Diving Deep: The Elixir of Undead Survival – A Guide to Zombies Perk-a-Colas

Perk-a-Colas in Zombies are consumable, in-game utilities, functioning as drinks dispensed from vending machines that grant special abilities and buffs to players. They offer a crucial advantage against the relentless zombie hordes, significantly enhancing survival and combat prowess. Each Perk-a-Cola provides a unique perk that can dramatically change how you approach the game, from increasing your health to boosting your weapon effectiveness.

A Soda Fountain of Doom: Decoding the Perks

The core mechanic of Perk-a-Colas revolves around offering tangible advantages to the player in exchange for in-game points. These points are earned by killing zombies, repairing barriers, and completing objectives. Selecting the right combination of perks is paramount to success in the later rounds. The effects range from passive buffs to active abilities triggered by specific actions. Let’s break down some of the most iconic Perk-a-Colas.

Classic Power-Ups

• Juggernog: Arguably the most essential perk, Juggernog significantly increases the player’s health, allowing them to withstand more hits from zombies before going down. In some versions, it doubles health; in others, it triples it. This perk is essential for surviving the higher rounds.

• Speed Cola: Speed Cola dramatically reduces reload times, allowing players to keep their weapons firing and deal more damage per second. This is especially useful with weapons that have slow reload animations. Think of it as Sleight of Hand from the multiplayer mode, but in zombie form.

• Double Tap Root Beer (or Double Tap II Root Beer): This perk increases the fire rate of weapons, and in some iterations, doubles the bullets fired per shot. It’s a damage-boosting powerhouse that helps players mow down hordes of zombies with ease.

• Quick Revive: Primarily designed for solo players, Quick Revive allows the player to revive themselves when downed, up to a limited number of times. In co-op modes, it reduces the time it takes to revive downed teammates.

Unique and Specialized Perks

• Widow’s Wine: This defensive perk unleashes a web of sticky goo around the player when they are hit by a zombie, trapping nearby zombies. It also provides grenade replacements with Widow’s Wine grenades, which have the same trapping effect.

• Mule Kick: Mule Kick grants the ability to carry a third weapon. This allows for greater versatility in combat, enabling players to have a close-range, mid-range, and long-range option readily available.

• Electric Cherry: Each time the player reloads, Electric Cherry emits an electrical pulse that damages nearby zombies. This provides a helpful defensive burst during reloads, keeping the player safe from close-quarters attacks.

• Deadshot Daiquiri: A perk that caters to accuracy, Deadshot Daiquiri snaps the player’s aim to the zombies’ heads, greatly increasing the chance of headshots and conserving ammunition. It also reduces weapon recoil.

• Who’s Who?: Exclusive to the Die Rise map, Who’s Who? allows the player to take control of a clone of themselves when downed. The player must then revive their original body to regain control.

• Tombstone Soda: This perk leaves behind a tombstone with all the player’s weapons after going down, allowing the player to retrieve their gear if they can reach the tombstone before it disappears.

Black Ops 4 Perks

• Dying Wish: When health is depleted, Dying Wish grants a temporary period of invincibility. During this time, the player can continue fighting, and once the invincibility ends, the player is revived with a portion of their health restored.

• Timeslip: Reduces the cooldown time of equipment and also speeds up the player’s revive speed.

• Bandolier Bandit: Allows the player to carry more ammunition for their weapons.

Other Notable Mentions

Some unique Perks in certain COD zombie iterations include:

• Banana Colada: Creates slime trails for Zombies to slip on.

• Blue Bolts: Electrocuting zombies on reload.

• Purple Juggernog: +1 hit from zombies (Purple Juggernog), 50% damage reduction from Enslaved Keepers and deals 33% more damage to Enslaved Keepers.

Strategic Perk Selection

The key to mastering Zombies mode isn’t just about having good aim; it’s about strategic planning and resource management. Choosing the right Perk-a-Colas for your playstyle and the map you’re on is crucial. For example, Juggernog and Speed Cola are almost always essential, while the other two perk slots can be tailored to the specific challenges of the map.

The Learning Curve

Perk-a-Colas don’t just add fun and interesting features to the game, but also provide a unique learning experience. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each perk, and how they interact with different weapons and enemy types, encourages strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. For more on the intersection of gaming and education, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What’s the best perk to get first in Zombies?

Generally, Juggernog is considered the best perk to get first, as it significantly increases your survivability, allowing you to take more hits from zombies. This is especially important in the early rounds when you are still building up your arsenal and skills.

2. How many perks can you have at once in Zombies?

The number of perks you can have varies depending on the game and map. In most classic Zombies modes, you can have a maximum of four perks. However, some newer entries, like Black Ops 4, allow you to have more through specific mechanics or special elixirs.

3. What happens if you go down without Quick Revive in solo?

If you go down without Quick Revive in solo mode, it’s game over. Quick Revive is the only way to revive yourself in solo play, so it’s a crucial perk to have if you’re playing alone.

4. How much does Juggernog cost?

The cost of Juggernog is typically 2500 points. This price may vary slightly depending on the specific Zombies map or game.

5. Is Double Tap Root Beer worth it?

Yes, Double Tap Root Beer is generally considered a valuable perk, as it increases your weapon’s fire rate and damage output. This can significantly improve your ability to clear out hordes of zombies quickly.

6. What does Mule Kick do, exactly?

Mule Kick allows you to carry three weapons instead of two. This perk is useful for having a variety of weapon types available for different situations, such as a shotgun for close-quarters combat, a sniper rifle for long-range attacks, and an SMG for overall versatility.

7. How does Widow’s Wine work?

Widow’s Wine has two main effects: When a zombie hits you, it releases a web of webbing that traps nearby zombies. It also replaces your standard grenades with Widow’s Wine grenades, which have the same trapping effect.

8. What does the Tombstone Soda perk do when you die?

When you go down with Tombstone Soda, a tombstone appears at your location. If you can reach the tombstone before it disappears, you can retrieve all the weapons you had before you went down.

9. How does Electric Cherry help me?

Electric Cherry emits an electrical pulse that damages and stuns nearby zombies whenever you reload your weapon. This provides a protective barrier during reloads, keeping you safe from attacks.

10. What is the best perk combination for high rounds?

A common perk combination for high rounds includes Juggernog, Speed Cola, Double Tap Root Beer, and either Quick Revive (for solo play) or Mule Kick/Widow’s Wine (for co-op). This combination provides a good balance of survivability, damage output, and utility.

11. Does Deadshot Daiquiri work on all weapons?

Yes, Deadshot Daiquiri works on all weapons. It automatically snaps your aim to the head of zombies, making it easier to get headshots and conserve ammunition. It also reduces weapon recoil.

12. What is the point of Who’s Who?

Who’s Who? allows you to take control of a clone of yourself when downed. You must then revive your original body to regain control. This perk gives you a second chance at survival, but it can be challenging to revive yourself in chaotic situations.

13. How much does Mule Kick cost in Zombies?

Mule Kick typically costs 4000 points, making it one of the more expensive perks in Zombies.

14. Are there any hidden effects to the perks?

Some perks have subtle hidden effects. For example, Juggernog may also provide a slight increase to melee damage, and Speed Cola may slightly increase the speed at which you can switch weapons.

15. Where can I learn more about the strategy behind perk usage in Zombies?

Beyond the Games Learning Society, numerous online resources, including YouTube channels, forums, and guides, are dedicated to discussing and analyzing Zombies strategies, including the optimal use of Perk-a-Colas for various maps and playstyles.