Are you tired of constantly running out of Essence in Black Ops 7 Zombies? Imagine having double points for every melee kill throughout your entire game session. That’s exactly what the Claw Talisman easter egg in Ashes of the Damned offers – a game-changing permanent double points bonus that can transform your Zombies experience from survival struggle to Essence-farming mastery.
This hidden side quest isn’t just another temporary power-up; it’s a permanent enhancement that stays with you for the duration of your match, making it easier than ever to max out your weapons, buy all perks, and prepare for the main easter egg boss fight. Whether you’re a solo player looking to dominate high rounds or part of a squad wanting to optimize your resource management, this guide will walk you through every step of unlocking this incredible advantage.
What Makes the Claw Talisman So Special?
The Claw Talisman stands out from other easter egg rewards in BO7 Zombies because it provides a persistent benefit rather than a one-time power boost. Unlike the standard double points power-up that lasts for a limited time, this talisman ensures every melee kill you make for the rest of the game awards double the Essence. This creates a snowball effect where the more zombies you kill with melee attacks, the faster you can upgrade your equipment and tackle tougher challenges.
What’s particularly interesting about this easter egg is how it encourages a different playstyle. Most players focus on ranged weapons and explosives, but the Claw Talisman rewards getting up close and personal with the undead horde. This shift in strategy not only makes the game more engaging but also teaches valuable melee combat skills that can save you when ammo runs low.
Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting
Before you can hunt for bear pawprints and challenge the Zursa boss, you’ll need to prepare properly. Jumping into this easter egg unprepared is a recipe for frustration, so let’s cover the essential requirements:
Death Perception Perk: Your Key to Starting
The first and most crucial requirement is obtaining the Death Perception Perk-a-Cola. This perk can be found in the Barn at Vandorn Farm, and it’s non-negotiable for triggering the bear pawprint sequence. Death Perception not only helps you spot the glowing pawprints in the fog but also provides valuable combat advantages during the subsequent boss fight.
Pro Tip: Grab Death Perception early in your game, ideally within the first 5-7 rounds. The perk costs 3,000 Essence, so prioritize it over less essential upgrades if you’re planning to attempt this easter egg.
Essential Equipment and Upgrades
While the boss fight technically requires melee-only combat, you’ll want to arrive well-prepared:
- Armor and Shields: Full armor is crucial since you’ll be taking hits during close-quarters combat
- Field Upgrades: Consider Toxic Growth for area control or Frost Blast for crowd management
- Melee Weapon Upgrades: A Pack-a-Punched knife or other melee weapon makes the boss fight significantly easier
- Health Items: Max Ammo and self-revive kits can be lifesavers if things go wrong
Team Considerations
If you’re playing in co-op, coordinate with your team before attempting this easter egg. While only one player needs to complete the boss fight to get the Claw Talisman, having teammates provide cover fire (without damaging the bear) can make the process much smoother. Just ensure everyone understands that only melee damage counts toward the easter egg completion.
Step-by-Step Guide to Finding the Bear Pawprints
Now that you’re prepared, let’s dive into the actual easter egg sequence. The bear pawprints can be tricky to find if you don’t know where to look, so follow these steps carefully:
Step 1: Head to the Fog Roads
After obtaining Death Perception, you’ll need to venture into one of the fog roads connecting different areas of Ashes of the Damned. There are two primary routes where the pawprints appear:
- Crashed Rocket Road: Connects Ashwood to Zarya Comsodrome
- Orda Graveyard: Connects Ashwood to Exit 115
The pawprints typically spawn closer to the Ashwood side of these routes, so start your search from that end. The fog in these areas can be disorienting, so move methodically and check your surroundings carefully.
Step 2: Locate the First Glowing Pawprint
With Death Perception active, you should see a glowing bear pawprint on the ground. This initial print is your starting point and will be the most visible one. If you don’t see it immediately, don’t panic – the spawn can sometimes be slightly randomized, so check both fog roads thoroughly.
Expert Insight: The pawprints are more likely to spawn during rounds 10-15, as this seems to be the sweet spot for easter egg triggers. Starting too early might mean the prints haven’t spawned yet, while waiting too long can make the subsequent boss fight unnecessarily difficult.
Step 3: Follow the Trail
Once you’ve found the first pawprint, interact with it to trigger the trail sequence. Additional glowing pawprints will appear, creating a path for you to follow. Each print must be interacted with individually, so take your time and ensure you don’t miss any.
The trail will lead you through increasingly dense fog, so stay alert for zombie attacks while following the path. Some players recommend having a teammate watch your back during this phase, as the fog can limit visibility and make you vulnerable to surprise attacks.
Step 4: Reach the Boss Arena
After following the final pawprint, you’ll trigger a cutscene where a Zursa bear attacks you. This transitions you into a special boss arena where the real challenge begins. Don’t worry about your equipment – everything you had before will be available in the arena, though you’ll need to pick it up when you spawn.
Conquering the Zursa Bear Boss Fight
The boss fight is where many players fail, primarily because they misunderstand the requirements or underestimate the challenge. Here’s how to ensure victory:
Understanding the Rules
This is the most critical part: you must defeat the Zursa bear using only melee damage. Any ranged weapon damage, explosives, or field upgrade damage will prevent you from receiving the Claw Talisman reward. However, you can and should pick up all your equipment when you spawn in the arena, as this restores your perks and armor even if the HUD doesn’t immediately reflect it.
Boss Fight Strategy
The Zursa bear has several attack patterns you’ll need to learn:
- Charge Attack: The bear will lunge forward – dodge to the side and counter with melee hits
- Swipe Combo: Multiple quick swipes – block or dodge backward, then attack during the recovery
- Roar Stun: The bear roars, stunning nearby players – maintain distance during this animation
- Area Slam: Jumps and slams the ground – roll away to avoid damage
Pro Strategy: Circle the bear constantly, staying just outside its immediate attack range. Wait for it to commit to an attack, dodge, then land 2-3 melee hits before backing away. Patience is key – rushing in will get you downed quickly.
Preparation Tips for the Boss Fight
Before entering the boss arena, consider these preparation steps:
- Upgrade Your Melee Weapon: A Pack-a-Punched knife or other melee weapon significantly reduces fight time
- Stack Armor: Full armor plus additional armor plates gives you more room for error
- Coordinate with Teammates: In co-op, have teammates distract the bear without dealing damage
- Learn the Arena: The boss arena has obstacles you can use for cover and to break line of sight
Claiming Your Reward: The Claw Talisman
Once you’ve defeated the Zursa bear using only melee damage, the bear will explode and release a black orb that floats into a nearby chest. Approach the chest and interact with it to claim your prize: the Claw Talisman.
What the Claw Talisman Does
Equipping the Claw Talisman immediately activates its primary effect: permanent double points for all melee kills. This means:
- Every knife kill awards 200 Essence instead of 100
- Every melee weapon kill awards double points based on the weapon’s base value
- The effect persists for the remainder of your current game session
- Going down or dying does not remove the effect
- The bonus stacks with other point-boosting effects
Maximizing Your Double Points Advantage
Now that you have the Claw Talisman, here’s how to make the most of it:
Melee Farming Strategies
- Crowd Control: Use field upgrades like Frost Blast to freeze groups of zombies, then melee them for double points
- Bait and Switch: Lure zombies into tight corridors where they can only approach one at a time
- Training Routes: Establish circular paths where you can continuously kite and melee zombies
- Power Weapon Synergy: Use powerful weapons to weaken zombies, then finish them with melee for the double points bonus
Economic Optimization
With double points from melee kills, your Essence income will skyrocket. Here’s how to allocate your newfound wealth:
- Priority Purchases: Focus on essential perks first (Jugger-nog, Quick Revive, Speed Cola)
- Weapon Upgrades: Pack-a-Punch your primary weapons early to handle tougher rounds
- Perk Insurance: Consider buying duplicate perks as insurance against going down
- Field Upgrade Stock: Keep your field upgrade ready for emergency situations
Advanced Tips and Expert Strategies
To truly master the Claw Talisman and dominate Ashes of the Damned, consider these advanced techniques:
Early Game Optimization
The earlier you complete this easter egg, the more benefit you’ll derive. Here’s an accelerated timeline:
- Rounds 1-5: Focus on survival and basic point accumulation
- Round 6: Purchase Death Perception and begin searching for pawprints
- Rounds 7-10: Complete the pawprint sequence and boss fight
- Round 11+: Enjoy double points for the rest of your game
Solo vs. Co-op Considerations
The Claw Talisman easter egg plays differently depending on your team size:
Solo Play:
- More challenging but more rewarding
- Complete control over pacing and strategy
- Requires more precise execution and skill
Co-op Play:
- Easier with team support
- Can designate one player as the “melee specialist”
- Teammates can provide support without interfering with the easter egg
Combining with Other Easter Eggs
The Claw Talisman synergizes well with other Ashes of the Damned content:
- Main Easter Egg: Double points make acquiring expensive easter egg items much easier
- Wonder Weapons: More Essence means faster access to powerful weapons
- Cursed Mode: The talisman’s effect persists in Cursed Mode, making it incredibly valuable
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Claw Talisman work in Cursed Mode?
Yes, the Claw Talisman’s double points effect works in Cursed Mode, making it one of the most valuable items for this challenging game mode. The permanent nature of the bonus means you’ll have a significant advantage throughout the entire Cursed Mode experience.
Can multiple players get the Claw Talisman in one game?
Yes, each player who completes the bear boss fight with melee-only damage can receive their own Claw Talisman. However, the boss only needs to be defeated once per game session, so coordinate with your team to ensure everyone who wants the talisman gets a chance to deal the final melee blow.
Does the double points bonus affect XP gain?
The double points bonus applies to Essence accumulation, not directly to XP. However, having more Essence allows you to purchase better equipment and perks earlier, which indirectly contributes to faster XP gain through improved performance and survival.
What happens if I accidentally use a ranged weapon during the boss fight?
If you or any teammate deals ranged damage to the Zursa bear, you will not receive the Claw Talisman reward for that attempt. You’ll need to complete another full game and trigger the boss fight again to have another chance at the reward.
Is the Claw Talisman available on all difficulties?
Yes, the Claw Talisman easter egg can be completed on all difficulty settings. However, the boss fight will be more challenging on higher difficulties, so consider attempting it on standard difficulty first to learn the mechanics.
Does the effect carry over to new games?
No, the Claw Talisman’s effect only lasts for the duration of your current game session. You’ll need to complete the easter egg again in each new game where you want the double points bonus.
Conclusion: Mastering Ashes of the Damned with the Claw Talisman
The Claw Talisman easter egg represents one of the most rewarding side activities in Black Ops 7 Zombies, offering a permanent advantage that can dramatically improve your gameplay experience. By following this comprehensive guide, you now have all the knowledge needed to locate the bear pawprints, conquer the Zursa boss fight, and claim your well-deserved double points bonus.
Remember that practice makes perfect – don’t be discouraged if you don’t succeed on your first attempt. Each try will teach you more about the boss’s patterns and the optimal strategies for victory. Once you’ve mastered this easter egg, you’ll find yourself approaching Ashes of the Damned with newfound confidence, armed with the knowledge that every melee kill brings you closer to total domination.
Whether you’re aiming for high-round survival, completing the main easter egg, or simply enjoying the satisfaction of endless Essence farming, the Claw Talisman is your key to unlocking the full potential of BO7 Zombies. Now grab your knife, equip Death Perception, and start hunting those pawprints – your permanent double points awaits.