Call of Duty: World at War
Call of Duty: World at War

Der Riese Map Guide

Navigate the Der Riese map in Call of Duty: World at War Zombies. Master point accumulation and initial setup strategies for extended survival.

·Multi-source verified (50/50)

Der Riese Map Guide

Welcome, hardened survivor, to the ultimate guide for navigating the treacherous confines of Der Riese, the Giant. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies necessary to push your zombie-slaying prowess to its absolute limit, whether you're playing solo or with a squad.

Initial Setup & Point Accumulation (Rounds 1-4)

The early rounds are crucial for establishing a strong economic foundation. Focus on maximizing point gain and preparing for the challenges ahead.

  • Round 1: Begin by knifing all zombies. Each knife kill grants 130 points, significantly more than a single bullet kill (10 points per hit, 60 for a kill). Aim for 6 knife kills.
  • Round 2: Shoot each zombie 4-5 times with your starting pistol (M1911) before knifing. This balances bullet points with the higher knife kill bonus.
  • Round 3: Continue the shoot-and-knife strategy. Consider purchasing the MP40 from the wall in the starting room for 1000 points if you feel overwhelmed, but prioritize saving for doors.
  • Round 4: At this point, you should have enough points to open the first door. Aim to have at least 2000-3000 points saved.

Expanding & Activating Teleporters (Rounds 5-11)

Once you have a decent point reserve, it's time to open up the map and activate the vital teleporters.

  1. Open the First Door: From the starting room, open the door to your left (towards the Animal Testing Labs) for 1000 points.
  2. Activate Teleporter A: Proceed through the Animal Testing Labs. You'll find Teleporter A here. Activate it for 1500 points.
  3. Open the Second Door: Head back to the starting room and open the door to your right (towards the Mainframe) for 1000 points.
  4. Activate Teleporter B: Navigate through the Mainframe area. Teleporter B is located here. Activate it for 1500 points.
  5. Open the Third Door: From the Mainframe, open the door leading to the Power Room for 1000 points.
  6. Activate Teleporter C: In the Power Room, you'll find Teleporter C. Activate it for 1500 points.
  7. Power On: Once all three teleporters (A, B, and C) are activated, proceed to the central catwalk area and activate the Power Switch. This will enable perks and the Pack-a-Punch machine.

Strategy Tip: During these rounds, try to group zombies into trains before unleashing a burst of fire. This maximizes your damage output and point gain per zombie.

Survival & Catwalk Strategy (Rounds 12+)

As the rounds progress, zombies become faster and more numerous. The catwalk strategy is a cornerstone of high-round survival on Der Riese.

The Catwalk Setup

  • Location: The catwalk is the long, elevated walkway connecting the Power Room to the Mainframe, overlooking the central courtyard.
  • Team Positioning:
    • Front Man: One player stands at the end of the catwalk closest to the Power Room, acting as the primary zombie killer. This player should have a powerful weapon like the Thundergun or a Pack-a-Punched LMG.
    • Support: Other players position themselves behind the front man, providing cover, reviving, and clearing stragglers.
    • Grenade Spammer: One player can focus on throwing grenades down into the courtyard to clear large groups of zombies that accumulate below.
  • Weaponry: Prioritize weapons with high damage and large magazines. The MG42, FG42, and STG-44 are excellent choices from the wall. The Wonderwaffe DG-2 is invaluable for clearing entire trains.
  • Perks: Ensure all players have Juggernog (2500 points, located in the Power Room) for increased health and Speed Cola (3000 points, located in the Mainframe) for faster reloading. Quick Revive (1500 points, starting room) is essential for solo play.

Catwalk Execution

The core idea is to funnel zombies into a predictable path. Zombies will primarily come from the Power Room side and the stairs leading up from the courtyard. The front man mows them down as they approach, while the support players handle any that slip through or come from unexpected angles. Always be aware of your surroundings and communicate with your team.

The Last Rounds: Teleporter & Electric Barrier Abuse

When the catwalk becomes too dangerous, or you need to escape a dire situation, the teleporters and electric barriers become your best friends.

  • Teleporter Hopping: If overwhelmed on the catwalk, use the teleporter in the Power Room to escape to the starting room. This provides a brief respite and allows you to regroup. Remember to link the teleporters to the main pad in the starting room by activating them individually first.
  • Electric Barriers: These are invaluable for clearing paths and buying time. Each barrier costs 1000 points to activate and will instantly kill any zombies caught in its field. Use them strategically in choke points, especially in the Animal Testing Labs and Mainframe areas, to thin out large hordes.
  • Pack-a-Punch Machine: The Pack-a-Punch Machine (5000 points per upgrade) is located in the central courtyard, accessible once all teleporters are linked and power is on. Upgrading your weapons is non-negotiable for high rounds. It increases damage, magazine size, and often adds unique effects. For example, the M1911 becomes the Mustang & Sally, firing explosive rounds.

Important Note: Always be mindful of your point count. While electric barriers are powerful, their cost can quickly deplete your funds if used indiscriminately. Prioritize weapon upgrades and perks.