Ol’ Tessie in BO7 art / Image credit: Activision
TL;DR
The Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 co-op campaign, zombies, and multiplayer are the three core game modes in COD 2025.
Ashes of the Damned is the primary zombies map, and it includes a truck that players can drive between locations.
Individual locations from Ashes of the Damned, such as Vandorn Farm, are available as standalone maps.
Dead Ops Arcade 4 offers a top-down zombie mode.
Ashes of the Damned is a completely fresh zombie experience in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 PS5, Xbox Series S/X, and PC. The latest map features a ton of new mechanics, including a truck that can be driven to unique locales.
There are many special things to be found within Ashes of the Damned and Dead Ops Arcade 4, so we’ve created this guide to walk new and returning COD players through a variety of important details about Black Ops 7 zombies.
Note: Ashes of the Damned wasn’t available in the Black Ops 7 beta.
What is Ashes of the Damned?
Zombie bear & diner in BO7 / Image credit: Activision
Ashes of the Damned is a large zombie map exclusive to Black Ops 7. Like Black Ops 2’s Tranzit, Ashes of the Damned allows you to travel to a different location via the use of a vehicle. Players can drive a huge truck, leap across the map, and even upgrade their equipment in powerful ways, making for one of the most unique zombie maps of the last decade.
Key differences from past versions
The main factor that separates Ashes of the Damned from previous zombie maps is its truck, which lets you explore at your own pace. There are a few other unique things about the zombies mode in Black Ops 7, so here’s a brief list.
One large map with multiple locations to travel between in a match in Ashes of the Damned.
The drivable truck can easily defeat zombies or let you escape in a hurry, making it a game-changer.
Players can pick from a roster of Black Ops characters that appeared in previous games, such as Dempsey, Takeo, and Maya.
Ashes of the Damned: Gameplay and mechanics
Vandorn Farm in BO7 / Image credit: Activision
Now that the Black Ops 7 release date is here, every player can jump into the latest zombie map. Ashes of the Damned has all your favourite mechanics from previous instalments of Black Ops zombies, including perk machines, the Pack-A-Punch, the Mystery Box, GobbleGums, and unlockable doorways that you can open with cash.
Players can create a loadout and pick a character before jumping in, or defeat enemies to earn points and buy new guns mid-match. Below is a list featuring the most important mechanics in Ashes of the Damned.
Tip: Black Ops 7 will offer you the option to Exfill every five rounds beginning after Round 10, letting you leave the match without being eliminated, though you’ll have to fight a boss before exiting.
Repair Ol’ Tessie – Drive around the map
You’ll be given the option to repair Ol’ Tessie on the first round of Ashes of the Damned. Find the marked item nearby and install it on Ol’ Tessie to make it drivable, allowing you to travel to a variety of different locations around the unique map.
Ol’ Tessie can defeat zombies by running them over, though you need to avoid the glowing objects that act as landmines along the road. You can choose to leave the starting area through multiple gateways, so the choice of where to go next is always up to you.
Note: If Ol’ Tessie is damaged, you’ll need to repair the truck to continue driving immediately. Ol’ Tessie can also be upgraded at the garage at Ashwood after turning on the power, allowing you to add the Pack-A-Punch machine to the back of your vehicle.
Restore Power – Bring power to every area
Many areas within Ashes of the Damned prompt you to turn on the power, which is possible after destroying the infestations that are covering the power pumps. You’ll often be offered a quest marker that points towards the pumps upon entering an area, and you’ll need to shoot the glowing spots on the pump to destroy the infestation.
Once the power is back on at a location, you and your squad can interact with perk machines. Restoring power is an essential part of Ashes of the Damned, so make sure to turn it on as quickly as possible.
Tip: It’s best to try to clear the infestation when there are few or no zombies alive.
Jump Pads – Quickly leap between major locations
For 500 points, players can activate green Jump Pads scattered around Ashes of the Damned to soar from one point of interest to the next. This is an easy way to get around if you get separated from Ol’ Tessie, and it’s nice to see an overview of the map while you’re leaping through the air.
Upgrade – Use new stations to upgrade your guns
There are Arsenal Machines throughout Ashes of the Damned that let you upgrade your weapon to a higher rarity, but you’ll need to spend salvage rewards to get a new and improved gun.
Every location in Ashes of the Damned
Here’s everywhere you’ll visit while exploring Ashes of the Damned.
Ashwood
Blackwater Lake
Exit 115
Janus Towers Plaza
The Fog
Vandorn Farm
Zarya Cosmodrome
What is Dead Ops Arcade 4?
Dead Ops Arcade 4 gameplay / Image credit: Activision
Dead Ops Arcade 4 is a side game mode where you fight large waves of zombies using an arsenal of power-packed weapons. You can choose from a top-down or first-person perspective when you load into a casual match, while normal mode only offers top-down.
Weapons drop on the ground for you to pick up. Equipped with special effects such as electricity, each gun is incredibly powerful. Additionally, you’ll have access to a few fun abilities, like a leap that lets you transport across the battlefield.
Conclusion
While zombies have stayed largely the same in recent years, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 provides that fresh coat of paint that we haven’t seen since Tranzit. With a truck that lets you travel and the fourth version of Dead Ops Arcade, there’s a lot to do in Black Ops 7 zombies.
Zombies feels quite different in 2025, but at its heart, it’s an expansive innovation of the classic COD zombies formula.
FAQs
What is Ashes of the Damned in BO7?
Ashes of the Damned is the main zombie experience in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, featuring a drivable truck and all-new mechanics. The Black Ops 7 campaign, zombies, and multiplayer are available in the base game and Black Ops 7 Vault Edition.
How many zombie maps are there in BO7?
Ashes of the Damned is the only full zombie map in Black Ops 7 at launch, though players can also select individual locations from Ashes of the Damned as smaller, standalone experiences.
Are Call of Duty zombies different in BO7?
Yes, the zombies mode is significantly different in BO7, primarily due to the drivable truck Ol’ Tessie.
