When it comes to Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Relics are one of the most exciting new mechanics added to the series. They offer unique gameplay modifiers, boosting your stats or granting special abilities that can completely change how you approach missions and multiplayer matches. However, not every Relic is worth rushing into — some can seriously hold you back in the early stages of the game. After spending dozens of hours experimenting with different loadouts, here are the Relics you should avoid equipping too early if you want to stay efficient and competitive.

1. The Blood Pact – High Risk, Low Reward Early On

The Blood Pact is one of the flashiest Relics you’ll encounter, offering massive damage boosts when your health is below 30%. On paper, that sounds incredible for aggressive players. In practice, it’s a trap for anyone still getting used to the pacing of BO7. Early missions and matches often involve chaotic firefights, and running low on health frequently leaves you exposed to instant death.

It’s best to wait until you’ve got a solid grasp on enemy patterns or better armor upgrades before slotting in this Relic. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself respawning more often than you’d like.

2. Shadow Veil – Great for Stealth, Terrible for XP

Shadow Veil grants partial invisibility while crouching, making it perfect for stealth missions. The problem? Early on, you need every bit of experience you can get to unlock weapons and attachments. Playing too cautiously with this Relic slows your progress dramatically.

Many players who’ve used crossplay bo7 bot lobbies or practiced against AI have noticed that early aggression helps you master gunplay faster. The Shadow Veil encourages the opposite — slow, patient play that doesn’t translate well into competitive modes later on. Save this Relic for specific stealth-based missions instead of your general loadout.

3. Iron Resolve – A Defensive Crutch

Iron Resolve boosts your damage resistance but reduces your sprint and ADS speed. While it sounds great for surviving tough fights, it’s actually counterproductive early in the game when mobility is everything. Whether you’re playing campaign or multiplayer, quick repositioning and fast reflexes often make the difference between winning and losing.

Many experienced players using buy bo7 bot lobbies setups for training have noted that speed-oriented builds outperform defensive ones early on. Once you’ve unlocked faster recovery perks and better armor, Iron Resolve becomes much more viable — but don’t waste an early Relic slot on it.

4. Ember Core – The Ammo Killer

The Ember Core increases your weapon’s fire rate and critical damage, but it also burns through ammo like crazy. In the early game, ammo is scarce, and supply drops aren’t as frequent. You’ll often find yourself running dry mid-fight, forcing you to scavenge or switch to weaker backup weapons.

Unless you’re already comfortable with resource management or playing in modes where ammo isn’t an issue, skip this Relic until you’ve upgraded your inventory capacity.

5. Echo Mirage – Too Unpredictable Early

Echo Mirage duplicates your last action after a short delay, essentially creating a “phantom” version of yourself that replays your last move. It’s fun, flashy, and powerful in skilled hands — but also incredibly unpredictable. In early missions or when leveling up in multiplayer, this Relic can cause confusion and unintended results, especially when your echo ends up drawing fire or triggering traps.

Use it later when you’ve mastered timing and spacing, or if you’re experimenting in custom matches or crossplay bo7 bot lobbies for training purposes.

Smart Progression Tips

Instead of equipping risky Relics right away, focus on those that provide consistent utility — like passive reload speed buffs, small health regeneration, or reduced recoil. These will help you survive longer and gain more XP per match, setting you up for success once the late-game Relics become available.

If you’re looking to experiment safely and refine your strategies, U4N communities often discuss ways to practice in controlled environments, such as buy bo7 bot lobbies, where you can test Relic combinations without the pressure of live matchmaking. It’s an efficient way to learn how each modifier truly affects your performance.

Relics in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 can transform your playstyle, but timing is everything. Equipping the wrong one too early can slow your progress, waste resources, or simply make missions harder than they need to be. Start with reliable, balanced options and gradually introduce the more experimental Relics as your skills develop.