If you spent any time in 2013 getting lost in the dusty, subterranean streets of Resolution 1295, you know the guy. He’s huge. He’s terrifying at first glance. He’s got a bowl cut that only a mother—or a very confused medieval barber—could love. Most players simply call him Leroy Black Ops 2, but if you want to get technical, the game files call him "Sloth" and the lore eventually revealed his name is actually Arthur.
Honestly, it’s kind of funny how "Leroy" stuck. It wasn't some official Treyarch marketing push. It was just the community, led by YouTubers like TheSyndicateProject, looking at this hulking dude and deciding he looked like a "Leroy." Some people called him Lenny because of the Of Mice and Men vibes, which, given his penchant for crushing things and needing a handler, isn't far off.
But whatever you call him, he is easily the most polarizing NPC in the history of Call of Duty Zombies. You either love him because he just built you a Subsurface Resonator on round 2, or you hate him because you accidentally shot him and he’s currently locking himself back in his cell while a horde of zombies eats your face.
The Identity Crisis: Arthur, Leroy, or Sloth?
For years, there was this massive debate in the forums. Who is this guy? Why is he in a jail cell in an underground Western town in Angola? The "Leroy" name is 100% fan-made, likely a nod to the Leeroy Jenkins meme because of how he charges headfirst into barricades.
The real story is way weirder.
According to the official Zombies timeline (the Kronorium), his name is Arthur. He was a servant to the Wolf King back in the 1300s. After the king died during the Great War at Der Eisendrache, Arthur was somehow transported through time and space due to a temporal rift. He ended up in the 2020s, stuck in the town of Buried.
Think about that for a second. You’re a 14th-century servant who suddenly finds himself in an underground town surrounded by walking corpses and four idiots with Ray Guns. No wonder the guy is a little high-strung.
How to Actually Use Leroy Without Losing Your Mind
If you’re hopping back into Black Ops 2 on Plutonium or an old console, you have to remember that Leroy is a tool, not a pet. You have to manage him. If you treat him like an afterthought, he becomes a liability.
The Basics of Booze and Candy
Everything revolves around the two items you find in the Saloon or his cell: Booze and Candy.
When you give him Booze, he does a 180 and sprints away from you. This is how you clear those annoying debris piles that don't have a "buy" prompt. Pro tip: the further he runs before hitting the debris, the more points you get. It’s basically a game of bowling where the ball is a 7-foot-tall man and the pins are old wooden planks.
Candy is where the real "expert" plays happen.
- Near a buildable bench: He’ll run around the map, grab every part for a random buildable, and finish it instantly.
- Near the Mystery Box: If you don't like the gun you got, give him candy. He’ll punch the box and re-roll it for you.
- Near a Power-Up: Got a Carpenter but really need a Max Ammo? Give him candy. He’ll change the drop into something else.
- The "Babysitter" Trick: This is the GOAT strategy for Easter eggs. Give him candy near a crawler, and he’ll pick it up and cradle it. He won't kill it. The round won't end. You can go do your puzzles in peace.
Why Everyone Eventually Shoots Him (And Why You Shouldn't)
We’ve all done it. You’re trying to save him from a zombie, your aim slips, and you put a stray Mustang & Sally round into his back.
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He loses it. He starts crying and sprints back to his cell.
This is the biggest headache in the map because then you have to go find the key. The key doesn't just stay in one spot; it moves between the Courthouse, the Bank, the Saloon, and the Jail. It’s a massive waste of time.
If you want him to move faster without making him angry, knife him. Don't shoot him. A quick melee will make him sprint toward you if you're holding candy or booze. It’s mean, sure, but it’s effective.
The Mystery Box Lock
One of the most overlooked mechanics is using Leroy to lock the Mystery Box. If you give him candy while he's standing next to the box, he’ll slam his fist on it. This makes the box stay in that spot permanently—no more "Teddy Bear" moves. If you’re trying to camp in the Juggernog hallway, this is essential.
Dealing with the "Lady of the House"
A lot of players assume Leroy will help them everywhere. He won't. If you try to lead him through the Mansion (the Ghost House), he’ll flat-out refuse. He’s terrified of the Ghosts. He’ll actually turn around and run away if you get too close to the front door.
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Interestingly, he can get to the maze, but he takes a secret path that players can't use. He’s smart enough to avoid the soul-sucking ghosts, which honestly makes him the smartest character on the map.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Buried Run
To master the map and make the most of Leroy Black Ops 2, you need a specific workflow. Stop treating him as an RNG element and start using him as a teammate.
- Round 1 Priority: Get the key, free him immediately, and find the booze. Use him to break the first barricade to the Gunsmith so you can start drawing chalk.
- The Point Farm: Don't just break any debris. Position him so he has to run a long distance to hit the barricade. You can easily net 1,000+ points per smash if you line it up right.
- Build the Headchopper Early: Put one part on the table near the bank, give him candy, and let him finish it. It’s the best way to guard the back entrance while you're holding the bank.
- Manage the Key: If you’re playing co-op, make sure one person knows exactly where the key is at all times. If Leroy gets spooked during a high round, you don't want to be hunting for a tiny green key in the dark while three giants and a ghost are chasing you.
Leroy is a weird relic of a time when Treyarch was experimenting with how players interact with the environment. He’s frustrating, clunky, and kind of creepy, but Buried wouldn't be the same without him. Just remember: keep the candy close, and for the love of everything, watch your friendly fire.
Next Steps for Mastery:
- Chalk Optimization: Use Leroy to place the chalk drawings on the question marks around the map to maximize your points before round 5.
- The Fountain Trick: Save your booze for the fountain near the church during the Easter egg; Leroy is the only way to destroy it and progress the quest.
- Crawler Management: Always keep a candy on hand for the end of the round so you can "park" the last zombie with Leroy while you pack-a-punch.