Call of Duty: Black Ops II’s Zombies mode introduced a level of depth and complexity previously unseen in the series. Among the many innovations was the wonder weapon system, with each map boasting unique, powerful, and upgradable weapons. One of the most sought-after and effective of these wonder weapons was the Ice Staff, a chilling force capable of freezing hordes of undead in their tracks. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to upgrading the Ice Staff, transforming it from a potent weapon into a devastating force of frozen fury. We will delve into the necessary steps, locations, and challenges required to achieve its final, upgraded form.
Unveiling the Frozen Fury: Ice Staff’s Potential
The Ice Staff in its base form is a formidable weapon, capable of slowing down and damaging zombies with its icy blasts. It’s a reliable choice for crowd control and gives players a tactical advantage by allowing them to strategically position themselves. However, its true potential lies in its upgraded form, the Staff of the Ice. This upgraded version unlocks a new level of power, transforming the weapon into a devastating area-of-effect attack that can obliterate entire waves of zombies.
The Staff of the Ice’s upgraded attack creates a massive blizzard, freezing and instantly killing any zombies caught within its radius. This makes it incredibly effective for clearing out tight spaces, rescuing downed teammates, and providing breathing room during intense zombie hordes. The weapon also gains a significant damage boost, ensuring that even the toughest zombies are swiftly dealt with. Mastering the Ice Staff upgrade is essential for surviving the later rounds of Origins and maximizing your chances of success.
Gathering the Components: The Ice Staff’s Parts
Before you can even think about upgrading, you need to build the base Ice Staff itself. This requires finding four distinct parts scattered across the Origins map. These parts are located near the excavation site, in a dig site near the church, near the generator 4, and at the spawn area. Locating these components can be a race against time, as the zombie horde will be constantly pressing you.
Once you have all four parts, you must assemble the Ice Staff at the workbench located inside the excavation site. The workbench can be found in the same room as the Pack-a-Punch machine. The build process is relatively straightforward, but it’s crucial to be aware of your surroundings and to clear out any nearby zombies before attempting to build. Having a good weapon to defend yourself while building is crucial.
The Crazy Place: Navigating the Elemental Realm
The Crazy Place, a separate dimension accessible via the four elemental staffs, is the key to upgrading the Ice Staff. This ethereal realm is accessed by shooting a specific glowing orb located near the church. The orb will transport you to the Crazy Place, where you’ll need to complete a specific challenge to acquire the upgrade.
The challenge in the Crazy Place involves aligning the ice crystals with the correct configuration. You must shoot the four crystals in a specific order, determined by the symbols engraved on the floor. The correct order is different in each game, so you’ll need to be observant. Once completed, a glowing orb will appear, which you must interact with to begin the staff upgrade process.
Constructing the Staff: Building the Elemental Weapon
After entering the Crazy Place and completing the crystal challenge, the first step is to obtain the Ice Staff. This involves collecting the four parts. These parts are found in various locations around the map, including the excavation site, the church, and near the generator 4. Once you have all the parts, you must assemble the staff at the workbench located inside the excavation site.
The construction process is relatively straightforward, but it’s crucial to be aware of your surroundings and to clear out any nearby zombies before attempting to build. Having a good weapon to defend yourself while building is crucial. Once assembled, the Ice Staff is ready to be upgraded.
Upgrading the Ice Staff: Step-by-Step Guide
The upgrade process for the Ice Staff involves several key steps, each requiring specific actions. First, you must place the Ice Staff on the pedestal in the Crazy Place. Next, you must kill zombies with the Ice Staff near the pedestal. This will cause the staff to absorb their souls. After a certain number of zombies have been killed, the staff will begin to glow.
Once the staff is glowing, you must return to the map and locate three specific locations. At each location, you must shoot a glowing orb with the Ice Staff. These orbs are located near the church, the excavation site, and the generator 4. The precise locations can vary, so be sure to consult a guide if needed. After shooting all three orbs, the staff will be fully upgraded.
Unleashing the Blizzard: Ice Staff’s Final Form
Upon completing the upgrade process, you’ll finally wield the Staff of the Ice, a weapon of unparalleled power. The upgraded attack unleashes a devastating blizzard, instantly freezing and killing any zombies caught in its blast radius. The radius of effect is significant, allowing you to clear out entire hordes with a single shot.
The Staff of the Ice isn’t just about raw power; it’s also a tactical weapon. Its ability to freeze zombies provides invaluable crowd control, allowing you to create breathing room, revive teammates, and strategically reposition yourself. Mastering the Staff of the Ice is a cornerstone of high-round gameplay in Origins, making it an essential weapon for any serious Zombies player.
Upgrading the Ice Staff in Black Ops II Zombies is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. By following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to mastering this powerful weapon and surviving the undead onslaught. The Staff of the Ice is a testament to the depth and complexity of the Zombies mode, offering a thrilling and strategic experience for players of all skill levels. Good luck, and may your blizzards be swift and merciless!