BO7 Endgame Guide: Assignments, Skills and Tips (2026)

Endgame is the best co-op experience Call of Duty has put out in years. It is a PvE extraction shooter where you drop onto Avalon, a massive open-world map, and race against a 50-minute timer to complete missions, level up, fight bosses, and get out alive. No PvP. No battle royale. Just you and up to 23 other players against waves of enemies, world bosses, and the clock.

This guide covers every mechanic in Endgame from scratch. If you are brand new and wondering what this mode even is, start from the top. If you already play and want specifics on skill tracks, abilities, or Nightmare Zones, jump to the section you need using the table of contents above.

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What is Endgame?

Endgame is a PvE extraction shooter built into Black Ops 7. You and up to 23 other players drop onto Avalon, a huge open-world map divided into difficulty zones. The goal: complete missions, level your operator's Combat Rating, collect better weapons, and extract before the 50-minute timer hits zero.

There is zero PvP in Endgame. Everyone in the lobby works together or independently. You can squad up with friends or run solo with squad fill to get matched with random teammates. Endgame is also now free to play for a limited time during Season 3, accessible directly from the main Call of Duty menu. You do not need to own Black Ops 7.

If you have played DMZ from Modern Warfare or MWZ from MW3, Endgame follows a similar structure but with deeper progression. Your operator keeps their Combat Rating and weapon upgrades across matches, as long as you extract successfully. If you die or fail to extract, your operator resets and you lose progress.

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Combat Rating System

Combat Rating (CR) is your power level in Endgame. It controls how much damage you deal, what zones you can survive in, and which skills you unlock. Raising your CR is the first priority every match.

Combat Rating	Damage Multiplier	What Unlocks
CR 1-9	1x (base)	Starting skills, Zone 1 content
CR 10	2x	Zone 2 viable, second skill track choice
CR 30	4x	Zone 3 viable
CR 45	8x (maximum)	Zone 4 viable, boss fights
CR 60	8x	All base skills unlocked
CR 63	8x	True max (via World Event bonuses)

The jump from CR 1 to CR 10 doubles your damage output. That is the single biggest power spike in the game. Early game should focus entirely on hitting CR 10 through HVT assignments, then pushing toward CR 30 and 45 for Zone 3 and 4 access.

Multiple Operators

You have 4 operator slots, each with their own Combat Rating, skill tracks, and loadout. If your main operator dies and loses progress, you can switch to a backup who still has their CR intact. Think of it as insurance. Many experienced players keep 2-3 operators leveled for exactly this reason.

As of Season 3, each operator has their own weapon loadout (previously loadouts were shared), and CR loss from death is capped at 15 per wipe. You also keep your base skill tracks when you die. This makes dying less catastrophic than it used to be, but extraction is still essential for keeping Exotic and Nightmare Skills.

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The Five Zones

Avalon is divided into four main difficulty zones plus the Nightmare Zone, a temporary Tier 5 area that spawns mid-match. The zones are color-coded on your tactical map.

Nothing stops you from entering higher zones early, but enemies will take forever to kill if your CR is too low. Each zone crossing triggers an on-screen notification with the zone number and recommended CR.

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Assignments and Activities

There are two ways to earn Combat Rating power and loot: Activities (green icons) that start automatically when you enter the area, and Assignments (blue icons) that require you to interact with a contract.

Activities (Green Icons)

These are quick, passive events that trigger when you walk into the area. You do not need to activate them. Nearby players share the rewards regardless of squad.

Activity	Description	Power Reward
Command Center	Clear a fortified position. Contains a Jailbreak workbench for weapon upgrades	200-600
Convoy	Intercept and destroy a moving cargo vehicle	200-600
Gear Drop	Defend a supply drop from enemies. Checkpoint Activities fall under this category	200-600
Toxin Field	Clear toxic plants from an area	200-400
VTOL Hunt	Shoot down an enemy VTOL aircraft	200-600
Toxin Chase	Rooftop-based pursuit activity	200-400
Strongbox Crack	Open a locked supply cache while defending the area	200-400
Grid Takedown	Disable Guild power grid nodes	200-600
Roadside Salvage	Collect salvage from roadside supply points	200-400
Deep Cover	Find and eliminate hidden Mimic enemies disguised as normal zombies	200-400

Assignments (Blue Icons)

Assignments give much more CR power but require you to walk up to a contract and activate it. These are where you should focus your time.

Assignment	Description	Power Reward
HVT (High-Value Target)	Track and eliminate a specific elite enemy. The fastest way to level up	500-2000
Mystery Cargo	Complete a delivery objective. Now rewards Major Ability Cases (Season 3 Reloaded)	500-1500
Surprise Shipments	Similar to Mystery Cargo, now rewards Minor Ability Cases	500-1500
D.A.W.G. Escort	Escort a robotic dog to an extraction point	500-1500
Quadcore Sites	Objective-based site defense with infinite enemy spawns until complete	500-1500
Evidence Collection	Gather intel from specific map locations	500-1000
Data Collection	Download data from Guild terminals across the map	500-1000
Supply Disruption	Destroy Guild supply caches	500-1000
Prime Target	Eliminate a high-priority single target	500-1500

Camo Grinding Tip

If you need to grind weapon camos or headshot challenges, find a Quadcore Site and start the event but do not complete the objective. Enemies spawn infinitely until you finish. Pop an XP token and farm until you are satisfied, then complete the objective and move on.

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Weapons, Rarity and Exotics

Every weapon in Endgame has a rarity tier that directly multiplies its damage. Upgrading weapon rarity is just as important as raising your Combat Rating.

Rarity	Color	Damage Bonus
Common	Gray	125%
Rare	Blue	150%
Epic	Purple	175%
Legendary	Gold	200%
Exotic	Orange	350% + special traits

How to Upgrade Weapons

• Jailbreak Workbenches: Found in cleared Command Centers. Upgrade one tier at a time
• Legendary Workbenches: Found in Zone 4 Command Centers. Skip straight to gold
• Exotic Fabricator: Spawns after defeating Nightmare Zone bosses. Upgrades any weapon to Exotic rarity (3.5x damage) with 2 random traits. One use per match

As of Season 3, you can also make your loadout weapons Exotic at the workbench. You no longer need to rely on world drops for exotics.

Exotic Weapon Traits

Exotic weapons come with 2 random traits from this pool:

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All 9 Skill Tracks

As you level up, you choose between Skill Tracks that give passive bonuses. You pick 3 total per operator, selected at CR 1, 6, and 16. Each time you level up to a skill choice, you get 2 random tracks to pick from. Once you pick, you cannot change it. There are 9 tracks available (6 original + 3 added in later seasons).

Track	Playstyle	Signature Skills
Berserker	Aggressive offense	Fast Weapon Fire, Kills Regen Armor, Fall Explosions, Crit Chain Speed Boost
Bulldozer	Defensive tank	Explosive Resistance (total immunity when maxed), Tackle, Armor Regen, Revival Protection
Daredevil	Mobility	Wingsuit Glider, Slide Explosions, Super Slider, Dive Bomber
Eagle Eye	Precision damage	Increased Crit Damage, Armor Breaker, Last Shots Plus, Rampage
Gunner	Weapon performance	Reload Speed, Ammo Auto-Refill, Shocking Reload, Fast Weapon Swap
Phantom	Stealth	Silent Movement, Ambush (crit damage from behind), Decoy, Trap Avoidance
Surgeon	Survivability	Off The Floor (auto-revive on kills in Last Stand), Heal Faster, Fast Revive
Tactician	Equipment focus	Pinata (equipment drops on kill), Quick Deploy, Equipment Hound, Recharger
Warband	Squad support	Healthhounds (healing allies), Wirehand, Bloodrunner, Smuggler, Plague

Best Skill Track Combos

Bulldozer appears in every recommended combo because Explosive Resistance at max rank makes you completely immune to explosives, including your own. This lets you run rocket launchers and C4 without self-damage.

As of Season 3, you can reset individual skill tracks on a maxed operator without wiping your entire CR. If you picked a track you regret, this gives you a second chance.

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Abilities (Major and Minor)

Before dropping into Endgame, configure your abilities in the Operators menu. You have two slots: one Major Ability and one Minor Ability.

Major Abilities

Crash Cart is non-negotiable for solo play. The rechargeable self-revive has saved more runs than any other ability. For coordinated squads, Ballistic Shell's dome lets your whole team shoot outward while blocking all incoming damage, perfect for boss fights and extractions.

Minor Abilities

Grappling Hook is the standard pick. It attaches to trees, buildings, lampposts, and launches you into the air where you deploy your wingsuit. This is the fastest way to cross the map and the reason most players can skip vehicles entirely.

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Guild Strikes and Nightmare Zones

Guild Strikes are mid-match boss encounters that appear on your tactical map. Defeating the Guild Strike boss transforms the surrounding area into a Nightmare Zone, the Tier 5 difficulty tier that is not on the map by default.

How Nightmare Zones Work

1. A Guild Container spawns mid-match (marked on the tactical map)
2. Clear the Guild Strike boss (for example O.S.C.A.R. at the Winery)
3. The area erupts and becomes contaminated, transforming into a Nightmare Zone
4. Nightmare-level enemies spawn, significantly tougher than Zone 4
5. A special boss appears: the Mega Abomination (returning from MWZ)
6. Defeat the Mega Abomination to unlock the Exotic Fabricator and earn an Exotic Weapon Case

The Exotic Fabricator

The Exotic Fabricator is the single best reward in Endgame. It is a one-use device per match that upgrades any weapon to Exotic rarity (3.5x damage) and adds a random bonus ability and ammo modification. Getting to a Nightmare Zone boss and clearing it should be a priority every match once you have the CR to handle it.

O.S.C.A.R. Boss

O.S.C.A.R. is the Guild Strike boss found at the Winery. Eliminate the drones that grant it invulnerability, then deal damage to the boss itself. Previously, O.S.C.A.R. respawned every 10 minutes, letting players farm it multiple times per match. As of Season 3 Reloaded, O.S.C.A.R. no longer respawns after being killed.

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World Events and Bosses

World Events are massive boss encounters that spawn randomly during matches. They require coordination with other players and high Combat Rating. Defeating them rewards Exotic Skills, +3 CR, and high-tier loot.

Colossus of Avalon

The giant robot from Black Ops 2 Origins. This is a multi-phase puzzle encounter, not just a damage check.

1. Wait for the Colossus to spawn (random, within 5-10 minutes of match start)
2. Climb onto the robot and enter through the access point on its back
3. Defeat the HEL-A27 mini-boss inside
4. One player stands on the red pressure plate to activate three red lightbulbs
5. Other players shoot the lightbulbs to temporarily disable the core shield
6. Damage the exposed core. Repeat until the Colossus falls

This fight needs at least 2 players because someone must hold the pressure plate. Bring a rocket launcher for the core damage phase. Recommended CR 45+.

Toxic Tyrant Z-Rex

The zombie T-Rex from Black Ops 6. A chaotic, mobility-focused fight. The Z-Rex charges and can one-shot players, so staying airborne or behind cover is essential. Focus fire on glowing weak points. It can be soloed but the time limit makes it difficult alone.

Wraith Wing

The easiest World Event. Activate three computers around the map to spawn a special VTOL aircraft. Target the engines for critical damage. Can be done with 2-3 players and a launcher. If you are farming Exotic Skills, this is the fastest boss to clear.

Dr. Falkner

The ultimate challenge. Located on Red Skull Island (Listening Post) in Zone 4. Requires CR 45+.

1. Head to Red Skull Island
2. Destroy approximately 100 toxic plants around the island
3. Fight off enemy waves as you clear plants
4. Once all plants are destroyed, Dr. Falkner spawns on the helipad
5. Defeat him using a rocket launcher (the Arrow 109 is ideal)

Defeating Dr. Falkner guarantees an Exotic Weapon drop and unlocks the "No Fear" operator skin for the character you extracted with. You can also extract directly from his location after defeating him. Many players call out "boss?" in game chat. Other players usually want to help.

World Event Rewards

Reward	Details
Exotic Skill Case	Choose one of the 8 Exotic Skills, or level up your current one
+3 Combat Rating	Pushes you toward the CR 63 cap
Exotic loot	High-tier weapons and equipment

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Exotic Skills

Exotic Skills are powerful abilities earned exclusively from World Event boss completions. You can equip one at a time and upgrade it to level 3 by defeating more bosses. These completely change how you play.

Shattered Shield is the community consensus best pick. At max level, breaking your armor plates triggers a stun-and-damage wave that makes you nearly invincible in crowd situations. Pair it with Bulldozer's Armor Regen for constant uptime. Resurrection is the safest option since it gives you a free "get out of death" once per match.

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Nightmare Skills

Nightmare Skills are a separate skill slot from Exotic Skills, earned by completing Glitch Fracture challenge encounters inside Nightmare Zones. You can equip one Nightmare Skill alongside your Exotic Skill, and upgrade it to level 3.

Phoenix Burst paired with Shattered Shield is the current meta combo. The fire damage burst triggers alongside Shattered Shield's stun wave, creating a devastating combo whenever your armor breaks. Frost Vortex is the crowd control alternative if you want to freeze groups instead of burning them.

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Affinity Rounds

Affinity Rounds are elemental ammo types that apply to Exotic weapons. World-drop Exotic weapons naturally have an Affinity, while workbench-made Exotics do not. Different enemy types are weak to specific elements, so matching your Affinity to the enemy you are fighting gives a significant damage bonus.

When an enemy is weak to your Affinity, you will see increased damage numbers. When fighting Elites and bosses with elemental weaknesses, matching your Affinity can make the difference between a quick kill and burning through all your ammo.

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Glitch Fractures and Operations

Glitch Fractures are off-map challenge encounters that teleport you out of Avalon into a special arena fight. They appear inside Nightmare Zones after completing specific prerequisites. Operations are the seasonal story missions that guide you through Endgame's content.

Glitch Fractures

Glitch	Added	Difficulty	Rewards
Glitch Fracture (Original)	Launch	Hard	Nightmare Skill selection, character skins (Karma, Anderson, Wei Lin, Vermaak)
Link Forger	Season 3	Medium	Nightmare Skill upgrade, character skins (Mason, Anderson, Grimm), Blighted/Virulent camos
Virus Injection	Season 3 Reloaded	Hard	Aftershock skins (Vermaak, Zaveri, Jurado), Neon Gallows animated camo

For detailed walkthroughs on the Dark Ops challenges tied to Link Forger, check our dedicated guides: Single-Threaded (Solo), Elusive (No Stuns), and Go Fetch (D.A.W.G. Throwback).

Operations

Operation	Added	Steps	Zone Requirement
Operation Poison Pill (Act 1)	Season 3	10 steps	Starts Zone 1, escalates to Zone 4
Operation Broken Mirror (Act 2)	Season 3 Reloaded	10 steps	Starts Zone 3, escalates to Nightmare

Operations give you a guided progression path through Endgame with specific objectives and rewards at each step. They are not required to enjoy the mode, but they unlock new content and give structure if you want a clear goal.

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How to Extract

Extraction is the only way to keep your progress. You must escape before the 50-minute timer ends.

1. Open your tactical map and look for yellow helicopter icons (extraction points)
2. Head to an extraction point with 5-10 minutes left on the clock
3. Walk into the purple smoke and interact to call the VTOL
4. Clear the wave of zombies that spawn (15-30 depending on zone)
5. Kill the extraction boss that appears after the wave
6. Board the helicopter before it takes off

The zone you extract from determines the difficulty of the extraction fight. Even if you have been playing in Zone 4, you can fly down to Zone 1 for an easy extraction. There is no penalty for extracting from a lower zone.

Note: as of Season 3 Reloaded, there is a known bug where extraction points close after a single use. If your extraction point is already used, find another one on the map. Treyarch is working on a fix.

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Beginner Tips

1. Run Crash Cart + Grappling Hook

This is the default loadout for good reason. Crash Cart keeps you alive with a rechargeable self-revive. Grappling Hook paired with the wingsuit is the fastest way to cross Avalon. Do not change this until you know why you would need something else.

2. Chain HVT Assignments

HVT contracts are the fastest way to level up. Ignore the target's guards, kill the HVT, collect the reward, grapple to the next one. You can hit CR 45 in 15-20 minutes of focused HVT chaining across Zone 2-4.

3. Skip to Legendary Weapons

Do not waste time upgrading weapons through every rarity tier. Fly to Zone 4, find a cleared Command Center with a Legendary workbench, and jump straight to gold. The risk is worth it for the 200% damage boost.

4. Turn On Squad Fill

Having teammates means you respawn if they survive for 30 seconds after you die. They also share progress on nearby activities. There is almost no downside to squad fill in Endgame.

5. Enable High Contrast Mode

Go to Settings, Interface, Readability, High Contrast Mode. This makes enemies glow and is much easier to spot, especially in dark areas and Nightmare Zones.

6. Level Multiple Operators

Keep 2-3 operators leveled as insurance. If your main dies and loses CR, switch to a backup who still has their power level intact.

7. Use the Arrow 109 Launcher

The Arrow 109 rocket launcher is the secret weapon of Endgame. It destroys bosses, HVTs, and VTOL enemies. Find one early and keep it as your secondary for every match.

8. Watch the Clock

Start heading to extraction with 5-10 minutes remaining. The extraction fight takes 2-3 minutes, and getting caught without enough time means losing everything. Extract from a lower zone for an easier fight.

9. Master Grapple + Wingsuit Movement

Grapple a tree or building, launch into the air, deploy your wingsuit, and fly. Close and reopen the wingsuit to maintain altitude. Without the Daredevil skill track, this takes practice, but it is faster than any vehicle on the map.

10. Do Not Force Bad Skill Track Picks

When the game offers you a skill track choice, you can force-close the application before picking to reroll the options next match. Some players use this to guarantee getting Bulldozer and Eagle Eye in their first two picks. As of Season 3, you can also reset individual tracks on a maxed operator.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Endgame in Black Ops 7?

Endgame is a PvE extraction shooter mode in Black Ops 7. Up to 24 players drop onto Avalon, a massive open-world map with 4 difficulty zones plus a Nightmare Zone. You complete assignments, level up your Combat Rating, fight bosses, and extract before the 50-minute timer ends. If you die or fail to extract, your operator resets.

Is BO7 Endgame available in Warzone?

Yes. As of Season 3, Endgame is free to play for a limited time and accessible from the main Call of Duty menu, including through Warzone. You do not need to own Black Ops 7 to play it during the free access period.

How do you play Endgame in BO7?

Select Endgame from the main menu, configure your operator's abilities and loadout, then drop into Avalon. Start in Zone 1, complete activities and assignments to level your Combat Rating, upgrade your weapons at workbenches, and push into higher zones. Extract via helicopter before the 50-minute timer runs out to keep your progress.

What are assignments in BO7 Endgame?

Assignments are blue-icon missions on your map that you activate by interacting with a contract. Types include HVT (High-Value Target) hunts, Mystery Cargo deliveries, D.A.W.G. Escorts, Quadcore Sites, Evidence Collection, and more. They reward 500-2000 Combat Rating power depending on zone. HVT assignments are the fastest way to level up.

What is Mystery Cargo in BO7 Endgame?

Mystery Cargo is an assignment type where you complete a delivery objective. As of Season 3 Reloaded, Mystery Cargo assignments now reward Major Ability Cases, which can contain high-tier abilities like Thermal Spike. They are one of the more rewarding assignments in the game.

What is the Nightmare Zone in BO7 Endgame?

The Nightmare Zone is a Tier 5 difficulty area that spawns after you defeat a Guild Strike boss. The surrounding zone transforms with significantly tougher enemies and a special boss like the Mega Abomination. Defeating the Nightmare Zone boss unlocks the Exotic Fabricator, which upgrades any weapon to Exotic rarity with 3.5x damage.

What are skill tracks in BO7 Endgame?

Skill tracks are passive ability trees you choose as you level up. There are 9 tracks: Berserker, Bulldozer, Daredevil, Eagle Eye, Gunner, Phantom, Surgeon, Tactician, and Warband. You pick 3 total per operator. The meta combo is Bulldozer plus Eagle Eye plus Warband or Berserker.

What is the best ability for BO7 Endgame?

For Major Ability, Crash Cart is the best choice for solo players because it gives a rechargeable self-revive. Ballistic Shell is best for teams because it creates a protective dome. For Minor Ability, Grappling Hook is the top pick for fast map traversal with the wingsuit.

How does extraction work in BO7 Endgame?

Open your tactical map and find yellow helicopter icons. Head to an extraction point, interact with the purple smoke to call the VTOL, clear the wave of zombies that spawn, defeat the extraction boss, then board the helicopter. Extract from a lower zone for an easier fight. Start heading to extraction with 5-10 minutes left on the clock.

What are exotic skills in BO7 Endgame?

Exotic Skills are powerful abilities earned by completing World Event bosses like the Colossus, Z-Rex, or Wraith Wing. There are 8 Exotic Skills including Shattered Shield, Resurrection, Mega Punch, and Conjuration. You can equip one at a time and upgrade it to level 3 by defeating more World Event bosses.

What is the max Combat Rating in BO7 Endgame?

The maximum Combat Rating is 63. You reach max damage output (8x multiplier) at CR 45, and all base skills unlock by CR 60. The final 3 levels come from World Event boss bonuses that grant +3 CR each. If you die, CR loss is capped at 15 per wipe as of Season 3.

What happens if you die in BO7 Endgame?

If you die without a self-revive or teammates to save you, your operator loses Combat Rating (capped at 15 CR lost per wipe), weapon rarity upgrades, and all Exotic and Nightmare Skills. You keep your base skill tracks. With squad fill on, teammates can respawn you if they survive for 30 seconds after your death.