Unraveling the Undead: A Complete Guide to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III Zombies Easter Eggs
Welcome, Operator, to the heart-pounding, zombie-infested chaos of Urzikstan. The new open-world Zombies mode in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III isn't just about surviving hordes of the undead; it's about uncovering its deepest secrets. The main Easter Egg quest, known as the "Story Mission," is your ticket to understanding the dark Aether narrative and claiming epic rewards. This guide is your ultimate companion, breaking down every step in a clear, manageable way. Whether you're a solo player or part of a dedicated squad, we'll navigate the mysteries of the Aether together.
Let's gear up and dive in.
Phase 1: Gearing Up and Understanding the Battlefield
Before you even think about hunting for Easter eggs, you need to be prepared. The open world of Urzikstan is vast and dangerous, with threats scaling over time.
- The Right Loadout: Don't go in with just your standard multiplayer setup. Equip a weapon with high damage and a large magazine. LMGs and assault rifles are excellent choices. Your Field Upgrade is crucial; we highly recommend the Energy Mine for quick crowd control or Frenzied Guard to draw aggro and repair your armor in a pinch.
- Pack-a-Punch is Non-Negotiable: Your first objective in every match should be to gather enough Essence to upgrade your weapon at a Pack-a-Punch machine. A Tier 1 weapon simply won't cut it for the later steps. You'll find these machines in major strongholds.
- Perks are Your Best Friends: Speed Cola, Juggernog, and Stamin-Up are the holy trinity for Easter egg runs. Faster reloading, more health, and increased mobility are invaluable when you're being chased by a pack of Hell Hounds.
- The Aether Tool and Crystals: Use Aether Tools to increase your weapon's rarity and Aetherium Crystals to grant it permanent starting bonuses. The stronger you are at the start, the smoother your quest will be.
With a Pack-a-Punched weapon and a satchel full of Perks, you're ready to begin the real hunt.
Phase 2: Acquiring the Cargo Documents (Step 1)
Your journey starts in the low-threat zone. You need to find and complete a specific contract.
- Locate a Deliver Cargo Contract: Open your tac-map and look for the "Deliver Cargo" contract icon—a truck symbol. These are most commonly found on the outskirts of the map, in areas like Shahin Manor or the low-threat zones.
- Secure the Cargo Truck: Once you activate the contract, a cargo truck will be marked. You'll need to clear the area of zombies, repair the truck (hold the interact button), and then defend it as it drives to its destination. The truck drives automatically; your job is to protect it from zombies that will spawn alongside it.
- Retrieve the Documents: Upon successful completion, along with your reward, a special item called the "Military Cargo Documents" will drop. Pick it up! This is the first key to unlocking the Easter egg. This step is a great way to farm Essence and get your bearings at the start of a match.
Phase 3: Deciphering the Message (Step 2)
Now that you have the documents, you need to figure out what they mean. This step requires a move into a more dangerous part of the map.
- Head to the Moderate Threat Zone: You must now travel to a specific location within the medium-threat zone. Look for a large, distinct building that serves as a Transmission Station. A key landmark is the Orlov Military Base—the tall communication towers are a dead giveaway.
- Find the Secure Terminal: Inside the transmission building, you'll need to locate a computer terminal. It's often in a central control room, mounted on a desk. The interact prompt should appear, allowing you to "Upload Cargo Documents."
- Defend Your Position: Uploading the data isn't a quiet affair. Initiating the upload will trigger a zombie wave, including special enemies like Mimics and Disciples. Hold your ground! Use your Field Upgrade and lethals to control the crowd. Once the upload is complete, the terminal will display a set of coordinates—your next destination.
Phase 4: The Aether Extractor (Step 3)
This is where the difficulty ramps up significantly. You're heading into the high-threat zone, the red part of your map. Ensure you have at least a Tier 2 Pack-a-Punch weapon and several crucial Perks.
- Navigate to the Coordinates: The coordinates from the previous step will lead you to a specific location in the high-threat zone, often an open area with a large, ominous Aetherium drill or extractor device in the center. This is the Aether Extractor.
- Activate and Defend the Extractor: Interacting with the extractor will begin a multi-stage defense sequence. This is the ultimate test of your loadout and teamwork. You must protect the extractor from three intense waves of zombies. The final wave will include a powerful Aether boss enemy, like a Mega Abomination.
- Strategy for Success: This is not a fight to take lightly. Kite the zombies in a wide circle around the extractor. Focus fire on the special enemies first. If you have a squad, assign roles—one person focuses on the boss, while the others handle the adds (regular zombies). Use every resource at your disposal: Killstreaks, Monkey Bombs, and your most powerful weapons. Surviving this onslaught is the key to progressing in the Modern Warfare III Zombies main quest.
Phase 5: The Final Confrontation and Rewards
After a hard-fought victory at the Aether Extractor, your final task awaits.
- Collect the Data: Once the final zombie wave is defeated and the extractor completes its cycle, it will release a crucial item: the "Aetherium Data Drive." Make sure you pick it up!
- Exfiltrate with the Data: This is your final objective. Your tac-map will now show an active Exfil site. You must call the helicopter and survive until it arrives, all while protecting the data drive in your possession. The final exfil will often spawn one last aggressive wave of zombies, so stay on your toes until you're safely aboard.
- Mission Accomplished: Once the helicopter takes off, congratulations! You have successfully completed the main Modern Warfare III Zombies Easter Egg quest. You will be rewarded with a large sum of Experience, a unique Calling Card, and a Weapon Blueprint to showcase your achievement in future matches.
Pro-Tips for a Successful Easter Egg Run
- Squad Synergy is Key: While it's possible solo, a coordinated squad of three makes the Aether Extractor defense much more manageable. Communicate and share resources.
- Don't Forget the Ammo Mods: Applying a Cryo Freeze or Dead Wire ammo mod to your weapon can be a game-changer, especially against the tough boss enemies.
- The Rift is Your Friend: Use the Aether Rifts to quickly traverse the map, especially when moving from the medium to the high-threat zone.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Don't get discouraged by failure. Each attempt teaches you more about zombie behavior, map layout, and optimal strategies for completing the MW3 Zombies story mission.
The secrets of Urzikstan's undead outbreak are waiting to be uncovered. With this guide, you have the roadmap. Now, it's up to you to show the Aether who's in charge. Good luck, Operator.
