Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Multiplayer Unveils New Modes, Maps, and Overclock System

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Multiplayer Details Revealed

With less than two months until launch, Treyarch and Activision have pulled back the curtain on the comprehensive multiplayer experience coming to Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Players can look forward to a blend of classic modes, innovative new gameplay, a revamped perk system, and a deep dive into movement mechanics and weapon customization.

New Modes and Familiar Favorites

Black Ops 7’s multiplayer offers a wide array of modes, from time-honored classics to an entirely new experience. Alongside staples like Team Deathmatch and Domination, fan-favorite modes such as Most Wanted make a return. The biggest new addition is 'Overload,' a fast-paced 6v6 respawn mode where teams battle for control of a device that spawns one at a time. The goal is to capture the device, protect its carrier, and deliver it to one of two points near the enemy spawn for points. The device's location is always visible on the HUD and tactical map, ensuring constant tug-of-war action. The player carrying the device gains a personal radar, and teams swap sides midway through the match.

Other confirmed modes for the beta and launch include:

• Team Deathmatch (Beta): Eliminate enemies to score points for your team.
• Domination (Beta): Capture and hold objectives across the map.
• Search and Destroy: Plant or defuse a bomb with no respawns.
• Kill Confirmed (Beta): Collect dog tags from fallen enemies to score points and deny enemies.
• Free-for-All: Every player for themselves, first to reach the score limit wins.
• Hardpoint (Beta): Control a rotating active zone to earn points.
• Gunfight: Short, no-respawn rounds with predetermined weapon classes.
• Most Wanted: Eliminate a high-value enemy target and protect your own.
• Control: Alternately attack and defend zones with limited lives per round.

Black Ops 7 also introduces the 'Face Off' format, featuring concentrated battles on compact maps with scorestreaks disabled, focusing purely on ground combat. Modes available in Face Off include Team Deathmatch, Domination, Kill Confirmed, and Most Wanted.

For larger-scale engagements, 'Skirmish' mode will offer two expansive 20v20 maps. Players will navigate vast environments using wingsuits, grappling hooks, and vehicles to achieve objectives and dominate the opposition.

Maps: From Cairo to Alaska

At launch, Black Ops 7 will feature 16 maps designed for 6v6 combat. Set in 2035, the game blends futuristic elements with the familiar Black Ops universe, offering diverse tactical engagements from the Atlantic Ocean to the Alaskan tundra. All maps are crafted for dynamic firefights using Treyarch's signature three-lane design. Expect compact arenas for quick skirmishes and medium-sized locations for more tactical encounters. Six maps will be available during the beta, with the rest rolling out at launch.

6v6 Maps (Beta availability indicated):

• Blackheart (Beta)
• Cortex (Beta)
• Exposure (Beta)
• Imprint (Beta)
• The Forge (Beta)
• Toshin (Beta)
• Colossus
• Den
• Flagship
• Homestead
• Paranoia
• Retrieval
• Scar
• Express (returning from Black Ops II)
• Hijacked (returning from Black Ops II)
• Raid (returning from Black Ops II)

20v20 Maps:

• Mission: Edge
• Mission: Tide

The 'Overclock' System and Equipment

In Black Ops 7, loadouts determine your operator’s weapons, equipment, Field Upgrades, Perks, and Combat Specialization. Players can create up to ten custom loadouts, adjusting them before and during matches to suit any combat situation.

A major new feature is the 'Overclock' system, which enhances Tactical and Lethal Equipment, Field Upgrades, and Scorestreaks. Using these items in combat unlocks up to two abilities that can reduce Scorestreak costs, speed up Field Upgrade recharge, and boost equipment effectiveness. Players can choose abilities that fit their playstyle to gain significant battlefield advantages.

Tactical Equipment

Limited-use projectiles offering various benefits like blinding, slowing, disabling electronics, gathering intel, or restoring health.

• Stun Grenade: Slows enemy movement and aiming. Overclock 1 increases stun duration. Overclock 2 slows enemies further while stunned.
• EMP Grenade: Disables or destroys enemy tech, effective against equipment, Scorestreaks, and players. Overclock 1 expands radius. Overclock 2 allows holding the grenade for additional EMP bursts.
• Flashbang: Blinds and deafens enemies. Overclock 1 increases blind angle. Overclock 2 allows holding for additional flashes.
• Stim-Shot: Military stimulator for rapid healing. Overclock 1 removes negative effects. Overclock 2 grants temporary speed boost.
• Sensor Grenade: Marks enemies in its radius. Overclock 1 increases radius and duration. Overclock 2 makes marked enemies visible on allied minimaps.
• Psycho Grenade: Creates a cloud of hallucinogenic gas on detonation. Overclock 1 increases duration on enemies. Overclock 2 deals damage over time.

Other tactical items at launch include the Hunter Drone, Smoke Grenade, and Decoy Grenade.

Lethal Equipment

Projectiles that deal damage or eliminate enemies.

• Frag Grenade: A fragmentation grenade that can be 'cooked' before throwing. Overclock 1 increases lethality. Overclock 2 increases throw range and shows trajectory when cooked.
• Sticky Grenade: Adheres to enemies and surfaces. Overclock 1 increases lethality. Overclock 2 allows holding to shorten fuse time.
• Cluster Grenade: Explodes into several smaller charges. Overclock 1 allows holding to shorten fuse time. Overclock 2 creates an additional mini-grenade.
• Combat Axe: A throwable axe that instantly kills enemies and ricochets. Overclock 1 speeds up axe retrieval. Overclock 2 increases throw range and speed.
• Sentry Turret: A small automatic turret that fires at enemies, distracting and damaging them. Overclock 1 increases fire rate. Overclock 2 allows deployment on walls and ceilings.
• Needle Drone: A small flying drone that explodes on contact, with automatic or manual control. Overclock 1 increases lethality. Overclock 2 allows speeding up the drone in manual control.

Other lethal items at launch include C4 and Molotov Cocktail.

Field Upgrades

Powerful devices that recharge after use and provide varied functions.

• Assault Pack: Resupplies ammunition and equipment for the team. Overclock 1 speeds up recharge. Overclock 2 grants bonus points for enemy elimination.
• Drone Pod: Deploys aerial drones that seek out and explode near enemies. Overclock 1 speeds up drone deployment. Overclock 2 leaves an icon on the minimap at each drone's explosion point.
• Active Protection: A system that destroys enemy projectiles in mid-air. Overclock 1 speeds up recharge. Overclock 2 adds two explosive rounds.
• Active Camouflage: Renders the player partially invisible for a short duration. Overclock 1 allows continued use after firing. Overclock 2 increases duration and speeds up recharge.
• Echo Unit: A holographic soldier that distracts enemies and captures objectives. Overclock 1 causes the hologram to flash brightly when enemies approach, stunning them. Overclock 2 speeds up recharge.
• Squad Link: A device that boosts score and effectiveness for allies and their gadgets in its radius. Overclock 1 expands area of effect. Overclock 2 speeds up Field Upgrade recharge for allies and increases points earned.

Other Field Upgrades at launch include the Fear Trap, Black Hat, and Silent Zone.

Wildcards

Abilities that grant significant battlefield advantages. Those available in the beta include:

• Gunslinger: Grants three additional attachment slots for your primary weapon.
• Overkill: Allows equipping any weapon (except melee) in both primary and secondary slots, like combining a shotgun with an assault rifle or a sniper with an SMG.
• Greed: Allows taking an additional perk.

Additional Wildcards at launch include Prepared, High Stakes, Flyswatter, Tactical Expert, Dangerous Proximity, and Specialist.

Perks and Combat Specializations

Perks grant unique abilities, enhancing movement, weapon handling, stealth, defense, intel gathering, and more. Each loadout can select three perks, distributed across Perk Slot 1, Perk Slot 2, and Perk Slot 3. Each slot contains perks from all three combat specializations: Enforcer, Recon, and Strategist.

Your choice of three perks determines your operator's combat specialization. If all three selected perks are from the same category, a core specialization is activated: Enforcer (red), Recon (blue), or Strategist (green). Black Ops 7 also features hybrid combat specializations, achieved when at least two perks in your loadout are of the same color. If the Greed Wildcard is used, the specialization is still determined by the base perks in slots 1, 2, and 3.

Core Specializations:

• Enforcer (all red perks): Temporarily increases movement speed and health regeneration after each kill.
• Recon (all blue perks): Upon respawn, see the direction of the nearest enemy on the minimap; screen edges pulse when enemies are off-screen. Does not leave 'death skulls.'
• Strategist (all green perks): Earn more points for objectives, speeds up equipment use, and allows seeing enemy objects through walls at short range.

Hybrid Specializations:

• Scout (red and blue perks): A blend of offense and stealth. After a kill, you remain hidden on the minimap for 5 seconds. Each new kill resets the timer.
• Tactician (red and green perks): Assists in kills grant bonus score for eliminations for 10 seconds.
• Operative (blue and green perks): Stealth and support. Field Upgrades recharge faster for 'stealth' kills (e.g., suppressed weapons, melee, backstabs).

Beta Perks by Slot:

Perk Slot 1:

• Gung-Ho (Enforcer): Allows firing while sprinting, increases speed when reloading and using equipment.
• Agility (Enforcer): Reduces weapon sway and improves aim stability during slides, jumps, and falls, less fall damage.
• Lightweight (Enforcer): Increased movement, jump, slide, and fall speed, faster recovery after sliding and jumping.
• Cold-Blooded (Recon): Undetectable by AI and thermal optics, player-controlled Scorestreaks do not highlight you.
• Ghost (Recon): Undetectable by enemy UAVs while moving, planting/defusing bombs, or controlling Scorestreaks.
• Ninja (Recon): Silent movement.
• Tactical Mask (Strategist): Resistance to flashes, concussions, and gas; immunity to EMP and hacking.
• Flak Jacket (Strategist): Reduces damage from explosives and fire.
• Shadow (Strategist): Undetectable by enemy traps and mines.

Perk Slot 2:

• Scavenger (Enforcer): Allows resupplying ammo and equipment from fallen enemies.
• Assassin (Enforcer): Enemies on a killstreak receive a unique minimap marker and drop reward packs when eliminated. Pick them up for bonus points.
• Dangerous Maneuver (Enforcer): Automatically performs a special melee attack when using a weapon butt strike.
• Hunter's Instinct (Enforcer): Killing an enemy marks the direction of the nearest subsequent enemy on the minimap.
• Vigilance (Recon): Displays an icon when you are visible on the enemy minimap.
• Explosive Link (Recon): Your explosive damage marks enemies on the minimap. All allies receive this effect. Gain points when allies deal explosive damage.
• Engineer (Recon): Allows seeing enemy equipment and Scorestreaks through walls and on the minimap. Aiming at them reveals target information.
• Fast Hands (Strategist): Faster reload and weapon swap. Resets fuse time when throwing back enemy grenades.
• Technician (Strategist): Grants 2 charges for Field Upgrades.

Perk Slot 3:

• Sprinter (Enforcer): Allows tactical sprint but reduces regular sprint speed.
• Bankroll (Enforcer): Start each life with +150 Scorestreak points.
• Brawler (Enforcer): Melee kills and finishing moves restore health and grant bonus points.
• Looper (Enforcer): Allows earning Scorestreaks again within the same life.
• Vendetta (Recon): Upon respawn, marks the last known location of your killer for a short time. Bonus points for eliminating this enemy.
• Pathfinder (Recon): Allows seeing approximate enemy locations on the minimap and their tracks. Aiming automatically highlights enemies.
• Quartermaster (Strategist): Equipment uses recharge over time.
• Charge Link (Strategist): Speeds up Field Upgrade recharge. All allies in the area receive this effect. Bonus points when allies use their Field Upgrades.
• Guardian (Strategist): Heals faster when capturing and holding objectives. Revives fallen allies faster.

Futuristic Weapons, Gunsmith, and Shared Builds

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will launch with 9 weapon categories: Assault Rifles, Submachine Guns, Shotguns, Light Machine Guns, Marksman Rifles, Sniper Rifles, Pistols, Launchers, and Melee weapons.

Assault Rifles:

• M15 Mod 0
• MXR-17
• Peacekeeper Mk1
• Plus 3 unrevealed ARs at launch.

Submachine Guns:

• Graz 45k
• Dravec 45
• Razor 9mm
• Plus 3 unrevealed SMGs at launch.

Shotguns:

• M10 Breacher
• Echo 12
• Plus 1 unrevealed shotgun at launch.

Light Machine Guns:

• MK.78
• Plus 1 unrevealed LMG at launch.

Marksman Rifles:

• M8A1
• Plus 2 unrevealed Marksman Rifles at launch.

Sniper Rifles:

• VS Recon
• XR-3 Ion
• Plus 1 unrevealed sniper rifle at launch.

Pistols:

• Jäger 45
• CODA 9
• Plus 1 unrevealed pistol at launch.

Launchers:

• A.R.C. M1
• Plus 1 unrevealed launcher at launch.

Melee Weapons:

• Flatline MK.II
• Plus 1 unrevealed melee weapon at launch.

Most weapons can be customized through the 'Gunsmith' system, allowing players to tailor their favorite firearms to their playstyle and make them truly unique.

A new feature in Black Ops 7 lets players share their favorite weapon builds with friends and teammates. By importing a code, you can instantly add an identical build to your loadout, provided you have already unlocked the necessary weapon and accessories.

Omnimovement System Enhancements

The Omnimovement system in Black Ops 7 provides players with enhanced traversal options. Wall jumps are now available, letting players jump onto or off vertical surfaces to quickly reposition and gain verticality. Up to three consecutive jumps are possible, though each successive jump reduces inertia for balanced movement. These can be used to reach high vantage points, clear dangerous areas, or find alternative routes.

Treyarch has also refined the tactical sprint, an accelerated, limited-duration sprint. This ability is no longer default but granted via a specific perk, giving players more control over their movement choices.

The 'Human Shield' mechanic from Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which allowed players to grab an enemy from behind and use them as cover, has been modified in Black Ops 7. A tactical variant has been added: you can now attach a grenade to an enemy and push them forward. The enemy will lose balance for a few seconds before the grenade detonates, affecting other foes nearby.

Familiar Faces and Zombies Connections

In Black Ops 7, two factions clash: JSOC, an elite unit led by David Mason, and The Guild, an organization run by Emma Kagan, specializing in classified military intelligence and weapon development operations. Operators confirmed for Black Ops 7 include:

• 50/50 (Beta)
• Anderson
• Carver
• Dempsey
• Faulkner (Beta)
• Grey
• Grimm
• Harper
• Jurado (Beta)
• Kagan (Beta)
• Karma
• Mason (Beta)
• Maya
• Nikolai
• Razor
• Reaper
• Richtofen
• Samuels
• Takeo
• T.E.D.D.
• Vermaak (Beta)
• Weaver
• Wei Lin (Beta)
• Zaveri (Beta)

Classic Prestige System Returns

After reaching level 55, the Prestige system unlocks. Players can enter the Prestige cycle at any time, earning exclusive rewards. Black Ops 7 will feature 10 Prestige levels; progressing to a new Prestige resets your level, grants a permanent token, and a Prestige emblem. Higher Prestige levels will offer expanded rewards, and players reaching Master Prestige will unlock unique operator skins, weapon blueprints, titles, and color options to showcase their achievements.

Additionally, Weapon Prestige will be introduced. Available after a weapon reaches its maximum level, this system works across all modes: Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies, and Warzone. Each weapon has two Prestige levels and a subsequent Master Prestige, allowing for an additional 250 levels of progression with unique camos at the final tier.

• Weapon Prestige 1: Resets weapon level to 1, re-locks all attachments, and requires re-leveling. Unlocks a unique Prestige attachment, one permanent weapon upgrade, and a unique camouflage.
• Weapon Prestige 2: Grants another permanent weapon upgrade, a unique weapon charm, and a second unique camouflage.
• Master Prestige: All weapon attachments are permanently unlocked. The weapon levels up faster to level 250, with additional XP rewards and camos at levels 100, 150, and 200. At level 250, a unique final camouflage is unlocked.

Beta Dates Announced

The beta test for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will occur in two phases. Early access begins October 2nd for players who pre-ordered Black Ops 7 or Game Pass subscribers with the necessary tiers. On October 5th, the beta will open to all players. Participants will receive in-game rewards that will carry over to the full release.

What This Means for Players

The extensive details revealed for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's multiplayer highlight Treyarch's commitment to both classic gameplay and fresh innovations. The new 'Overload' mode, combined with the 'Face Off' and 'Skirmish' formats, offers diverse combat experiences. The 'Overclock' system promises to add a new layer of strategy to equipment use, while the revamped Perk system and combat specializations encourage varied playstyles. With 16 diverse maps at launch, including beloved classics, and a comprehensive weapon customization system, players can expect a rich and engaging multiplayer environment. The returning Prestige systems provide long-term progression, ensuring plenty of content to explore when Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launches on PC (Steam, Microsoft Store, Battle.net), Xbox, and PlayStation, with text localization in Russian. The game will also be available day one on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. A full multiplayer showcase is slated for the Call of Duty: NEXT event on September 30th.