Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 is out in the wild, and like many gamers, we imagine most of you are probably already tucking into the Zombies mode above the single-player campaign. After all, the undead-focused has gone from cult hit to mainstream juggernaut since its humble beginnings of blasting zombified nazis in Call of Duty: World at War, becoming an avenue for Hollywood heavyweights, thrilling cooperative play, and major production values. Next to the comprehensive multiplayer, Zombies is probably the biggest attraction Activision’s annual military shooter franchise has nowadays, and we fully embrace it, entrails and all.
To get you started on Zombies, we’ve got some handy tips for you looking to conquer the shambling hordes in Black Ops 3. Check out our guide below on Shadows of Evil.
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Milk zombies for cash
Currency is your lifeblood in Shadows of Evil, allowing you to unlock new weapons, open doors, spring traps, as well as grabbing upgrades via Perk-a-Cola machines. As such, you’ll want to earn as much as possible, which can be done by damaging and killing zombies. However, rather than just simply dispatch a rotting adversary outright, take your time; try hitting all their limbs to milk the damage and earn extra cash before finally putting them down. This will ensure you grab as much cash as possible. You’ll need a steady hand to do this though, as you’ll want to aim carefully at the creature’s non-weak points in order to land a hit without killing them with a single shot. In addition, repairing barriers will generate cash rewards, so it doesn’t hurt to let a few zombies shatter them from time to time.
Why walk when you can catch a train?
Traversing between the three districts of Morg City (Footlight, Canal, and Waterfront) can prove dangerous on foot when you’re facing down hordes of shambling undead, so it’s best pay the fee and take the train instead. Not only is this quicker, but will potentially save you ammunition and health in case you are forced to get into a fight with a roaming pack of zombies. It’s also useful for when you need to quickly access a specific perk machine and don’t fancy slogging there on foot. Not only that, but it’s great for when you need to escape a group of enemies; some may follow you if you’re unlucky, but overall taking the train will save your bacon more times than you can count.
Zombie killing perfected
As we mentioned, milking zombies for cash is definitely advised, although there are times when you will need to quickly and efficiently dispatch the rotting hordes without pussy-footing around. As with virtually every media portrayal of the undead, headshots are by far the most effective means of putting down a zombie fast. If possible, try and group enemies together allowing your team to eliminate them as quickly as possible without worrying about any stranglers; explosives are particularly useful for gangs of undead, but use them sparingly. However, it is advised you sometimes leave one or two zombies alive; this will ensure the next wave doesn’t spawn too quickly, allowing you to regroup and rearm where necessary.
When it comes to buffs, think before you leap
Zombies is riddled with buffs to aid your character as you progress through the game, but it pays to be mindful of when to use them. You’ll need to communicate with your team so you can ascertain when the best place is to use buffs, as you don’t want to waste them by picking them up immediately. For example, if you’re low on ammo, it’s better to have that Max Ammo buff sitting waiting rather than using it when you probably didn’t need the refill. Kaboom likewise is best saved for when you can use it against a large group of zombies, as it attacks multiple opponents and sets them on fire. Remember: you’re at team, so work together to maximize the use of buffs and don’t recklessly charge in without weighing up your options. Some things are worth savouring.
Teamwork for the win
You have teammates in Zombies mode for a reason—they will keep you from becoming a mid-day snack for a ravenous walking corpse. Sticking together will ensure your team survives and can maximise your abilities, allowing you to take down hordes of enemies with concentrated firepower, and, more importantly, revive each other without the need to trek halfway across the map to save a downed comrade. Teamwork is particularly crucial when the waves of enemies get tougher, as bigger foes will require all your firepower to defeat; you won’t stand much of a chance of doing it solo, so keep in close proximity to each other whenever possible. Fight together, stay alive.
Unleash the Beast
Beast mode is vital to your efforts in Zombies, as you’ll be able to perform several tasks that you wouldn’t normally be able to do as a regular human player. For starters, you can destroy cursed chain-link doors, allowing you to obtain new artefacts/buffs to aid you in battle. In addition, you will also find yourself required to destroy boxes, again housing valuable pick-ups to facilitate your team’s efforts.
Beast has two special abilities in the shape of electricity and grapple. Be sure to keep an eye out for anything glowing red on the map, which you’ll want to zap with electricity in order to bring power to various item stations that punctuate the map; your teammates can then take advantage of these items, which include Gobblegum machines and fast teammate revives. New areas can also be unlock by interacting with these electricity boxes/cursed doors, such as the teleporter in the sewers.
The grapple meanwhile can be used in conjunction with grapple hooks that will allow the Beast to reach higher areas of the map, granting access to yet more item stations. Be mindful of the time though; once the counter runs dry, Beast mode will come to an end and you’ll transform back into your regular, human self.
Gobble up a Gobblegum
Another indispensable tool, Gobblegum machines are worth hunting down wherever possible. Prior to your match, you can customise a pack of Gobblegum, with up to five available in each pack, with more options available as you increase in level. Once you locate a machine, you’ll need to fork out the 500 Point asking price to activate, dispensing one of the five balls you have chosen in your pack. Be mindful when customising your Gobblegum pack pre-match, as you’ll want to pick something that is not only beneficial to your playing style, but also helpful to your whole team. Also, keep on the lookout for any roaming zombies when you are fiddling around with the machine, as they won’t hesitate to attack you while you are otherwise occupied.