The Staff of Ice in *Call of Duty: Black Ops 6* Zombies is a unique Wonder Weapon; its base form is underwhelming, but its upgraded version, Ull’s Arrow, is crucial for high-round survival and Easter egg hunts. This guide details the upgrade process.
Prerequisites for Upgrading the Staff of Ice
Before upgrading, you need the Staff of Ice itself. Obtain it either from the Mystery Box or by collecting its three parts. Early access to the Dark Aether Nexus, achieved by opening the Door to Nowhere, is also essential for the upgrade quest.
How to Upgrade the Staff of Ice
Step 1: Freezing Dark Aether Crystals
Freeze three Dark Aether Crystals rapidly using the Staff of Ice. These crystals are located in underground Dark Aether lanterns (black frame, glowing purple fire). Perks like Stamin-Up and PHD Flopper (with Tribologist) significantly improve your speed, aiding in this timed step. Optimize your route; consider waiting a few rounds for optimal lantern placement. A suggested route starts in the tomb area, then the Shrine of the Hierophants, finally the lantern near the Subterranean Temple entrance (avoid the lantern near Quick Revive due to distance). Successfully freezing the crystals triggers a quote from Archibald, signaling progression to the Dark Aether Nexus.
Step 2: Targeting Floating Rocks in the Dark Aether Nexus
Within the Dark Aether Nexus, locate three floating rocks with glowing purple Runes. Each Rune displays a unique symbol. Shoot each Rune with the Staff of Ice (a hitmarker confirms a successful shot). This will cause the rock to descend, making the Rune easier to target. A scoped weapon might improve accuracy. The order of shooting the rocks is inconsequential.
Step 3: Solving the Rune Symbol Puzzle
After completing Step 2, find a stone wall replacing a portal back to the main map. This wall displays several Runes; three match the symbols from the floating rocks. Shoot these three matching Runes with the Staff of Ice. This opens and closes the portal. Note: The portal opens regardless of accuracy, but incorrect symbols result in a mid-air drop in the Dark Aether Nexus. Multiple failures might necessitate waiting for the next round. Correct symbols lead to a floating rock and a purple orb. Interact with the orb.
Step 4: Escorting the Soul Chest Orb
After interacting with the orb, it begins moving. Kill zombies near the orb; their essence fuels its movement. Guide the orb to the central structure in the Dark Aether Nexus, where it creates a small purple portal. Interact with the portal to upgrade your Staff of Ice to Ull’s Arrow.
Ull’s Arrow: Upgraded Staff of Ice Abilities
Ull’s Arrow boasts a powerful charged attack with high area-of-effect damage and an alternate fire mode capable of reviving downed teammates, similar to its Black Ops 2 and 3 counterparts.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
