Even with the mixed reviews and persistent objections to the recasting of Samantha Maxis, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies is stirring up excitement again, thanks in large part to the upcoming release of Shattered Veil. Starting April 2, players will get to explore the Mansion showcased in Liberty Falls’ intro cinematic. This map is shaping up to be a major draw for fans deeply invested in the CoD Zombies’ ongoing Dark Aether saga, as it prepares to delve into key elements like the Order from the Chaos storyline, Edward Richtofen, and Samantha Maxis. The Mansion promises to be a memorable experience, featuring notable attractions such as a T-Rex skeleton and introducing new adversaries in the form of Toxic Zombie and Elder Disciple types. To counter these foes, players can leverage the returning Wunderwaffe DG-2 and Ray Gun Mark 2 Wonder Weapons—with the latter deserving broader use beyond just the Shattered Veil.
Originally making its debut in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, the Ray Gun Mark 2 offers a three-round burst style of the classic Wonder Weapon. It’s cherished by fans due to its impressive visual design, reliable damage per second output, and absence of splash damage. Much like in its Alpha Omega appearance, Black Ops 6 will see the Mark 2 with various versions beyond its standard form, though there will only be three variations this time. These include a SMG version that incinerates enemies, a shotgun variant that creates zones of invulnerability for players, and a new Marksman Rifle that inflicts poison area of effect damage. Uncovering these variants will no doubt be a central element of Shattered Veil’s gameplay strategy, making them exclusive to that map; however, the same exclusivity need not apply to the standard Mark 2.
In Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, the fan-favored map Buried was technically the Ray Gun Mark 2’s introduction, yet it wasn’t confined to just that release. Those who purchased the Vengeance map pack gained access to the Mark 2 across all maps they owned. In games featuring the original Ray Gun, players had the option of acquiring either version, while the Mark 2 served notably as a horde-controlling powerhouse on the Nuketown Zombies bonus map. With it added retroactively to TranZit, Nuketown, Die Rise, and Mob of the Dead, and also appearing in Origins, players could reliably depend on finding it in the Mystery Box regardless of the map they fancied.
This retroactive addition trend isn’t a first for Treyarch. They’ve previously enhanced existing maps by introducing new features, such as incorporating the Mule Kick perk across maps once it was added in the original Black Ops.
Reintroducing the Ray Gun Mark 2 could significantly enrich Black Ops 6’s Mystery Box experience. In Black Ops 2, it invigorated players to try their luck on the Mystery Box across both new and classic Zombie maps. Nowadays, one frequent critique from traditional Zombies fans is the diminished role of the Mystery Box in recent Treyarch titles. Players too often start the game with preferred weapons due to loadouts and obtain Wonder Weapons through quests, sidelining the Mystery Box altogether. By incorporating the Ray Gun Mark 2 into maps like Terminus, Liberty Falls, Citadelle Des Morts, and the Tomb, each attempt at the Box could turn exciting with the possibility of obtaining the Mark 2.
While there’s no confirmation this will happen, previous instances show the Mark 2 needn’t be tied exclusively to a single map’s identity. If Treyarch can make its three variants thrilling and worthwhile to pursue (ensuring the base Mark 2 remains a potent option), then making these variants exclusive to Shattered Veil while offering the original Mark 2 universally in the Mystery Box could address some aspects critics disfavor in the current game. It’s a move that not only leverages nostalgia for earlier Call of Duty games but also enriches the depth of the new installment’s gameplay.
