The Staff of Ice stands out as a unique Wonder Weapon in *Call of Duty: Black Ops 6* Zombies. While its initial form may seem underwhelming, its upgraded version, Ull’s Arrow, becomes essential for tackling high rounds and completing main quest Easter eggs. Here's a detailed guide on how to upgrade the Staff of Ice in *Black Ops 6* Zombies.
To begin the upgrade process on The Tomb map, you need to meet two key prerequisites. First, you must obtain the Staff of Ice. This can be done by either getting it from the Mystery Box or by assembling it using its three parts. The second prerequisite involves accessing the Dark Aether Nexus, which is crucial for the upgrade steps. Make sure to open the Door to Nowhere early in your game to gain access to the Dark Aether.
The first step involves freezing three Dark Aether Crystals found within the Dark Aether lanterns, located in the underground areas of The Tomb. These lanterns are identifiable by their black frame and glowing purple fire. To successfully freeze the crystals in rapid succession, consider using perks like Stamin-Up and/or PHD Flopper with the Tribologist Minor Augment to enhance your movement speed.
The route you choose is critical, as is manipulating the lantern spawns. It's advisable to wait a few rounds to optimize the locations of the lanterns, aiming to have them as close together as possible. Start at the tomb area, then move to the Shrine of the Hierophants, and finally to the entrance of the Subterranean Temple. Ensure one of the lanterns is active, as the one near Quick Revive is too distant to reach in time. Upon successful completion, you'll hear a quote from Archibald, signaling you to proceed to the Dark Aether Nexus.
In the Dark Aether Nexus, locate three specific floating rocks, each marked with a glowing purple Rune bearing a unique symbol. These symbols vary each game, so take note of them. Use the Staff of Ice to shoot each Rune, causing the rock to descend and making the Rune easier to target. A sniper rifle or a weapon with a high-zoom scope can aid in spotting these symbols. The order in which you shoot the rocks doesn't matter, as long as all three are hit.
After completing the second step, a stone wall will replace one of the portals back to the main map. Return to the corresponding area on the map to find a wall with several glowing Runic icons. Identify and shoot the three Runes that match the symbols you noted on the floating rocks. This action will reopen the portal.
Be aware that the portal will open regardless of whether you've chosen the correct symbols. Incorrect choices will lead you to an incorrect location within the Dark Aether Nexus, potentially requiring you to wait until the next round to retry. If you've selected the correct symbols, you'll find yourself on a floating rock with a purple orb. Interact with the orb to proceed.
Once you interact with the orb, it will begin to move. Follow it closely and kill zombies near it to fuel its movement with a purple trail. Aggressive play is key to keeping the orb moving towards the central structure of the Dark Aether Nexus. Once the orb reaches its destination and settles, interact with the small purple portal that appears to upgrade your Staff of Ice into Ull’s Arrow.
The upgraded Staff of Ice, now known as Ull’s Arrow, mirrors the capabilities of its counterpart from the classic Origins map in *Black Ops 2* and *3*. It features a powerful charge attack that delivers high area-of-effect damage and an alternate fire mode that can revive downed teammates, making it a vital asset in your Zombies arsenal.
And that's the complete guide on how to upgrade the Staff of Ice in *Black Ops 6* Zombies.
*Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC*