If you’ve ever taken on a weapon camo grind in Call of Duty, you know it’s not for the faint of heart. I just unlocked my first Nebula skin in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and let me tell you — this was a killer grind. Literally.
For some background, Black Ops 6 brings a familiar, yet refreshed experience for CoD fans. With a return to the traditional Black Ops feel, it includes classic multiplayer, an expansive Zombies mode, and a few new gameplay twists. But for me, it was Zombies — specifically the directed mode — that reignited my passion for the series.
Why I Started the Grind
Before BO6 dropped, CoD was starting to feel stale. I wasn’t into Warzone, didn’t vibe with DMZ, and only played multiplayer because that’s what my friends were into. But as life got busier, finding time to squad up became harder. So, I found myself alone with 20-30 minute windows and nothing to really do — until the camo grind caught my eye.
I’ve never been a camo-chaser in previous games, but the Nebula skins looked too good to ignore. It gave me a new mission — something to work toward at my own pace. And the Zombies mode, especially directed mode, was perfect for solo grinding.
How I Did It
I stuck to directed Zombies mode, using the Bank to funnel zombies into perfect headshot lines. I’d fire up a match, grind for 20-30 minutes, knock out a few camo challenges, and log off. Rinse and repeat.
I ran Liberty Falls and Terminus with a buddy, but once Citadel unlocked, it got a bit too complex for solo play. So, I kept the grind alive in short sessions, motivated by each camo unlock.
What the Grind Actually Requires
To unlock the Nebula skin, you need to:
1. Work through 33 weapons in Zombies mode.
2. Unlock basic camos through leveling and headshot kills.
3. Complete two special camo challenges per weapon:
• Kill armored zombies
• Kill zombies while your weapon is Pack-a-Punched
4. Kill 10 special enemies (like Manglers) per weapon to unlock the Opal skin
5. For After Death skin:
• Kill 20 zombies without being hit (10 times) for all 33 weapons
• Kill 10 elite enemies with each weapon
It’s a lot — and I’ve only just completed the full process for the XM4, my tried-and-true favorite since early Black Ops days. That single skin took me from launch all the way to May, about seven months.
What Kept Me Going
Honestly, it wasn’t the story or multiplayer. It was the grind. Having a goal kept me engaged, even in short bursts. I could hop in, knock out a camo, and feel like I accomplished something. Plus, the gameplay mechanics and graphics in BO6 are solid — and Zombies, especially directed mode, is by far my favorite way to play.
I still plan to grind Nebula skins for more weapons, especially the ones recently unlocked through the Battle Pass. But I’m taking my time. These achievements are what keep me coming back — not the game modes themselves.
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering the Nebula grind: know it’s a long road, especially if you’re going solo. But it’s worth it if you enjoy Zombies and want something to chase. Use online guides to optimize your runs, especially for elite kills and special camo requirements.
And if you’ve done the grind — I want to hear about it. Was it worth it? What weapon did you unlock first? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
As for me, I’ll be posting updates, pics, and clips as I unlock each new Nebula. Will I do this again in the next Call of Duty? Honestly… probably not. But we’ll see when the time comes.
Until next time — good luck out there, and happy grinding.
~ Sen Flac 2.0
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One thing I really appreciated about this grind is that it’s earned — no shortcuts, no pay-to-win nonsense. It’s just you, your skills, and the time you’re willing to put in. I actually talked more about my thoughts on pay-to-win items in Call of Duty, and this grind is a perfect example of why I still value skill-based progression in the series.
If you want to see the full grind in action, check out my YouTube channel @seanflac where I post gameplay clips and camo unlocks.
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