Every Slot 1 Perk Ranked & How to Unlock in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
Choosing the best Perk 1 in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 can completely reshape the way you dominate Multiplayer. With seven total Slot 1 Perks, each offering a different passive strength, your selection can make or break your loadout-especially now that Black Ops 7 features diverse maps, faster pacing, and a deeper perk ecosystem. Since you can only equip one Slot 1 Perk at a time (unless you use certain Wildcards), players need to understand exactly what each perk does, when it becomes available, and which perk offers the strongest advantage for their personal playstyle.
This guide breaks down every Slot 1 Perk, how to unlock them, the pros and cons of running each one, and our ranking of the best Perk 1 options to use in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Multiplayer.
All Black Ops 7 Slot 1 Perks Explained
Tac Sprinter - Tactical Sprint Is Back (Sort Of)
·Unlock Level: 11
·Type: Enforcer
·Description: Enables Tactical Sprint but reduces your normal sprint speed.
Tac Sprinter marks the return of a movement mechanic missing from several recent COD titles. While Tactical Sprint gives you a burst of speed useful for crossing dangerous sightlines, the reduced normal sprint speed makes this perk situational at best. Since Black Ops 7 is extremely fast-paced and mobility-focused, the compromise often isn't worth it.
Best for: players who rely on quick gap-closing or aggressive SMG rushing.
Ninja - Quiet Footsteps, Minimal Value
·Unlock Level: 53
·Type: Recon
·Description: Move more quietly.
Ninja greatly softens your footstep audio, but footsteps simply aren't as punishing in Black Ops 7 as they were in MW19 or MW2. The game's arcade-style pacing and constant engagements mean you rarely remain alive long enough to benefit heavily from stealthy repositioning.
Best for: Search & Destroy players or flanking specialists.
Gear Head - Utility for Methodical Players
·Unlock Level: 4
·Type: Strategist
·Description: Two Field Upgrade charges, booby-trap Care Packages, and equipment recharges over time.
Gear Head can shine in slower game modes, especially when holding power positions with proximity devices, deployable cover, or other field upgrades. However, its usefulness drops sharply in fast respawn modes where you rarely survive long enough to benefit from rechargeable equipment.
Best for: snipers, defenders, and objective anchors.
Gung Ho - The Run-and-Gun King
·Unlock Level: 18
·Type: Enforcer
·Description: Fire while sprinting; improved movement while reloading or using Equipment.
Gung Ho is perfect for hyper-aggressive players who value fluid movement above everything else. Being able to fire while sprinting gives you incredible power in close-quarters fights, especially with SMGs and shotguns. Pair this with faster reload movement and a snappier feel during Equipment use, and Gung Ho becomes a top-tier choice for mobility-based combat.
Best for: pure rushers, SMG mains, shotgun players.
Lightweight - Pure Speed and Omnimovement
·Unlock Level: 45
·Type: Enforcer
·Description: Increased movement speed; improved jumping, sliding, diving, and faster recovery.
Lightweight is arguably one of the strongest Perk 1 choices in the game. With increased movement speed and improved traversal distance, you become extremely hard to track during gunfights. Players who master sliding and diving will benefit most, especially on tighter maps where constant motion is key to survival.
Best for: SMG mains, objective runners, and players who want maximum map control across all lobbies-including when they buy CoD Black Ops 7 Bot Lobbies for faster progression.
Flak Jacket - Anti-Explosive Insurance
Unlock Level: 21
Type: Strategist
Description: Reduces explosive and fire damage.
Explosives are extremely common in Black Ops 7 Multiplayer, especially on smaller maps or in objective-heavy modes like Hardpoint and Domination. With spawn-in grenade spam as prevalent as ever, Flak Jacket remains one of the most valuable perks when the enemy team relies heavily on explosives.
Best for: objective players, small map grinding, anti-nade defense.
Skip if: you play mostly standard TDM or long-range setups.
Ghost - Stay Off the Radar
Unlock Level: 26
Type: Recon
Description: Undetectable by UAV, Scout Pulse, Prox Alarm, and other radar systems while moving.
Ghost is a must-pick for players who value map control and stealth. Because UAVs are constantly called in Black Ops 7's action-heavy modes, staying hidden while moving gives you a massive strategic edge. Ghost pairs amazingly well with suppressors, allowing you to flank and reposition without giving away your location.
Best for: stealth players, suppressor users, flankers.
Skip if: you run high-visibility builds or slow movement.
Ranking the Best Slot 1 Perks in Black Ops 7
After extensive testing across all modes-including Ranked, Pub Stomping, and controlled practice in Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Bot Lobbies, these are the definitive rankings:
1. Lightweight - Best overall for mobility and survivability
2. Ghost - Essential for staying hidden and unpredictable
3. Gung Ho - Top-tier for pure rushers and SMG mains
4. Flak Jacket - Crucial for objective modes
5. Gear Head - Good for defensive and tactical play
6. Tac Sprinter - Situational benefit, steep tradeoffs
7. Ninja - Lowest value in the current meta