U4N - How to Make Fire Works Target Elite Zombies in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

U4N - How to Make Fire Works Target Elite Zombies in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

The Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Zombies mode continues to evolve, adding new layers of depth to an already complex survival experience. One of the standout features returning in BO7 is the Fire Works ammo mod — a powerful upgrade that can transform an ordinary weapon into a devastating tool of destruction. But many players have noticed that Fire Works doesn’t always prioritize high-value targets, especially Elite Zombies.

If you’re wondering how to fine-tune your setup so that Fire Works more effectively targets these elite enemies, this guide breaks down everything you need to know — from game mechanics to perk interactions and practical combat strategies.

What Fire Works Does in Black Ops 7

Fire Works is one of several elemental ammo mods available at the Pack-a-Punch machine. When triggered, it spawns a spectral duplicate of your weapon that automatically fires a short burst at nearby zombies. This makes it excellent for crowd control and dealing consistent chip damage in tight spaces.

However, unlike mods like Dead Wire or Cryo Freeze, Fire Works relies on proximity targeting rather than threat prioritization — meaning it often attacks the nearest zombie rather than the most dangerous one.

That’s why many players feel its damage potential is wasted when it fails to hit Elite Zombies — the tougher, mutated enemies that spawn in later rounds and mini-boss phases.

Understanding Elite Zombie Targeting

Elite Zombies in Black Ops 7 are designed to challenge even well-equipped players. They come with large health pools, armor, and often spawn with additional elemental resistances. Examples include:

• Tempest Reavers – emit EMP waves that disable equipment.

• Mega Manglers – fire plasma shots and crush players up close.

• Tormentors – explosive runners that appear in higher rounds.

• Elite Mimics – disguised threats with long melee reach.

By default, Fire Works prioritizes zombies based on distance, not threat level. To make it target Elites more consistently, players need to manipulate how the mod activates and where it triggers.

Step 1: Control Activation Timing

The Fire Works effect activates on a chance-based trigger after kills — usually around 20–25 percent. Timing matters. If you activate Fire Works near an Elite Zombie, the duplicate’s auto-targeting will likely lock onto the biggest nearby target — which often means the Elite.

To do this effectively:

1. Kite regular zombies away before engaging Elites.

2. Fire a few test shots into the horde to trigger Fire Works.

3. Position yourself near the Elite, so when Fire Works activates, it spawns closer to that target rather than weaker mobs.

This manual activation control ensures the mod isn’t wasted on low-level threats.

Step 2: Use Perks and Field Upgrades That Support Fire Works

Certain perks and abilities indirectly help Fire Works focus on Elites by improving positioning and damage efficiency.

• Elemental Pop: Increases the frequency of elemental effects, including Fire Works. More triggers mean more chances to target Elites.

• Deadshot Daiquiri: Helps you maintain headshot precision, reducing small zombie clutter and giving Fire Works fewer distractions.

• Ether Shroud or Energy Mine: Use these Field Upgrades to clear regular enemies, isolating Elites so Fire Works prioritizes them.

Combining these tools creates a more predictable activation pattern.

Step 3: Choose the Right Weapon Pairings

Not all weapons interact with Fire Works equally. The best results come from weapons with:

• High rate of fire (e.g., LMGs or fast ARs) to trigger Fire Works more often.

• High base damage to maximize the burst output when the effect activates.

• Consistent accuracy to reduce wasted damage when targeting Elites.

Recommended combinations include:

• Havoc 762 (AR) – fast, accurate, and reliable mid-range performance.

• RPK-16 (LMG) – massive magazine capacity ensures frequent activations.

• KR-55 (SMG) – agile for close-quarters elite fights.

Using a Black Ops 7 bot lobby can help you test these combinations without pressure. It’s a great way to experiment with different builds and practice isolating Elites so Fire Works focuses properly. Players who want to optimize testing sometimes buy BO7 bot lobbies to simulate high-round conditions efficiently and understand perk interactions before heading into public matches.

Step 4: Modify Your Playstyle for Fire Works Efficiency

Fire Works is best when you treat it as a support tool rather than your primary damage dealer. To make it truly effective against Elites, adjust your playstyle accordingly:

1. Stay mobile: Keep rotating around Elites so Fire Works can spawn in their line of sight.

2. Clear trash mobs first: Elites become Fire Works’ default target once weaker enemies are gone.

3. Activate traps and environmental hazards: These reduce zombie density, improving Fire Works’ targeting accuracy.

In high rounds, Fire Works becomes far more useful when paired with coordinated team play — for instance, one player running crowd control mods like Brain Rot while another focuses on Fire Works to burn down Elites.

Step 5: Combine Fire Works with Support Items

Don’t underestimate how tactical tools can amplify Fire Works’ potential. For example:

• Decoy Grenades: Draw small zombies away so Fire Works spawns near the Elite.

• Molotovs or Semtex: Damage groups evenly so Elites remain the only healthy targets when Fire Works triggers.

• Armor Plates: Maintain survivability while staying close to Elites for accurate mod targeting.

This kind of synergy ensures Fire Works isn’t wasted on minor enemies that don’t threaten your survival.

Step 6: Use Map Positioning to Your Advantage

Map awareness is key. In tighter spaces, Fire Works’ duplicate weapon automatically hits multiple enemies at once, but this can cause random target selection. For better control, lure Elites into open areas with fewer spawns.

Maps like Der Schatten or Frozen Line feature wide corridors and elevated platforms that make it easier to manipulate zombie flow. Fire Works will then naturally lock onto the most prominent threat — usually the Elite closest to your position.

Step 7: Optimize During Team Play

In co-op sessions, communication is everything. If you’re running Fire Works, let teammates handle crowd control while you focus on Elites. The fewer regular zombies present, the higher the chance Fire Works prioritizes the biggest target.

It also helps to coordinate Field Upgrade timing — for example, combining Frost Blast with Fire Works activation to freeze mobs and leave Elites exposed.

Step 8: Test and Adjust

Fire Works performance can vary depending on patch updates and balance adjustments. Keeping your strategy flexible is crucial. Regularly testing builds in controlled environments — like a Black Ops 7 bot lobby — helps you adapt to changes quickly and maintain efficient elite-killing setups.

Communities like U4N often share patch analysis, testing data, and perk synergy guides that make optimizing your Fire Works loadout much easier. Staying updated there ensures your setup remains effective even after balance changes.

Final Thoughts

Fire Works may seem unpredictable at first, but with the right strategy, it becomes one of the most reliable tools for melting Elite Zombies in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. By managing activation timing, clearing smaller mobs, and using perks that support its elemental triggers, you can transform Fire Works from a random damage boost into a precise elite-killing mechanic.

Whether you’re experimenting with builds in a BO7 bot lobby or coordinating strategies with friends in Zombies co-op, the key is to create conditions where Fire Works has no choice but to lock onto your biggest threats.