If you’re playing Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and want to level up quickly, unlock weapons efficiently, or simply improve your aim and tactics without the pressure of real players, bot lobbies are your best friend. While the online PvP experience is the heart of the series, bot lobbies offer a safe space for practice, experimentation, and rapid XP grinding.
Whether you’re new to the series or a seasoned veteran looking to optimize your bot lobby sessions, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from setting up the perfect bot match to advanced tips for farming XP and racking up killstreaks.
What Is a Bot Lobby in Black Ops 7?
A bot lobby is a custom game mode where you play against AI-controlled enemies rather than human players. These lobbies are fully customizable—you can control the map, game mode, number of bots, their difficulty, and your loadout. It’s the perfect environment to sharpen your skills, test new weapons, or just have fun.
In Black Ops 7, bot lobbies are accessible through the Custom Games menu.
Why Use Bot Lobbies?
- Safe Practice – Learn new maps and try unfamiliar weapons without pressure.
- XP Grinding – Certain setups allow you to level weapons fast.
- Killstreak Training – Perfect your streak timing and usage without real-world consequences.
- Challenge Farming – Complete some camo or weapon challenges easier.
- Fun Warm-Up – Get your reflexes sharp before heading into multiplayer.
How to Set Up an Effective Bot Lobby
Follow these steps to maximize your bot lobby setup:
1. Access Custom Games
From the main menu, go to Multiplayer > Custom Games. This is where you’ll build your bot lobby.
2. Choose the Right Map
Smaller maps like:
- Nuketown Redux
- Shipment Yard
- Tactical Arena
…are great for faster kills and quicker XP. Close-quarters action means more engagements per minute.
3. Select Game Mode
The best modes for farming XP and practicing mechanics include:
- Domination – Control points keep bots focused and easy to predict.
- Hardpoint – Forces bots into rotation zones.
- Free-For-All – Great for solo kill-focused grinding.
- TDM – Classic mode, straightforward and fast-paced.
4. Add Bots & Adjust Difficulty
- Bot Count: 6 to 12 enemies
- Difficulty: Set to Recruit or Regular for easy farming, or Veteran if you want a challenge.
- Team Setup: You can set bots on the enemy team only (vs. solo) or make it a 6v6 match with balanced teams.
5. Scorestreaks and Rules
Modify the game settings to:
- Unlimited time or max score
- No killcam
- Allow all killstreaks and scorestreaks
- Max ammo, no reloading for faster farming
Loadout Tips for Maximum Efficiency
Some weapons and perks will make your bot lobby sessions more efficient, especially if you’re grinding for kills or testing setups.
Weapons to Use
- LMGs (like the Titan-X): Huge ammo, less reloading
- Shotguns: Great on tight maps like Nuketown
- SMGs: Fast movement and quick kills
- Launchers: Use them for challenge completion
Perks & Attachments
- Scavenger – Keeps your ammo topped up
- Ghost – If you crank up bot AI and they call in UAVs
- Fast Hands – Speeds up weapon swapping and reloads
- Extended Mags / Sleight of Hand – For LMGs and ARs
Field Upgrades
- Ammo Box or Deployable Cover—they help if you run long sessions.
Best XP Grinding Tips
Bot lobbies don’t normally offer XP in online profile progression, but they’re still crucial for grinding weapon levels, aim practice, and camo challenges. Here’s how to get the most out of them:
1. Focus on Weapon Challenges
- Know your gun’s camo unlock criteria.
- Equip it and grind headshots, hip-fire kills, or longshots depending on the requirement.
2. Rotate Between Weapons
Don’t waste time grinding one gun too far when you could be unlocking dozens of base XP levels across your arsenal.
3. Use Tactical Equipment
- Flashbangs and Stun Grenades make grouped bots easier to wipe.
- Decoys can herd bots toward you in objective modes.
4. Run Scorestreaks that Chain Kills
- UAV + Counter UAV + Chopper Gunner is a reliable combo.
- Sentry Turrets on Hardpoint maps provide automatic kills.
Advanced Bot Lobby Tricks
Once you’re comfortable, use these tricks to maximize efficiency and engagement:
- Force Bot Routes: Use objective zones or choke points to predict bot movement.
- Play on Veteran Mode (Sometimes): Practicing against tougher bots makes your PvP transition smoother.
- Set up a Training Routine: Do a 15-minute bot match daily to keep your reflexes sharp.
- Record and Review: Use theater mode or gameplay recording to study your aim, positioning, or reaction time.
When to Switch to PvP
Bot lobbies are a great way to warm up or master loadouts, but they can’t replace the unpredictability of real opponents. Once you’re:
- Hitting killstreaks consistently
- Controlling maps and objectives alone
- Completing challenges in minutes
…it’s time to move into online multiplayer to put your skills to the real test.
Bot lobbies in Black Ops 7 aren’t just for beginners—they’re an essential part of any serious player’s practice routine. Whether you’re trying out a fresh SMG build, going for weapon skins, or just want to relax while farming scorestreaks, these custom games can make a huge difference in your overall performance.
Remember: the key isn’t just grinding bots mindlessly—it’s making each session intentional, tracking your progress, and transferring that muscle memory into real matches.
