Unlocking Gold and Diamond Camos in Call of Duty: Black Ops III
To unlock Gold and Diamond camos in Call of Duty BO7, you must first complete all base camouflage challenges for every weapon within a specific category. For Gold, you complete all challenges for one weapon. For Diamond, you must earn the Gold camo for every weapon in that category. The process is a significant grind that tests your proficiency with each weapon type across hundreds of eliminations and specific tactical requirements.
The Foundation: Understanding Camo Challenges
Every weapon in Black Ops III has a set of ten camouflages to unlock before you can access the prestigious Gold and Diamond variants. These are split into two groups: the first five are generally simpler, focusing on cumulative eliminations, while the final five, known as “Specialist Challenges,” require specific actions. The progression is linear; you cannot work on multiple camouflages in the same set simultaneously. The first five camos are typically unlocked by getting a certain number of kills:
- Kills: 10, 50, 100, 200, 300 (or 500 for some weapons like launchers)
The final five challenges are where your skills are truly tested. They vary by weapon class but often include:
- Headshots: The cornerstone challenge for most primary weapons. You need 100 headshots with assault rifles, SMGs, LMGs, sniper rifles, and pistols. Shotguns require 100 one-shot kills.
- Bloodthirsty Medals: Get 5 kills without dying with the weapon. You need 5 of these medals for most weapons.
- Revenge Medals: Kill an opponent who recently killed you. Typically requires 10-20 revenge medals.
- Longshot Medals: For assault rifles, LMGs, and sniper rifles, this involves getting kills at a significant distance.
- Other Class-Specific Medals: Such as “Backstabber” medals for combat knives or “Destroyer” medals for launchers.
Here’s a quick reference table for the final five challenges for a standard assault rifle:
| Camouflage Name | Challenge Requirement | Quantity Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Jungle Warfare | Headshots | 100 |
| Polychromatic | Bloodthirsty Medals | 5 |
| Redwood | Revenge Medals | 20 |
| Solar | Double Kills | 10 |
| Dusk | Longshot Medals | 10 |
The Grind for Gold: Weapon by Weapon
Once you complete all ten camouflage challenges for a single weapon, the Gold camo is automatically unlocked for that specific weapon. There is no additional purchase or step; it’s the direct reward for your mastery. The key here is efficiency. For headshots, equip optics like the Recon Sight or BOA 3 for a clearer sight picture. Use High-Caliber on assault rifles for increased headshot damage, and always aim for the upper chest so recoil kicks the shot upward. For bloodthirsty medals, play conservatively. Camping might be frowned upon, but holding down a strategic area of the map with tactical equipment like Trip Mines and C4 can secure those five kills without the risk of running and gunning. Game modes like Team Deathmatch or Domination are ideal for predictable enemy movement.
The Ultimate Test: Earning Diamond for a Weapon Class
Diamond camo is the true mark of a dedicated player. It’s not earned on a per-weapon basis but for an entire class. The rule is simple but demanding: you must earn the Gold camo for every single base weapon within that category. This includes weapons you might dislike. For example, to get Diamond camo for Assault Rifles, you need Gold for the KN-44, XR-2, HVK-30, ICR-1, Man-O-War, Sheiva, M8A7, and the FFAR. DLC weapons added post-launch are not required for the Diamond challenge. The camo will automatically appear on all weapons in that class once the final Gold camo is unlocked. The visual effect is a brilliant, shimmering diamond plate that covers the entire weapon, far more striking than the flat gold finish.
Weapon Class Deep Dive: Strategies and Data
Each weapon class presents unique hurdles. Let’s break down the data and optimal strategies for the most challenging categories.
Assault Rifles
This is often the first class players tackle. The main grind is the 100 headshots per weapon, totaling 800 headshots across all eight base ARs. The Sheiva, a semi-auto rifle, is a headshot machine with High Caliber, as it becomes a one-shot kill to the head. The M8A7 burst rifle is also excellent. The biggest challenge for many is the slow-firing Man-O-War; controlling its recoil is key. Expect to spend 8-12 hours of gameplay per rifle if you’re focused.
Submachine Guns (SMGs)
SMGs require 100 headshots each across six base weapons. The trick here is getting close. Use perks like Afterburner and Blast Suppressor to leverage the advanced movement system, closing gaps quickly. The Vesper and VMP have high fire rates but also high recoil, making headshots less consistent than with the Kuda or Weevil. Laser Sight can help for hip-fire headshots in close quarters.
Sniper Rifles
This is one of the toughest classes. The challenges are different: instead of headshots, you need 100 one-shot kills. The bloodthirsty medals are the real bottleneck. Getting five kills without dying with a slow-handling sniper rifle is incredibly difficult. Play ground-based modes like Safeguard where you can predict the robot’s path. Use smoke grenades and thermal sights, or play more aggressively in close-range maps with the P-06 or Drakon. The Locus and SVG-100 require immense patience.
Shotguns
Shotguns are simpler in theory, as they require 100 one-shot kills instead of headshots. The Argus, which is a slug shotgun, is the exception and needs headshots. The bloodthirsty medals can be tricky. Use the Brecci or Haymaker with extended mags and play in tight spaces like the interior of the Nuk3town houses. The KRM-262 requires you to be point-blank for a consistent one-shot kill.
Launchers
Launchers are a different beast. You don’t get kills for camos; you destroy equipment and scorestreaks. The two base launchers are the XM-53 and the BlackCell. Challenges include destroying 10 Sentry Guns, 10 Talons, 5 Cerberus units, and 5 Power Cores. The Power Core is the rarest scorestreak in the game, making this a brutal wait. Run a class with a launcher as your secondary at all times and use the Engineer perk to see enemy equipment and scorestreaks through walls. Play modes like Domination where players use Sentry Guns to guard flags.
Combat Knife
The knife has its own unique challenges, including 200 kills, 5 backstabber medals (kills from behind), and the dreaded 5 bloodthirsty medals. This is pure close-quarters chaos. Use perks like Ghost, Hard Wired, and Dead Silence with the Active Camo specialist to sneak up on enemies. Play on small maps and accept that you will die frequently.
Leveraging Game Systems for Efficiency
Your loadout and game mode choices are critical. Always run the Primary Gunfighter wildcard to attach up to 6 attachments. For headshots, a setup like Optics, High Caliber, Quickdraw, Grip, Fast Mags, and Stock/Long Barrel is ideal. For perk setups, Sixth Sense can alert you to nearby enemies, and Tracker lets you see enemy footprints, perfect for flanking for revenge or backstabber medals. For sniper bloodthirsties, Overclock with the Psychosis specialist can create clones to distract enemies while you line up shots. Playing in a party with friends who can protect you or call out enemy positions can cut the grind time significantly, especially for vulnerable challenges like sniper bloodthirsties.
The path to Gold and Diamond camos is a marathon, not a sprint. It forces you to master every aspect of the game’s arsenal, from precise aim to tactical map control. The shimmering Diamond camo is not just a cosmetic reward; it’s a badge of honor that shows you’ve conquered one of the most demanding challenges Black Ops III has to offer.