Black Ops 6 introduces an exciting new layer to the Zombies mode with the addition of Augments. This system lets players customize Perks, Ammo Mods, and Field Upgrades, tailoring gameplay to individual preferences. The Augments come in two categories: Major and Minor, each offering different levels of advantage. Major Augments provide significant boosts, while Minor Augments offer limited yet valuable enhancements. Here’s a guide on how to effectively research and unlock Augments in Black Ops 6, giving you an edge against the relentless zombie horde.
Augments are modifiers that enhance various elements in the game, allowing for deeper customization. For every Perk, Ammo Mod, or Field Upgrade, there are three Major and three Minor Augments. You can equip one of each at a time, enabling players to mix and match based on their gameplay style. The variety of Augments in the game makes each round unique, as players can optimize loadouts for specific challenges.
For instance, the Dark Flare Field Upgrade features a Minor Augment called “Heavy Shadow,” which slows down zombies affected by its beam, while the Major Augment “Supernova” replaces the beam with a damage-dealing sphere. Similarly, Perk Augments like Melee Macchiato offer options such as “Hidden Impact” (Minor), which reloads a portion of your weapon after a melee kill, and “Vampirism” (Major), where melee attacks restore health.
How to Start Researching Augments
To research Augments, players need to engage with the game’s Research Path system, accessible through the menu during matches. This system tracks the player’s progress and allows unlocking of new Augments based on in-game achievements. The more you play and the higher the number of zombie kills, the faster you unlock Augments. Each kill or completed objective in the round-based Zombies mode contributes to your progression, making gameplay itself the primary method of advancing your Augment research.
In-between matches, you can use the menu to choose specific Augments to focus on, allowing for strategic planning before jumping back into the action. This system gives you the flexibility to prioritize Augments that suit your preferred play style, whether that’s enhancing offensive capabilities, improving survivability, or boosting support features.
Exploring Different Types of Augments
Perk Augments: These are tied to the game’s perk system and offer enhancements to character abilities. For example, Augments for a Perk like Melee Macchiato could increase health regeneration or boost melee attack speed. This allows players to create a more resilient character, helping them survive longer in the intense zombie battles.
Ammo Mod Augments: Augments applied to Ammo Mods give weapons special effects, such as causing stunned enemies to spread the effect to others (Dead Wire’s “Chain Lightning” Major Augment). Minor Augments here might involve increasing damage or reducing cooldowns, ensuring your weapons remain powerful throughout prolonged matches.
Field Upgrade Augments: Field Upgrades can turn the tide of battle when used wisely. Customizing them through Augments, like giving a Healing Aura extra charges, provides strategic advantages when things get tough. Major Augments might drastically alter how an upgrade functions, while Minor Augments offer supplementary improvements.
Steps to Optimize Augment Research
- Focus on Playstyle-Oriented Augments: Tailor your research path to fit your style. If you prefer aggressive gameplay, prioritize unlocking Major Augments that increase damage or attack speed. On the other hand, players who prefer a support role can enhance Field Upgrades that heal teammates or repair armor.
- Utilize the In-Game Menu Between Rounds: Research is most effective when done between matches. This lets you adapt to the challenges you’re facing, like swapping Augments for crowd control during later rounds where enemies become more numerous.
- Experiment with Combinations: With over 100 Augments available, the combinations are nearly endless. Try pairing a Minor Augment that slows enemies with a Major that increases damage to create a well-rounded loadout that keeps zombies at bay.
- Complete Objectives for Faster Progression: The more objectives you complete in Zombies mode, the quicker you unlock new Augments. Completing higher-difficulty objectives will give better rewards, allowing you to unlock the most powerful Augments faster.
Sample Augments and Their Effects
To give an idea of what’s available, here are some examples:
- Brain Rot (Ammo Mod)
- Minor: “Extension” increases the effect duration.
- Major: “Big Game” allows it to charm elite enemies.
- Shadow Rift (Field Upgrade)
- Minor: “Targeted” causes zombies to fall onto other enemies.
- Major: “Explosive Rain” makes dropped zombies explode on contact.
