The Staff of Ice stands out as a unique Wonder Weapon in *Call of Duty: Black Ops 6* Zombies, with its upgraded form being essential for tackling high rounds and completing the main quest Easter eggs. Here's a detailed guide on how to upgrade the Staff of Ice on The Tomb map.
Prerequisites for Upgrading the Staff of Ice in Black Ops 6 Zombies
Before you can upgrade the Staff of Ice, you need to meet two key prerequisites. First, you must obtain the Staff of Ice itself. You can either get it from the Mystery Box or assemble it by collecting its three parts. The second requirement involves accessing the Dark Aether Nexus. To do this, open the Door to Nowhere as early as possible to progress the upgrade quest.
How to Upgrade the Staff of Ice in Black Ops 6 Zombies
Step 1: Freeze Dark Aether Crystals
The initial step to upgrade the Staff of Ice involves freezing Dark Aether Crystals found within the underground areas of The Tomb. These crystals are located in lanterns with black frames and glowing purple fire. You need to use the Staff of Ice to freeze three crystals in quick succession. To increase your chances of success, consider using Stamin-Up and/or PHD Flopper with the Tribologist Minor Augment to boost your movement speed.
The route you choose is crucial, as is managing the spawns of the Dark Aether lanterns. It's advisable to wait a few rounds to get the lanterns to spawn closer together. Start at the tomb area, then move to the Shrine of the Hierophants, and finally to the entrance of the Subterranean Temple. Ensure one of the lanterns in the image above is active, as the one near Quick Revive is too distant to reach in time. Successfully completing this step will trigger a quote from Archibald, signaling you to enter the Dark Aether Nexus.
Step 2: Floating Rocks in the Dark Aether Nexus
After the first step, search for three floating rocks in the sky of the Dark Aether Nexus, each marked with a glowing purple Rune featuring a unique symbol. These symbols vary each game, so take note of them. Shoot each Rune with the Staff of Ice to make the rock descend, making it easier to see the Rune. Using a sniper rifle or a weapon with a high-zoom scope can help you spot these symbols more easily. You can shoot the rocks in any order, but all three must be hit to proceed.
Step 3: Rune Symbols Puzzle
Once the second step is done, locate a stone wall that has replaced one of the portals back to the main map. Return to the corresponding area on the map to find a wall with several glowing Runic icons. Identify and shoot the three symbols that match those from the floating rocks using the Ice Staff. This action will open the portal, but be cautious; incorrect symbols will lead you to fall from mid-air in the Dark Aether Nexus. If you fail multiple times, you may need to wait a few rounds before the stone wall reappears.
If you shoot the correct symbols, you'll find yourself on a floating rock in the Dark Aether Nexus, facing a purple orb. Interact with it to proceed.
Step 4: Soul Chest Orb Escort
After interacting with the orb, it will start moving. Follow it closely and kill zombies near it to keep it moving. The purple trail from the zombies will power the orb's movement. Eventually, the orb will reach a central structure in the Dark Aether Nexus, where it will form a small purple portal. Interact with this portal to upgrade your Staff of Ice into Ull’s Arrow.
What Does the Upgraded Ice Staff Do in Black Ops 6 Zombies?
The upgraded Staff of Ice, now known as Ull’s Arrow, retains similar abilities to its version in the Origins map from *Black Ops 2* and *3*. It features a powerful charge attack that inflicts high area-of-effect damage and an alternate fire mode that can revive downed teammates, making it a crucial asset in your Zombies arsenal.
And that's the complete guide on how to upgrade the Staff of Ice in *Call of Duty: Black Ops 6* Zombies.
*Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC*
