Black Ops 7 Operators and how to unlock them, explained by faction and level

Black Ops 7 launches with 24 playable Operators spread across its factions and modes. Some are available the moment you boot the game; others sit behind player levels or the premium Vault Edition. On top of that, a dedicated Zombies crew adds extra flavor to story runs without changing gameplay balance.

This explainer breaks down every Operator, how they’re grouped, and the precise requirement to add them to your roster.

How Black Ops 7 handles Operators and factions

Operators in Black Ops 7 are purely cosmetic. They don’t change stats, hitboxes, or abilities, so you’re choosing a look and a personality, not an advantage. The roster is organized three ways:

• By faction in Multiplayer: JSOC vs. The Guild.
• By unlock method: instant, level-gated, or Vault Edition exclusive.
• By a special Dedicated Zombies Crew tag that affects narrative dialogue in Zombies.

There are 24 Operators total at launch across all modes. Sixteen of them form the core JSOC and Guild cast for Multiplayer; eight are Zombies story characters that can also be used in other modes when available.

All Black Ops 7 Operators and unlock requirements

The table below lists every Operator currently available, how you get them, and which faction they belong to in Multiplayer. Vault Edition means you need the premium edition of the game; “instant” and level requirements are tied to your global player level, which you raise by earning XP in Campaign co-op, Multiplayer, Zombies, and later Warzone.

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How to Unlock All Black Ops 7 Operators

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JSOC Operators in Black Ops 7

JSOC is positioned as an elite special operations unit led by David “Section” Mason. If you gravitate toward the Black Ops campaign side of the fiction, this is the lineup that feels most familiar.

Leveling requirements use the same 1–55 track that also hands out weapons, perks, and scorestreaks. XP from Campaign co-op, Multiplayer, Zombies, and (once live) Warzone all contribute to the same global player level.

The Guild Operators in Black Ops 7

The Guild sits opposite JSOC as a private enterprise run by Emma Kagan, with its own slate of specialists and artificially intelligent partners. If you prefer a more corporate or clandestine vibe, this is where most of those designs live.

Kagan is the final faction leader to unlock through progression, sitting at level 40 in the same track that eventually ends at Commander (level 55). Vault Edition buyers add Reaper and T.E.D.D. to the Guild side immediately.

Dedicated Zombies Crew and how they work

Eight Operators form a “Dedicated Zombies Crew” that’s used to deliver story beats in Zombies runs. Picking any of them doesn’t change your stats, but it does unlock extra character banter and interactions as you play through Dark Aether content.

Free vs. paid Operators: what’s actually locked behind Vault Edition

Most of the roster is free and tied to playtime. Only four Operators require a wallet:

• Mike Harper (JSOC)
• Chloe “Karma” Lynch (JSOC)
• T.E.D.D. (The Guild)
• Reaper EWR‑3 (The Guild)

These four are bundled with the Black Ops 7 Vault Edition, which can be purchased through the platform stores or the game’s own purchase flow on the official Black Ops 7 page. Every other Operator is either instant or reachable through the standard level track.

There are no gameplay bonuses tied to owning Vault Edition Operators. They use the same weapons, perks, and movement as the rest of the cast; the difference is purely cosmetic and narrative.

Best way to unlock Operators quickly

Because Operators share the same 1–55 level ladder as weapons and equipment, anything that gives you XP will move you toward Razor, Vermaak, Kagan, and the rest of the gated cast. The progression system is explained in detail on the official Call of Duty blog, but the basics are straightforward:

• Play any mode you enjoy (Campaign co‑op, Multiplayer, or Zombies); all feed the same level.
• Focus on objective play and medals; they’re efficient XP for the time spent.
• Complete daily and weekly challenges once they appear; they’re designed as XP spikes.

Operators you unlock this way stay unlocked even if you later choose to Prestige and reset the rest of the level track.

The practical takeaway: if you buy the standard edition and simply play, you still get 20 of the 24 launch Operators. The remaining four are bundled with the Vault Edition and don’t impact balance. Pick a faction identity you like, grind to level 40 for Kagan if you want both leaders, and swap in the Zombies crew whenever you’re ready to hear more of the Dark Aether story.