How to Unlock and Use the Flashbang in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

COD Black Ops 7 Jan-20-2026 PST
In Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (BO7), tactical equipment is often the deciding factor between winning and losing close engagements. One of the most iconic and widely used tactical tools in the series is the Flashbang. Designed to disorient enemies rather than deal damage, the Flashbang gives players a powerful way to control fights, break defensive positions, and gain a crucial advantage in high-pressure situations. Learning how to unlock and properly use the Flashbang is essential for players who want to improve their consistency across Multiplayer and Zombies.

 

What Is the Flashbang in BO7

 

The Flashbang is a Tactical equipment item in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 that blinds and deafens enemies caught within its blast radius. When it detonates, affected players experience a bright white screen, muffled audio, and reduced situational awareness for a short duration. During this window, enemies are extremely vulnerable and struggle to react or fight back effectively.

 

Unlike lethal grenades, Flashbangs are focused entirely on crowd control and disruption. They do not deal damage, but they create openings that allow you or your teammates to secure easy eliminations. This makes Flashbangs particularly effective in close-quarters combat and objective-based gameplay where timing and positioning matter most.

 

How to Unlock the Flashbang

 

The Flashbang is unlocked by reaching Level 7 in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. While this requires a bit more progression than some early tactical equipment, it is still unlocked very early in the overall leveling process.

 

You will be able to add or swap the Flashbang into your loadouts once you unlock Loadouts at Account Level 4. After that, reaching Level 7 automatically makes the Flashbang available for use in your custom classes.

 

XP can be earned by playing matches in Multiplayer or Zombies. The amount of XP gained scales with your performance during each match. Getting eliminations, playing objectives, assisting teammates, and staying active throughout the match will all help you level up faster. To speed up progression even more, you can use a Double XP token, which significantly increases XP earned per match and helps you unlock equipment like the Flashbang more quickly.

 

How to Use the Flashbang Effectively

 

Flashbangs are most effective when used as an engagement tool rather than a panic option. When thrown, the Flashbang detonates after a brief delay, blinding and deafening enemies within its range. The goal is to use this moment of disorientation to push aggressively and eliminate opponents before they recover.

 

One of the best uses for a Flashbang is clearing rooms or tight spaces. Throwing it through a doorway, around a corner, or onto an objective can instantly neutralize multiple enemies. Once they are blinded, you can move in confidently and secure kills with minimal resistance.

 

Timing is critical. Throwing a Flashbang too early can allow enemies to avoid the effect, while throwing it too late can leave you exposed. Learning common enemy positions and predicting movement patterns will significantly improve your success rate.

 

Flashbangs in Multiplayer

 

In Multiplayer modes, Flashbangs are a core tactical option for aggressive and team-oriented players. They are especially powerful in objective modes such as Domination, Hardpoint, and Search and Destroy, where enemies often hold tight angles or stack on capture points.

 

A well-placed Flashbang can instantly break defensive setups, allowing your team to push and take control. Coordinated teams often use Flashbangs in combination with aggressive pushes to overwhelm opponents before they can react.

 

Flashbangs are also useful in one-on-one engagements. If you suspect an enemy is holding an angle, tossing a Flashbang before challenging can turn a risky fight into a guaranteed advantage.

 

Flashbangs in Zombies

 

While Flashbangs are less about eliminations in Zombies, they still provide valuable utility. Blinding and disorienting enemies can give players time to reload, revive teammates, or escape dangerous situations during higher rounds.

 

In chaotic moments, a Flashbang can temporarily reduce pressure and restore control. Although it may not replace damage-focused equipment, it works well as a support option for players who prioritize survivability and team coordination.

 

Leveling Faster and Practicing Flashbang Usage

 

Because XP gain in BO7 scales with performance, learning to use Flashbangs effectively can directly improve your leveling speed. More successful engagements lead to more eliminations, better objective play, and higher match scores.

 

Many players choose to practice Flashbang timing and placement in CoD BO7 Bot Lobbies. These low-pressure environments allow you to experiment with throw angles, detonation timing, and follow-up pushes without the stress of competitive matches. Practicing here can build muscle memory and confidence before entering public lobbies.

 

Others focus on faster progression through CoD BO7 Boosting strategies, such as coordinated team play or optimized XP farming sessions. While playstyles differ, understanding how to maximize performance and efficiency is key to unlocking equipment and improving overall gameplay.

 

Tips for Maximizing Flashbang Effectiveness

 

To get the most out of Flashbangs, always have a plan before throwing one. Use audio cues, minimap information, and map knowledge to predict enemy locations. Avoid throwing Flashbangs randomly, as wasted tacticals can leave you vulnerable.

 

Pair Flashbangs with aggressive movement and accurate aim to capitalize on the disorientation effect. The faster you push after detonation, the less time enemies have to recover.

 

Final Thoughts

 

The Flashbang is a classic and highly effective tactical tool in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Unlocked at Level 7, it offers powerful crowd control and creates easy openings for eliminations across Multiplayer and Zombies. With proper timing and smart positioning, Flashbangs can completely change the outcome of engagements.

 

Whether you are practicing in bot lobbies, leveling naturally through matches, or accelerating progression through efficient XP strategies, mastering the Flashbang is an essential step toward becoming a more consistent and dangerous player in BO7.