After completing one of the first steps of the Tomb Easter Egg—teleporting to the Dark Aether Nexus and obtaining the Ice Staff (linked here)—the next objective is to upgrade the Ice Staff. This step involves strategically respawning Dark Aether Lanterns and completing a series of precise steps which I’ll mention later. So here’s the few next steps to upgrading the Staff of Ice in Black Ops 6 Zombies, The Tomb. (Credits to MrDalekJD).
Steps to Upgrade the Ice Staff in COD Black Ops 6 Zombies
Upgrading the Ice Staff requires a combination of quick and strategic shooting:
- Shooting three Purple Dark Aether Lanterns within 10 seconds using the Ice Staff.
- Shooting floating rocks with blueish rune symbols in the Dark Aether Nexus using the Ice Staff.
- Opening a sealed doorway by memorizing the correct rune symbols and shooting them using the Staff of Ice.
- Teleporting back to the Dark Aether Nexus and interacting with a Purple Orb.
- Collecting a horde of zombie souls and charging the orb to complete the upgrade.
- Placing the Ice Staff in the Dark Aether Shrine next to the Pack-a-Punch Machine.
Step 1: Shoot Three Purple Dark Aether Lanterns in the Neolithic Catacombs, Ossuary & Subterranean Temple
The next step in The Tomb Easter Egg is to shoot three Purple Dark Aether Lanterns using the Ice Staff. These Lanterns are located in the outer, middle, and inner areas of the Tomb.
Note:
- You must complete this step within 10 seconds—otherwise, you’ll have to restart.
- The optimal route is:
- Neolithic Catacombs
- The Ossuary
- The Subterranean Temple
Shoot the Purple Dark Aether Lanterns in these areas, ensuring they respawn near the entrance of each room.
Once you successfully shoot all three Lanterns within 10 seconds, you’ll hear a dialogue from Sir Archibald, stating:
“Extinguished the Flames, Froze the Crystals.”
Now, it’s time to head to the Dark Aether Nexus, moving you closer to fully upgrading the Ice Staff.
Step 2: Head to the Dark Aether Nexus and Shoot Three Floating Rune Rocks
The next step requires you to enter the Dark Aether Nexus, where you’ll need to locate and shoot three floating rocks using the Ice Staff. These rocks will have a faint blue tinge, indicating that they bear rune symbols.
When you shoot each rock, you’ll receive a hit marker, and the rock will drop down, revealing a rune symbol. Memorize these symbols, as they are crucial for the next step of the Easter Egg.
The third and final rock might be positioned higher and could appear randomly for different players. I’ll include a screenshot for reference.
Step 3: Find a Sealed Dark Aether Nexus Door With Rune Symbols (Random Location in Tomb Rooms)
Exit the Dark Aether Nexus and begin searching the map for a sealed doorway. This door will be located at one of the Fast Travel Teleporters leading to the Dark Aether Nexus.
The sealed door will display eight different rune symbols. Using the Ice Staff, shoot only the three rune symbols that matched those from the floating rocks. If done correctly, the doorway will open, allowing you to teleport back to the Dark Aether Nexus.
Step 4: Follow the Orb in the Dark Aether Nexus to Upgrade the Ice Staff
After teleporting, you’ll find yourself on an elevated platform above the Dark Aether Nexus. If all previous steps were done correctly, a purple orb will appear—interact with it to begin the next phase.
The orb will begin moving through the Dark Aether Nexus, spawning a mix of normal zombies, Mimics, and Doppelghasts. Your objective is to stay close to the orb as it moves while killing zombies to fill the orb with souls.
Note:
- If you move too far away from the orb, you will fail the step and have to restart.
- Near the Pack-A-Punch location, a powerful Amalgam enemy will spawn.
- Ignore the Amalgam and keep following the orb! The Amalgam isn’t necessary for the Orb. Continue to shoot Zombies till the Orb reaches back to the Shrine.
Once the orb is fully charged, it will move toward the Shrine that originally gave you the Ice Staff. Interact with the machine to place the Ice Staff inside and upgrade it.
Conclusion: Upgraded Ice Staff Abilities
Congratulations! You have successfully upgraded the Ice Staff in COD Black Ops 6 Zombies – Tomb Map. The upgraded Ice Staff grants access to four powerful abilities:
- Ice Storm – Unleash a freezing blizzard to slow and freeze enemies.
- Ice Blast – A powerful burst of frost that shatters enemies.
- Sekhmet’s Vigor – A special ability bound to the left D-Pad on controllers (keybind varies for keyboard users). This ability allows you to use the green tip of the Ice Staff to revive teammates.
- Healing Orb – A defensive ability that provides healing support.
Conclusion
Sekhmet’s Vigor is critical for the next step of the Tomb’s main Easter Egg quest, so keep it in mind! Now that your Ice Staff is fully upgraded, you’re one step closer to completing the Tomb Map Easter Egg. For more Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Zombies Easter Eggs and Guides, stay tuned at eSports Eclipse
