Vanguard Zombies: A Deep Dive into Undead Warfare
So, you’re asking what you’re supposed to do in Vanguard Zombies? In essence, you’re thrust into a chaotic battle against relentless hordes of the undead. Your primary objective is survival, achieved by eliminating zombies, completing objectives, upgrading your weapons and abilities, and strategically utilizing the map to withstand increasingly difficult waves. Unlike classic round-based Zombies, Vanguard’s initial iteration focused on objective-based gameplay within designated areas, introducing a more dynamic and less predictable experience. While the initial reception was mixed, later maps like Shi No Numa brought back more traditional elements, blending the objective-based system with the familiar round-based progression. The core loop involves completing objectives, leveling up, unlocking powerful weapons, and ultimately trying to survive as long as possible. Later maps also contain Easter Egg quests for advanced players to solve complex puzzles and unlock additional story elements.
Understanding the Core Gameplay Loop
Completing Objectives to Advance
The initial innovation (or frustration, depending on your perspective) of Vanguard Zombies lay in its reliance on objectives. These objectives, which include Harvest, Transmit, and Blitz, dictate the flow of each match.
- Harvest: Collect runestones dropped by fallen zombies and deposit them into the Sin Eater obelisk. The obelisk will move periodically, forcing you to adapt your strategies.
- Transmit: Protect an orb as it travels through the map. Zombies will swarm the orb, attempting to destroy it, requiring you to defend it fiercely.
- Blitz: Survive within a designated area, eliminating waves of zombies that converge on your location.
Completing these objectives opens portals to new areas and progresses you through the game.
Weaponry and Upgrades
Survival hinges on acquiring and upgrading your arsenal. Vanguard Zombies provides various ways to improve your firepower:
- Wall Buys: Purchase weapons directly off the walls scattered throughout the maps.
- Mystery Box: A randomized weapon system offering the chance to obtain powerful weaponry, including Wonder Weapons.
- Pack-a-Punch Machine: Significantly upgrades your weapons, increasing their damage, ammo capacity, and adding special effects.
- Crafting Table: Allows you to craft armor, equipment, and support items to aid in your survival.
- Covenants: Covenants is a unique system that provides randomized perk-like abilities that you can upgrade as you progress through the game.
Experimenting with different weapons and upgrades is crucial to finding a loadout that suits your playstyle and the challenges presented by the zombies.
Mastering Map Strategies
Each map in Vanguard Zombies presents unique layouts, chokepoints, and strategic locations. Familiarizing yourself with the map is essential for survival. Learning the spawn patterns of zombies, identifying optimal camping spots, and understanding the location of key resources will significantly increase your chances of success.
Shi No Numa: A Return to Classic Horror
Shi No Numa marked a turning point in Vanguard Zombies, offering a blend of objective-based gameplay and traditional round-based survival. This map reintroduced the Wunderwaffe DG-2, a fan-favorite Wonder Weapon, and a complex Easter Egg quest.
Easter Egg Quest Guide
The Shi No Numa Easter Egg involves a series of intricate steps:
- Build the Wonder Weapon: The Wunderwaffe DG-2 is crucial for completing the quest. Obtain it either through the Mystery Box or by completing specific tasks within the map.
- Solve the Cipher: Locate and interact with specific objects to decipher a hidden code.
- Lockdown with Wonder Weapon: Activate a lockdown sequence and defend a specific area using the Wunderwaffe DG-2.
- Get Flogger Juice and Mirror Pieces: Collect these items by completing various challenges.
- Charging podiums and shooting orbs: Interact with podiums and shoot orbs to progress the quest.
Successfully completing the Easter Egg unlocks a special reward and reveals more of the story behind Vanguard Zombies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is there an end to Vanguard Zombies?
While there isn’t a definitive “end” in the traditional sense of completing a campaign, you either succumb to the zombie hordes or exfiltrate if the option is available. The real ending for many players lies in completing the Easter Egg quests on each map, which provide narrative closure. The end of support for Vanguard Zombies as a live service has occurred, meaning no new maps or significant content updates are planned.
2. What are the initial objectives in Vanguard Zombies?
The initial objectives are Harvest, Transmit, and Blitz. These objectives rotate and appear randomly across different locations on the map, adding an element of unpredictability to each match.
3. What is the best gun in Shi No Numa Vanguard?
While personal preference plays a role, the Wunderwaffe DG-2 is arguably the best weapon in Shi No Numa due to its high damage output and ability to chain lightning between multiple zombies. Beyond that, weapons like the Einhorn Revolving and Combat Shotgun are also highly effective when Pack-a-Punched.
4. Do people still play Vanguard zombies?
Yes, although the player base is smaller than at launch. Dedicated players continue to enjoy Vanguard Zombies, particularly those interested in completing the Easter Eggs and mastering the different maps.
5. Which Call of Duty has the best Zombies mode?
This is subjective, but Black Ops 3 is often considered the best due to its diverse maps, engaging story, and refined gameplay mechanics. Other contenders include Black Ops 1 and Black Ops 2, each offering unique and memorable Zombies experiences.
6. How many zombie kills do I need for the Grim Reaper achievement in Vanguard?
You need to kill 10,000 zombies cumulatively across all matches to unlock the Grim Reaper achievement.
7. Is there a goal in Call of Duty Zombies?
The primary goal is to survive as long as possible. However, many players set their own goals, such as reaching high rounds, completing Easter Eggs, mastering specific maps, or unlocking all the achievements.
8. What is the hardest Call of Duty Zombies map?
Many players consider Shangri-La to be one of the hardest due to its tight corridors, difficult zombie spawns, and complex Easter Egg. Nacht Der Untoten is challenging due to its simplicity with no perks or pack-a-punch.
9. What is the easiest Call of Duty Zombies map?
Buried from Black Ops 2 is often cited as one of the easiest due to its open layout, powerful Wonder Weapon (the Paralyzer), and the helpful character, Arthur, who can assist in defeating zombies.
10. Is Vanguard Zombies connected to Cold War?
Yes, Vanguard Zombies is considered an expansion of the Dark Aether story that began in Black Ops Cold War. It acts as a prequel, exploring the origins of the Dark Aether and its influence on the zombie outbreak.
11. Can you get the Ray Gun in Shi No Numa Vanguard?
Yes, the Ray Gun can be obtained from the Mystery Box or from following the steps of the main Easter Egg quest.
12. Does Vanguard Zombies have Outbreak?
While Vanguard Zombies did not have a direct port of the Outbreak mode from Cold War, rumors were swirling around the potential reimplementation of Outbreak in a new form, however the end of support for Vanguard Zombies means this will not be possible.
13. What is element 115 in zombies lore?
Element 115 is a fictional element that plays a central role in the Call of Duty Zombies storyline. It’s responsible for reanimating dead cells, creating zombies, and opening portals to other dimensions.
14. What is the smallest map in Call of Duty Zombies?
Nacht der Untoten is the smallest and simplest map, featuring only three rooms.
15. How many rounds can you realistically survive in Call of Duty Zombies?
Survival depends heavily on skill and map knowledge. New players might reach round 5, experienced players round 20, and highly skilled players might reach round 30 or beyond. The world record can reach hundreds of rounds.
Vanguard Zombies offered a unique but divisive take on the classic Zombies formula. While its objective-based gameplay initially drew criticism, maps like Shi No Numa demonstrated the potential for blending innovation with tradition. Whether you’re a seasoned Zombies veteran or a newcomer to the undead horde, mastering the core gameplay mechanics, upgrading your weaponry, and learning the maps is crucial for survival. And if you are looking to deepen your understanding of the broader implications of gaming, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.