How to Get the Best Ending Possible in Black Ops 2: A Player Guide

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Plus a closer look at all 8 available endings in Black Ops 2
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 was the first game in developer Treyarch's Black Ops series to have multiple endings—and out of the endings available, there's a "best" ending in which as many people survive as possible. There are several different things you have to do to get this ending—but thankfully, it's a pretty straightforward process. In this endings guide for Black Ops 2 , we'll show you exactly how to complete each mission to unlock the game's best ending (and ensure you won't have to restart the whole campaign to do it). Let's get started!

How to Get the "Good" Ending in Black Ops 2

  1. Complete all strike force missions to secure an alliance between the U.S. and China.
  2. Spare Kravchenko in "Old Wounds," interrogate him, and discover the CIA mole.
  3. Find the CIA memo in "Time and Fate" and get all 3 intel recordings in "Fallen Angel."
  4. Kill DeFalco and rescue Chloe Lynch (Karma) in "Karma."
  5. Shoot Mason in the leg during "Suffer With Me" and kill Harper in "Achilles Veil."
  6. Shoot Briggs in the leg during "Odysseus."
  7. Capture Menendez in "Judgment Day."
Section 1 of 3:

How to Get the Best Ending in Black Ops 2

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  1. 1
    Complete all strike force missions when given the opportunity. To get the best ending, you must complete ALL strike force missions, no matter what. Completing all the missions leads to the SDC joining NATO to oppose Menendez in the mission "Judgment Day," which is crucial to get the best ending. [1]
    • If you fail all strike force missions, you won't get any Chinese support during "Judgment Day," and everyone, including Karma (Chloe), can die.
    • The strike force missions you'll get include FOB Spectre, Shipwreck, I.E.D., and Dispatch (as well as Second Chance if you can't save Chloe Lynch during "Karma").
  2. During this mission, it's established that Woods disappeared while helping rebels fight against Angola's Marxist government. Thus, your mission is to successfully rescue Woods. There are no special instructions to follow here; play through this chapter as usual, and you'll be fine!
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  3. There's nothing specific you need to do in this chapter, either; just play it through and recover the Celerium Worm, then go on to the next mission.
  4. In the mission "Old Wounds," you have to resist shooting Kravchenko while you interrogate him. Spam the "Use" button (press it repeatedly) to resist the urge and continue interrogating him; that way, you'll learn there's a mole in the CIA and that Kravchenko was associated with Menendez. [2]
    • To spam the "Use" key, you'll need to press F on the computer, X on the Xbox 360, or Square on the PlayStation 3.
  5. During the mission, you have to find an intel file labeled "CIA Memo" which is located behind your objective, right by the burning files. Find it fast because the file can burn! Obtaining the file lets you learn more about the CIA mole.
  6. In the mission, you have to keep recording info about Zhao's secret meeting—if successful, you'll get 3 "Intel Recordings." Don't look away from Menendez to ensure you get as much intel as possible! That will unlock the other strike force missions mentioned above, which are needed to get the best ending. [3]
    • You'll also have to protect Harper during this mission. To do this, don't drive too close to the flaming pipe once you get close to the flare; that'll prevent his face from getting burned.
    • Don't sweat it too much if Harper gets burned, though. It'll only change some of the dialogue in the next mission—nothing else.
  7. In the mission "Karma," you must successfully save Karma by killing DeFalco before he escapes with her. However, if you fail this mission, don't panic yet; you have a second chance to save Karma by doing the strike force mission "Second Chance." [4]
    • It's a good idea to have a sniper for this mission! That may make it a little easier to catch DeFalco.
  8. You'll be ordered to shoot a target that's supposedly Menendez in the head—but that target is actually Mason. So, do not kill him. Instead, shoot him in the leg. You'll be ordered to shoot Mason again after that; shoot him in the leg again, not the head. [5]
    • Doing this will cause Menendez to shoot both of Woods' legs, crippling him.
  9. While you're playing as Farid, Menendez will capture Harper at the Citadel and order you to kill him. You must kill Harper so Farid's cover won't be blown. Karma's survival depends on Farid's survival, so it's essential that he survives this mission! [6]
    • If you attack Menendez instead of shooting Harper, Menendez will kill Farid; Harper will escape, but this will result in Karma/Chloe dying later on.
  10. You'll be playing as Menendez during this mission, and you have to shoot Admiral Briggs in the leg. He'll survive—and this will lead to Briggs successfully reactivating the USS Obama's defenses. [7]
    • If the SDC and JSOC are allied, the SDC assists in defending Briggs's ship, the USS Obama, by sending their drones—depending on whether you completed all the strike force missions.
  11. In this chapter, while Menendez hacks into the USS Obama, he also sends the ship's hacked drones to attack Los Angeles, where a meeting of G20 leaders is taking place. As Section, all you have to do is protect the president, who is en route to the meeting. [8]
  12. During the mission, JSOC is able to trace the source of the hacked drones. Section leads JSOC forces to apprehend or kill Menendez. To get the best ending, you must capture Menendez—NOT kill him. [9]
    • Congratulations! After this, you'll unlock the "good" ending of Black Ops 2 !
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Section 2 of 3:

Black Ops 2 Endings Guide

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  1. 1
    Ending 1: Chloe, Mason, and Menendez all live This is the best ending described above; in this ending, with a successful alliance between the U.S. and China, the war will end, and Chloe (Karma) will thwart Menendez's cyber attack. Menendez won't escape, and at the end of the game, Mason will reunite with Section and Woods. [10]
  2. 2
    Ending 2: Chloe and Menendez live, Mason dies In this ending, there's still a successful alliance between the US and China. Chloe stops Menendez's cyber attack, the war ends, and Menendez won't escape custody. At the end of the game, Section announces his retirement from the military while visiting Mason's grave with Woods. [11]
    • How to get it: Complete all strike force missions, shoot Mason fatally on the rooftop, save Chloe from DeFalco and kill Harper, and capture Menendez instead of killing him.
  3. 3
    Ending 3: Chloe and Mason live, Menendez dies In this ending, Chloe manages to stop the cyber attack, but Menendez's followers riot and go on the rampage. Meanwhile, Mason is still able to reunite with his son (Section) and Woods.
    • How to get it: Spare Mason by shooting him in the leg, save Chloe from DeFalco and kill Harper, and kill Menendez instead of capturing him.
  4. 4
    Ending 4: Chloe lives, Mason and Menendez die Chloe survives and stops Menendez's cyber attack, although his followers still riot and go on the rampage worldwide. In the end, Section retires and visits Mason's grave with Woods. [12]
    • How to get it: Shoot Mason fatally on the rooftop, save Chloe from DeFalco and kill Harper, and kill Menendez instead of capturing him.
  5. 5
    Ending 5: Mason lives, Chloe and Menendez die With Chloe dead, Menendez's cyber attack isn't stopped, and his followers go on the rampage worldwide. In the end, Mason reunites with Woods and Section.
    • How to get it: Spare Mason by shooting him in the leg, fail to save Chloe from DeFalco or save Harper, and choose to kill Menendez instead of capturing him.
  6. 6
    Ending 6: Chloe, Mason, and Menendez all die In this ending, Chloe isn't alive to stop Menendez's cyber attack, and his followers riot worldwide. Section decides to retire, and he and Woods visit Mason's grave together. [13]
    • How to get it: Shoot Mason fatally on the rooftop, fail to save Chloe from DeFalco or save Harper, and kill Menendez instead of capturing him.
  7. 7
    Ending 7: Mason and Menendez live, Chloe dies Because Chloe dies, the cyber attack isn't stopped, and Menendez escapes from custody, attacks Woods, and burns himself alive at Josefina's grave. Mason goes to see Woods, but Section doesn't meet with Mason in this ending. [14]
    • How to get it: Spare Mason by shooting him in the leg, fail to save Chloe from DeFalco or save Harper, and capture Menendez instead of killing him.
  8. 8
    Ending 8: Menendez lives, Chloe and Mason die In the game's "worst" ending, Chloe doesn't survive to prevent Menendez's cyber attack. He escapes from custody, kills Woods, and finally goes to Josefina's grave, where he burns himself alive. [15]
    • How to get it: Kill Mason on the rooftop, fail to save Chloe from DeFalco or save Harper (by attacking Menendez as Farid), and capture Menendez instead of killing him.
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Section 3 of 3:

Frequently Asked Questions About Black Ops 2

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  1. 1
    What is the true ending of Black Ops 2 ? Treyarch, the Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 developer, established one possible ending as "canon" to set the stage for Black Ops 3 . In the canon or "true" ending, Menendez is killed and his followers riot, although China and the U.S. form an alliance and end the Second Cold War. Mason's death is also made canon in Black Ops 6 . [16]
  2. 2
    Can you save Harper and Farid in Black Ops 2 ? Unfortunately, no. You have to choose between killing Harper or attacking Menendez as Farid in "Achilles Veil," and if you attack Menendez, Farid will die. Thus, there's no way to get through the chapter with both Harper and Farid alive.
  3. 3
    How do you save Woods in Black Ops 2 ? Saving Woods is automatically part of the game's first chapter, "Pyrrhic Victory." This has to happen—if you don't save him, the game ends, and you have to try again. Woods can also get hurt if Menendez escapes custody at the end of the game; to prevent that, either kill Menendez or ensure Chloe survives.
  4. 4
    Can Karma survive without Farid? No—Farid has to be alive to save Karma (Chloe), or she won't survive the game's events. That's why it's so important to keep Farid alive to get the best ending in the game!
  5. 5
    What does "Cordis die" mean? It's a Latin phrase that translates to "The Heart Day." Harper also explains this during the "Celerium" mission in Black Ops 2 ; it references the shape of Josefina's pendant.
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  • Question
    What do you mean by "protect Harper?"
    Community Answer
    When are you close to ending the mission part where you are driving cars, there is a pipeline that's spewing fire. Avoid it so that Harper doesn't get burned.
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  • Question
    Can I still kill Menendez at the end and get a good ending?
    Community Answer
    No. If you kill him, he will upload the video to YouTube and tell everyone about Cordia dying and declare a second strike.
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  • Question
    Can I still get a good ending if I don't collect the intels?
    Community Answer
    Yes, although you won't have the best possible ending.
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      Tips

      • Did you know there are several Easter eggs scattered throughout Black Ops 2 ?
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      • Black Ops 2 is also the first CoD game to feature custom loadouts (as well as multiple endings). The main menu's background will also change throughout the campaign as you hit milestones in the story.
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      * The first is in "Celerium." Thor's hammer is hidden in a small save close to the start of the chapter! * In "Old Wounds," there's an Easter egg while you're planting a charge to blow up the ruins' entrance. If you look closely at the charge while prone, you'll see the message "FOR MAKING BIG HOLES ONLY, NOT FOR AHOLES, DONT BE AN AHOLE WITH EXPLOSIVES, COVER YOU AND YOUR BUDDY'S EAR". * When you finish the Black Ops 2 campaign, there will be a cutscene of Avenged Sevenfold (a band) with their song, "Carry On." * There's also a reference to Black Ops 1, where you can see Mason and Reznov dancing before there's a cut and Reznov is gone. * At the end of the game, you can see a young Jimmy Kimmel on TV if Menendez is spared and in a jail cell.

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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • To kill Defalco, kill all the people shooting at you and run past everybody who doesn't. Get to the stairs, shoot his guards, and finish him off.
      • In my opinion, as long as you get the CIA document in Time and Fate, the best ending is accessible.
      • Try collecting all of the intel in every mission to increase your chances of getting good endings.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://callofduty.fandom.com/wiki/Strike_Force
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/M4QW9wgBfrU?t=42
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/M4QW9wgBfrU?t=78
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/M4QW9wgBfrU?t=134
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/M4QW9wgBfrU?t=157
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/1qnm-wrpHmU?t=138
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/M4QW9wgBfrU?t=218
      8. ↑ https://callofduty.fandom.com/wiki/Odysseus
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/M4QW9wgBfrU?t=308
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/C_xeXtRGMCA?t=3
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/bUhtpXj9afM?t=528
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/C_xeXtRGMCA?t=596
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/bUhtpXj9afM?t=1227
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/C_xeXtRGMCA?t=266
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/bUhtpXj9afM?t=1839
      7. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_of_Duty:_Black_Ops_II

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