Best Loadout for Astra Malorum's Boss Fight in BO7 Zombies

The boss fight with Caltheris in Astra Malorum is one of the most difficult stages of the main quest in Black Ops 7 Zombies. To win, it’s crucial to prepare an optimal loadout of weapons, equipment, and perks that provides enough damage, mobility, and survivability. Below is the most effective loadout for this fight, based on up-to-date guides and community tips.

Optimal Weapons for the Caltheris Boss Fight

Primary Weapon: LGM-1 Wonder Weapon

The LGM-1 is considered the strongest weapon against Caltheris. You must fully upgrade it through Pack-a-Punch. The LGM-1 is highly effective at breaking both the boss’s armor and his weak points in the second phase.

Secondary Weapon

It’s useful to have a second Pack-a-Punch weapon as a backup in case the LGM-1 becomes temporarily unavailable. The best choices are:

• Ray Gun (Pack-a-Punched)
• Any strong pistol or special weapon with a high damage rate

Alternative Crowd-Control Weapon

The boss spawns waves of zombies that constantly pressure the player. That’s why your second or third weapon should work well against groups:

• An AR or LMG with good stability
• Any automatic weapon with a high fire rate

Gobblegums

Gobblegums play an important role in the boss fight, as they help you survive the most intense moments.

• Cashback — provides a free Max Ammo. Useful during prolonged phases.
• Raindrops — grants several useful drops at once, which can turn the battle in your favor.
• Shields Up — gives protection in critical moments, especially during phase transitions or heavy zombie pressure.

Other survival and support gobblegums are also viable depending on your playstyle.

Perks

The right perk setup can literally decide the outcome of the battle.

• Jugger-Nog — the main survival perk, increases your health.
• Speed Cola — shortens reload time, which is critical under constant boss pressure.
• Stamin-Up — increases movement speed and stamina, useful for dodging Caltheris’s attacks.
• Quick Revive — a must-have for solo players. Combined with the Equivalent Exchange augment, it helps you recover more easily after going down.

Equipment & Gear

• Monkey Bombs or Decoys — stop incoming waves and give you time to focus on the boss.
• Stim Shots or other healing items — needed to restore health during burst-damage phases.
• Grenades and other equipment are also useful, but their main role is crowd control.

Strategy for the Caltheris Boss Fight

Phase 1: Soul Box

At the start, you must fill the towers with souls by killing zombies. There’s no point in wasting LGM-1 ammo here — use your automatic weapon.

Phase 2: Boss Armor

When the actual fight begins, Caltheris will be protected by armor. This is where the LGM-1 shines the most. Focus on consistent fire, watch the boss’s movements, and avoid his area-of-effect attacks.

Phase 3: Weak Points

After the armor is destroyed, weak points become exposed. Accurate shots to these spots will drastically lower the boss’s HP. Avoid his ground slams and rock volleys, and keep moving in a circle.

Wave Phase

Zombies spawn alongside the boss. During these moments, use decoys, monkey bombs, and reload the LGM-1 whenever possible.