Do the Monkeys on Ascension Steal Perks? A Deep Dive into the Perilous Primate Problem
The short answer, unequivocally, is yes, the Space Monkeys on Ascension absolutely steal your perks. These simian saboteurs are a unique and frustrating enemy specific to the Call of Duty: Black Ops map, Ascension. They aren’t just a nuisance; they represent a serious threat to your meticulously acquired perk loadout. Understanding how these monkeys operate, and more importantly, how to defend against them, is crucial for survival on this iconic map.
The Anatomy of a Perk Heist
Unlike other zombie types that attack players directly, Space Monkeys have a different agenda. Their primary goal isn’t to kill you (though they can certainly do that); it’s to raid your Perk-a-Cola machines. They spawn in waves, typically every four to five rounds after a perk has been purchased, making them a constant threat once you start powering up. Here’s how their perk-stealing strategy works:
- Targeted Assault: Monkeys don’t attack just any perk machine. Instead, they will specifically focus on the machines associated with the perks you and your team have bought. This makes defending your selected perks essential.
- Latching On: Once a monkey reaches a perk machine, it will latch onto it. This initiates a short timer.
- Perk Theft: After a few seconds of sustained contact with the machine, the monkey successfully ‘steals’ the perk. Critically, the loss of the perk affects all players who have purchased it, not just the one whose machine was attacked.
This synchronized loss of perks across your team adds to the difficulty and requires coordinated efforts to defend. It’s not enough to simply kill monkeys; you need to prevent them from even touching your machines in the first place.
Why Are These Monkeys So Annoying?
The monkeys’ annoying nature isn’t just because they remove perks. They introduce a layer of strategy that many other zombie types don’t require. You need to:
- Prioritize Targets: You must choose which monkeys to focus on to protect your key perks, rather than simply blasting away at the closest threat.
- Guard Machines: Staying near your perk machines is essential to prevent an early perk heist. This can be difficult when you also have to deal with hordes of zombies.
- Communicate: Coordinated teamwork is key to preventing monkeys from successfully attacking your machines, especially with the shared consequence of perk loss.
Defense is Key
The best way to combat perk-stealing monkeys is to shoot them off the machines and kill them before they do any damage. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Early Intervention: Eliminate monkeys as early as possible; don’t let them get close to the perk machines.
- Focus Fire: If multiple monkeys are converging on a perk machine, focus your fire and eliminate those specific threats.
- Perk Prioritization: Consider which perks are your most crucial and place yourself strategically to defend those machines. Juggernog is always a high priority, as is Speed Cola, but this can vary depending on your playstyle.
- Use traps and strategic locations: Utilizing traps and locations that have chokepoints can be highly useful for stopping the monkeys.
- Be Prepared: The monkey rounds are on a timer, meaning you can generally predict when they will arrive. Use the time before they arrive to prepare your defenses and restock on ammo.
While Space Monkeys can be frustrating, they add a unique challenge that tests the skill, strategy, and teamwork of players on Ascension. Ignoring them is a recipe for disaster.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How often do the Space Monkeys appear on Ascension?
Space Monkeys typically appear every four to five rounds after a player has purchased at least one perk. Be prepared for them to spawn after that initial purchase and onwards.
2. Do monkeys steal perks from the Der Wunderfizz machine?
No, the Der Wunderfizz machine, while present in the remastered version of Ascension, isn’t targeted by the monkeys. However, you will still lose the perk if you own it when monkeys successfully attack the normal Perk-a-Cola machines associated with that perk.
3. Can you get more than 4 perks on Ascension?
Yes! While normally you can only have four perks, if you successfully defend your perk machines from the Space Monkeys, you have a chance to earn a Random Perk Bottle after the round. This will grant you a fifth perk (or a sixth perk if you use a Gobblegum and already have 5) and exceed the normal limit.
4. Is there a Double Tap on Ascension?
The original Ascension map in Black Ops does not have a Double Tap Root Beer machine. However, in the Black Ops III remastered version, Double Tap II is obtainable by random chance from Gobble Gum or during monkey rounds.
5. Are the monkeys only on the Ascension map?
Space Monkeys are primarily associated with the Ascension map, but they are also mentioned in Tag der Toten through a radio transmission. However, they do not physically appear on any other map besides Ascension.
6. Can monkeys kill players directly?
Yes, while their primary focus is on your perk machines, Space Monkeys can also damage and kill players if they get too close. Don’t ignore them just because they aren’t directly attacking you; they can overwhelm you quickly if left unchecked.
7. What happens if a monkey successfully steals my perk?
If a monkey successfully steals your perk, all players who purchased that perk will lose it simultaneously. It’s not just the player whose machine was attacked. This makes communication and defense a team effort.
8. Can a monkey steal my perk if I haven’t bought it yet?
No, monkeys only target machines that have active perks. If you have not purchased a particular perk, its associated machine will be safe from the Space Monkeys.
9. What’s the best way to prepare for a monkey round?
- Stay vigilant: Be aware of when the round will be coming up.
- Restock: Make sure to have a full set of ammo.
- Strategize: Coordinate with your team to create a defensive formation, making sure that your perk machines are adequately covered.
10. How many monkeys appear during a monkey round?
The number of monkeys that spawn during a round will vary, but there are usually quite a few. Be prepared for a swarm and make sure you and your team are ready to deal with the threat.
11. Can the monkeys break the perk machines themselves?
No, while monkeys will attach themselves to perk machines, they do not damage or destroy the machines themselves. They simply cause you to lose that particular perk.
12. What are the most important perks to protect from monkeys?
While all perks are valuable, Juggernog is typically considered the most important, followed by Speed Cola. However, your priorities may change depending on your playstyle.
13. Is it possible to prevent monkeys from even touching the perk machines?
Yes, with proper planning, teamwork, and aim, it’s possible to prevent the monkeys from reaching the machines. Constant fire from you and your team in key chokepoints will help to kill the monkeys before they reach their target.
14. Do all the monkeys attack at the same time?
Yes, the monkeys will attack simultaneously and try to get to the machines you have bought.
15. Do all maps with monkeys have them targeting perk machines?
No, most maps with monkeys have them attack the player directly. The perk stealing characteristic is exclusive to the Ascension map.
By understanding the mechanics of the Space Monkeys, their strategic targeting of your perks, and how to defend against them, you can significantly improve your survival and success on Ascension. These primate problems may be frustrating, but they also add a unique dimension of challenge and strategy to the experience. So, stay alert, keep shooting, and protect those hard-earned perks!