How to Use Field Upgrades in BO6 CoD: Black Ops 6 Zombies – Field Upgrades are essential tools in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (BO6) Zombies that can make the difference between surviving another round and succumbing to the undead horde. These powerful abilities are designed to enhance your gameplay by providing offensive, defensive, and utility benefits that complement your strategy and playstyle. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Field Upgrades, including how to unlock, equip, and use them effectively.
What Are Field Upgrades in BO6 Zombies?
Field Upgrades are rechargeable abilities that players can activate during Zombies matches. They provide powerful effects that can turn the tide of battle, ranging from devastating attacks to life-saving buffs. Each Field Upgrade has unique properties, making them a versatile tool for handling various challenges in the game.
Types of Field Upgrades
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common Field Upgrades available in BO6 Zombies:
- Frost Blast: Slows and damages zombies within a radius.
- Healing Aura: Heals you and nearby teammates instantly.
- Ring of Fire: Creates a ring that boosts weapon damage while burning enemies inside it.
- Energy Mine: Deploys a mine that detonates on contact, dealing massive damage.
- Aether Shroud: Makes you temporarily invisible to zombies.
Each upgrade caters to different playstyles, whether you prefer to be on the offensive, support your team, or focus on survival.
How to Unlock Field Upgrades
Unlocking Field Upgrades is straightforward but requires some effort in terms of gameplay progression.
1. Level Up Your Profile
Field Upgrades are unlocked as you level up your player profile. The more you play, the more upgrades you’ll gain access to.
Tip: Focus on completing objectives, killing zombies, and surviving longer rounds to gain XP quickly.
2. Complete Challenges
Some Field Upgrades are tied to specific challenges. These might include:
- Getting a certain number of kills in Zombies mode.
- Completing Easter egg steps.
- Reaching a high round in specific maps.
- Check the in-game menu for challenges that reward Field Upgrades.
3. Purchase Through the Armory
If you have enough in-game currency, you can unlock specific Field Upgrades directly through the Armory. This is particularly useful if you’re aiming to use an upgrade immediately without grinding.
How to Equip Field Upgrades
Once unlocked, Field Upgrades can be equipped in your loadout before starting a match.
1. Go to the Loadout Menu
Navigate to the Zombies mode loadout screen. Here, you’ll see a dedicated slot for Field Upgrades.
2. Select Your Preferred Upgrade
Choose the Field Upgrade that best suits your strategy. For example:
- Solo Play: Aether Shroud is excellent for escaping tight situations.
- Team Play: Healing Aura can save your team during critical moments.
- High-Round Strategies: Ring of Fire boosts damage output, making it invaluable in later rounds.
3. Customize Upgrades
Some Field Upgrades in BO6 Zombies have customization options or tiers. Upgrade them using in-game resources to enhance their effects, such as:
- Increasing damage or duration.
- Reducing cooldown times.
- Adding secondary effects.
How to Use Field Upgrades Effectively
Now that you’ve equipped your Field Upgrade, it’s time to maximize its potential.
1. Charge the Field Upgrade
Field Upgrades require charging before they can be activated.
- How to Charge: Killing zombies, completing objectives, and earning score will fill your Field Upgrade meter.
- Tip: Use weapons with high kill potential or area damage to charge your upgrade faster.
2. Activate at the Right Time
Timing is everything when using Field Upgrades. Press the assigned button/key to activate your upgrade when it’s fully charged.
- Example: Use Ring of Fire during a boss round to deal massive damage quickly.
- Pro Tip: Save your upgrade for emergencies, such as when teammates are down or when you’re overrun by zombies.
3. Combine with Other Abilities
Field Upgrades can be combined with perks, weapons, and other abilities for maximum effectiveness. For instance:
- Pair Aether Shroud with Quick Revive to safely revive teammates.
- Use Energy Mine near choke points to clear paths while reloading.
Field Upgrade Strategies for Specific Maps
Each Zombies map in BO6 offers unique challenges and layouts, making some Field Upgrades more effective than others.
1. Close-Quarters Maps
On maps with tight spaces and limited escape routes, such as Haunted Hall, defensive upgrades like Aether Shroud or Frost Blast shine.
- Use Aether Shroud to escape when cornered.
- Place Energy Mines at narrow passages to block zombie waves.
2. Open-Area Maps
Maps like Necro Valley have wide-open spaces, allowing for more offensive strategies.
- Ring of Fire is excellent for taking down large groups of zombies in open areas.
- Healing Aura can keep your team alive during prolonged firefights.
3. Boss-Focused Maps
Maps with frequent boss spawns, such as Infernal Ascent, require upgrades that deal massive damage.
- Use Ring of Fire to amplify damage against bosses.
- Frost Blast can slow bosses, giving you time to reposition.
Upgrading Field Upgrades: Tier System
In BO6 Zombies, you can enhance your Field Upgrades using the Tier System, which adds new effects and reduces cooldowns.
1. How to Upgrade Tiers
Collect Aetherium Crystals by surviving rounds, completing objectives, or finishing Easter eggs.
Spend crystals in the Armory to enhance your Field Upgrades.
2. Tier Benefits
Tier 1: Increases base effectiveness (e.g., Frost Blast deals more damage).
Tier 2: Adds secondary effects (e.g., Energy Mine has a wider blast radius).
Tier 3: Reduces cooldowns, allowing more frequent use.
Field Upgrade Combos for Team Play
In team-based Zombies matches, coordinating Field Upgrades with your teammates can make survival easier.
1. Effective Combos
- Ring of Fire + Frost Blast: One player boosts damage while another slows enemies, creating a deadly combination.
- Healing Aura + Aether Shroud: One player revives teammates while another draws zombies away.
- Energy Mine + Ring of Fire: Lay mines in choke points while dealing amplified damage to incoming zombies.
2. Field Upgrades in Easter Eggs
Many Easter egg quests in BO6 Zombies require specific Field Upgrades to progress. Be sure to check community guides for any map-specific requirements.
Example:
In the Temple of Shadows Easter egg, Ring of Fire is essential for surviving a horde sequence, while Aether Shroud allows players to interact with hidden objects undetected.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using Field Upgrades effectively requires avoiding common pitfalls:
- Using Them Too Early: Save your upgrade for critical moments rather than wasting it on minor threats.
- Not Charging Efficiently: Focus on high-kill strategies to charge your upgrade faster.
- Ignoring Team Synergy: Coordinate with teammates to maximize the benefits of your upgrades.
Conclusion
Field Upgrades are a vital part of surviving and thriving in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies. By understanding how to unlock, equip, and use them effectively, you can enhance your gameplay and dominate the undead hordes.
Whether you’re playing solo or with a team, mastering Field Upgrades like Aether Shroud, Ring of Fire, and Healing Aura can give you the edge you need to succeed. So gear up, charge your abilities, and unleash the power of Field Upgrades in your next BO6 Zombies session!