Jumping into the grind of Black Ops 7 often feels like stepping into a gauntlet—sometimes even more challenging than what you’d find in a controlled bo7 bot lobby service. If you want to prestige efficiently and maintain strong performance across matches, mastering the leveling process is essential. Prestige 1 becomes available at level 55, and everything from perk choice to match selection influences how quickly you progress.

The first and most important rule? Choose the right permanent unlock. Many players mistakenly use their first token on a favored weapon or streak, but the better strategic choice is selecting the Ninja perk. Ninja unlocks at level 53—far too late in the prestige cycle for players who rely on stealth, especially when dealing with sweaty lobbies or inconsistent matchmaking conditions. If you primarily play Search and Destroy, Free-for-All, or Team Deathmatch, Ninja becomes nearly indispensable, helping you navigate audio-dependent engagements effectively.

Once you prestige, you gain access to a new set of Prestige challenges. These act as a secondary XP source beyond standard match performance. Many challenges occur naturally during normal play, though some require specific objectives. Completionists will appreciate the structure, which adds longevity to each progression cycle. XP rewards from these tasks can significantly accelerate leveling when combined with Double XP tokens.

Speaking of XP tokens, players who spent time in previous titles carry forward a substantial advantage. Tokens remain active and allow accelerated leveling during the early days of Black Ops 7. This boosts progression considerably, allowing some players to reach Prestige 1 in just a few hours when playing efficiently.

To maximize match XP, prioritize objective game modes like Domination. Running UAV and Counter-UAV ensures constant score contribution, especially when using Overclock modifications. These streaks are low-cost, appear frequently, and feed both personal score and team success. Avoid camping for high streaks if your goal is XP; aggressive objective play provides far more consistent returns.

Matchmaking remains one of the more unpredictable elements. Despite claims of “open matchmaking,” player experiences vary dramatically. Some games feel balanced, while others are overflowing with Prestige players even early in the game’s lifecycle. Packet burst also continues to impact gameplay across matches, creating erratic pacing and affecting hit detection. These performance dips make it harder to maintain rhythm during long grind sessions.

Prestige rewards in Black Ops 7 are functional but not groundbreaking. Previous titles offered impressive throwback blueprints and nostalgic cosmetic themes, while this year’s rewards feel somewhat subdued. Still, each prestige grants a permanent unlock token and new challenges, making progression rewarding even without extravagant cosmetics.

With the right strategies—smart perk unlocking, high-XP modes, effective streak choices, and challenge optimization—you can prestige faster and maintain consistent performance throughout the grind.

Read more: How to Prestige Your Weapon in Black Ops 7 (Full Guide + Rewards Explained)