Firebase Z is the first new Zombies map for Black Ops Cold War, and a fantastic way to start the DLC cycle. The map takes a lot of feedback from Die Maschine into consideration and improves on it from having multiple Armor Stations to less obnoxious Boss Zombies to deal with.

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However, the gameplay on Firebase Z is a lot different than Die Maschine. New mechanics and Wonder Weapons alter strategies for how to move around the map and shoot for the highest rounds you can reach. The lack of Megatons may make the map seem easier at first, but Firebase Z has its own set of challenges to get to high rounds.

10 Get Free Loot

cod zombies firebase z loot crate easter egg

Like Die Maschine before it, Firebase Z has it's own easter egg that allows you to get a free loot chest that contains a random weapon of a random rarity, Juggernog, and tons of Salvage and equipment.

Activating the easter egg is simple as all you have to do is stare at the bunny on the balcony just above the Pack-A-Punch machine. Once you teleport to the forest, simply shoot the dancing bunny three times, and you have yourself a free loot chest along with a huge jump start on loot.

9 Get The Free RAI K-84

cod zombies firebase z rai k being fired

The RAI K-84 is the Wonder Weapon of Firebase Z, replacing both the Ray Gun and the D.I.E. Shockwave. Neither absences are felt, as the RAI K-84 is a solid weapon that's incredibly fun to use. Luckily, you can get it without having to rely on chance by doing a small quest.

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You'll have to get all four parts to the RAI-K 84 including a rather annoying dartboard step. But your reward is a weapon that you'll keep by your side for the entire run. It'll take up until Round 15 to get there once Manglers start spawning in, however.

8 Do Trials

cod zombies firebase z trials computer

The Trials Computer on Firebase Z is a lot easier to access compared to Die Maschine and thus makes it better to try and get them done early. The Trials on Firebase Z are also a lot easier to complete as well, as the holdout areas aren't nearly as hard.

In addition to this, the Trials tend to give out a RAI K-84 a lot more frequently and, even if you don't get one, the Trials on Firebase Z go by much faster. It only takes a few to get up to a Legendary Tier reward.

7 Use Essence Traps To Do Tasks

cod zombies essence trap locker

Essence Traps are a special kind of Tactical Grenade available on Firebase Z. To gain access to them, you have to do the first few steps of the easter egg up until you use the truth serum on Peck. Afterward, you'll get a code that opens up the locker with the Essence Traps inside of the Speed Cola area.

When these are used, they can capture zombies inside of them. This doesn't kill them and it takes three minutes for them to break. This means that it gives you three minutes of uninterrupted gameplay to start setting up. Essence Traps are especially useful when trying to get all of the RAI K-84 parts together.

6 Use Aether Shroud Early On

black ops cold war aether shroud upgrades

Firebase Z's Boss Zombies aren't as tanky as the Megaton and, as such, the use of Ring Of Fire isn't necessary until much later in a run. Thanks to the mechanics of Cold War Zombies, you can change the Field Upgrade you're using mid-game by simply changing the class that has the Field Upgrade you want.

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As such, it's better to use Aether Shroud to help you move around more quickly and get objectives done without needing to jump through hoops of distracting zombies. It's also great to have just in case you wind up cornered and can get out of there to safety easier.

5 Use The Hauer 77

cold war zombies hauer 77 stats

The Hauer 77 is one of the best guns in all of Cold War Zombies. It has an attachment exclusive to itself that boosts the damage output by a whopping 50%. This leads to it destroying zombies of all kinds alike; you're able to kill Boss Zombies with just one clip of it.

In addition, the Hauer 77 is available as a wall buy on Firebase Z at Blue rarity. This allows you to skip over having to upgrade it with regular Salvage and only needing to raise it two tiers to reach its max potential.

4 Keep Support For Assault Rounds

cod zombies mangler in assault round

Assault Rounds are a new feature to Firebase Z, where for a round you'll be attacked by a large swarm of zombies near one of the three generators. The goal is to hold them off and prevent them from damaging them and turning them off.

Things can get rather dicey -- especially when Orda comes in with the wave in the later rounds. It's easy to get overrun, so it's especially useful to come into Assault Rounds prepared with Support killstreaks to help dismantle the horde to make Assualt Rounds a breeze.

3 Use Bullet Weapons For Orda

cod zombies orda boss fight

Orda is a new Boss that appears on the map at the end of the easter egg, as well as during Assault Rounds starting at Round 30. It has a ton of health and, if you get too close to it, they can down you in one hit with a strong melee attack.

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While it may seem like it's best to use the RAI K-84, bullet weapons actually take care of Orda a lot better. They do more damage per second, allowing you to swiftly destroy Orda. LMGs are especially useful since they are able to do a ton of damage before having to reload, and can kill Orda within a few magazines.

2 Avoid Spawn

firebase z spawn room

The majority of Firebase Z's content is outside of the spawn room. However, the Pack-A-Punch and Wunderfizz Machines both reside there. As tempting as it is to go and use these in the middle of a round, it's usually a death trap, especially later on in the game.

The spawn room's courtyard is relatively open, but there are plenty of areas zombies can jump out and corner you easily. Mimics can cause extra hassle if they grab you and throw you in a corner as well. It's best to not enter the spawn area until the end of the round, do what you have to do in it quickly, then head back to the main area.

1 RAI K-84 Camping Strat

cod zombies firebase z rai k blueprint room

The most optimal way to get to high rounds once the zombies start getting too fast is to head into the room where the RAI K-84 blueprints are. It is very important to not open the door left of the workbench for this strategy to work.

All you need is the RAI K-84 and Ring Of Fire. Simply stand in the corner next to the workbench and continuously shoot the alternate fire of the RAI K-84 to explode it. Use the Ring Of Fire when Mimics and Manglers pop up to quickly take care of them, and a Chopper Gunner if you get too overrun.

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