What are Augments, Exactly?
The undead horde closes in, their groans echoing through the darkened corridors. You clutch your weapon, the familiar sting of a near miss still fresh. But this time, something feels different. Your shots tear through the flesh of the shambling ghouls with an uncanny ease. Your weapon hums with an unnatural power, a secret unlocked, giving you an edge in a desperate fight. That’s the power of augments in Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies.
How Augments Differ From Perks
For veteran Zombies slayers, the chaotic thrill of mowing down the undead with friends is a staple. The core loop – surviving waves, gathering points, upgrading weapons, and exploring the map – is instantly recognizable. But in the relentless cycle of survival, Treyarch introduced game-changing additions. One of these pivotal additions is the augment system, which profoundly alters the gameplay and offers exciting new layers of strategy.
Augments are essentially powerful modifications designed to enhance your arsenal, granting your weapons, abilities, or perks unique boosts and functionalities. These aren’t merely stat buffs; they fundamentally change how you approach combat, encourage strategic loadout considerations, and open up avenues of gameplay previously unachievable. Think of them as the ultimate weapon customization, allowing players to tailor their experience to their preferred playstyle.
Before we fully get into how augments change everything, let’s make an important distinction: augments are distinct from perks, though they often synergize. Perks, like Juggernog, Speed Cola, or Quick Revive, are passive abilities that offer base improvements like increased health, faster reload speed, or quicker reviving. These perks, while essential, provide a static boost.
Augments, on the other hand, operate on a more granular level. They are often tied to specific weapons, providing specialized enhancements that drastically alter their capabilities. They can change the way a weapon functions entirely, introducing new firing modes, ammo types, or damage profiles. They can also influence perks themselves, granting them increased effectiveness or entirely new effects.
This dynamic interaction between weapons, perks, and augments adds a rich layer of depth to the Zombie experience. You are no longer simply dependent on a chosen selection of perks. You can now create custom loadouts and strategies based on your augment selection and the strategic needs of each game.
Delving into the Realm of Enhancement: Types of Augments
Augments come in various forms, each designed to cater to a unique playstyle and tactical approach. Understanding these types is crucial for building the most effective zombie-slaying loadouts.
Weapon Augments
These are arguably the most common and impactful type of augment. They directly modify your guns. Imagine your favorite assault rifle that gains a new fire mode or the ability to electrify zombies on impact. This type of augmentation transforms guns into killing machines. The specific benefits often depend on the weapon itself. A shotgun might gain explosive rounds, while a sniper rifle could gain a piercing capability. These augments can significantly increase damage output, crowd control, and strategic flexibility.
Special Weapon Augments
Special weapons, like the Ray Gun or the Wonder Weapons specific to each map, are iconic for a reason. They bring an element of fantasy and extraordinary power to the undead slaughter. Augments often magnify this power. These modifications could range from increased ammunition capacity, damage amplification, or entirely new special effects. This augmentation type ensures that your arsenal includes both staple weapons and devastating instruments of destruction.
Perk Augments
Beyond boosting weapons, augments can also change the way your perks function. Imagine Quick Revive that now also offers a damage boost after reviving a teammate, or Juggernog that increases your movement speed. These augmentations can radically alter your ability to survive. These enhancements add to the flexibility of the perk system. The most effective loadouts often rely on a careful balance of these perk augments.
Gaining Access to Augmented Power: The Acquisition Process
The acquisition of augments is a key part of the gameplay loop, generally built into the structure of a map. The exact method of acquisition varies. Some maps might feature a specific machine that needs to be accessed after completing a specific objective. Others may be accessed by using in-game currency (points earned by killing zombies and completing tasks) to acquire augments.
Unlocking the System
Most maps have a method of unlocking the augment system. This might involve completing a mini-quest, finding a specific item, or simply purchasing a specific item. The steps are typically found by exploring the map.
Augment Selection
Once the augment system is unlocked, you can select which augments you would like to utilize for your session. These are usually found through a selection menu, typically appearing as a wheel or grid layout.
Strategic Spending
Augments cost points. You will need to balance weapon upgrades, perk purchases, and other in-game needs while choosing augments. Make sure to pick a selection that you will be able to use often.
Strategies and Secrets to Unleashing the Undead: Tips and Tricks
Knowing how to obtain augments is just the beginning. Maximizing their potential requires a strategic approach. Here are a few tips to help you become an augment master.
Experiment and Adapt
The augment landscape is diverse. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different weapon-augment combinations. See how the impact of augmentations will play out during the game. What works in one situation might not work in another. Adapt your loadout based on the challenges you face.
Combine and Conquer
Augments work best in synergy with perks and other in-game items. For example, pairing a weapon with a high rate of fire with a perk that boosts speed can create a deadly combination.
Prioritize Teamwork
When playing with others, consider what augments and perks your teammates are using. Coordinate your loadouts to create a well-rounded team that can handle any situation.
Know Your Map
Different maps offer different augment systems. Learn how to access and utilize augments on the maps you prefer.
Advantages and Disadvantages: Weighing the Pros and Cons
As with any game system, augments come with both advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these will help you make informed choices.
Pros
- Enhanced Power: Augments significantly boost the effectiveness of your weapons and abilities, making you a more potent force against the undead.
- Increased Versatility: They introduce new gameplay mechanics, expanding your tactical options and allowing for more creative approaches to combat.
- Customization: The ability to tailor your loadout to your playstyle adds a level of personalization that encourages you to develop a unique identity.
- Teamwork and Synergy: Augments can encourage strategic teamwork.
Cons
- Resource Dependence: Purchasing and utilizing augments can be expensive in terms of in-game currency. This can limit your access to other essential items.
- Potential Over-reliance: Focusing too much on augments can lead to ignoring the fundamentals of the game. A balanced approach is essential.
- Availability: Certain maps may require specific circumstances. Some augments are not always accessible due to the random selection process, limiting your control.
Augments in Different Maps: A Tour of the Apocalypse
The maps in Black Ops Zombies provide different ways to harness the power of augments. Each map adds its own flair to the system.
Maps like Origins might feature powerful weapon upgrades that can drastically alter the way you approach the game, creating powerful weapons. Knowing what augments are available on a map and how they function will give you a huge advantage.
The Future of Augmented Warfare
As the zombie saga continues, the role of augments continues to evolve. The developers will continue to make changes. Augments will continue to be refined. It is an exciting time for zombie fans.
Conclusion
Augments are a core element of Black Ops Zombies. From weapon modifications to enhancements for perks, augments change how you play the game. By understanding their function, strategizing their use, and experimenting with different combinations, you can elevate your gameplay and create a satisfying experience.
Are you ready to wield this power against the undead horde? What are your favorite augment combinations? Let us know in the comments!
