Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Zombies

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 introduces the first zombie experience to the Modern Warfare franchise with the massive Urzikstan mission area. Players will have to create an operator, drop into the mission area, and work through several acts of missions starting with Operation Deadbolt to unlock new rewards and acquisitions, expanding the tools available to players at the start of the mission.

The most reliable way for players to find high tier rewards and earn aether essence, the in-game spendable currency used to buy perks and Pack-a-Punch upgrades, is to complete contracts scattered throughout Urzikstan. With a variety of contracts that range from twists on classic Outbreak missions like the Aether Extractors to brand-new challenges like the Spore Control contracts, players will have plenty of challenges to fight through while exploring Modern Warfare Zombies.

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Finding and Starting a Contract

Players can easily find contract phones using the blue indicators marked on the tac-map, similar to finding contract phones in Warzone or DMZ. Each contract has a unique indicator to help players quickly identify and locate preferred or mission-required contracts. Each contract can be identified by the following symbols:

Spore Control - The symbol for the Spore Control contract is a black oval with two white lines through it, resembling a spore - it looks similar to the Aether Extractor contract symbol, but the base is flat and is a shorter, wider symbol.
Aether Extractors - The symbol for the Aether Extractors contract is a tall, lanky oval on a stand, resembling a rocket - it looks similar to the Spore Control contract symbol, but the bottom has points and is a taller, skinnier symbol.
Deliver Cargo - The symbol for the Deliver Cargo contract is a stopwatch with action lines on the left, giving the appearance the stopwatch is moving.
Raid Weapon Stash - The symbol for the Raid Weapon Stash contract is a safe with a handgun inside.
Defend Ground Station - The symbol for the Defend Ground Station contract is a shield with a beret-wearing skull inside.
Eliminate Bounty Target - The symbol for the Eliminate Bounty Target is a circular crosshair or target.
Outlast - The symbol for the Outlast contract is a satellite dish.
Escort - The symbol for the Escort contract is the APC vehicle players protect in the contract, resembling a tank.

If players are having difficulty finding a specific contract, try zooming out and searching in another part of the map - there are occasionally only one or two instances of a specific contract on a deployment. Hovering over the blue indicator will also give players a visual confirmation of the name of a contract. Keep in mind that contracts attempted in higher tier areas will increase in difficulty. In addition to the increased threat of the environment in these areas, it is highly recommended that players get familiar with a contract in the Tier I threat zone prior to attempting them in a higher tier.

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Spore Control

The Spore Control contract is a brand-new mission for Call of Duty zombies. Players will have to use the provided Aether Inhibitors to destroy the defensive shell on each of the spores in the contract area before shooting each of the spores to destroy them. The area will be infested with zombies, and a single inhibitor will take a few moments to destroy the hard shell protecting the spore from bullet damage, so players will have to evade the hordes and hold out in the area for a few brief moments until all spores nearby can be inhibited and destroyed. Once players destroy the final spore, the contract will end, a small aether blast will eliminate most of the surrounding zombies - keep an eye out, as some shamblers will often remain. If players are low on health after completing the contract, stay vigilant until your health regenerates. Don't let a straggling shambler kill you while grabbing your rewards. Once all nearby threats are removed, open the Reward Rift and claim the acquisitions or schematics inside.

Tackling Spore Control in a higher threat tier may spawn more than the normal 6 spores, although it is not common. Typically, players will just have to deal with the increased area threat when attempting this contract in more dangerous parts of Urzikstan.

Aether Extractors

A reimagining of a classic mission from Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War's Outbreak mode, the Aether Extractors contract in Modern Warfare Zombies will have players fight through Terminus Mercenary forces to stop the extraction of three packages of Aether. As players approach the contract area, reinforcement helicopters will deliver troops to the area to mount a massive defense in protection of the three Aether Extractors. Players will have to fight through a variety of different types of mercenaries, ranging from recon troops that will sprint at players with a knife and can almost instantly down players if not armored up, to shocktroopers that are heavily armored and wielding deadly machine guns. Players will have three minutes to clear the area around each of the three extractors to gain access to the on-board computer to hack and disable the extraction process - all while evading the horde.

The mercenaries in MWZ can be a serious challenge. Players will want to ensure they are geared up with high quality weapons, vests, and plenty of plates and revives before attempting this contract, especially in higher threat areas. If players can hack all three computers and disable all three extractors, the Aether Extractors contract will be completed, with the Reward Rift spawning by the final extractor disabled. In higher threat tiers, players will often encounter even more difficult mercenary troops, including Riot Shield mercenaries.

Deliver Cargo

Making a return from Warzone 2.0 DMZ, the Deliver Cargo contract will see players hijack a cargo loaded LTV and transport it to a designated pickup location. Once transport begins, players will be chased by an attack helicopter determined to destroy the shipment before it can reach its final destination. If players are squaded up, they can take advantage of the heavy machine gun mounted in the LTV to return fire to the pursuing Terminus helicopter. If attempting solo, players should simply focus on driving as quickly and smoothly as possible to the designated drop-off - the helicopter will halt its chase once the cargo is delivered.

A pretty straightforward contract, players can run into difficulty quickly if they lose focus on the point of the contract - delivery. Stopping the LTV for even a moment or one wrong turn while in transit and getting stuck or having to turn around can give the helicopter enough time to destroy the tires on the LTV, making it difficult to turn and accelerate. While players can hop out and quickly repair the tire, any halt in movement on the LTV gives the Terminus forces the opportunity to inflict serious damage, so needing to stop for repairs should be avoided at all cost.

After players deliver the cargo, the LTV will now be available on the map for players to use for the remainder of the deployment. Starting a deployment by completing the Deliver Cargo contract is an excellent way to quickly acquire a strong armored vehicle, a solid amount of spendable essence, and a portable heavy MG great for reinforcing positions or taking out mercenary camps and convoys.

Raid Weapon Stash

Another contract returning from DMZ, the Raid Weapon Stash contract phone will designate a weapon safe on the player's tac-map and require players to holdout against hordes of undead enemies while drilling into the safe. Often located inside building with tight corridors and small rooms, players will want to prepare to hold a position when attempting this contract, as proximity to the safe is required to progress the contract and running through the right hallways surrounding the safe can very quickly lead to players being surrounded and downed.

Proximity mines, claymores, cluster mines, concussion mines, and the energy mine are all incredibly useful when tackling this contract. If there are multiple players in the squad, having more players in proximity of the drill will speed up progress, so be sure not to wander too far from the contract area. Once the safe is fully opened, players will be able to access the safe to acquire new weapons (often of an uncommon or higher rarity) and possible acquisitions, along with the Reward Rift that will spawn besides the safe upon completion of the contract.

Defend Ground Station

The most difficult of the zombie contracts, Defend Ground Station will have players download data from three seismic refractors and transmit the information back to Operation Deadbolt headquarters. Acquiring the data is pretty simple - interact with the seismic refractors to acquire the data. However, once players start sending the information from the radio transmitter, Terminus forces will drop in to attempt to destroy the radio sending the information and eliminate players. Players will have to hold out against enemy mercenaries for three minutes while shocktroopers, recon knife mercs, and shield wielding enemies assault the area.

Players will have a moment to catch their breath prior to beginning the transmission. They should take this time to get a feel for the surrounding area, identify where enemy forces will approach and attack from, and possibly set up traps and defenses to help eradicate the assailing forces. Players will face several waves of mercenaries over the three minutes it will take for the transmission to complete, so be geared up for a fight. Once the transmission is finalized, the contract will complete, although the mercenaries will not be immediately eradicated like zombies are in other contract. Be sure to take out all Terminus forces before attempting to claim items from the Reward Rift.

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Eliminate Bounty Target

A classic contract from Outbreak and DMZ modes alike, Eliminate Bounty Target contracts will have players hunt down and destroy a high value target nearby in Urzikstan. These HVTs are typically beefed up versions of Manglers, Mimics, or Disciples, having increased health, armor, and damage. Players will want to ensure to grab perks and upgrade their weapon rarity and possibly even Pack-a-Punch before attempting to fight an HVT.

Outlast

The Outlast contract gives a fresh twist to the Holdout mission from Outbreak - players will navigate to an Aether infested part of Urzikstan and use the PND device to build up a sonic blastthat destroys all the crystals in the area. Similar to the Raid Weapon Stash contract, players will have to remain in near proximity to the device in order for it to charge up. Players do not need to worry about protecting the device, but will face a huge onslaught of undead enemies in this time, so be prepared. Be cautious of using heights to avoid zombies as, similar to Cold War, zombies will throw chunks of flesh at players when not able to reach them by hand.

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Escort

Escort is a contract that players may recognize from Cold War's Outbreak mode - players will have to escort an ACV vehicle to three separate aether rifts in order to close the rifts. In order for the vehicle to move forward, players will need to stay within a certain distance from the vehicle, then hold the area and defend the vehicle when the vehicle is closing a rift. At each rift, a large horde of zombies will spawn, and players will have to deal with various hellhounds and possible mini-bosses like manglers or disciples, while escorting the ACV. Players can ride on the ACV, providing an easy way to stay with the vehicle while in transit. Once all three rifts are closed, the contract will be completed and players will receive a Reward Rift.