- Primary Subject: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
- Key Update: Season 02 strengthens RICOCHET detection, targeting input-modifying devices like Cronus and XIM through behavior analysis and deeper system integrity checks.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 3, 2026
- Quick Answer: Black Ops 7 Season 02 tightens Ranked anti-cheat by analyzing gameplay input patterns and using system integrity checks, making Cronus and XIM-style advantages harder to use.
Season 02 is shaping up to be a major turning point for competitive integrity in Black Ops 7, especially for players relying on third-party input devices like Cronus Zen and XIM Matrix.
The clear pattern is that Activision and the RICOCHET Anti-Cheat team are moving away from only responding to blatant cheats and are now focused on stopping hardware-based advantages from working in Ranked Play altogether.
Ranked has always been the most sensitive environment in Call of Duty because players are competing for skill rating, leaderboard placement, and exclusive cosmetic rewards.
That competitive pressure historically makes it a magnet for people looking for even the slightest edge, which is exactly why Season 02’s anti-cheat push is centered there.
How Is the Detection Method Changing Compared to Before?
An important part of this update is the move in detection approach, which does not just depend on spotting specific hardware connected to a system, because these adapters can mask themselves, but instead analyzes player input patterns over extended periods.
Systems are said to analyze things like timing, consistency, and reaction patterns to tell the difference between normal human variability and machine-assisted precision.
In short, the system aims to identify the gameplay patterns caused by scripts or macros, such as perfectly steady recoil control or suspiciously consistent aim tracking, rather than detecting a particular device signature.
This is important because devices like Cronus and XIM can mask how they look to the system, but they can’t easily disguise long-term gameplay patterns that don’t match normal human behavior.
How Does This Make It Harder To Run Modified Environments?
Another significant change in Season 02 involves enhanced PC security, as earlier anti-cheat steps such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are now being backed by cloud-driven checks that validate system integrity at a deeper level.
Using remote attestation, which is frequently discussed in relation to Microsoft Azure Attestation, the game verifies a player’s system before allowing match entry.
This doesn’t just target traditional cheat software; it raises the barrier for anyone trying to run modified environments that could help hide unauthorized tools or interference.
Most regular players reportedly won’t have to change anything, but the idea is that the entry gate for competitive play is getting stricter behind the scenes.
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