Call of Duty: Black Ops Important Notes guide screenshot

Important Notes

Important Notes for Call of Duty: Black Ops



Warnings and Pitfalls


  • Outdated Netcode and Hackers on PC: The PC version (Steam) uses old netcode and is infested with cheaters in public matchmaking. Avoid official servers for multiplayer; use community-run servers with active admins or play Zombies on private lobbies with friends. VAC bans exist but are often ineffective. Expect aimbots, wallhacks, and speed hacks.

  • No Cross-Platform: Black Ops has no cross-play. Each platform's player base is isolated. The PC community is very small; console (Xbox/PlayStation) still has moderate activity for multiplayer and Zombies.

  • DLC Map Population: Purchasing DLC can split the player base. On older consoles, DLC maps may have very low player counts, making matchmaking difficult. Consider sticking to base maps unless you have friends with the DLC.

  • Save Corruption Risk (Console): The game auto-saves at checkpoints. On Xbox 360/PS3, power loss during save can corrupt your campaign progress. On Xbox One/Series via backward compatibility, this is less likely but still possible. On PC, Steam Cloud saves are reliable, but manually back up the save folder just in case.

  • Motion Sickness Warning: The default FOV on PC is 65°, which can cause nausea for some players. Increase FOV to 80-90 in the settings. Console versions have a fixed, narrower FOV.


    • Irreversible Choices and Missable Content


  • Campaign Ending Choice: In the final mission “Redemption,” after killing Dragovich, you will have a few seconds where you can either shoot Hudson or lower your weapon. Shooting him leads to an extended ending where Mason kills Hudson; not shooting results in Mason sparing him. This choice is irreversible and changes the final cutscene. Note: You must wait and let the radio transmission complete before making the choice. If you shoot too early, you miss the radio interaction.

  • Intel Collectibles: There are 46 intel pieces scattered across campaign missions. Collecting all intel unlocks a dead ops arcade mode and reveals secret documents. Many are easy to miss, especially on timed sections or in areas you cannot return to. Use a guide to collect them on your first playthrough, as you cannot replay individual missions without restarting the campaign from the beginning (unless you use chapter select, which does not reset intel progress).

  • Zombies Easter Eggs: Classic Zombies maps like Kino der Toten have hidden songs and small Easter eggs (e.g., the “115” radio). These are missable if you don't know where to interact. You can trigger them at any time during a match, but they require specific actions. For the full experience, look up guides for the maps you play.

  • Multiplayer Prestige: Prestiging resets all your unlocked weapons, attachments, and perks. You lose everything except your permanent unlock tokens (earned after first prestige). This is optional and irreversible, but you get a new emblem and more custom class slots. Tip: Use permanent unlocks on high-level gear like the FAMAS or Ghost Pro before prestiging.


    • Difficulty Spikes


  • Campaign Mission “S.O.G.”: The defense segment where you must hold the building is notorious. Enemies swarm from three sides, and you have limited ammo. Use the M60 or the nearby mounted machine gun. Let your AI teammates take some aggro. Tip: Throw smoke grenades to break enemy lines.

  • Numbers Puzzle (Execution Order): In the mission “Numbers,” you must decode a series of numbers broadcast by killing specific targets in order. This sequence can be frustrating. Write down the numbers displayed, then turn the dials in the correct order. Alternatively, use a guide to get the exact sequence.

  • Zombies Difficulty Curve: Zombies mode starts easy but ramps up quickly. By round 10, you need Pack-a-Punched weapons and good navigation. New players often die because they stay in one area. Learn to train zombies (kite them in a circle) and prioritize headshots.

  • Final Mission “Redemption”: The ship corridor fight before the boss is very dense with enemies. Use the Dragunov or an LMG with high penetration. Stick to cover and use grenades to clear rooms.


    • Grinding Traps


  • Multiplayer Weapon Challenges: Some challenges (e.g., “Bloodthirsty” medals) require 5 kills without dying. This can be frustrating if you focus solely on the challenge. Play normally and let them come naturally. Do not sacrifice team play for challenge progression.

  • Zombies “Mystery Box” Points: It is tempting to hit the Mystery Box early, but you waste points that are better spent on opening doors and buying perks. Always prioritize doors (600-1250 points) and then Juggernog before gambling on the box. Also, never buy the box more than 3-4 times in a row; the probability of good guns decreases.

  • Prestige Grind: Getting to max prestige requires many hours. If you don't care about emblems, stop at first prestige for the extra custom class. The grind is purely cosmetic.

  • DLC Map Grind: If you buy the Resurgence or First Strike packs, you might need to grind achievements/trophies for those maps. Some achievements (like “Sacrifice” in Ascension) require coordinate co-op play. Use online lobbies or boosting sessions.


    • Online Etiquette and Anti-Cheat


  • PC Multiplayer: Avoid using mods or trainers in official VAC-secured servers. Bans are permanent. For modded zombies, use custom maps from the Steam Workshop (requires Black Ops Mod Tools) but only on unranked servers.

  • Console Online: Be aware that some players use modded consoles (jtag/rgh) to cheat in multiplayer (infinite ammo, god mode). Report them through the platform, but do not engage in toxicity.

  • Zombies Public Lobbies: Communication is key. Use a mic to coordinate door buys, revives, and the Pack-a-Punch. Sending hate messages for downing is common; be respectful. Also, do not steal kills from downed players trying to get back up.

  • General Etiquette: Do not boost or boost events (e.g., trade kills for challenges) in public matches. It ruins the game for legitimate players. If you must boost, do it in private lobbies with friends.


    • Save Management Advice


  • PC: Saves are located in `%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Call of Duty Black Ops\save`. This folder contains campaign progress, multiplayer settings, and zombie stats. Back it up regularly. Also, Steam Cloud syncs this folder, but sometimes conflicts occur—don't load a corrupted save from the cloud.

  • Console: On Xbox 360/PS3, save files are stored on the hard drive. Do not delete the save unless you want to reset campaign progress. On Xbox One/Series, saves are synced to the cloud automatically. On PS4/PS5, same. You cannot manually copy saves; the system auto-manages.

  • Checkpoint Reload: If you make a mistake in campaign (e.g., miss an intel), you can reload the last checkpoint from the pause menu. But if you die after missing the intel, you cannot go back. Load a mission from chapter select to replay the whole level.


    • Things Players Commonly Regret Not Knowing Earlier


  • FOV and Graphics Settings: On PC, the default FOV is 65 and motion blur is on. These can cause discomfort and poor visibility. Immediately go to settings and change FOV to 80-90, turn off motion blur, and set shadows to medium for better framerate.

  • Dolphin Dive: In multiplayer, you can dolphin dive by sprinting and pressing prone (crouch + prone quickly). This is useful for evading gunfire. Many new players don't realize it exists.

  • Galil is King in Zombies: The Galil assault rifle is one of the best wall weapons in Kino der Toten and other maps. It has high damage, large magazine, and is cheap to buy. Always prioritize it over the Mystery Box early.

  • Pack-a-Punch Location: In Kino der Toten, the Pack-a-Punch machine is in the theater room, but you must turn on the power first (by fiddling with the panel near the stage). Many new players wander around looking for it. The same applies to other Zombies maps—always learn the PAP location.

  • No Manual Save: The campaign only allows auto-saving at checkpoints. You cannot manually save mid-level. If you quit the game, you will restart from the last checkpoint. Do not quit mid-action.

  • Spotter Scope Use: In campaign, the spotter scope (thermal) can highlight enemies through walls in some missions. Use it in “Numbers” to see enemies in the dark rooms.

  • Dead Ops Arcade: This is a hidden top-down twin-stick shooter unlocked by collecting all intel or by entering a cheat code (Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start on Xbox / Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Circle, Cross, Start on PS3). You can play it from the main menu. It's a fun distraction but has no impact on campaign.

  • Campaign Co-op: The campaign does not support co-op except for the Zombies mode. Do not expect to play the story with friends.

  • Scorestreaks vs Killstreaks: Black Ops uses killstreaks (not scorestreaks). Kills with a weapon count; kills with a killstreak do NOT count toward your next streak. So if you get a 3-kill streak and call in a gunner, the gunner kills won't progress your next streak.

  • No Dedicated Servers on Console: Console multiplayer uses peer-to-peer connections. The host has a significant advantage (lower latency). If the host rage-quits, the match ends for everyone. This is normal.


By keeping these notes in mind, you will avoid common frustrations and fully enjoy the Cold War chaos of Call of Duty: Black Ops.