With augment progression taking longer than ever in Black Ops 7 Zombies, it’s crucial to know which augments to prioritize. From earning more points to maximizing your damage and improving survivability, choosing the right augments can completely transform your gameplay. Here’s a breakdown of my favorite augments so far — and why they’re worth researching first.

1. Turtle Shell: The Ultimate Survivability Augment

My personal favorite augment so far is Turtle Shell. This augment acts like having a shield on your back, negating all damage from behind. In Black Ops 7, it’s even stronger — your tiered armor now protects your front, sides, and back. Paired with overheal abilities like Healing Aura or Stim Shots, Turtle Shell makes it almost impossible to die in normal gameplay.

Tip: Research Juggernog first to unlock the minor augments Hardened Plates and Durable Plates, which further enhance your survivability.

2. Barista Brawl: Maximizing Points with Melee

Melee kills are now incredibly valuable in Black Ops 7, rewarding more points than ever. The Barista Brawl augment increases essence earned from melee kills, allowing you to earn 115 points per regular melee kill and 160 points for critical kills. Over dozens of zombies, this can add tens of thousands of points.

Melee combat has also been improved in BO7 — punching enemies or using knives feels more fluid and rewarding compared to previous versions.

3. Armoric & Vultureade: Automating Armor and Resource Gains

The major augment Armoric automates armor application — simply run over a plate to apply it instantly. This keeps your armor at maximum without wasting time, though careful management is needed during Easter egg steps to avoid wasting plates.

Vultureade is another key augment. Minor augments like Picky Eater and Carry-On Luggage help maintain equipment and maximize salvage drops from critical kills, especially useful when focusing on melee or non-suppressed weapons.

Honorable mentions:

Fed Upgrade for faster field upgrade charging.

Supercharged for Speed Cola also helps recharge field upgrades efficiently.

4. Double Tap: Increase Firepower

The Double Tap augment is essential for maximizing DPS. Minor augments like Double Time and Double Caliber increase rate of fire and penetration damage, boosting damage output, especially at higher rounds. Pair these with FMJ and rapid-fire weapons to maximize efficiency in both camo grinding and horde clearing.

5. Gravity MD & Stuntman: Creative Explosions

PhD has been nerfed in BO7, reducing slide distance and speed boost. Alternatives like Gravity MD and Stuntman allow you to create explosions from falls or wall jumps. Pairing with EOD Technician reduces height requirements for explosive kills, providing a fun and effective way to clear crowds or handle high-round zombies.

6. Rainbow Pop & Elemental Damage Augments

Special and elite zombies can be challenging, but augments like Rainbow Pop deal elemental damage to enemies based on their weaknesses. This is particularly effective against Ravagers, adding an extra layer of strategy and damage potential.

Chill Barry is another augment worth using for elemental effects, replacing nerfed augments like Vulnerab Bean.

7. Dying Wish & Equivalent Exchange: Extra Safety Nets

Augments like Equivalent Exchange theoretically allow you to revive with all perks if you deal enough damage while downed, though it’s situational. Dying Wish remains a reliable alternative for consistent survivability, especially for players who prefer not to rely on pistols.

8. Ammo Mods & Field Upgrades

Starburst on Fireworks: Effective for challenge completions and camo progression.

Big Game: Deals high damage to elite enemies when combined with Hunterbots or Shadow Rift.

Dark Flare + Extension: Underrated field upgrade strategy that recharges abilities faster, enhancing high-round survivability.

Black Ops 7 Zombies offers hundreds of augments, and research can take a long time. Prioritizing survivability with Turtle Shell, maximizing points with Barista Brawl, boosting firepower with Double Tap, and creatively using explosion or elemental augments will significantly improve your gameplay.

Stay tuned for more tips on U4GM — these insights will help you unlock the full potential of Black Ops 7. ALSO, u4gm offer CoD BO7 Bot Lobbies for sale that can help you easily rack up high kill counts, complete challenges and more!