Anyone who's spent any meaningful time in Call of Duty zombies knows just how game-changing the Pack-A-Punch machine is. In Black Ops 7, especially in the zombie map Ashes of the Damned, upgrading your weapons is practically mandatory if you want to survive beyond the early rounds. Pack-A-Punch instantly transforms a regular gun into a powerful powerhouse, boosting damage, ammo capacity, and sometimes adding elemental effects.

 

However, the hurdle is the hefty 5000 essence cost required for just the first Pack-A-Punch upgrade. In the early rounds, that's a significant chunk of resources better used for perks, opening doors, or buying armor. The good news? There's a clever and legitimate in-game trick that allows you to snag a Pack-A-Punch upgrade for free. No spending, no boosting, and definitely no glitching required, just smart gameplay.

 

Interestingly, some players who engage in CoD BO7 Bot Lobbies or use CoD BO7 Boosting services often claim this trick helps them speed up their zombie progression even more, since every advantage helps. While using external services is completely optional and up to player discretion, the method below works in standard gameplay and is perfect for anyone aiming to improve their runs without extra assistance.

 

Step 1: Unlock and Equip Toxic Growth

 

The key to unlocking a free Pack-A-Punch lies in the Toxic Growth field upgrade. This ability creates thorny growths that slow and damage enemies, but for this trick, it has another hidden perk.

 

Level Required: 29

 

Head into your loadout menu and set Toxic Growth as your active field upgrade once unlocked.

 

Make sure you level it up if possible, stronger Toxic Growth charges faster and deals more damage, but any version of it will work for the method described.

 

Step 2: Find a Fumigator

 

Next, you'll need a fumigator. These are small tank-like devices scattered around the Ashes of the Damned map, usually attached to hoses.

 

Typical locations include:

 

Inside the barn at Vandorn Farm, near the power switch

 

Outdoor farm areas and storage zones

 

Occasionally beside small sheds or crafting tables

 

Walk up to one and interact with it to pick it up. You only need one, you won't use it up unless you want to repeat the process.

 

Step 3: Charge Toxic Growth

 

Play normally for a few rounds until your Toxic Growth field upgrade is charged and ready to use. Completing kills, repairing barriers, and supporting teammates all help charge it faster. You don't need to kill zombies with Toxic Growth for this method; you just need it fully active.

 

Step 4: Locate a Green Plant

 

Once you have both the fumigator and Toxic Growth ready, head toward grassy areas on the map. Look specifically for small, bright green plants on the ground, rounded clusters that stand out slightly against their surroundings.

 

Common locations:

 

Near fields around the farm

 

By fence lines and trench paths

 

Occasionally close to generator or power areas

 

When you find one, interact with it using the fumigator.

 

Step 5: Activate Toxic Growth

 

As soon as you use the fumigator on the plant, activate Toxic Growth directly onto it. Instead of creating spiked vines for crowd control, Toxic Growth causes the plant to rapidly grow.

 

In just seconds, you'll see it expand to full size. Now comes the key moment, watch the plant closely.

 

Step 6: Collect the Crystal

 

When the plant finishes growing, it may spit out a Raw Aetherium Crystal. These crystals are used to instantly apply a Pack-A-Punch upgrade to the weapon you're currently holding.

 

Stand next to the plant

 

Grab the crystal quickly before zombies close in

 

Your weapon will automatically upgrade

 

A Note on RNG

 

There's a small randomness factor here. The plant doesn't always give a Raw Aetherium Crystal. If you're unlucky, you may need to repeat the process on another plant. Continue finding green plants, treating them with the fumigator, and activating Toxic Growth until you successfully receive the crystal.

 

This method is still significantly faster and cheaper than grinding for 5000 essence early in the match, especially if you're trying to set up an efficient high-round build.

 

Final Tips

 

Do this early in the match before zombies become overwhelming.

 

Hold your preferred weapon before collecting the crystal.

 

Bring teammates to cover you while activating the trick.

 

If you want to repeat it later, look for more fumigators and plants.

 

Conclusion

 

Even though the Pack-A-Punch is crucial for survival in Black Ops 7's Ashes of the Damned, it doesn't have to cost you essence right away. By unlocking Toxic Growth, grabbing a fumigator, and identifying the right plant, you can enjoy a free Pack-A-Punch upgrade without spending a single point.

 

Whether you're progressing through the game naturally or enhancing your gameplay through methods often associated with CoD BO7 Bot Lobbies or CoD BO7 Boosting, this in-game strategy provides a clean, efficient, and repeatable way to supercharge your weapon early.

 

Give it a try in your next zombie run, you'll be amazed how big of a difference it makes.