Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies — Best Weapons Tier List

Zombies mode in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War can be approached in a number of different ways, from searching for Easter eggs and hunting Dark Aether crystals to simply shredding zombies with the mode’s best weapons.

This tier list of the best weapons for the Zombies mode in Black Ops Cold War includes wonder weapons, old favorites, and some new and unexpected items.

S-Tier Weapons

D.I.E. Shockwave

• Type: Wonder Weapon
• Magazine: 60 (+infinite)

This elemental energy weapon is unique to Zombies and is the best of the bunch. You can read our full guide on how to obtain D.I.E. Shockwave and all four upgrades in this guide.

The best part about D.I.E. Shockwave is its infinite ammo. Since you’ll be dealing with hordes of enemies, you don’t want to spend time reloading.

The best of this weapon’s four elemental upgrades is probably the Electrobolt, which uses lightning energy to roast the undead. It can instantly deal with any zombie boss, no matter how difficult.

Gallo SA12

• Type: Shotgun
• Magazine: 7 (+21)

Gallo is a new name for an old Call of Duty favorite: the SPAS-12.

This semi-automatic shotgun can be upgraded into a real nightmare weapon. It comes with a silencer, but you can increase its destructive power with these attachments and Perks: 

• Barrel: 24.8″ Task Force
• Body: SWAT 5mW Laser Sight
• Magazine: Stanag 12 Round Tube
• Handle: MIKE Force Rear Grip
• Muzzle: Serpent Wrap
• Stock: Marathon Stock
• Perks: Gung-Ho, Ghost, Pack-A-Punch

You can purchase the Gallo SA12 off the wall at the plane crash site. .

A-Tier Weapons

Ray Gun

• Type: Wonder Weapon
• Magazine: 20 (+40)

The Ray Gun has seen its ups and downs in terms of power since its first appearance in Call of Duty: World at War, but Cold War has made this weapon a viable zombie killer once again.

It uses powerful projectiles that blast through waves of zombies like a hot knife through butter. However, it may be a tad more difficult to get it this time around.

The Ray Gun appears (extremely) rarely inside mystery boxes. If you don’t have any luck there, you can also mine Dark Aether crystals, which can also drop the gun from time to time.

RPD

• Type: Light Machine Gun
• Magazine: 75 (+150)

The RPD is another legendary weapon that has performed very well in Zombies mode over the years.

Just like the Gallo shotgun, it must be upgraded to stand on its own alongside wonder weapons. Use the following attachments and Perks:

• Barrel: 16.9″ MACV Division
• Underbarrel: MI6 Ergonomic Grip
• Magazine: Salvo 85 Rd Fast Mag
• Body: SWAT 5mW Laser Sight
• Muzzle: Muzzle Brake 7.62
• Stock: Tactical Stock
• Perks: Pack-A-Punch, Speed Cola

The RPD can be unlocked at Level 4 and equipped immediately.

B-Tier Weapons

M16

• Type: Tactical Rifle
• Magazine: 30+60

The M16 is another old-timer from the Black Ops multiplayer days, when it was a top-tier weapon. Now its power is overshadowed by wonder weapons.

Still, it remains one of the most powerful rifles in the game, especially in a pinch. When upgraded via a Pack-A-Punch machine, it turns into the Skullsplitter, which is a bulkier and even more dangerous version of the M16.

You can upgrade it further using the following attachments and Perks:

• Barrel: 20.5″ Task Force
• Underbarrel: Field Agent Foregrip
• Magazine: Salvo 54 Rnd Fast Mag
• Body: SWAT 5mw Laser Sight
• Muzzle: Silencer
• Handle: Task Force Rear Grip
• Stock: Raider Pad
• Perks: Pack-A-Punch, Speed Cola

The M16 unlocks at Level 10.

XM4

• Type: Assault Rifle
• Magazine: 30 (+60)

This is a brand new weapon exclusive to Black Ops Cold War, and it looks like it’s the one weapon that can seriously compete with the M16 in Zombies.

It has a high fire rate and quite an impressive range, which is good for taking out zombies from a distance. Once you’re ready to upgrade it, be sure to use the following attachments and Perks:

• Barrel: 13.5” Task Force
• Underbarrel: SFOD Speedgrip
• Magazine: SAS Mag Clamp
• Body: SOF Target Designator
• Muzzle: Flashguard 5.56
• Handle: Airborne Elastic Wrap
• Stock: Raider Pad
• Perks: Cold Blooded, Ghost, Pack-A-Punch

Just like the RPD, this assault rifle unlocks at Level 4.

Knife

• Type: Melee

If you want to up the difficulty in Zombies, you can simply use the Knife, which is the perfect melee weapon.

The best part is that you can upgrade it by way of a Pack-A-Punch machine, which will turn it into the Closing Argument. It deals twice as much damage and can insta-kill a zombie.

Another benefit to using the knife is that you’ll get extra points for each kill. 

These are the best weapons for Zombies mode in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. For more on Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, visit the game’s main page for more tips and tricks, as well as our official review.