Remember that feeling when you first booted up Call of Duty WWII Zombies? The creepy atmosphere, those unsettling groans coming from the fog, and that sudden panic when four zombies cornered you near the generator. I sure do – my first run ended before round 5 when I wasted all my points on terrible wall buys. But after hundreds of hours surviving The Final Reich and grinding through Darkest Shore, I've learned what actually works in this brutal mode.
WWII Zombies stands out from other COD zombie experiences with its gritty WW2 setting and unique class-based progression. Sledgehammer Games took serious risks changing the formula, and honestly? Some paid off big time while others... well, let's just say the special weapon balance still gives me nightmares. But whether you're a zombie slayer veteran or fresh off the landing craft, this guide covers everything you'll need to survive.
Breaking Down The Maps
You can't strategize without knowing the battleground. Each map has its own personality and challenges that'll make or break your run.
The Final Reich (Base Map)
The starting area feels deceptively manageable until you realize it's a maze of death traps. That damn sewer section still gets me sometimes – nothing like getting grabbed by a Wustling while trying to activate a trap. Here's the essential layout:
| Zone | Key Features | Danger Level |
|---|---|---|
| Munitions Yard | Starting area, mystery box spawn, basic wall weapons | ★☆☆☆☆ (Low) |
| Command Center | Electric trap, upgraded Tesla Gun parts | ★★☆☆☆ (Medium) |
| Laboratory | Pest rounds, free fire trap, hidden challenges | ★★★☆☆ (High) |
| Sewers | Narrow corridors, Wustling spawn points, water traps | ★★★★★ (Extreme) |
Personal Tip: Never buy the Kar98k off the wall near the bridge. The reload time will get you killed past round 15. I learned that the hard way during a high-round attempt last summer.
The Darkest Shore
This fog-covered nightmare island amps up the difficulty big time. The limited visibility combined with Geistkraft zombies makes this the most frustrating map for casual players. My squad still argues about the best camping spot – the U-boat pen or the research lab.
Essential locations:
- Beach Landing: Your starting point with tight corners and awful visibility during fog rounds
- Research Facility: Contains the main power switch and packed mystery box locations
- U-Boat Pens: Best training area but vulnerable to bomber spawns
- Cliffside Path: High-risk escape route with environmental hazards
"We spent three hours trying to complete the Easter egg on Darkest Shore before realizing we missed one tiny switch near the generator. Never again." - ZombieSlayer77 (Reddit)
Essential Weapons and Loadouts
Gun choice matters more here than in previous COD zombies modes. The limited wall weapons and wonky mystery box odds mean you need a strategy.
Top Tier Weapons
| Weapon | Location | Damage Tier | Personal Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9mm SAP | Starting pistol | B (early) / S (upgraded) | ★★★★★ (Must-upgrade) |
| Toggle Action | Munitions Yard wall buy ($700) | A | ★★★★☆ (Great value) |
| MG 15 | Mystery Box / Command Center | S | ★★★☆☆ (Ammo issues) |
| De Lisle (Sniper) | Mystery Box only | S | ★★★★☆ (Boss killer) |
| SVG-100 | Laboratory wall buy ($1500) | B | ★★☆☆☆ (Situational) |
The Tesla Gun variants are game-changers for Easter egg runs. The upgraded versions require serious effort but turn high rounds into a joke. Though I'll admit, the lightning upgrade feels slightly overpowered compared to the others.
Specialist Weapons Worth Grinding
Sledgehammer's class system gives you unique abilities that dramatically change gameplay:
- Shellshock (Offensive): Stun grenade that trivializes bomber zombies. My go-to for casual runs
- Camouflage (Support): Temporary invisibility - essential for revives during boss fights
- Freefire (Tactical): Infinite ammo for 30 seconds. Overrated in my opinion - the cooldown kills its usefulness
- Guardian (Defensive): Protective shield. Underrated for hardcore Easter egg attempts
Don't sleep on mods like Determination (faster revives) or Opportunist (bonus salvage). They make round 30+ feasible.
Zombie Types and How to Handle Them
Know your enemies or die screaming. Here's the roster:
| Zombie Type | Appearance Round | Weakness | Threat Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Zombie | 1 | Headshots, traps | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bomber | 4 | Shoot bombs then body | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Pests (Spiders) | 8 | Fire weapons, explosives | ★★★☆☆ |
| Wustling (Brute) | 12 | Back weak spot, Tesla weapons | ★★★★★ |
| Geistkraft (Electric) | Darkest Shore only | Water traps, vacuum tubes | ★★★★☆ |
That Wustling still gives me PTSD. My first encounter went like this: "Ooh a big guy! *unloads entire STG clip* Why isn't he... OH GOD HE'S CHARGING!" Pro tip: always keep escape routes open when fighting them.
Easter Eggs and Secrets
The hardcore community lives for these. Here's what you need to know:
The Final Reich Main Quest
This multi-step Easter egg takes coordination. Key phases:
- Power Activation: Standard procedure but watch for early special spawns
- Tesla Gun Parts: Requires specific kills in colored zones (red=fire, green=poison)
- Record Puzzles: Brutally precise timing sequences - bring a friend with patience
- Boss Fight: The Panzermörder requires constant movement and Tesla shots to weak points
Honest opinion? The record player step needs four players to complete reliably. Trying it duo took us six attempts because the timing windows are unforgiving.
Hidden Challenges and Rewards
Beyond the main quest:
- Free Perk Locations: Jump on specific crates in the Command Center
- Gramophone Songs: Activate three hidden records for achievement
- Character Unlocks: Complete specific challenges like "No Power Until Round 12"
- Pest Control: Kill 50 spiders without taking damage for exclusive calling card
"Finding all gramophones took longer than the Easter egg. Worth it for the zombie jukebox though!" - NachtDerUntotenFan
Advanced Survival Strategies
Getting past round 30 requires more than good aim:
Training Routes That Actually Work
Forget random running - these paths are tested:
- Munitions Yard Loop: Circle the truck near the mystery box spawn
- Laboratory Corridors: Straight hallway runs with trap backups
- U-Boat Pen (Darkest Shore): Wide area but watch for fog spawns
Resource Management
Salvage is your lifeline. Prioritize:
- Upgrade starter pistol by round 5
- Build Tesla Gun components by round 10
- Save heavy salvage for upgraded shield
- Only use specials during boss rounds or emergencies
I see too many players waste salvage on grenades early. Don't be that guy.
Controversial Opinion: PaP'ing wall weapons is better than box hunting. The MG 15 might have higher DPS, but running across map for ammo wastes precious time when you're cornered.
Common Call of Duty WWII Zombies Questions
Q: Is the DLC worth buying just for zombies?
A: Only if you're hardcore. Shadowed Throne adds interesting mechanics but the maps feel smaller. The Frozen Dawn is better but still not essential.
Q: Why do I keep disconnecting during high rounds?
A: Unfortunately, server stability hasn't improved much since launch. Try hosting if you have good internet, or play offline for round 30+ attempts.
Q: What's the fastest way to level up?
A: Complete daily orders while focusing on headshots and special kills. The "Survive 20 rounds without going down" challenge gives massive XP.
Q: Which character has the best quotes?
A: Definitely Jefferson for dark humor. His "I've seen tougher zombies in retirement homes" line never gets old.
Q: Can you play zombies solo effectively?
A: Absolutely. The game actually scales difficulty based on player count. Solo is great for learning maps and Easter egg practice.
What I'd Change About WWII Zombies
Look, I've sunk 200+ hours into this mode. While I love the atmosphere, some design choices baffle me:
- The salvage drop rates become terrible past round 35
- Why is the flamethrower so weak compared to previous COD games?
- Special weapon balance feels off (Freefire needs buffs)
- Connection issues still plague public matches
But despite its flaws, Call of Duty WWII Zombies delivers that authentic COD zombies experience with enough fresh twists to stand out. The tension during fog rounds in Darkest Shore? Unmatched. The first time you upgrade the Tesla Gun? Pure magic.
Final thought: this isn't for casual players looking for mindless shooting. The learning curve is steep, the Easter eggs require dedication, and high rounds demand real strategy. But for those willing to master its systems, COD WW2 Zombies offers some of the most rewarding gameplay in the franchise.
Got your own zombie survival horror stories? I once spent an entire Saturday trying to beat The Final Reich solo with only the shovel. Let's just say round 12 was... messy.