll Targets
| Challenge | Reward | XP |
|---|---|---|
| Defeat 1 HVT in a single run | ”Modified Chaos” GobbleGum | 10,000 |
| Defeat 2 HVTs in a single run | ”Perkaholic” GobbleGum | 20,000 |
| Defeat all HVTs in a single run | ”Ray to Play” Calling Card | 30,000 |
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Click to enlargeEndurance
| Challenge | Reward | XP |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Round 10 | Uncommon Starting Pistol (Permanent Unlock) | 1,000 |
| Complete Round 20 | Armor Upgrades (Permanent Unlock) | 2,500 |
| Complete Round 30 | Rare Starting Pistol (Permanent Unlock) | 5,000 |
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Click to enlargeRestricted GobbleGums
Rogue Run restricts several GobbleGums to keep the roguelite experience balanced. You cannot use:
- Wall Power
- Wall to Wall Clearance
- Crate Power
- Wonderbar
- Flavor Hex
- Exit Strategy
- Respin Cycle
- Soda Fountain
- Time Out
- Immolation Liquidation
- Anywhere But Here
- Nowhere But There
- Mule Kick
- Fire Sale
Most of the restricted GobbleGums are ones that would let you skip the pedestal reward system entirely, like instantly Pack-a-Punching via Wall Power or rerolling the Mystery Box with Fire Sale. For a full breakdown of how the relic and reward systems work in other Zombies modes, see our Cursed mode guide.
Tips and Strategy
- Start with the Target: Luci playlist to unlock Wonder Weapons as pedestal rewards. This single unlock improves every future run.
- Grab Ammo Mods early. They are essential for the Mal boss fight and useful against regular zombies too.
- Do not get attached to one weapon if you are fighting Mo. The boss literally adapts to whatever you are using.
- Play Endurance early to unlock the Uncommon and Rare starting pistols. Starting with a better weapon makes every playlist easier.
- In All Targets, prioritize a balanced build. You need mobility for Luci, elemental damage for Mal, and weapon variety for Mo.
Want to discuss Rogue Run strategies with other Zombies players? Join 50,000+ players in our Discord where our team is already grinding all five playlists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rogue Run in Black Ops 7 Zombies?
Rogue Run is a permanent roguelite game mode in BO7 Zombies set on Ashes of the Damned. You start with a random pistol and infinite ammo, clear rounds of zombies, then choose rewards from pedestals between rounds. It features five playlists with three HVT bosses (Luci, Mal, Mo) and a permanent upgrade system that carries across all playlists.
How many playlists does Rogue Run have in BO7?
Rogue Run has five playlists: Target: Luci, Target: Mal, Target: Mo, All Targets, and Endurance. The first three focus on hunting a specific HVT boss. All Targets puts all three bosses in one run at rounds 20, 30, and 40. Endurance is a pure survival mode where you push as far as possible.
What are the Rogue Run bosses in BO7 Zombies?
There are three HVT bosses in Rogue Run. Luci is a Doppelghast that summons volatile attackers. Mal is an Amalgam that drains nearby zombies and resists standard damage, requiring elemental damage. Mo is an Abomination that adapts to your weapons over time, forcing you to switch weapons.
What are permanent upgrades in BO7 Rogue Run?
Permanent upgrades are in-mode rewards that persist across all Rogue Run playlists. They include better starting pistols, Wonder Weapon access, Aether Tools, Pack-a-Punch Crystals, Augments, and Armor Upgrades. You unlock them by completing playlist challenges like reaching certain rounds or defeating bosses.
Is Rogue Run solo or squad in BO7 Zombies?
You can play Rogue Run both solo and in a squad. The mode supports squad fill from the lobby screen. Both approaches are viable, though squad play can help with the harder playlists like All Targets.
What GobbleGums are restricted in BO7 Rogue Run?
Several GobbleGums are restricted in Rogue Run, including Wall Power, Wall to Wall Clearance, Crate Power, Wonderbar, Flavor Hex, Exit Strategy, Respin Cycle, Soda Fountain, Time Out, Immolation Liquidation, Anywhere But Here, Nowhere But There, Mule Kick, and Fire Sale.
Can you get Wonder Weapons in Rogue Run?
Yes, but only after unlocking the Wonder Weapons permanent Rogue Run reward by completing Round 15 in the Target: Luci playlist. Once unlocked, Wonder Weapons can appear as pedestal rewards in all playlists. Note that Wonder Weapons do not have infinite ammo, unlike primary weapons.
Is Rogue Run a limited-time mode in BO7?
No, Rogue Run is a permanent addition to BO7 Zombies. It launched with Season 04 on June 4, 2026, and is here to stay alongside Standard, Survival, Directed, Cursed, and Dead Ops Arcade 4.
