In Black Ops 6, perks like Close Shave can completely shift the bo6 bot lobby service momentum of a match — but unlocking it isn't just about playing casually.
If you want to grab this clutch-enhancing perk as quickly as possible, you’ll need to be efficient.

Let’s break down the absolute fastest way to unlock Close Shave, step-by-step.

Quick Recap: What’s Required?

To unlock Close Shave, you must:

  1. Reach Level 27 in multiplayer.

  2. Complete the Close Quarters Survival Challenge:

    • Survive 50 near-death encounters (under 25% health).

    • Eliminate the enemy who hurt you within 5 seconds.

    • Only multiplayer public matches count (no custom or bots).

It sounds brutal — but if you grind smart, you can knock it out in a weekend.

Step 1: Grind to Level 27 Fast

You can't even start the challenge until you're Level 27.
Here’s how to race there:

Best Game Modes:

  • Domination
    Objective-based mode = constant enemy contact = high XP.

  • Hardpoint
    Even faster for XP farming — points per second on the hill + tons of gunfights.

  • Kill Confirmed
    Tag collection gives bonus XP on top of kills.

Pro Tip:
Play the objective like crazy. Capturing Dom points, holding Hardpoints, and confirming tags all give huge bonus XP.

XP Boosts:

  • Use Double XP tokens if available.

  • Always finish matches. (Quitting early = no XP bonus for completion.)

  • Party up with friends — Black Ops 6 offers small XP bonuses for squad play.

You should hit Level 27 in about 5–7 hours of focused playing, especially during Double XP weekends.

Step 2: Build a Survival Loadout

Once you’re eligible for the Close Shave challenge, it’s time to optimize your loadout specifically to survive and counter-attack.

Suggested Loadout:

  • Primary:
    SMG like VMP or MAC-10 (fast, close-range dominance).

  • Secondary:
    Quick-draw pistol — for emergency finishing shots.

  • Perks:

    • Tactical Mask (survive flashbangs/concussions).

    • Flak Jacket (survive explosives — grenades kill a LOT of runs).

    • Quick Fix (heal instantly after a kill).

  • Equipment:

    • Stim Shot — heal fast if you escape an encounter.

    • Flashbang — blind enemies for easy re-engagement.

Why this setup?
It maximizes your survival chance after getting hurt — perfect for Close Shave triggers.

Step 3: Choose The Right Maps

Map selection matters way more than you think for this challenge.

Best Maps:

  • Nuketown '86 Redux:
    Tiny, chaotic, non-stop fights — Close Shave heaven.

  • Metro Siege:
    Lots of cover and tight corners. Ideal for surviving bad fights.

  • Cargo Clash:
    Choke points and fast rotations allow frequent near-death skirmishes.

Avoid huge open maps like Deserted Depot or Sundown Range. You’ll die too quickly without a chance to recover.

Step 4: Play Aggressive... but Smart

Remember, you don’t need clean kills — you need messy, scrappy wins after nearly dying.

  • Push objectives aggressively.

  • Take risky 1v1s when you know backup is far away.

  • When hurt, immediately hunt down the enemy who damaged you. (5-second window!)

Sometimes it’s better to charge instead of retreat when you’re low HP — Close Shave rewards momentum, not hesitation.

Step 5: Track Progress and Adjust

The game tracks your Close Shave challenge progress under the Challenges tab.
Check it after every couple of games:

  • Stalled Progress? Play closer to objectives.

  • Dying Too Fast? Equip more survivability perks or pick slower, tighter maps.

Pro Tip:
Party up with one friend. Have them play supportive roles (smokes, trophy systems) to create safer re-engagement opportunities.

How Long Will It Take?

If you grind smart:

  • Level 27: 5–7 hours.

  • 50 Close Shave encounters: Another 5–7 hours (depending on skill and aggression).

In total, you could unlock Close Shave in about 10–15 hours of focused gameplay — faster with a little luck or XP bonuses.

Final Thoughts

Unlocking Close Shave quickly isn’t just about playing; it’s about playing smart.
Tight maps, high-aggression gameplay, and survival-focused builds will make the grind fly by.

Once you’ve unlocked it? You’ll have one of the most thrilling perks in Black Ops 6 — perfect for clutch plays, game-winning duels, and highlight-reel moments.

Get out there. Take buy bot lobbies bo6 the hits. Strike back harder.