Hey there, future zombie slayer! Ready to dive headfirst into the terrifying yet exhilarating world of Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies? It's a different beast from what you might be used to, with a new objective-based flow and a fresh set of demonic powers. But fear not, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and tactics you need to survive and thrive against the undead horde.
Let's not just talk about it, let's get you in the game. Are you ready to start your journey into the Dark Aether? Let's go!
Step 1: Gearing Up and Understanding the Basics
Before you even step foot into the war-torn city of Stalingrad, you need to set up your loadout. This is your first and most critical decision.
Choose Your Weapon Wisely: Don't just grab any gun. Your starting weapon is crucial. Shotguns, especially the Einhorn Revolving, have proven to be incredibly powerful in Vanguard Zombies. The Combat Shotgun is also a great choice. Their close-range devastation and high damage output make them excellent for clearing out hordes. For a full-auto option, consider a high-damage LMG like the Whitley LMG.
Select Your Artifact: This is your "Field Upgrade" or special ability. You can only choose one, and it's a game-changer.
Aether Shroud: This makes you undetectable to zombies for a short time, perfect for getting out of a sticky situation or reviving a teammate.
Energy Mine: Spawns an explosive that deals massive damage to enemies who trigger it. Great for bottlenecks and defending objectives.
Frost Blast: A frigid vortex that slows and damages enemies. This is fantastic for controlling crowds and setting up kills.
Ring of Fire: Creates a ring that boosts the damage of anyone inside it. This is your go-to for maximum damage output, especially during a high-round objective.
Custom Loadouts are Your Best Friend: Don't forget to customize your weapon in the menu before a match. Leveling up your weapons in multiplayer and unlocking attachments like magazines and barrels can make a dramatic difference in Zombies. Attachments that increase ammo capacity, damage, and critical damage are key.
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| How To Play Call Of Duty Vanguard Zombies |
Step 2: Entering the Dark Aether - The Hub and Objectives
Unlike the traditional round-based Zombies, Vanguard introduces an objective-based system. You start in the central hub, Fountain Square in Stalingrad, and you'll be teleported to different locations to complete specific objectives.
The Altar of Covenants: In the hub, you'll find the Altar of Covenants. This is a new and very important mechanic. Covenants are temporary perks or buffs that you can purchase with Sacrificial Hearts. Sacrificial Hearts are a special currency you earn by completing objectives. The Covenants you can buy are randomized and their rarity increases as you progress.
Perk Fountains: Scattered throughout the hub and other locations are Perk Fountains. The first sip is free, but you need Essence (points from killing zombies) to upgrade them. The perks have different tiers, with each tier providing a better buff.
Fiendish Fortitude: Increases your base health. (Think Juggernog)
Venomous Vigor: Increases your health regeneration speed. (Think Quick Revive)
Aethereal Haste: Increases your movement speed. (Think Stamin-Up)
Demonic Frenzy: Increases your reload speed. (Think Speed Cola)
Diabolical Damage: Increases your critical damage. (Think Deadshot Daquiri)
Pack-a-Punch: The Pack-a-Punch machine is in the starting area. You can use your Essence to upgrade your weapon's damage and gain a new camo. It has three tiers, with each tier significantly increasing your weapon's power.
Step 3: Mastering the Objectives
You will be sent through portals to different locations to complete one of three main objectives. Successfully completing these is the key to progressing and getting more Sacrificial Hearts.
Tip: Highlight what feels important.
Sub-heading: Transmit - Follow the Floating Head
This objective requires you to stay within a moving zone that follows a floating zombie head.
Stay in the Zone: The zone moves slowly, and you must stay within its boundaries to complete the objective.
Defend the Orb: Zombies will spawn endlessly and attack the orb and you. Focus on eliminating zombies within the zone to keep the progress bar moving.
Use Your Artifact: This is a great time to use your artifact, especially a crowd-control one like Frost Blast or an offensive one like Ring of Fire.
Sub-heading: Blitz - Survive the Onslaught
This is a classic survival objective, but with a twist.
Hold Your Ground: You'll be locked in a small arena and must survive against a constant flow of zombies for a set amount of time.
Mind Your Health and Armor: Zombies will be aggressive. Always keep an eye on your health and armor. Use Salvage at the Crafting Table to repair your armor if it's damaged.
Group Up: Staying close to your teammates is crucial here, as you can cover each other's backs and revive each other if someone goes down.
Sub-heading: Harvest - Feed the Sin-Eaters
This objective is a bit like Kill Confirmed.
Kill Zombies: Eliminate zombies to make them drop Runestones.
Collect and Deposit: Pick up the Runestones and deposit them into the "Sin-Eaters," which are glowing altars.
Work as a Team: Have one player focus on killing while another collects the Runestones and deposits them. Efficient teamwork is rewarded!
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Step 4: Managing Resources and Upgrades
Every action you take in Vanguard Zombies costs a resource, so knowing how to manage them is vital.
Tip: Note one practical point from this post.
Essence (Points): Earned by killing zombies and completing objectives. Use it to buy weapons, upgrade Perks, and Pack-a-Punch your guns.
Salvage: Earned from killing zombies and opening chests. Use it at the Crafting Table to craft armor, equipment, and self-revives. Always craft armor when you have the Salvage!
Sacrificial Hearts: Earned by completing objectives. Use them at the Altar of Covenants to gain powerful buffs.
The Tome of Rituals: This station allows you to upgrade your Artifact's tier using Sacrificial Hearts, making your special ability even more potent.
Step 5: The End Game and Exfil
You can continue playing as long as you can survive, but eventually, you'll want to exfil (extract) from the map.
How to Activate Exfil: After you've completed a certain number of objectives (usually four), the option to exfil becomes available in the hub area.
Survive the Final Wave: Once you activate it, a timer will start, and you'll need to kill a set number of zombies while a portal spawns.
Run for the Portal: Once you kill the required number of zombies, a portal will appear somewhere on the map. Forget about killing any more zombies, just run straight for the portal and interact with it to successfully exfil and keep all your progress.
10 Related FAQs
How to Pack-a-Punch a weapon in Vanguard Zombies?
The Pack-a-Punch machine is located in the starting area of Fountain Square. You can upgrade your weapon for Essence, with the cost increasing for each of the three tiers.
How to get Sacrificial Hearts?
You earn one Sacrificial Heart for every objective you successfully complete. They are used to purchase Covenants from the Altar.
Tip: Focus on sections most relevant to you.
How to upgrade Perks in Vanguard Zombies?
After drinking the first tier of a Perk for free at a Perk Fountain, you can upgrade it to higher tiers by spending Essence at the same fountain.
How to use Salvage?
Salvage is a resource used at the Crafting Table to create and repair your armor, as well as craft grenades, decoys, and other useful equipment.
How to find the Mystery Box?
The Mystery Box is a randomized box that gives you a random weapon for a set amount of Essence. Its location changes, and you'll see a blue light in the sky to indicate its current position.
How to find the best Covenants?
QuickTip: Slowing down makes content clearer.
Covenants at the Altar are randomized, but their rarity increases as you complete more objectives. You can buy up to three Covenants, so aim for a good synergy, like Cryofreeze and Cull the Weak.
How to revive teammates?
You can revive downed teammates by interacting with them. Having the Resurrectionist Covenant equipped will make this process faster.
How to get more ammo?
You can get more ammo by buying it from a Pack-a-Punch machine or a wall-buy location. The Ammo Gremlin Covenant is also a great option, as it automatically refills your stowed weapon's ammo.
How to get more health?
You can increase your maximum health by purchasing the Fiendish Fortitude Perk. You also regenerate health over time, and the Venomous Vigor Perk speeds up this process.
How to survive high rounds?
Focus on upgrading your Pack-a-Punched weapon, maxing out your Perks, and getting high-rarity Covenants with good synergy. Staying mobile and knowing when to use your Artifact are also crucial for survival.
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