Call of Duty
Guide To Unlocking Characters in Blackout in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (Updated)
Mission item locations and unlock requirements for every Blackout character in Black Ops 4
With dozens of unique character skins, ranging from Ajax to Woods, keeping track of all their unlock requirements and unique mission items is tough. To help with that, here’s a handy guide to keep track of it all. The latest batch of Characters have been labeled with NEW.
Blackout Icons
Reznov
Mission Item: Ushanka Hat
How to Acquire Item: There are three main locations for this item.
- The fountain between Raid and Stronghold in Estates.
- In the inner and outer rings surround the red monument in Raid (left side of Estates)
- Southwest fountain by Asylum
Unlock Requirements:
- Get 1 “Extreme Range” kill (200m or more)
- Place Top 2 in Squads, Top 3 in Duos, or Top 5 in Solos with Ushanka Hat in Inventory
Hudson
Unlock Requirements:
- Unlocked from Contraband in Black Market (Tier 199) in Operation: First Strike.
Vacation Hudson
Unlock Requirements:
- Unlocked from Black Market Reserves
Mason
Mission Item: Stained White T-Shirt
How to acquire item:
- Supply Stash found around the map
Unlock requirements:
- Wake the Sleeper Agent (Activate the Emergency Broadcast located in Array)
- Place top 4 in Quads, Top 8 in Duos, or Top 15 in Solos with Stained White T-Shirt in Inventory
Woods
Mission Item: Woods’ Bandanna
How to acquire item:
Unlock requirements:
- Ride in a Helicopter for at least a minute
- Win the match (while being alive) with Woods’ Bandana in Inventory
Uncle Frank (NEW)
Unlock requirements:
- Purchase Black Ops Pass
Menendez
Mission Item: Locket
How to acquire item:
- Supply Drop from care packages
Unlock requirements:
- Kill or Clean Up 2 enemies with a shotgun
- Finish the match with Locket in Inventory
The Replacer
Unlock requirements:
- Unlocked from Blackjack’s Shop in the Replacer Bundle for 1100 COD Points
Sarah Hall (NEW)
Unlock Requirements:
- Unlocked from Black Market Reserves.
Blackjack (NEW)
Unlock Requirements:
- Unlocked from Black Market Reserves.
Ranger
Unlock requirements:
- Reach Echelon (Rank) 20
Frogman
Unlock requirements:
- Reach Echelon (Rank) 40
Airborne
Unlock requirements:
- Reach Echelon (Rank) 60
Seal
Unlock requirements:
- Reach Echelon (Rank) 80
Battle Hardened
Unlock requirements:
- Reach Echelon (Rank) 80 (With Maximum XP)
Zombies Characters
Shadowman
Unlock requirements:
- Purchase Black Ops Pass
Dempsey
Mission item: Juggernog Bottle
How to acquire item:
- Inside Nuketown Bunker
- Mystery Box
- Blightfather Event
Unlock requirements:
- Kill an enemy with any grenade.
- Finish the match with Juggernog Bottle in Inventory
Nikolai
Mission item: Russian Tanker Hat
How to acquire item:
- Inside Graveyard there is a locked mausoleum, throw a cymbal monkey at the door to open it revealing the item
- Blightfather Event
Unlock requirements:
- Place Top 3 in Squads, Top 5 in Duos, or Top 10 in Solos with Russian Tanker Hat in Inventory
Richtofen
Mission item: Blood Vials
How to acquire item:
- Blightfather event
- Have the Russian Tanker Hat or Letter To The Emperor in your Inventory and then interact with the Blood Fountain in Asylum and the item will turn into the Blood Vials
Unlock requirements:
- Place Top 2 in Squads, Top 3 in Duos, or Top 5 in Solos with Blood Vials in Inventory.
Takeo
Mission item: Emperor’s Note
How to acquire item:
- Blightfather event
- On top of the Lighthouse
- In the Asylum by interacting with a typewriter
Unlock requirements:
- Do not use ANY equipment (Grenades, Barricades, Sensor Darts, etc.)
- Place Top 3 in Squads, Top 8 in Duos, or Top 15 in Solos with Emperor’s Note in Inventory.
Bruno
Mission Item: Mug Shot
How to acquire item:
- Supply Drop
- Blightfather Event
Unlock requirements:
- Down an enemy with a melee attack
- Finish the match with Mug Shot in Inventory
Diego
Mission Item: Pulp Magazine
How to acquire item:
- Killing Zombies
- Blightfather Event
Unlock requirements:
- Down 1 enemy with a headshot
- Finish the match with Pulp Magazine in Inventory
Scarlett
Mission Item: Racing Goggles & Scarf
How to acquire item:
- Killing Zombies
- Blightfather Event
Unlock requirements:
- Kill an enemy by driving into them with a vehicle
- Finish the match with Racing Goggles & Scarf in Inventory
Shaw
Mission Item: Alchemical Set
How to acquire item:
- Mystery Box
- Blightfather Event
Unlock requirements:
- Kill and Clean Up 2 enemies with either a Wraith Fire or Acid Bomb (There will be 2 of each in the Mystery Box/Blightfather Loot alongside the Alchemical Set)
- Finish the match with Alchemical Set in Inventory
Ultimis Dempsey
Unlock requirements:
- Unlocked from Contraband in Black Market (Tier 95) in Operation: Absolute Zero.
Ultimis Nikolai
Unlock requirements:
- Unlocked from Contraband in Black Market (Tier 45) in Operation: Absolute Zero.
Ultimis Richtofen
Unlock Requirements
- Unlocked from Black Market: Special Orders [Richtofen] for 600 COD Points
Ultimis Takeo
Unlock Requirements
- Unlocked from Black Market for 800 COD Points
IX Bruno
Mission Item: Lion Pauldron
How to acquire item:
- Mystery Box
Unlock requirements:
- Down an enemy with a Combat Axe and then clean them up
- Finish the match with Lion Pauldron in Inventory
IX Diego
Mission Item: Mayan Crest
How to acquire item:
- Equipment Stash
Unlock requirements:
- Kill or Clean Up and enemy with a Bowie Knife
- Finish match with the Mayan Crest in your Inventory
IX Scarlett
Mission Item: Steel Bracer
How to acquire item:
- Killing Zombies
Unlock requirements:
- Open a Supply Drop
- Finish Match with Steel Bracer in Inventory
IX Shaw
Mission Item: Ritual Bowl
How to acquire item:
- Killing Zombies
Unlock requirements:
- Use 5 Perks
- Place in Top 7 in Quads, Top 15 in Duos, or Top 30 in Solos with Ritual Bowl in Inventory
Cosmic Silverback
Unlock Requirements:
- Purchase the Black Ops Pass
Warden
Unlock Requirements:
- Unlocked from Contraband in Black Market (Tier 45) in Operation: Grand Heist.
Misty (NEW)
Unlock Requirements:
- Unlocked from Black Market: Special Orders [Misty] for 600 COD Points
John Doe
Unlock Requirements:
- Unlocked from Black Market Reserves.
Jane Doe
Unlock Requirements:
- Unlocked from Black Market Reserves.
Multiplayer Specialists (The Numbers Outfit Unlock)
Battery
Mission Item: War Machine
How to acquire item:
- Supply Drop
Unlock requirements:
- Kill 2 enemies with the War Machine
- Finish the match with War Machine in Inventory
Firebreak
Mission Item: Burned Doll
How to acquire item:
- Supply Stash
Unlock requirements:
- Kill or Clean Up a downed enemy with a Molotov
- Finish the match with Burned Doll in Inventory
Nomad
Mission Item: Juneau’s Tags
How to acquire item:
- Supply Stash
Unlock requirements:
- Kill 2 enemies without them dealing any damage to you
- Finish the match with Juneau’s Tags in Inventory
Prophet
Mission Item: Ocular Prosthetic
How to acquire item:
- Supply Drop
Unlock requirements:
- Win the match while you have 3 perks active and have the Ocular Prosthetic in Inventory
Ruin
Mission Item: Punching Mitts
How to acquire item: Spawns in 4 possible locations:
- Asylum Roof
- Construction Site on top of a Red Crane
- Top outer rim of the Lighthouse
- On yellow rafters in Hangar 2 at Turbine
Unlock requirements:
- Kill an enemy in close quarters
- Finish the match with Punching Mitts in Inventory
Seraph
Mission Item: Annihilator
How to acquire item:
- Go to the building with green tarp in Firing Range.
- Shoot this target in Firing Range with a pistol (it won’t be there every match.)
- If done successfully the green box to the left should open up with the Annihilator inside.
Unlock requirements:
- Kill 1 enemy with the Annihilator
- Place in Top 4 in Quads, Top 8 in Duos, or Top 15 in Solos with the Annihilator in Inventory
Ajax
Mission Item: Destroyed Armored Plating
How to acquire item:
- Destroy an enemies armor and kill them.
- Once you scavenge their body there should be a piece of Destroyed Armored Plating.
Unlock requirements:
- Scavenge 3 pieces of Destroyed Armored Plating
- Finish the match with 3 pieces of Destroyed Armored Plating in Inventory
Crash
Mission item: Poker Chips
How to acquire item:
- Medical Stash
Unlock requirements:
- Place in Top 3 in Quads, Top 7 in Duos, or Top 15 in Solos
- Have 15 Healing Items and Poker Chips in Inventory
Recon
Mission item: I Ching Coins
How to acquire item:
- Supply Stash
Unlock requirements:
- Do not take any Collapse damage
- Place in Top 7 in Quads, Top 15 in Duos, or Top 30 in Solos with I Ching Coins in Inventory
Torque
Mission item: Torque’s Note
How to acquire item:
- Supply Drop
Unlock requirements:
- Place down a Barricade and 2 Razor Wires (There will be a Barricade and 2 sets of Razor Wire in a box with Torque’s Note in it)
- Place in Top 7 in Quads, Top 15 in Duos, or Top 30 in Solos with Torque’s Note in Inventory
Reaper
Unlock requirements:
- Purchase the Black Ops Pass
Zero
Character Unlock requirements:
- Unlocked from Contraband in Black Market (Tier 1) in Operation: Absolute Zero.
Mission Item (Outfit Unlock): Alien Charm
How to acquire item:
- In the server building in Array on a table
- Office buildings near Hydro Dam
Unlock Requirements:
- Destroy 50 enemy Equipment Lifetime (This means destroy 50 across ALL of your Blackout matches. It will tell you how many you have when you pick up the Alien Charm)
- Finish the match with Alien Charm in Inventory.
Outrider
Character Unlock Requirements:
- Unlocked from Contraband in Black Market (Tier 1) in Operation: Grant Heist
Mission Item (Outfit Unlock): Tactical Cap
How to Acquire Item:
- West of Fracking Tower (D6) on a table at the top of the wooden lookout tower.
- Highest level of Construction Site on the floor
Unlock Requirements:
- Kill 25 enemies from high ground Lifetime (This means 25 high ground kills across ALL of your Blackout matches. It will tell you how many you have when you pick up the Tactical Cap)
- Finish the match with Tactical Cap in Inventory.
Spectre (NEW)
Character Unlock Requirements:
- Unlocked from Contraband in Black Market (Tier 1) in Operation: Spectre Rising
Mission Item (Outfit Unlock): Voice Modulator
How to Acquire Item:
- Inside any RV (Mobile Home) around the map.
Unlock Requirements:
- Kill 20 enemies with suppressed weapons with the Dead Silence perk active Lifetime (This means 20 kills across ALL of your Blackout matches. It will tell you how many you have when you pick up the Tactical Cap)
- Finish the match with Tactical Cap in Inventory.
Keep this post bookmarked as we will be updating it as more characters become available.
Let us know which characters you have unlocked, or are trying to unlock, in the comments down below!

Call of Duty
Black Ops Cold War-themed Western Digital Black Drives available for a limited time
Western Digital has announced a limited time special edition of WD_BLACK drives themed after Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War.
Hard Drive/SSD manufacturer Western Digital has partnered with Activision to bring specially themed Black Ops Cold War Drives for a limited time.
The Western Digital Black Ops Cold War drives are available now and include specially branded WD_BLACK drives, some of the fastest available in the Western Digital inventory, all catered to gaming.
Included with each purchase will be Call of Duty Points, which fluctuates in quantity depending on which drive you purchase.
The designs of the drives are also quite nice for both the external and internal drives.
For the external drive, a hard drive and NVMe SSD is available, making sure next-gen console gamers and even PC gamers can get an easy to use and portable high-speed SSD.
Black Ops Cold War Themed Drives Prices & Availability
Currently, the specially themed drives are only available on Western Digital’s shop, and not at retailers such as Best Buy. Here’s the rundown of the selection.
- WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive (External Hard Drive) 2TB – $99.99
- Includes 1,100 CoD Points
- USB 3.2, 140MB/s read speeds
- WD_BLACK SN850 NVMe (Internal SSD) 1TB – $239.99
- Includes 2,400 CoD Points
- PCIe Gen4, ~7000MB/s read speeds
- WD_BLACK P50 NVMe SSD Game Drive (External SSD) 1TB – $249.99
- Includes 2,400 CoD Points
- SSD “Superspeed” USB 20Gb/s interface, 2000MB/s read speeds
As of writing, the WD_BLACK SN850 NVMe is currently out of stock. It’s unknown when there will be a restock, or if there is a plan to roll out these drives to retailers.
Image Credits: Activision/Western Digital
Call of Duty
Ranking the top 5 best Call of Duty Zombies maps
Do you love zombies as much as we do? Here’s our picks for the top 5 Call of Duty Zombies maps ever created by developer Treyarch.
Here’s our picks for the 5 best Call of Duty: Zombies maps ever created.
Call of Duty Zombies has been around for almost 13 years now, starting with Call of Duty: World at War’s release in 2008. What started as a small bonus mode after completing the campaign turned into a phenomenon for Call of Duty, attracting new fans and creating a brand new core game mode for Treyarch titles.
This list will be our list of the top 5 Treyarch Zombies map, in no particular order. It is worth noting that both Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games have tried their own Zombies modes, with Sledgehammer attempting Exo Zombies in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, then opting for traditional Zombies in Call of Duty: World War 2. Infinity Ward also tried in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, and created a surprisingly fun/goofy experience.
If you’re a fan of those games, don’t expect to see any of the maps on this list, as we’re going to reminisce on some of the greatest Treyarch Zombies maps.
#5 – Origins (Black Ops 2)
Origins set a new standard for large-scale Zombies maps after its release as the final Black Ops 2 DLC map. With boss Zombies, upgradable elemental staffs, and a huge easter egg, the future was looking bright for the Call of Duty Zombies experience. Origins introduced the “Wunderfizz” machine, which awards players with a random perk in the game.
Players were also treated to many map secrets, which included being able to enter the giant robots that roamed the map, and also secret gramophones that unlocked access to a different realm.
Origins also saw a remaster in Black Ops 3 with the “Zombies Chronicles DLC”
#4 – Der Eisendrache (Black Ops 3)
Following the trend for large scale maps, Treyarch set out to make one of the most beautiful and fun Zombies maps with Der Esiendrache. Set in a large castle in Austria, this map had a few callbacks to Origins, with elemental bows instead of staffs and even mechanical Zombies, or “Panzersoldats”.
The easter egg for this map also had an epic boss fight against an Apothican Keeper, which rewarded players with a cutscene once completed.
#3 – Kino Der Toten (Black Ops)
One of two maps included with the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops was Kino Der Toten, a simple Zombies map that took place in an abandoned German theater. This map marked the beginning of the next stage of the Zombies storyline and added the iconic “Thunder Gun” into the mystery box.
#2 – Der Riese (World at War)
Der Riese was the final map for World at War and introduced many huge changes to the Zombies formula, like the introduction of the iconic pack-a-punch machine. Additionally, teleporters were added for the first time, and the first real functional easter egg appeared on this map.
The Zombies storyline also truly took off from here, with the addition of secret audio logs hidden on radios around the map.
#1 – Ascension (Black Ops)
Prepare for takeoff! Ascension was the first DLC map added to Black Ops and set a high bar for the rest of the DLC additions. Players started the game entirely in black and white, only to see color when the power was switched on.
The map had several new amazing pieces of equipment, like the Gersh Device and Russian Dolls. Additionally, the new lunar landers added an extra layer of verticality across the map. Ascension had the first full-length story-driven easter egg in the franchise, which rewarded players with a 90-second death machine.
That’s it for our list of the best Call of Duty Zombies maps! Be sure to tweet us @CharlieIntel with your picks.
Call of Duty
How to get a free CDL sticker in Warzone & Black Ops Cold War
Here’s how you can get a free Call of Duty League themed sticker in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Warzone.
Activision is offering players an exclusive Call of Duty League Sticker for Black Ops Cold War and Warzone.
The Call of Duty League 2021 kickoff starts this month, which means Activision is looking to expand marketing for the league.
The first marketing effort consists of a limited-edition “Squad Wipe” weapon sticker for players that will be useable in both Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops Cold War.
Note: The sticker will not be available in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s Multiplayer.
Here’s how you can get the sticker for yourself.
- 1: Have an Activision account in good standing (no bans).
- 2: Sign up for Call of Duty League email updates before February 4, 2021.
- 3: Enter name, email, birthday, country, and favorite teams on the sign-up website to be eligible.
- 4: Redeem the code emailed to you by January 21, 2022.
Expect the email to come shortly after the February 4, 2021, sign-up deadline. You can register for emails by using this link.
Image Credits: Activision