Ashes of the Damned throws you into a dark, hostile world where keeping the lights on is vital. The map hides many threats and rewards, and players who learn how to restore power move faster and survive longer. Many players run this map solo, and many teams use a CoD BO7 Bot Lobby to practice the tricky steps without the pressure of full public matches.

Power in this map is more than light. Power unlocks Perk-a-Cola machines, opens the Pack-a-Punch, and enables defensive traps that you can use against waves of zombies. The map splits into zones, and each zone ties to its own power pump and switch. Players who ignore the pumps will find their route blocked and their options limited. Turning on power changes how the map plays and gives you tools to deal with later, harder rounds.

The first task for any pump is to remove the small parasitic clusters that cling to the unit. Players will see glowing lumps stuck to the sides and the base of the pump. Your job is to shoot each small cluster until it bursts. The clusters are easy to spot in the dark because they glow, and they often pulse when you aim at them. Team members should call out which clusters are left so no one wastes time shooting the same target twice.

After the small clusters are clear, focus on the larger core cluster on or near the pump. The larger cluster will usually sit on top of the pump or right beside it. Players should use steady fire on this core until it explodes. The core takes more shots than the small pieces, so save stronger ammo or a high-damage weapon for this moment. When the core breaks, the pump becomes neutralized and the area is ready for the next step.

The next step is to find and flip the power switch for that area. The switch is often inside a nearby building or on a wall that links to the pump you just cleared. Players should search the rooms that match the pump’s zone and look for a panel, lever, or console they can interact with. The team should clear the immediate area before flipping the switch because flipping can draw a sudden wave of zombies. After you flip the switch, listen for the hum of power and check which doors or machines have come online.

Repeat the same clear, destroy, and switch sequence for every pump around the map until you light the whole map. Each pump you power gives access to more perks and lanes on the map. Players who finish all pumps will see Pack-a-Punch doors unlock and traps activate. If you want to drill the full routine, run practice sessions in a CoD BO7 Bot Lobby buy so you can time your shots and practice moving between pumps without the stress of random human players.

When you run powered matches, use the new tools well. Place yourself near traps and hit them when a wave comes through. Turn on perks that match your role so you can revive teammates or hold chokepoints. Save high-damage rounds for the core clusters and keep ammo reserves for late waves. Mastering the pump sequence and the switch locations makes the rest of the map much easier and opens up all the best paths and rewards.