Mastering the Rocket Launch Puzzle in BO7 Zombies – Ashes of the Damned
Advancing through the Ashes of the Damned main quest in Call of Duty:Black Ops 7 Zombies pushes players to master several demanding mechanics, but few steps cause as much confusion as the rocket launch puzzle at the Zarya Cosmodrome. This phase introduces rotating symbols, rapid-fire terminals, and relentless enemy pressure—turning even experienced squads into frantic messes if they aren't prepared.
Although it appears random at first glance, the rocket launch sequence is actually governed by a consistent rule set. Once you understand how the symbols translate and how the terminal values work, this step becomes entirely predictable. This guide breaks down everything you need to know so you can launch the rocket efficiently and move closer to completing the Ashes of the Damned easter egg and fully upgrading Ol' Tessie.
Prerequisites Before Activating the Rocket Puzzle
The rocket launch cannot be attempted immediately—you'll need to clear several major quest objectives first.
Start by acquiring the Necrofluid Gauntlet, then collect all required Serum components and successfully complete the Serum Puzzle. Once finished, locate and deliver the three roadway keys scattered along the outskirts of Ashwood.
After completing those steps, you'll unlock the DG-2 Turret Barrel upgrade for Ol' Tessie. Install it and use the turret to fire at the floating clock tower in Ashwood until it activates. When the tower begins glowing, immediately strike it with the Necrofluid Gauntlet and reload. A successful charge is indicated when the gauntlet shifts into a purple, spectral form.
With the weapon energized, travel to the Zarya Cosmodrome—either by driving southeast from Ashwood or by taking the Jump Pad near Double Tap Root Beer for a quicker route. Inside the Cosmodrome, locate the two high-speed array towers positioned to the northwest and northeast.
Fire the charged Necrofluid Gauntlet at one array to slow its rotation, then return to Ashwood to recharge at the clock tower. Repeat the process for the second array. Only after both towers are stabilized will the rocket launch puzzle become accessible.
How the Rocket Launch Puzzle Works
Once the arrays are complete, enter the Control Room in the Zarya Cosmodrome near the Wisp Tea perk machine. On the northern wall, two monitors display six unfamiliar symbols. While the symbols themselves change every match, the solution never does—those symbols always translate into one of four preset words.
The translation system uses a Pigpen-style cipher. Each decoded letter must then be converted into a number using a zero-based alphabet where A = 00 and Z = 25.
After identifying the correct word, turn toward the northwest wall of the Control Room. You'll find six numbered terminals, each cycling rapidly. Your goal is to shoot the red button on each terminal to stop it on the correct value, entering the sequence from left to right.
For example, if the translated word is ROCKET, the terminals must be locked in as:
R = 17
O = 14
C = 02
K = 10
E = 04
T = 19
Entering an incorrect number causes the launch attempt to fail, forcing you to wait until the next round—and re-complete the array charging process under heavy zombie pressure. This makes preparation and familiarity with the conversions extremely important.
Many players choose to practice this mechanic in low-risk environments, such as CoD Black Ops 7 Bot Lobbies, to get comfortable with the timing and sequence without jeopardizing a full easter egg run.
When the correct numerical sequence is entered, the puzzle resolves instantly. Alarms shut down, zombies despawn, and the rocket launches skyward in a cinematic moment, confirming completion of the step.
From here, you can proceed with the remaining stages of the Ashes of the Damned quest without any additional symbol-based challenges.
Despite its intimidating presentation, the rocket launch puzzle is entirely deterministic. Memorizing the four possible word solutions and understanding the letter-to-number system transforms this step from a run-ending obstacle into a quick execution check.
With proper setup, efficient communication, and fast input, you'll send the rocket off flawlessly every run—bringing you one step closer to conquering Black Ops 7 Zombies and mastering the Ashes of the Damned easter egg.Practice smarter. Progress faster. Play better with MMOexp Black Ops 7 Bot Lobbies for sale.