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Treyarch’s iconic Zombies game mode has found its way toCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. This is the first time that Zombies has made its way to a modern setting, and it’s the second iteration of open world Zombies for the franchise.
MWZ, short for Modern Warfare Zombies, is a blend of MW2’s DMZ experience and Cold War’s Outbreak. Fans of Outbreak will find a surprising amount of content here, and those burnt out of DMZ’s PvEvP gameplay might be surprised at the intensity of this PvE game mode. But before we cover how to survive in the infested landscape of Urzikstan, we first need to cover what MWZ is and how it differs from previous Zombies experiences.
What Is MWZ?
MWZ is a PvE permutation of MW2’s DMZ mode,an extraction royale with an emphasis on completing in-mission contracts and faction quests within an open world. MW3’s take on the Zombies formula isa hybridization of the DMZ experience and Cold War’s Outbreak mode, featuring a gameplay loop similar to DMZ with Outbreak’s bosses and progression systems.
Squads of three will deploy into Urzikstan to acquire better gear, complete contracts, and progress factional questlines before extracting. Unlike DMZ,MWZ is purely a PvE experience with no PvP gameplay.Work together with other squads to defeat tough bosses, unlock powerful crafting schematics, and upgrade your character with Perk-A-Colas and Pack-A-Punched weapons. But beware: should you die in Urzikstan, you’ll lose everything.
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Creating A Loadout
You won’t get far in MWZ without a loadout. Before the start of every MWZ match, you’ll be able to create a custom loadout to start the match with.The “Strike Team” tab contains all of your loadouts, separated by Operator type. Each character can be equipped with the following:
By default, your Operator will have a small stash ofContraband Weapons—weapons with pre-installed attachments you cannot configure. You can then choose your choice of equipment and Field Upgrade before deploying. As you play MWZ, you’ll come across one-time use items calledAcquisitions.These include items like Perk-A-Colas, crafting schematics, and killstreaks.You’ll start with a small rucksack that can only carry five acquisition items, but this can be expanded by scavenging Urzikstan and completing certain faction missions. Any items you successfully extract will be added to your Operator’s stash, accessible from this menu.
Insured Weapons
Picking up every weapon you find might be useful to start, but Contraband weapons can only get you so far. To take on the hardest content in MWZ, you’ll want to bring something more tailored-made for your character.Insured Weapons have access to the Gunsmith and are capable of using any attachment you’ve unlocked through Multiplayer or MWZ.MWZ also features exclusive attachments that you’ll only find in Urzikstan, so keep your eyes peeled for elemental ammo types and other exotic upgrades.
While selecting a weapon for your loadout, you’ll see that the top row contains three spaces for Insured Weapons. You’ll start with one slot and unlock the other two through faction quests.Should you fail to extract, any Insured Weapons on you will enter a recovery period before you can use them again.Any weapon from MW2 and MW3 may be used as an Insured Weapon.
Speeding Up Your Insured Weapon Cooldowns
Extracting with spare essence will reduce the cooldown of all Insured Weapons. The more essence you extract, the more time will be deducted from the cooldown.
Field Upgrades
Modern Warfare Zombies has a unique suite of Field Upgrades to choose from that are exclusive to this game type.Field Upgrades act closer to on-demand power-ups than utility effects in MWZ, each with a fairly lengthy cooldown.Operators have six Field Upgrades to choose from:
Medium Recharge
Energy Mine
Spawns an explosive mine that deals massive damage to enemies who set it off.
Frenzied Guard
Repair armor to full and force all nearby enemies to attack you for 10 seconds.
Slow Recharge
Frost Blast
Release a frost nova that damages and slows targets caught in the blast.
Healing Aura
Heals every squad member to max HP. Downed allies are immediately revived.
Tesla Storm
Lightning connects you to other players for 10 seconds, stunning and damaging enemies.
Acquisitions
Acquisitions are one-time use items that fit in your Operator’s rucksack. These items include:
Killstreaks and Perk-A-Colasbehave as you’d expect from a Zombies mode. Perks last until your character is downed, offering powerful effects such as increased HP with Juggernog or immunity to explosive damage with PhD Flopper. Killstreaks are one-time use items that deal immense damage or offer unrivaled utility.
Aetherium and Schematicsact as progression systems in MWZ. As you complete Contracts in Urzikstan, you’ll find Aether tools which can be used to upgrade the rarity of your weapons or Pack-A-Punch tiers. For example, you may find or create Aetherium Crystals to upgrade your weapon to a higher Pack-A-Punch tier without having to spend any Essence.Schematics are found in Urzikstan’s harder zones (T2 and T3) and from certain faction quests.Most schematics allow you to create acquisitions of your own, allowing you to start every mission with Perk-A-Colas or killstreaks.
Acts And Tiers
Faction quests from MW2’s DMZ mode have been renamed toActsin Modern Warfare Zombies. These Acts are made up of multiple subobjectives orTiers, requiring you to complete certain tasks while in Urzikstan. Only one Tier mission may be active at a time, although you can complete multiple Tier objectives per game. As with DMZ, these start fairly easy and get progressively more difficult as you progress through the Acts.Upon completing all Tier objectives, you will progress to the next Act and receive a bundle of rewards, typically cosmetics like Operator skins or emblems.
More important than cosmetics are in-game upgrades.Tiers and Acts are your only way of unlocking additional Insured Weapon slots, and they unlock larger rucksacks for all of your Operators. There are a total of three Acts in the pre-season for MWZ. It’s unclear if Act progress will reset or expand with future seasons. If DMZ is anything to go by, we wager it’ll be the former.
Exploring Urzikstan
Fans of DMZ will immediately be familiar with MWZ’s gameplay loop. You will start the match at the edge of the map with no immediate objectives.You have 45 minutes to upgrade your character, complete any Tasks you accepted before the mission, and extract before the Zombie outbreak begins to spread.Once the 45 minutes are up, the radiation sector of the map, a purple zone denoted with a hazard symbol, will begin to grow until it covers all of Urzikstan. If you do not extract within the next 15 minutes, you will die and lose all of your gear.
Your first order of business is to acquireEssence.This acts as your main currency in MWZ and allows you to purchase wall weapons, perks, and Pack-A-Punch upgrades. You’ll earn a steady amount from killing zombies, but you can earn large sums of Essence through Contracts and selling miscellaneous items that fill the map.
Finding Upgrades
Opening your map and zooming in will display all nearby wall weapons, Perk-A-Cola machines, and Pack-A-Punch stations. you may typically find better armor vests and backpacks in storage containers, and weapons are usually found in bulky storage crates. Smaller storage units can house Essence, Aetherium Tools, or a spare perk.
If you need a better weapon, keep your eyes peeled for a mystery box. They emit a faint blue light that pierces the sky.
Unlike DMZ, MW3’s Zombies mode has weapon rarities that determine its damage output. Weapons are color-coded to represent their rarity, ranging from white (Common) to orange (PAP Level II).Your weapons will start at common rarity, regardless of their status during your previous game. You can upgrade your weapons by using Aetherium Tools, acquired from Contracts and the occasional container.Higher rarities are found in harder zones. Upgrade your weapons, get some perks, and try to complete any Tasks before you need to evacuate.
Threat Levels
As with DMZ, MW3’s Zombies mode divides its play space into three distinct zones:
For your first few MWZ games, it’s recommended you stick to the low and medium threat regions, only entering the medium threat zone to use a Buy Station or purchase perks.Generally, medium threat is balanced around Pack-A-Punched weapons, and high threat is tuned for players with the strongest gear possible.The difficulty increase from low to medium difficulty is quite significant, so be sure you’re prepared before you approach the center of Urzikstan.
Contracts
Your best source of Essence at the start of each MWZ match is Contracts.Contracts are opt-in missions with a simple objective and large Essence payout.MWZ has spiced Contracts up by spawning a loot cache at the end of every Contract as well, typically awarding Aetherium Tools, Perk-A-Colas, and/or weapons. You’ll ideally want to complete a few Contracts to upgrade your gear.
Contracts can be found byopening your minimap and zooming in.Pinging the Contract’s location should make it easy to find. Activate the Contract, complete the listed objective, and claim your rewards. Objectives range from escorting cargo to destroying mercenary equipment.
Mercenary Camps And Strongholds
Scattered throughout the map are Mercenary Camps and Strongholds that are patrolled by AI soldiers. Strongholds require a key to gain access, while Mercenary Camps may be explored at any time. Camps are also where you’ll find keys to Mercenary Strongholds.Mercenaries are tuned similarly to DMZ bots and are extremely dangerous.They can shred through three armor plates in less than a second if you aren’t careful. Try to take these enemies out from a distance with a long-range rifle or explosives. Armored mercenaries can also appear in convoys that patrol the map, certain Contract objectives, and the high threat region of Urzikstan.
Infested Strongholds And Aether Nests
Certain buildings in Urzikstan have been plagued with a strong virus that will down your character in seconds.The infestation must be cleared by destroying glowing cysts on the walls inside the structure.Be sure to bring a gas mask to survive the toxic air inside. Once the building is cleared out, you’ll be able to loot all the containers inside. These tend to include rare weapons, materials, and even Perk-A-Colas. If you need to gear up your character and are in a squad, clearing a Stronghold or Aether Nest is always an option.Strongholds are tuned for a party of three, so be sure you’re equipped before attempting to clear one.
Bosses
The high threat region of Urzikstan is where the toughest zombies and mercenaries call home. You’ll find mutated abominations, juggernauts, and other tough boss units roaming the center of Urzikstan. Defeating these bosses will require a coordinated team and the best equipment possible.We recommend avoiding boss enemies unless you have an active contract or Act quest that requires you to kill one.
Extracting
What You Can’t Extract
Extractions will wipe your weapon’s upgrade status, all active perks, and any Wonder Weapons you have in your inventory. Any spare items are then converted into Essence, reducing your Insured Weapon cooldowns.
Partway through a MWZ match, three extraction points will reveal themselves on the map.You must reach the extraction site and call in a helicopter to safely leave the map.Evacuation sites are marked with green plumes of smoke and can be interacted with in a wide radius.Once activated, a swarm of zombies will spawn at your location until the helicopter arrives.Stay on the move as you clear the horde.
You have 45 seconds to enter the helicopter before it leaves, so be sure to get in before your window expires. Should you miss an extraction, you may wait a minute to call in another helicopter. Extractions may be attempted an unlimited number of times until 45 minutes pass, at which point the high threat zone will begin to expand. Once that region takes over the extraction site, it may no longer be used.A final extraction site will appear at the very end of the match.If you miss this helicopter, you’ll lose everything on your character.
