Black Ops 7 Zombies Cursed Mode Relics: Fastest Route to Tier Three

The fastest way to progress through Cursed Mode in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Zombies is to unlock relics in a specific order instead of grabbing whatever trial appears first. Players often ask how to reach tier three quickly and which relics are actually worth the grind. With 30 relics split across Grief, Sinister, and Wicked categories, unlocking the wrong ones early makes progression far harder than it needs to be. This guide breaks down the most efficient relic path from zero to tier three, covering unlock requirements, trial mechanics, and recommended loadouts. It works for both new and returning Cursed Mode players.

How Relic Tiers Work

Three Categories, One Goal

Cursed Mode relics fall into three categories, and understanding them is the key to an efficient order. Grief relics are worth one-third of a tier and only require completing the main Easter egg quest on their map. Sinister relics are worth two-thirds of a tier but require tier one first. Wicked relics are worth a full tier each, though they need tier two before they unlock. Because of this structure, the first goal for anyone starting from zero is collecting three Grief relics to reach tier one. This matters most to new players, since it avoids wasted trial attempts on relics that are not yet available.

Best First Grief Relics

Teddy Bear, Power Switch, Gramophone

The most efficient first three relics are the teddy bear on Ashes of the Damned, the power switch on Totenreich, and the gramophone on Kuwakujou. The teddy bear reduces the delay between rounds by 75% with no real downside, making it safe to keep equipped for the entire progression. Its unlock requires finding 10 hidden Mr. Peeks scattered across the map, visible only while using a shroud and collected with the necrofluid gauntlet. The power switch randomizes tactical and lethal equipment each round, a minor inconvenience solved by rebuying gear, and its trial only requires trap kills. The gramophone boosts weapon damage but doubles bullet consumption per shot, unlocking through a timed Simon Says sequence and a sniper-only trial. Together, these three reach tier one with minimal setup, which is ideal for beginners.

Path To Tier Two

Dancing Arnie And The Solo Vs Co-Op Split

Reaching tier two means swapping weaker Grief relics for Sinister ones, starting with the dancing Arnie on Totenreich. Its fetch-quest unlock is long but not difficult, and its effect lets players buy every perk from a single machine. From here the route splits by playstyle: solo players should prioritize the spider fang on Astra Malorum, since rising perk prices matter little without teammates constantly losing perks. Co-op players should instead target the focusing stone on Ashes of the Damned, which blocks self-revive purchases but matters far less with a team backing you up. Combining dancing Arnie with either Sinister relic pushes a player into tier two, unlocking weapon upgrades and access to Wicked relics.

Fastest Wicked Relic Choice

Why The Bus Comes First

The most efficient Wicked relic to chase first is the bus on Ashes of the Damned, which makes enemies regenerate health if they aren't damaged consistently. In practice, this barely affects players who apply steady pressure, though it does slow down point farming. Unlocking it requires reaching round 60 on at least tier two, then completing a full round without directly damaging zombies, which is easiest during a reviver round. With two Grief, two Sinister, and one Wicked relic equipped, players reach tier three using only five total relics — the leanest path available.

Best Relic Loadouts

Matching Relics To Each Tier

Choosing which relics to equip matters as much as unlocking them, since stacking too many downsides at once makes runs harder than necessary.

The standout takeaway is that tier three does not require five relics forever — once harder Wicked relics are unlocked, two Wicked relics can replace an entire extra pair, trimming the loadout to four total. Players who eventually unlock the dragon head and dragon egg can run two Wicked relics instead of two Grief and two Sinister for a cleaner tier three setup with fewer combined downsides. This approach is especially valuable for players who have already invested significant time into Cursed Mode—or who are coming from Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Bot Lobbies—and want to reduce trial-related risk on any single run.

What Is the Fastest Way to Reach Tier Three in Cursed Mode?

The fastest path uses two Grief relics, two Sinister relics, and one Wicked relic such as the bus. This combination reaches tier three with only five total relics while avoiding the hardest trials early on.

How Do You Unlock the Teddy Bear Relic on Ashes of the Damned?

Find all 10 hidden Mr. Peeks scattered across the map while using a shroud, then collect them with the necrofluid gauntlet. The final one only appears on round 20 or later, and collecting it opens the relic trial.

Is the Bus Relic Worth Unlocking First Among Wicked Relics?

Yes, the bus is generally the easiest Wicked relic since its regeneration downside rarely triggers against players applying steady damage. It requires reaching round 60 on tier two and surviving a round without direct zombie damage.

Which Relics Should New Players Avoid Early in Cursed Mode?

New players should avoid chasing the dragon head or dragon egg first, since both require extremely difficult multi-stage trials. These suit players who already have a stable tier three loadout and want to refine it further.

Quick Tips

· Equip enough relics to meet each tier's minimum before entering new trials, or the unlock will not register.

· Build strong point farming before equipping the bus, since regenerating zombies make repeated damage farming less reliable.

· Bring dead tasks and backup revives in co-op before targeting the focusing stone, since it removes normal self-revive purchases.

· Save and quit if wine bottles won't place correctly during the focusing stone unlock, then rejoin and retry.

· Fully upgrade your knife before the spider fang unlock, since the fastest strategy depends on melee damage.

Who Benefits Most?

· Beginners get a clear five-relic path to tier three without wasting time on relics that aren't unlockable yet.

· Solo players learn why the spider fang is the safer Sinister pick when playing without a team.

· Advanced players see which Wicked relics justify their difficulty for a cleaner two-relic tier three loadout.

Following the Grief-to-Sinister-to-Wicked order gets any Cursed Mode player—even someone primarily looking for cheap BO7 Bot Lobbies—to tier three with five manageable relics, while the dragon head and dragon egg stay optional upgrades for later. Prioritizing the teddy bear, dancing Arnie, and the bus keeps early trials simple while still unlocking every major Cursed Mode reward.