- Primary Focus: Complete the core 11 story missions and 5 tactical Strike Force operations in sequence.
- Ending Decider: The campaign features branching narratives; major choices regarding Mason, Karma, and Harper dictate your ending.
- Strike Force Impact: Success in optional tactical missions alters geopolitical alliances and directly influences the final epilogue.
- 2026 Release: This guide fully supports the original experience, including the July 9, 2026, PS4 and PS5 digital releases.
Campaign Mission Flow and Key Objectives
The single-player campaign of Call of Duty: Black Ops II features 11 required story missions split between two distinct eras: the original Cold War of the 1980s and a near-future Second Cold War in 2025. Unlike traditional linear shooters, your tactical performance and direct decisions during these missions permanently alter the narrative landscape.
| Mission Name | Era & Setting | Playable Character | Core Objective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pyrrhic Victory | 1986, Angola | Alex Mason | Rescue Frank Woods and reach the river extraction barge. |
| Celerium | 2025, Myanmar | David Mason | Infiltrate the research facility and recover the celerium device. |
| Old Wounds | 1986, Afghanistan | Alex Mason | Fight Soviet forces alongside Mujahideen and interrogate Kravchenko. |
| Time and Fate | 1986, Nicaragua | Raul Menendez / Alex Mason | Raid the Menendez compound and search for cartel intelligence. |
| Fallen Angel | 2025, Pakistan | David Mason | Record Menendez's secret meeting and escape in the SOC-T vehicle. |
| Karma | 2025, Cayman Islands | David Mason | Infiltrate the floating resort Colossus and secure Chloe Lynch. |
| Suffer with Me | 1989, Panama | Frank Woods | Capture Manuel Noriega and navigate to the final sniper point. |
| Achilles' Veil | 2025, Yemen | Farid | Maintain undercover status in Cordis Die and decide Harper's fate. |
| Odysseus | 2025, USS Barack Obama | David Mason / Menendez | Defend the carrier from Salazar's betrayal and protect allies. |
| Cordis Die | 2025, Los Angeles | David Mason | Escort the presidential convoy through the drone-targeted city. |
| Judgment Day | 2025, Haiti | David Mason | Assault the broadcast facility and decide Raul Menendez's fate. |
Each of the 11 main story missions contains exactly 3 collectible intel items. Collecting these is highly recommended to unlock custom loadout options and weapon attachments for your campaign playthrough.
Strike Force Operations and Geopolitical Alliances
Strike Force missions are tactical, objective-based scenarios that open up dynamically as you progress through the main campaign. Failing to complete these before executing main missions can cause them to expire, which negatively impacts the final political landscape of the 2025 Cold War.
| Strike Force Mission | Setting | Unit Assets | Strategic Story Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOB Spectre | India | Infantry, CLAWs, Turrets | Defends the base to weaken SDC military aggression in the region. |
| Shipwreck | Singapore | Ground & Aerial Drones | Secures the cargo docks to reduce SDC naval pressure. |
| I.E.D. | Afghanistan | Escort Convoy, Drones | Protects Allied assets to secure a US-China defense alliance. |
| Second Chance | Yemen | Rescue Infantry | Only appears if Chloe Lynch is captured; vital for keeping Karma alive. |
| Dispatch | Pakistan | JSOC Strike Squad | Eliminates Chairman Tian Zhao to secure cooperation with Chinese forces. |
Strike Force missions must be completed before starting Mission 9 (Odysseus). Once you begin the assault on the USS Barack Obama, any uncompleted Strike Force missions will fail automatically, locking you out of the best ending.
Critical Campaign Decisions Step-by-Step
To achieve the best possible outcome in your Call of Duty Black Ops II walkthrough, you must make specific choices during key missions. Use the step-by-step path below to ensure the survival of key characters and secure a peaceful resolution to the Second Cold War.
Old Wounds: Resist the Numbers
During the interrogation of Lev Kravchenko in Afghanistan, rapidly tap the prompt to resist the Numbers conditioning. This prevents Mason from shooting him prematurely, allowing you to discover that Menendez has a mole inside the CIA.
Karma: Secure Chloe Lynch
Pursue DeFalco quickly through the Colossus resort. If you fail to kill DeFalco before he escapes with Chloe (Karma), you must immediately complete the optional Second Chance Strike Force mission to rescue her.
Suffer with Me: Shoot the Legs
When playing as Frank Woods in Panama, you will be ordered to take a sniper shot at a hooded target. Do not shoot him in the head. Aim for the target's legs twice. This allows Alex Mason to survive the encounter and return in the 2025 epilogue.
Achilles' Veil: Sacrifice Harper
When playing undercover as Farid, Menendez will order you to execute Harper. Shoot Harper instead of attempting to shoot Menendez. This sacrifice keeps Farid alive, which is required to shield Chloe Lynch from Salazar's betrayal later on the USS Barack Obama.
Odysseus: Spare Admiral Briggs
When taking control of Raul Menendez on the carrier, aim for Admiral Briggs' leg instead of executing him. Sparing Briggs allows him to reactivate the carrier's automated defenses, ensuring the survival of the USS Barack Obama.
Judgment Day: Capture Menendez
At the climax of the final assault in Haiti, you will corner Raul Menendez. Choose to capture Menendez rather than executing him. If you execute him, his pre-recorded video will trigger a devastating worldwide Cordis Die uprising.
If you successfully execute all six steps, Alex Mason survives, Chloe Lynch defeats Menendez's cyberattack, the USS Barack Obama is saved, and the United States and China form a lasting alliance after Chairman Zhao is eliminated.
Ending Requirements Checklist
The epilogue of Black Ops II is a montage of scenes determined by independent variables. Use this checklist to track your progress toward your desired ending.
Favorable Ending Milestone Checklist:
- Resisted the Numbers conditioning in 'Old Wounds' to find CIA mole evidence.
- Saved Chloe Lynch in 'Karma' or rescued her in 'Second Chance'.
- Shot Alex Mason in the legs during 'Suffer with Me' to ensure his survival.
- Killed Harper as Farid in 'Achilles' Veil' so Farid survives to protect Chloe.
- Wounded Admiral Briggs in the leg during 'Odysseus' to save the carrier.
- Completed all 5 Strike Force missions and eliminated Tian Zhao in 'Dispatch'.
- Captured Raul Menendez alive in 'Judgment Day' to prevent him from becoming a martyr.
Campaign Walkthrough FAQ
Q: Can I rewind a mission to change a major campaign decision?
Yes. You can use the 'Replay Story' feature from the campaign menu to change a decision. However, rewinding to an earlier mission will overwrite all campaign progress made after that point, requiring you to replay subsequent missions to see the new ending.
Q: What happens if I execute Raul Menendez at the end of the campaign?
If you execute Menendez, he becomes a martyr for his followers. A pre-recorded video triggers a global Cordis Die uprising, resulting in widespread chaos, the burning of the White House, and a tragic ending regardless of other choices.
Q: How does the 2026 PS4/PS5 release affect the campaign walkthrough?
The July 9, 2026 release on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 is an official digital port of the original game rather than a remaster or remake. All campaign missions, branching choices, intel locations, and achievements remain completely identical to the original release.
Q: Why did the USS Barack Obama sink even though I spared Admiral Briggs?
The carrier will sink if you failed to complete the required Strike Force missions (specifically Shipwreck and Dispatch) before starting 'Odysseus'. Sparing Briggs is only one half of the requirement; you also need Chinese military support to defend the ship.