Summary
Players are using a strange new exploit to farm XP inCall of Duty: Black Ops 6, with the trick quickly spreading online. The trick is fairly simple, hinging itself on the XP given when flashbanging others in multiplayer matches. However, someCall of Duty: Black Ops 6players quickly discovered XP is also dished out when flashbanging teammates, turning what was intended to be a small, supplementary form of experience into an incredibly easy and near-limitless way to rank up.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6was officially released on July 16, 2025, ushering in an exciting new age for both Treyarch’s belovedBlack Opsfranchise and theCall of Dutybrand as a whole.Black Ops 6’s multiplayer modehas been especially interesting to watch as players find new ways to climb the leaderboards. There’s always an increased sense of urgency to Prestige whenever a newCall of Dutytitle is released, andBlack Ops 6is no different. However, this race has had potentially unintended consequences, with players using a bizarre new XP trick to rank up even faster.
Call of Dutyplayer iamExpel confirmed the new XP farming tactic on Twitter, sharing a video of themselves using the exploit during a match. Players have historically been awarded for hitting enemy players with lethal and tactical items, but this new trick turns the tables quite literally, making friendly fire advantageous to those seeking to rise throughBlack Ops 6’s numerous Prestige ranks.
Black Ops 6 XP Trick Encourages Friendly Fire
The exploit gives out 15XP for each hit by a flashbang,one of many tactical items inBlack Ops 6, a pittance in the grand scheme of things, though certainly one of the easiest ways to generate experience. Using this method, players could theoretically receive a small yet endless stream of XP as long as they recoup their tactical items. This “feature” likely won’t last long, though, as the video itself seems to indicate this a glitch rather than an intended way to gain XP. When friendly teammates are hit by flashbangs, they register on the screen as an enemy along with the 15XP.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6doesn’t make a lot of changes to theCall of Dutyformula, more so tweaks and adjustments based on player feedback over the last few years. These adjustments are felt the most inBlack Ops 6’s new Zombies mode, which features a few changes compared to Treyarch’s lastCall of Dutytitle,Cold War. The armor system has been overhauled, as has the way salvage works. Treyarch evenmade adjustments to Liberty Falls prior toBlack Ops 6’s releasedue to fan feedback. Listening to the community seems to have paid off, with the consensus among both longtime and new fans being thatCall of Duty: Black Ops 6’s Zombies is fast, frantic, and very fun.