Zombies in Call of Duty has been a staple of the franchise since World at War released in 2008, appearing in every other Treyarch entry for over a decade. Though some could argue the mode became formulaic, that formula worked, and was widely adored by most Call of Duty players. With the last few Zombies iterations, the formula has been changed quite a bit, with Vanguard’s Zombies mode trading many classic features for some half-baked new ones. It seems as though Treyarch and Sledgehammer have finally listened, as a gigantic Season 2 update is on its way, bringing many fan-favorite features back to Zombies, whilst also adding a few new features as well.
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Call of Duty: Vanguard’s New Terra Maledicta Zombies Map
Call of Duty: Vanguard shipped with just one Zombies map at launch. Der Anfang introduced a new type of map to the Call of Duty Zombies experience. As opposed to Zombies’ usual style of maps, one large environment that opens up more as the players unlock doors, Der Anfang has one central hub area that connects to several smaller arenas via a teleportation system.
Though this system is an interesting direction to take Zombies in, the map was heavily criticized on launch, as the smaller arenas were all copy-and-pasted from the game’s multiplayer maps, or from previous Call of Duty games. Treyarch looks to be changing this in the Season 2 update, where a brand-new map is going to be introduced.
The new Vanguard Zombies map, named Terra Maledicta, is set in Egypt’s Eastern Desert, and will once again use the same hub-teleportation system that was introduced with Der Anfang. However, Terra Maledicta’s smaller arenas will all be new locations, with some of them taking place in the heart of the Dark Aether itself.
Terra Maledicta is also bringing a new boss zombie to the game. Named Zaballa the Deceiver, this new zombie will hover ominously above players as she shoots lightning into the ground around them.
Call of Duty: Vanguard is Finally Giving Zombies a Story Quest, Easter Eggs
While Vanguard’s first Zombies map gave hints at a larger Zombies narrative, Terra Maledicta will actually move the story forward in significant ways through more objective-based gameplay. Vanguard Zombies continues the narrative of Black Ops Cold War’s mode, in which Professor Krafft and crew are tasked with stopping a demon-worshipping Nazi leader named Von List.
Von List has been granted the power to raise the dead from a Dark Aether being known as Kortifex. This new map will task players with taking the fight to Von List himself, and introduces a new ally, Vercanna the Last, who will aid the players with her healing artifacts.
This new update adds some story-based objectives to the game, which fans have been longing for since its release last year. The main objective sees players interrupting a sacrificial ceremony, gunning down the waves of the undead before they can reach the Syphoncore pillars. Players will also be tasked with finding a page from the Tome of Rituals, all while dealing with Kortifex and Von List’s army of the undead.
Season 2 also brings with it some highly-demanded Easter eggs, an integral aspect of the series’ longevity. The main Easter egg known about right now is a Black Ops 2 reference, giving players a shovel and tasking them with digging up loot hidden across the map.
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Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies Bringing Back Wonder Weapons
A feature sorely missing from the base game, Vanguard Season 2 is finally bringing Wonder Weapons back, though there are only two of them right now. The absolute classic that is the Ray Gun will be returning to the game on February 10, being available in the Mystery Box and as a very rare loot drop. The weapon is simple, classic, and will likely be embraced warmly by all Vanguard Zombies players.
Alongside the Ray Gun, a new Wonder Weapon will be added to the game. The Decimator Shield, functioning similarly to the Dragon Shield/Guard of Fafnir from Black Ops 3, is going to be given to players who complete the main story quest of Terra Maledicta, and will be added to the Mystery Box upon the quest’s completion.
Call of Duty: Vanguard is Adding A New Artifact and Covenant to Zombies
Call of Duty: Vanguard Season 2 is also adding a new upgradeable Artifact to the game, which can be leveled up via Vercanna’s quest. Tier one of this Artifact allows a player to instantly heal themselves and their teammates. Tier two knocks standard enemies down around each player. Tier three revives all players who are currently down. Tier four gives revived players their lost Perks back. And the final tier activates a 10-second healing ring that also revives downed players.
A new Covenant is being added to the game alongside this new Artifact. The new Covenant, Artifact Ward, gives the player a chance to activate their Artifact for free when they’re hit by a melee attack from behind. If this Covenant reaches the Legendary rarity, then being hit with a melee attack from any direction has a high chance of triggering a player’s Artifact for free.
Call of Duty: Vanguard Season 2 launches on February 14, 2022, and the game is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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