Modern Warfare Zombies: Tips for Completing the Outlast Contract

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Completing the Outlast Contract

Best Weapons and Equipment for Outlast

Best Ammo Mods for Outlast

Best Perks for Outlast

Modern Warfare Zombies brings back some of the best features of Call of Duty: Zombies introduced in Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War's Outbreak mode. Expanding on the objective focus of Cold War's Outbreak, Modern Warfare Zombies will require players to complete contracts in the infected mission area to earn essence, unlock rewards, and complete missions across several acts of story.

While there are several new contracts in MWZ that veterans of Outbreak will find unfamiliar, there are some contracts that take Outbreak objectives that players know inside and out and give those challenges a brand-new twist. One example is the Outlast contract - the big brother of the Holdout objective from Outbreak, players will need to hold a designated location while the horde spawns in massive numbers in order to detonate a shockwave pulse.

Just like the Holdout challenge, players will be forced to occupy an area infested with aetherium crystals and hold the line against advancing foes - but this time, players will not be inside a building with boarded windows that keep the zombies out. Players will have to operate in the open area, evading and eliminating the horde until the PND device can charge up and detonate the shockwave.

One of the few contracts that will appear in the Tier III Threat Zone, Outlast can be a challenge if players allow the horde to overwhelm them. With good crowd management and enough damage output, players can easily complete this contract, destroy the crystals, and claim the loot in the reward rift.

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Completing the Outlast Contract

Once players activate the Outlast contract, they will receive the coordinates for a location overrun with aetherium crystals. Head to the marked location and find the PND - a device that will charge up a pulse attack that will eliminate the crystal nearby. Once players activate the device, zombies will spawn in an attempt to stop the PND and protect the crystals from destruction.

Before players activate the PND, take a moment to investigate the area nearby, as there should be several mercenary loot caches available in the area. Players can loot these boxes, as well as set up any defenses like a sentry gun to help them face the horde - when ready, approach the PND and interact with it to begin the charging process.

Players will need to maintain proximity to the PND in order for the charging process to maintain progress. If players get too far from the device, the progress bar will begin to move backward, and players will have to work even harder toward completing this contract.

The best tactics for completing this contract are to either train zombies in the area nearby (run in a repeated loop pattern, grouping all zombies in a controlled chase behind players) or decimate enemies before they can get close. Since proximity affects progress, players will want to stay as close to the PND as possible but will find this contract spawns numerous hellhounds, which can make holding a single position difficult. If players cannot upgrade their damage factor with Pack-a-Punch or aether tools, they should consider using the training tactic, which is much safer, although more time-consuming.

Players should avoid trying to climb somewhere out of reach to post up - zombies will throw chunks of flesh that, in large quantities, can very quickly reduce a player's health to zero. If players climb out of reach of zombies and allow a crowd of zombies to gather, the crowd can instantly drop players with chunks, so don't get overly comfortable when climbing into positions that seem out of reach.

Once the PND reaches 100% charge, a shockwave will detonate, destroying all aether crystals in the area and completing the contract. Players may still have some straggling hounds and zombies chasing even after the aether burst from the reward rift, so be sure to drop any remaining hostiles before heading for the loot

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Best Weapons and Equipment for Outlast

For the Outlast contract, players should focus on close-quarters weapons with large magazines and good crowd control. Shotguns like the Riveter with an extended magazine can be excellent for easily completing the Outlast contract. As players will be dealing primarily with zombies and mostly fighting while standing their ground, being able to unleash massive amounts of damage quickly will be imperative to successfully complete Outlast in a timely manner. If players can get their hands on a Wonder Weapon, they will easily be able to eviscerate the horde before it can get close, especially in lower threat tiers.

SMGs and other high mobility guns can also be useful for solo players who are training the zombies in the area near the PND rather than attempting to eliminate any approaching foe. Being able to quickly bob and weave while training the zombies will ensure players do not get trapped and swarmed.

Players should also consider upgrading their weapon rarity and matching their Pack-a-Punch level to the threat tier they are currently in (i.e., Pack-a-Punch level II if completing Outlast in Medium Threat Zone and Pack-a-Punch level III if completing Outlast in High Threat Zone). While players can attempt to run in a loop near the PND, this strategy can take more time to charge the PND, ultimately giving more opportunities for players to get caught and downed before completing the contract. Damage output will be the key to success in keeping zombies at bay when avoiding moving is preferred.

Tactical Wonder Weapons like the Cymbal Monkeys or Kazimir Devices are also incredibly useful for tackling this contract, being able to temporarily keep all enemies from pursuing players, giving a moment to restore defenses or create distance from the horde. Sentry guns and cluster mines can be excellent defenses as well, although players should be careful not to place mines where they can catch themselves in the blast radius.

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Best Ammo Mods for Outlast

Since players will be predominantly stationary during the duration of Outlast contracts, players should attempt to upgrade their weapon with a Dead Wire or Shatter Blast ammo mod. Both these mods are excellent at stunning and eliminating groups of zombies, including armored pursuers. Shatter Blast is additionally useful when training zombies into a group, as a single activation of Shatter Blast can eliminate all the zombies grouped together.

Brain Rot is also a superb choice, as players will benefit from the turned zombie distracting the advancing horde, giving players an additional moment to line up shots and drop enemies.

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Best Perks for Outlast

Outlast is a contract where Elemental Pop really gets to shine - the possibility of any and every ammo mod activating at any moment is incredibly useful when holding down a position near the PND and can help players keep zombies entirely at bay. Speed Cola will also help players keep their magazines topped off, allowing for a quick reload when there is a moment's break in the horde.

Additionally, Speed Cola and Elemental Pop synergize fantastically, as the moment an ammo mod triggers and shocks, slows, or explodes the advancing zombies, players will have a brief moment to refill their magazine and ensure they do not get caught with an empty mag.

Death Perception is also great for Outlast contracts where the PND and mission area are indoors - some contract mission areas can be very confined, and if players need to move to evade the horde, they may quickly get trapped in a tight hallway or small office. Having the foresight and X-ray vision provided by Death Perception will give players a moment to decide which path is the best option if they need to run. When holding the line, Death Perception helps players prevent sneak attacks from zombies from corners or through closed doors.

Players should also consider PHD Flopper if using proximity mines or any explosive launchers or when using the Ray Gun, as PHD Flopper completely negates any splashback damage from area of effect weapons.