Unveiling the Call of Duty Black Ops Tribute Event & Rewards

The Black Ops Tribute event is currently underway, offering a wide array of free rewards in honor of the fifteenth anniversary of the Call of Duty: Black Ops series. By earning experience points (XP) through your playtime in Black Ops 6 and Warzone, you can unlock new items such as a unique Scorestreak, the Nail Gun for your loadout, and a fresh operator skin, along with various other exclusive cosmetics tied to this occasion.

As with many Call of Duty events, the Black Ops Tribute is available for a limited time. Launched on April 17, you have just two weeks to claim the rewards before they disappear at the close of the event on May 1. Most rewards won’t be available afterward, but the weapons can later be unlocked through armory challenges, ensuring players don’t miss out on the coolest gear. To get all the critical details, continue reading about the Black Ops Tribute event.

Rewards for the Black Ops Tribute Event

You can earn a total of 17 free rewards during the Black Ops Tribute event in Call of Duty:

• “Intimidation Tactics” Weapon Sticker (15,000 XP)
• “Bomb on Wheels” Spray (40,000 XP)
• “Striped Beauty” Weapon Charm (40,000 XP)*
• “Liberating Air” Loading Screen (76,000 XP)
• “On the House” Gobblegum (76,000 XP)*
• “Operatives” Large Decal (123,000 XP)
• Thermite Lethal Equipment (180,000 XP)
• Close Shave Perk (180,000 XP)*
• “Call It In” Emblem (326,000 XP)
• “Violet Sight” Reticule (326,000 XP)*
• 45 Minute Double Weapon XP Token (414,000 XP)
• “Crate Power” Gobblegum (414,000 XP)*
• “Blazing Win” Calling Card (511,000 XP)
• “Steer” Melee Blueprint (617,000 XP)
• Death Machine Scorestreak (617,000 XP)*
• Nail Gun (Mastery)
• John Black Ops (Mastery)*

If you want to earn XP, you can do so in any Call of Duty mode, but to claim all the rewards, you’ll need to own Call of Duty Black Ops 6. Players who are focused solely on the free-to-play version of Warzone will only be able to claim about half of the event’s rewards.

Items with an asterisk (*) indicate they’re exclusive to players who own Black Ops 6. The in-game rewards page includes a “BO6 Reward” tag for any items that require the full game, so you won’t miss them.

Unlocking John Black Ops

To unlock the new character John Black Ops, you must collect all the other rewards from the event first. Note that John Black Ops is also restricted to owners of Black Ops 6, meaning players of the free Warzone version cannot obtain this character unless they purchase the full game.

Since he is the final reward in the event, you’ll need to gather an impressive 617,000 XP across multiplayer, Warzone, and Zombies to unlock every item and this new operator. Once you do, you can deploy John Black Ops in any game mode, including Warzone.

Schedule for the Black Ops Tribute Event

The Black Ops Tribute event is set to last two weeks in both Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone. The event started on April 17 and will continue until May 1.

Given that this event focuses heavily on XP, it’s advisable to jump in and start playing as soon as you can. Earning over half a million XP is necessary to claim John Black Ops, the Nail Gun, and all other rewards, which will require several hours of gameplay. This event does not include any bonus challenges, so progress is strictly based on time played and games completed.

Top Strategies for Earning XP during the Black Ops Tribute

For the Black Ops Tribute event, which centers on accumulating experience points, the tried-and-true strategies used by players in Black Ops 6 for leveling up will also apply. Fortunately, there are effective methods across all three main game modes.

Best XP Grinding in Black Ops 6

If you choose to play multiplayer in Black Ops 6 to progress in the Tribute event, it’s suggested to opt for objective-oriented game modes like Domination. These modes generally provide more opportunities to earn XP than being solely kill-focused, like Team Deathmatch.

Avoid smaller maps, such as Stakeout and Nomad, as they tend to limit XP gains to prevent fast leveling. Therefore, even though hectic playlists like Nuketown 24/7 seem appealing, they may not be the most effective for earning XP efficiently.

Using Double XP Tokens will enhance your XP gains, so be sure to utilize them and focus on objective-based multiplayer modes during the event.

Best XP Grinding in Zombies

If you want a break from PVP action, Black Ops 6 Zombies is another excellent path for gaining XP for this event. The reward track even has Gobblegums for Zombies players, which is a nice touch.

However, XP tends to decline significantly in higher rounds, so quick matches are essential for effective grinding. Aim to play until around round 16 or 21 and then extract alive for substantial XP. Before extraction, securing a Chopper Gunner can help clear the area for a safe landing.

While playing, complete as many SAM Trials as you can, as they yield solid XP bonuses. Activating the Rampage modifier at the start can also be beneficial, as long as you can keep up with increased enemy aggression.

Best XP Grinding in Warzone

While Warzone is generally the slowest mode for grinding XP, it can still work well if you prefer battle royale. For maximizing XP in Warzone, skip traditional battle royale modes and choose respawn modes like Plunder or Resurgence instead.

Plunder is the most reliable option, but if you’re part of a strong squad, Resurgence can deliver good XP through kills and placements. That said, the grind will still be slower compared to other modes, so it’s advisable to utilize Black Ops 6 multiplayer or Zombies for event completion.