If you've been grinding the Naughty & Nice event, you've probably clocked the same thing I did: half the lobby is trying to light you up. Fire damage isn't just a meme right now, it's a practical tool for challenges and unlocks, and it changes how you take fights. If you're testing stuff without wanting every match to feel like a tournament, a CoD BO7 Bot Lobby can be a simple way to get a feel for burn timing, spacing, and how fast the DoT actually ticks before you bring it into real matches.
What fire damage really does
Think of fire as two parts: the initial hit and the burn that keeps chewing health after you've stopped shooting. That second part is what wins messy fights. You tag someone, they duck behind cover, and the damage keeps ticking. In Multiplayer, it forces bad re-peeks and panicked stim timing. In Zombies, it's even more obvious: you're not just deleting one target, you're softening a whole train so your next shots finish the job.
Build your loadout around easy, repeatable burns
Don't overthink it. You want a setup that applies fire often, not "sometimes when everything lines up." Incendiary-style ammo and burn-focused attachments are the bread and butter, because you're landing pellets or rounds constantly in close fights. If you're ranking up and eyeing higher-tier streaks that lay down fire, build your class so you're earning them reliably: stay on objectives, take short routes, and stop chasing long angles where burn doesn't matter.
Where to level fast without losing your mind
Small maps do the heavy lifting. Tight lanes, constant re-engagements, and more targets per minute means faster weapon levels and more chances to trigger the burn. If you've got Double XP tokens, this is when they actually feel worth it. And if public lobbies are turning into a sweat-fest, running private games with friends to test attachments can save you a ton of frustration while you figure out what sticks and what's placebo.
Equipment that does the work for you
The Molotov is the obvious pick once you've got it. Toss it on a doorway, an objective, or the spot people always slide through, and you'll get free burn ticks while you focus elsewhere. It's also great for denying revives or forcing Zombies to bunch up where you want them. Pair it with perks that speed up your equipment loop or amplify area control, and suddenly you're dictating where fights happen.
Weapon choices players keep coming back to
Shotguns are still the easiest "set them on fire" button, especially with dragon-breath style shells. You don't need perfect aim, just good spacing and timing. Some semi-auto options shine because they apply burn again and again before the enemy can reset. If you prefer rifles, go for builds that let you tag at mid range and keep pressure up; headshots can help, but consistency matters more than hero moments.
Playing smarter against burn metas
You'll win more if you respect the burn window. Don't chase every weak enemy into a corner; sometimes the tick will finish them. Also, watch your own habits: if you keep retreating to the same cover spot, fire damage punishes you hard. Mix routes, pre-aim common pushes, and treat flames like temporary walls. If you're trying to farm progress cleanly, CoD BO7 Bot Lobbies buy can help you dial in recoil, pellet spread, and burn consistency so you're not guessing in live games.