What better way to execute the mission than with some badass melee kills. Not many things in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War are more satisfying than a good old fashioned melee murder.

Treyarch knows this and added some great weapons this season. One of the most unusual is the E-Tool. What’s an E-Tool? In real life, an E-tool is a military shovel used to dig. While digging isn’t a mechanic in COD BOCW, we’re not complaining about a new melee weapon. Here’s everything you need to know.

How to unlock the E-Tool?

There are two ways to get the E-tool.

• Complete a challenge: Kill three enemies with a melee weapon without dying in 15 matches.
• Buy the Tool of War bundle: Skip the challenge and purchase the E-Tool in the shop for 1,400 COD points. 

How to get three kills without dying with melee weapons?

Here are a few tips to help you get a 3 killstreak in 15 matches:

• Perks: Use Ghost and Ninja perks to more easily flank enemies. Avoid sprinting straight at enemies because chances are they’ll shoot you before you’re close enough to strike.
• Camp: Camping isn’t always the most fun approach to COD, but if you need one or two kills for that streak we can’t fault you for playing it safe.
• Objective Modes: Play modes like Domination and Hardpoint since the spawns and routes around the map are more consistent and predictable. It’s harder to watch your back in modes like Team Deathmatch where spawns constantly flip. As a result, opponents flank more frequently.
• Teamwork: Coordinate with a friend. One player can distract enemies while you swoop in with your melee weapon for easier kills.
• Tacticals: Try smoke, stun, or decoy grenades to gain the advantage in tight situations. You can even throw them into a room before jumping into windows or sprinting through doors.
• Field Mic: Use the Field Mic to make enemies appear on the mini-map and help you flank.

Best E-Tool loadouts for camo/skin challenges

The following loadout is good for unlocking the E-tool and completing other melee challenges.

For your secondary weapon, get the Midnight Pistol, which is available at Tier 43 of the Season Two Battle Pass. You’re packing a pistol mainly for their quick swaps and range, making any pistol a good substitute. Select your favorite before unlocking the Midnight one.

Use the Wildcard Perk Greed to make sure you’ll have abilities stacked in your favor.

Perk 1: 

• Paranoia to see enemies outside of view.
• Forward Intel to help see them on a mini map, making it easier to move from target to target.

Perk 2: 

• Quartermaster will recharge your stun grenade, which is a good way to open an attack when you’re using a melee weapon.
• Gearhead to get more frequency with the Field Mic.

Perk 3:

• Ghost to sneak around during enemy Spy Planes or UAVs.
• Ninja to make less noise when sprinting toward enemies.

E-Tool tips to improve

• Be Patient. Don’t go after enemies head-on. Wait for the right moments. If you’re in a bind, switch to the pistol. That way, you can keep your streak going.
• Start Smart. You’ll move quicker if you start with your melee weapon. Sprint to a position players normally wouldn’t be able to reach at the start of a match to get an early jump on foes.
• Be Aggressive. You can’t always wait in the corner. It pays to switch tactics and charge into enemy territory. Melee weapons are most effective when you catch the enemy by surprise. If they know your location and route, you’re at a severe disadvantage.
• For Scorestreaks, use the Spy Plane and Counter Spy Plane. This makes it easier to find enemies while they struggle to see anything on their own map. Feeling cocky? Use the H.A.R.P. and go after everyone! 
• Switcheroo. If you’re doing specific melee camo challenges, use other melee items too, like the Machete and the Wakizashi. This’ll help keep things less grindy and more fun.