Terra Maledicta, meaning “Cursed Earth” in Latin, is a Zombies map in Call of Duty: Vanguard, released on February 14, 2022, as part of the Season Two update. It expands the Dark Aether storyline with new allies, enemies, and objectives set across Egypt’s Eastern Desert, Berlin, and the Dark Aether. Players continue their fight against Kortifex’s power while uncovering hidden relics and curses buried deep within the sands.
Table of Contents
The Setting of Terra Maledicta
After escaping Stalingrad, the Allied operatives find themselves in Egypt’s Eastern Desert. The area serves as the main hub for the map, connecting to different regions such as Berlin and the Dark Aether.
A new ally, Vercanna the Last, joins the fight against Kortifex the Deathless, while a new threat emerges — Zaballa the Deceiver, a powerful enemy determined to stop the operatives.
As players complete objectives, new areas around the oasis open, and the enemies grow stronger. The difficulty rises with each success, symbolizing the growing power of the Dark Aether.
Core Features of Terra Maledicta
The map brings back familiar mechanics from Der Anfang, including:
- Demonic Fountains – Grant perk upgrades like Fiendish Fortitude and Diabolical Damage.
- Altar of Covenants – Lets players equip unique modifiers that change gameplay.
- Tome of Rituals – Allows upgrading of field upgrades for better performance in combat.
- Mystery Box – Randomly provides weapons, including Wonder Weapons.
- Dig Spots – Reintroduced for players to dig up loot or quest items using a Shovel.
These features encourage exploration and reward survival through increasingly difficult waves.
Objectives in Terra Maledicta
There are six main objectives that guide player progression. Each one represents a distinct mission type with specific tasks and challenges.
Blitz
Inviktor assigns players to defend a marked area against waves of zombies. The goal is simple: survive until extraction while weakening Kortifex’s power through sustained combat.
Harvest
Saraxis sends players to collect Runestones dropped by zombies and feed them into a Sin Eater obelisk. Players must repeat this process three times while fighting off relentless enemies. The Sin Eater “consumes” the sins stored in the Runes, restoring her strength.
Transmit
With Bellekar and Gabriel Krafft’s assistance, players escort a floating zombie head linked to a rune-sealed transmitter. The device attempts to contact allies within the Dark Aether, and players must defend it within its area of effect as it moves.
Purge
Norticus tasks players with capturing several Control Runes that seal aethereal worms called Augmentors. Players have limited time to secure the runes; failure leads to a surge of enemies. Success weakens Kortifex’s hold on the area.
Void
Once the Tome of Rituals page is unlocked, players can enter the Void portal found in the Debris Field. Inside the Dark Aether, they must survive endless rounds of zombies. After every three waves, they can choose to flee or continue fighting. Staying longer earns Essence and permanent perk protection after twelve rounds.
Sacrifice
Vercanna orders players to stop zombies from sacrificing themselves to Syphoncores. Each Syphoncore fills when five zombies complete their ritual. If all are filled, the players die. If they hold out until the timer ends, they earn valuable loot such as salvage and weapons.
The Story of Terra Maledicta
The main narrative follows the effort to free the Decimator Shield, a powerful artifact trapped within the Dark Aether, and recover a lost page of the Tome of Rituals.
After arriving in Egypt, the operatives discover that Kortifex’s influence still lingers. Guided by the new ally Vercanna, they work to release the Decimator Shield from its prison. Completing objectives and solving puzzles advances the story while uncovering the past of the Dark Aether entities.
The Main Easter Egg Quest
The Terra Maledicta Easter Egg is a multi-step quest that reveals hidden lore and rewards players with unique items and experience points.
Step 1: Locate the Decimator Shield
Begin near Merchant Road to trigger dialogue about the trapped shield. Completing any objective afterward unlocks the next step.
Step 2: Activate the Speaking Stone
Go to the Tents near Demonic Frenzy and interact with a speaking stone. A portal to the Corrupted Lands appears, where players must complete a Purge objective.
Step 3: Destroy the Crystals
Return to the hub area and destroy four yellow glowing crystals around the map. Once all are destroyed, another speaking stone appears near Diabolical Damage at the Bazaar.
Step 4: Complete the Sacrifice Objective
Entering the new portal takes players back to the Corrupted Lands. This time, they must complete a Sacrifice objective to progress.
Step 5: Claim the Decimator Shield
Return to Merchant Road to retrieve the now-freed Decimator Shield.
Step 6: Recover the Tome Page
Head to the Debris Field near Venomous Vigor and activate the final speaking stone. This opens a portal to a Void objective where players must use the Decimator Shield to slam four glowing body parts containing the Tome Page.
Completing this unlocks four chests, piles of loot, and 10,000 XP on first completion.
Additional Easter Eggs
Beyond the main quest, Terra Maledicta contains hidden activities that reward players who explore.
- Secret Kortifex Rune Room: Found in the Outpost Courtyard, this room unlocks after digging up four Tome pages using the Shovel. Placing the pages in the correct order opens the door, revealing loot such as a Death Machine or a Ray Gun.
- Antenna Mini-Quest: Players who dig up an Antenna can place it at a comms table on Merchant Road. Each rotation spawns waves of Boom Schreiers and Sturmkriegers. The final enemy drops a loot chest as a reward.
These secrets add depth to the gameplay, rewarding persistence and attention to detail.
Enemies and Challenges
Zaballa the Deceiver serves as the main antagonist, testing players’ skills with her electric attacks and mobility. Standard zombie variants return with increased aggression as the match continues.
As each objective is completed, enemies grow stronger, reflecting the curse tightening around the oasis. Players must adapt with better weapons, stronger perks, and strategic use of the Decimator Shield.
Atmosphere and Design
The map’s visual design merges ancient Egyptian ruins, dark magic, and war-torn landscapes. From the glowing sands of the oasis to the corrupted skies of the Dark Aether, Terra Maledicta emphasizes its theme of universes colliding.
Sound design also plays a major role, with chilling whispers from Elder Gods and distorted radio messages hidden across the map. These details enhance the eerie tension that defines the Vanguard Zombies experience.
The Legacy of Terra Maledicta
Terra Maledicta expanded Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies beyond the confined spaces of Der Anfang. It introduced larger open zones, new mission types, and a narrative that tied together the struggle against Kortifex and the search for redemption within the Dark Aether.
Its focus on exploration, replayability, and layered secrets made it a defining step in the Vanguard Zombies storyline. The blend of lore, objectives, and supernatural design ensures it remains a memorable chapter for fans of the mode.
Final Takeaway
Terra Maledicta offers a mix of combat, story, and discovery set in a cursed desert where the Dark Aether’s power still lingers. Whether uncovering secrets, defending against waves, or freeing the Decimator Shield, the experience captures the haunting spirit of Call of Duty Zombies while pushing its story into new territory.
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