Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Zombies Mode Maps & Strategies

Get strategies for Call of Duty: Black Ops II Zombies maps. Learn how to survive Tranzit, Die Rise, and Mob of the Dead with essential item and map tips.

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Zombies Mode Maps & Strategies

Welcome, Slayers! This comprehensive guide will arm you with the knowledge and tactics needed to survive the relentless hordes in Black Ops II Zombies. We'll break down key maps, essential items, and winning strategies to ensure you dominate the undead.

Tranzit: The Desolate Highway

Tranzit is a sprawling, interconnected map that introduces the innovative bus system and a persistent fog that limits visibility. Success here hinges on resource management, teamwork, and knowing when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em.

Initial Setup & Power Activation:

  • Starting Room (Bus Depot): Your first priority is to accumulate points. Use your M1911 pistol for headshots on early rounds to maximize point gain. Avoid opening the first door immediately. Instead, train zombies in the starting area and knife them for bonus points.
  • Turbine Construction: The Turbine is crucial for activating power in various locations.
    • Location: The Turbine parts are found in the Bus Depot. The Fan is on the bench near the door leading out, the Mannequin is against the wall by the mystery box spawn, and the Electrical Device is on the shelf near the M1911 wall buy.
    • Assembly: Assemble the Turbine on the workbench in the Bus Depot.
    • Usage: Place the Turbine near power-requiring doors (e.g., the door to the Diner, the door to the Power Station) to temporarily open them.
  • Reaching the Power Station:
    • Bus Route: The most common method is to ride the bus. Be prepared for zombies to board the bus with you.
    • Walking: You can walk between locations, but this is riskier due to the Denizens of the Fog, which will latch onto you and deal damage. Knife them off quickly.
  • Activating Main Power: Once at the Power Station, locate the power switch. You'll need to construct the Power Switch parts:
    • Location: The Handle is on a shelf near the switch, the Power Box is on the floor, and the Zombie Arm is on a table.
    • Assembly: Assemble the Power Switch on the workbench in the Power Station.
    • Activation: Flip the switch to activate power across the map, enabling Perks and the Pack-a-Punch machine.

Key Locations & Perks:

  • Diner: Contains the Speed Cola machine (faster reloading) and a Mystery Box spawn.
  • Farm: Features the Stamin-Up machine (increased sprint duration) and a Galvaknuckles wall buy (powerful melee weapon).
  • Power Station: Home to Juggernog (increased health) and the main power switch.
  • Town: A central hub with Quick Revive (solo: self-revive; co-op: faster revive), Double Tap II Root Beer (increased fire rate), and the Pack-a-Punch machine (weapon upgrades).

Advanced Tranzit Strategies:

  • Turbine Management: Always have a Turbine available. They are essential for opening doors, activating Perk machines in unpowered areas, and powering the Pack-a-Punch. Consider having one player dedicated to Turbine placement and retrieval.
  • Bus Control: The bus is a double-edged sword. It offers safe passage but can become a death trap if overwhelmed. Use the bus to your advantage, but don't rely solely on it. Jumping off at strategic points to create crawlers or gather resources is often necessary.
  • Pack-a-Punching: The Pack-a-Punch machine in Town requires power and a Turbine to activate. Prioritize upgrading your primary weapon, especially for higher rounds.
  • Denizens of the Fog: These creatures are a nuisance. Knife them off immediately to avoid taking unnecessary damage. They can also be used to open portals to other areas if they latch onto a player near a fog-covered area.
  • Building the Shield: The Zombie Shield is an invaluable defensive item.
    • Parts: The Dolly is found in the Bus Depot, the Car Door is in the Diner, and the Handle is in the Power Station.
    • Assembly: Assemble the Shield on any workbench.
    • Usage: The Shield protects your back from zombie attacks and can be used to bash zombies, creating space.

Die Rise: The Vertical Gauntlet

Die Rise takes the fight to dizzying heights in a collapsing skyscraper. This map emphasizes verticality, strategic use of elevators, and avoiding lethal falls. Gravity is as much an enemy as the zombies here.

Initial Setup & Power Activation:

  • Starting Room (Rooftop): Begin by clearing the initial waves and accumulating points. The M1911 is your friend here.
  • Opening the Path: Your first objective is to open the door leading into the building. This typically costs 750 points.
  • Elevator Usage: Elevators are your primary means of vertical travel. They require power to operate. Be cautious when using them, as zombies can ride with you, and the doors can crush you if you're not careful.
  • Power Activation: The main power switch is located on the lower floors. You'll need to navigate several floors and potentially use multiple elevators to reach it. Prioritize activating power to enable Perks and the Pack-a-Punch.

Key Locations & Perks:

  • Rooftop: Starting area, often a good place for early-round training.
  • Data Center: Contains the Speed Cola machine.
  • Dragon Room: Features the Juggernog machine.
  • Power Room: Location of the main power switch and Double Tap II Root Beer.
  • Pack-a-Punch Room: The Pack-a-Punch machine is located on a specific floor, often requiring careful elevator navigation to reach.

Advanced Die Rise Strategies:

  • Elevator Control: Mastering elevator timing is crucial. Use them to escape overwhelming hordes, but be aware that zombies can follow. Consider leaving one player to hold an elevator while others clear a floor.
  • Vertical Training: Due to the map's layout, traditional horizontal training can be difficult. Learn to train zombies around elevator shafts and open areas.
  • The Sliquifier: This Wonder Weapon is exclusive to Die Rise.
    • Parts: The Sliquifier parts are scattered across the map. The Pressure Gauge is often found in the Dragon Room, the Tube is on a shelf in the Data Center, and the Canister is in the Power Room.
    • Assembly: Assemble the Sliquifier on any workbench.
    • Usage: The Sliquifier fires a stream of corrosive liquid that can chain-kill zombies, making it incredibly powerful for crowd control.
  • Avoiding Falls: The open gaps and collapsing floors are constant threats. Always be mindful of your footing, especially during intense rounds.
  • Who's Who: This unique Perk (exclusive to Die Rise) allows you to revive yourself as a ghost if you go down. You must then find your original body to fully revive. This can be a lifesaver but requires quick thinking.

Mob of the Dead: Alcatraz's Undead Inmates

Mob of the Dead plunges players into the infamous Alcatraz prison, where the afterlife is just as brutal as life behind bars. This map introduces the Afterlife mechanic, allowing players to temporarily become ghosts to solve puzzles and access new areas.

Initial Setup & Afterlife:

  • Starting Cell Block: Begin by clearing the initial waves. The M1911 is your starting weapon.
  • Afterlife Mechanic: When you go down, you enter Afterlife mode. As a ghost, you can:
    • Shock Generators: Use your electrical charge to power up generators, opening doors and activating machines.
    • Revive Teammates: Shock downed teammates to revive them.
    • Access New Areas: Some areas are only accessible in Afterlife mode.
  • Power Activation: Power is activated by shocking various generators throughout the map in Afterlife mode. This often involves a sequence of activations.

Key Locations & Perks:

  • Cell Blocks: The starting area, often good for early-round training.
  • Cafeteria: Contains the Speed Cola machine.
  • Docks: Features the Juggernog machine.
  • Library: Home to the Double Tap II Root Beer machine.
  • Infirmary: Contains the Quick Revive machine.
  • Pack-a-Punch: The Pack-a-Punch machine is accessed by building and riding the "Gondola" to the roof.

Advanced Mob of the Dead Strategies:

  • Building the Plane (Escape Route): The primary Easter Egg and a crucial survival tool involves building a plane to escape Alcatraz.
    • Parts: The Propeller is found in the Warden's Office, the Engine is in the Docks, the Landing Gear is in the Cafeteria, the Valve is in the Library, and the Steering Wheel is in the Infirmary.
    • Assembly: Assemble the parts at the designated locations on the roof.
    • Usage: The plane takes you to the Golden Gate Bridge, a small arena for a final stand or a quick trip back to Alcatraz.
  • Blundergat (Wonder Weapon): This powerful shotgun is a must-have.
    • Acquisition: The Blundergat can be obtained from the Mystery Box or by completing a specific Easter Egg step involving collecting Skulls.
    • Upgrades: It can be upgraded into the "Acid Gat" or "Magma Gat" through further Easter Egg steps, significantly increasing its power.
  • Hell's Retriever (Special Weapon): A throwable axe that returns to you.
    • Acquisition: Obtained by feeding the three spectral dogs scattered around the map with zombie souls.
    • Upgrades: Can be upgraded into the "Redeemer" by performing specific actions on the Golden Gate Bridge.
  • Afterlife Management: Use Afterlife strategically. Don't waste your Afterlife charges. Plan your shocks and revives carefully.
  • Brutus: This mini-boss appears periodically. Focus fire on his head, and use grenades or the Hell's Retriever to stun him. He can disable Perk machines and the Mystery Box.

Buried: The Western Ghost Town

Buried transports players to an underground ghost town, complete with a giant, a witch's house, and a bank. This map introduces new mechanics like the "Giant" and the ability to bank points.

Initial Setup & Power Activation:

  • Starting Area (Town Entrance): Clear the initial waves and accumulate points.
  • Opening the Path: Open the gate to the town.
  • The Giant (Arthur): A friendly (mostly) giant named Arthur can be commanded to break debris, clear paths, and even smash zombies. Feed him candy (found around the map) to direct him.
  • Power Activation: The main power switch is located in the Witch's House. You'll need to navigate through the town and potentially use Arthur to clear a path.

Key Locations & Perks:

  • Town: Central hub with various buildings.
  • Bank: Allows you to deposit and withdraw points, a crucial feature for high rounds.
  • General Store: Contains the Speed Cola machine.
  • Mansion (Witch's House): Home to the main power switch, Juggernog, and the Vulture-Aid Elixir (see below).
  • Gunsmith: Features the Double Tap II Root Beer machine.
  • Pack-a-Punch: The Pack-a-Punch machine is located in the courthouse.

Advanced Buried Strategies:

  • The Bank: Utilize the bank extensively. Deposit points at the end of each round to safeguard them against being downed. Withdraw only what you need.
  • Arthur's Commands: Learn Arthur's commands. He can be directed to smash debris, clear paths, and even attack zombies. Use him to your advantage for both progression and defense.
  • Paralyzer (Wonder Weapon): This unique weapon slows and damages zombies.
    • Acquisition: Found in the Mystery Box.
    • Usage: Excellent for crowd control and creating escape routes. It has infinite ammo but overheats.
  • Ray Gun Mark II: This powerful energy weapon is a fan favorite.
    • Acquisition: Can be found in the Mystery Box.
    • Usage: Fires a three-round burst of powerful energy, effective against all zombie types.
  • Vulture-Aid Elixir: This Perk (exclusive to Buried) grants several benefits:
    • See Wall Buys: Highlights wall buy locations through walls.
    • See Zombies: Highlights zombies through walls.
    • Drop Points: Zombies killed by you have a chance to drop points that can be collected.
  • The Witches: The Witch's House is guarded by Witches. They are fast and deal significant damage. Use powerful weapons or the Paralyzer to slow them down.
  • Building the Subsurface Resonator: This buildable item is crucial for the Easter Egg and can be used to stun zombies.
    • Parts: The Antenna is in the General Store, the Amplifier is in the Bank, and the Battery is in the Gunsmith.
    • Assembly: Assemble it on any workbench.