How To Earn XP & Level Up Fast

Endgame is a new game mode debuting with Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, reminiscent of other PVE-based game modes that have been appearing in various shooters over the last five years or so. Either solo or with a squad, you’ll jump into the gigantic MMO-like Avalon map to take down enemy targets, complete quests/tasks, and upgrade your character for future runs.

As you may have guessed, all of this mode is progression-based, as your level will influence how deep into the map you can explore and how formidable enemy combatants will be. Treyarch says this mode “redefines the campaign,” and after playing it before launch, I agree.

How To Earn XP Fast In Endgame

String Missions Together

Ultimately, your goal is to achieve a Combat Rating of 45, which will enable you to enter Zone 4 (the final area) and then reach a Combat Rating of 60. Leveling up allows you to explore the entire map of Avalon, including its toughest sections. Interestingly, XP earned per run widely depends on the types of activities you do, which can vary even within your squad. For instance, in one run with a colleague, I ended up finishing and extracting at a Combat Rating of nine, whereas they ended at a Combat Rating of three.

Drop Into The Map With Purpose

Each run, you have only 30 minutes to explore before you need to extract. Dropping into a good spot with lots of points of interest can save you valuable time during a run, so make sure you open up your tac-map, select an initial activity, and glide directly to it.

Start Taking Notes Of The Easiest Tasks

As you play, you’ll discover which tasks provide a good XP to time/effort ratio. In our experience, tasks involving reclaiming a cache/lockbox are always a go-to choice, as they generally provide high-quality loot and ample experience points.

Grab Power Cubes Constantly

If you see tiny blue cubes on the screen, pick them up. They directly contribute toward your Power Level as a form of makeshift XP. If they’re in a tough spot, after combat, remember to go and collect all of the cubes you can.

Once You’re Combat Rating 10, Move To The Next Zone

After you’ve reached the Combat Rating of 10, you’ve effectively grown enough to take on the second zone in the game. Make your way westward and seek out more rewarding tasks there. Repeat this process at levels 30 and 45.

Here are the recommended Combat Ratings for each zone:

Zone 1 – Combat Rating 0

Zone 2 – Combat Rating 10

Zone 3 – Combat Rating 30

Zone 4 – Combat Rating 45

Play It Safe To Avoid Losing Combat Rating

If you die and don’t extract from the map, you can lose the gear and Combat Rating you’ve earned in your session. We recommend using the Crash Cart major ability, which allows you to not only revive teammates, but bring yourself back to life if you’re bleeding out.

This can be used on top of the self-revival medkit that can be picked up throughout Avalon in Endgame. Having two backup plans can really help you out when things get tough.

Endgame Progression Applies To All Modes

It’s Part Of The Game’s New Philosophy

Treyarch’s big push for this generation of Black Ops is “progression.” Whether you’re playing through the base 12 mission campaign or Endgame, you’ll make progress on your account for all the other modes. It’s a nice touch that is sure to sate players who either play single modes or jump around the game at a moment’s notice.

Because of this change, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 doesn’t have a core mode that you can point to as the “main form of progression.” It’s a nice touch, and it significantly ups the allure of playing Endgame. Let’s cross our fingers and hope that Activision is interested in continuing this cross-progression system for future games.

Systems

Released

November 14, 2025

ESRB

Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs

Developer(s)

Treyarch, Raven Software

Engine

IW Engine

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op