Dead Ops Arcade II in Call of Duty: Black Ops III offers a fast-paced, over-the-top Zombie mode experience that challenges players with relentless waves of undead enemies. As a sequel to the original Dead Ops Arcade from Call of Duty: Black Ops, this mode introduces new challenges, enemies, and power-ups. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned player, these survival tips will enhance your gameplay, helping you conquer the Cyber Silverback and reach the later stages.

How to Access Dead Ops Arcade II

To unlock Dead Ops Arcade II, players must progress through the campaign of Call of Duty: Black Ops III and access the Data Vault in the Safe House. After completing the second mission, New World, head to the data terminal in the safehouse. Navigate to the hidden button in the top-left corner of the terminal screen, press it, and you’ll trigger the introduction sequence, unlocking the mode.

Following an update, Dead Ops Arcade II became accessible directly through the main menu under the Bonus section. This change makes it easier to dive straight into the action without needing to navigate the Safe House terminal each time.

Understanding the Gameplay Mechanics

Dead Ops Arcade II pits one to four players against swarms of zombies and other dangers in an arcade-style shooter. The game is played from a top-down perspective, but players can switch to a first-person view through the FPS Stone power-up. The first-person mode provides a temporary change in perspective, allowing for more precise aiming but comes with a greater risk of losing awareness of the surroundings.

Players start with a set number of lives, dashes, and a tactical bomb. The goal is to survive as long as possible while collecting power-ups, multipliers, and extra lives. Each new stage brings increased difficulty, with enemies becoming more aggressive and varied. Using power-ups like speed boosts, tactical bombs, and vehicle transformations is key to keeping the upper hand.

Essential Survival Tips

Manage Power-Ups Wisely

Power-ups are crucial to survival in Dead Ops Arcade II. Here’s how to make the most of them:

Speed Boosts and Dashes

Speed boosts allow you to move quickly across the map, avoiding large crowds of zombies. Each boost provides a brief moment of invincibility, making it a valuable tool for escaping tight situations. Use these strategically when surrounded or when navigating dangerous terrain like electric poles.

Tactical Bombs

Tactical bombs can clear the screen of enemies in one go, providing a moment of respite during overwhelming waves. Save them for when you’re cornered by zombies or during challenging stages like the Margwa boss fight. Remember, you can only carry a limited number of bombs, so don’t waste them early on.

Use the Environment to Your Advantage

Each stage in Dead Ops Arcade II comes with unique layouts and environmental hazards. Understanding the terrain can turn the tide in your favor:

Stage-Specific Strategies

• Stage 1: The Beach offers plenty of open space for easy movement, making it an ideal starting point. Practice making wide turns to avoid being surrounded.
• Stage 2: The Pier introduces dangerous electric posts. Keep an eye on their active and inactive phases to avoid instant death. Destroy purple barrels carried by zombies as quickly as possible to prevent the loss of valuable collectibles.
• Stage 3: The Bulls adds roaming bulls that can crush both players and zombies. Focus on eliminating glowing bulls for extra points and multipliers.

Learning to navigate these challenges effectively will make later rounds more manageable.

Master the First-Person Stone

The FPS Stone allows you to switch from the top-down view to a first-person perspective for a limited time. This change can be both a blessing and a curse. While it allows for precise shooting, it makes it harder to keep track of zombies coming from all directions. Use it strategically during stages with fewer environmental obstacles, and try to revert back to the top-down view before it expires to regain your full field of vision.

The first-person mode also doubles your score multiplier, making it an effective way to quickly rack up points and earn extra lives. Use this to your advantage during rounds where zombies spawn in predictable patterns.

Prioritize High-Damage Weapons and Vehicles

While the default assault rifle has unlimited ammo, its damage output is minimal. Prioritize picking up high-damage weapons like the Ray Gun, Mini-Gun, or Rocket Launcher. These weapons can clear large groups of zombies quickly but have limited ammo, so use them sparingly during critical moments.

Transformations into vehicles such as tanks, helicopters, and R.A.P.S. provide temporary invincibility and increased firepower. Continuously move and fire when using these forms to maximize their potential before they expire.

Building and Maintaining a High Score Multiplier

The score multiplier in Dead Ops Arcade II directly affects the number of points you gain from killing zombies and collecting treasures. A high multiplier is essential for earning extra lives and achieving high scores:

Collect Gems and Gold

Every piece of treasure—be it gold, silver, or gems—adds to your score multiplier. Gems, in particular, provide a significant boost, so prioritize collecting them during and after each wave of zombies. The more you gather, the quicker you’ll reach the threshold for additional lives.

Avoid Death to Maintain Multipliers

Each time a player loses a life, the score multiplier resets, making it harder to earn points quickly. Use dashes, tactical bombs, and invincibility-granting items like the FPS Stone to minimize the risk of death. Focus on maintaining a smooth flow of movement to avoid getting trapped by zombies.

Conquering Boss Rounds and Special Enemies

Dead Ops Arcade II introduces a variety of challenging enemies and boss rounds, such as the Margwa and the final Cyber Silverback. Surviving these encounters requires strategy and patience:

Margwa Boss Round

The Margwa appears on Stage 8, accompanied by endless waves of zombies. While its large size makes it an easy target, it’s crucial to keep moving to avoid being swarmed. Focus on shooting the Margwa while training zombies in a circular pattern around the map. Use power-ups like the Ray Gun and tactical bombs to deal heavy damage and clear surrounding enemies.

The Cyber Silverback Showdown

The final battle with the Cyber Silverback is one of the most intense moments in the game. This boss moves quickly and can deal devastating damage. Keep as much distance as possible while using speed boosts to dodge its attacks. Focus fire when it pauses to attack or jumps. Coordinate with teammates if playing cooperatively to maximize damage output while staying spread out to avoid simultaneous knockdowns.

Navigating Bonus Rooms for Extra Rewards

Between stages, players may encounter bonus rooms that offer valuable power-ups and treasures. These rooms can greatly enhance your chances of survival if utilized properly:

The Room of Fate

After certain rounds, players can access the Room of Fate, where they can choose one of four stones, each granting a permanent upgrade. The available upgrades include increased speed, a permanent weapon, or an enhanced score multiplier. Selecting the right upgrade depends on your playstyle—opt for increased speed if you prefer agility, or choose a permanent weapon if you rely on firepower.

Treasure Hoard and Mystical Armory

These rooms are packed with valuable dashes, nukes, and treasures. Always take a moment to gather everything before the bonus room timer expires. The added resources can make the difference in challenging stages.

Final Thoughts on Dead Ops Arcade II Survival

Surviving in Dead Ops Arcade II requires a balance of quick reflexes, strategic use of power-ups, and a deep understanding of each stage’s layout. By mastering movement, managing resources, and leveraging powerful weapons, players can push through waves of zombies and overcome the toughest challenges. With these tips in hand, you’ll be better prepared to take on the Cyber Silverback and secure your place on the leaderboards.