If you’re jumping into Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies for the first time—or returning after a long break—mastering the basics is the fastest way to start having better runs and more consistent survivals. These ten practical beginner tips will help you understand Cold War Zombies’ unique systems, improve your efficiency, and sharpen your overall game awareness.

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Tip #10: Master the Points System for Early Advantage

Cold War Zombies rewards players for kills, not damage per shot. Prioritize:

• Melee kills early for maximum points (115 per melee kill)
• Headshots if you’re using bullet weapons
• Double Points drops: Try flipping the round right before grabbing one for more enemies to kill

You can also get bonus points from small actions like laying in front of perk machines or shooting crystals in the Dark Aether for loot and resources. Maximizing points early speeds up access to perks and Pack-a-Punch.

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Tip #9: Prioritize Movement and Training Over Firepower

Your movement is more important than your gun. Training zombies—luring them into a controllable horde and circling them—is your most reliable survival tactic.

Start learning:

• Where zombies spawn and how they funnel
• How to reposition when your path is blocked
• When to use tight circles vs. long kites

As you practice, you’ll make fewer mistakes, and navigating crowded rounds will become second nature.

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Tip #8: Learn Zombie Types and Their Behaviors

Understanding enemy behavior is critical:

• Regular Zombies: Basic attackers, no surprises
• Armored Zombies: Tougher and slower, best handled with weapons good against armor
• Plague Dogs: Explode on death; gas doesn’t hurt armor, only HP
• Megaton: Boss that splits into two—Blaster (tracking energy shots) and Bomber (leaves damaging zones)

Knowing these enemy types lets you prioritize threats and avoid nasty surprises.

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Tip #7: Don’t Auto-Grab Armor Vests

In co-op or solo, picking up armor vests at the wrong time can waste their potential:

• They fully replenish armor if you already have some
• If you’re at zero, it gives you one plate

In solo, consider leaving a vest on the ground until you really need it. They don’t despawn quickly, so time their use when taking heavy damage is likely.

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Tip #6: Pick the Right Field Upgrade for Your Playstyle

Cold War Zombies gives you access to powerful field upgrades, but use them wisely:

• Ring of Fire: Best for camping builds. Blocks projectiles, boosts damage.
• Aether Shroud: Great for training. A panic button to escape danger.

Select your upgrade from the Create-a-Class menu before the match. The right tool can save your life or multiply your damage output.

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Tip #5: Commit to a Single Gun and Upgrade It Fully

Rather than spreading points across multiple weapons, choose one gun to fully invest in:

• Get it to Tier 3 Pack-a-Punch
• Increase its rarity via Salvage (Common → Legendary)

This gives you a powerful, dependable weapon that scales into the late game. Trying to upgrade too many guns at once usually leaves you underpowered when it matters most.

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Tip #4: Equip a Suppressor—It Boosts Salvage Gain

It might sound counterintuitive, but equipping a suppressor increases your chance of getting Salvage drops from zombies.

Salvage is vital for:

• Self-revives
• Killstreaks (like Chopper Gunners)
• Weapon rarity upgrades

You can either start with a suppressed gun in your loadout or re-roll attachments at the arsenal to get one. Don’t overlook this.

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Tip #3: Learn How Weapon Classes Affect Movement

Your movement speed changes based on the weapon type:

• Fast: Pistols, shotguns, SMGs
• Medium: ARs
• Slowest: LMGs, some tactical rifles

Match your weapon to your playstyle. If you’re training and need speed, avoid heavy guns. If you’re camping, you can afford slower, high-damage weapons.

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Tip #2: Understand and Choose Ammo Mods Wisely

Ammo Mods add elemental effects to your bullets and can be purchased at the Pack-a-Punch machine:

• Turned: Turns a zombie ally temporarily
• Blast Furnace: Applies fire damage over time
• Cryo Freeze: Slows/freeze effect
• Dead Wire: Electrifies zombies

Mods like Turned and Blast Furnace are often the most reliable. Test them out to see what best complements your weapon and strategy.

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Tip #1: Use the Mini-Map and Increase Game Awareness

Cold War Zombies has a mini-map, and it’s a game-changer for awareness:

• Shows zombie positions
• Tracks ammo stations, doors, fast travel points
• Shows how many revives you have, and which teammates are down

Keep an eye on your secondary weapon’s ammo, grenades, and remaining scorestreak uses. Awareness separates good players from great ones.

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Final Words

These beginner tips will lay a solid foundation for survival and long-term improvement in Cold War Zombies. Focus on mastering one or two areas at a time—like point management or training—and let the rest follow with experience.

An advanced guide is in the works for players ready to take their skill to the next level. Until then, get out there, keep practicing, and most importantly—have fun.