- Call of Duty Black Ops II Vengeance: The third major DLC pack, featuring four multiplayer maps and the legendary Buried Zombies experience.
- Key Map: Buried: A subterranean Old West town featuring Arthur the Giant and the powerful Paralyzer wonder weapon.
- New Weaponry: The Ray Gun Mark II is introduced, providing a three-round burst laser with significantly higher precision.
- 2026 Platform Support: Fully compatible with the July 9, 2026, release for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.
- Multiplayer Meta: Includes the Uplink map, a reimagined version of the classic Summit from the original Black Ops.
Vengeance DLC Overview and 2026 Release
The call of duty black ops ii vengeance expansion remains one of the most iconic content drops in the franchise's history. Originally released as the third DLC pack, it has seen a massive resurgence following the July 9, 2026, launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops II on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. This pack is designed to cater to both competitive multiplayer enthusiasts and hardcore Zombies survivalists, offering a diverse array of environments ranging from tropical islands to haunted underground mines.
In the 2026 ecosystem, Vengeance is typically acquired through the Season Pass or as a standalone digital purchase on the PlayStation Store. While the core gameplay mechanics remain faithful to the original 2012 vision, the increased player base on modern consoles has revitalized the matchmaking pools for the specific maps included in this bundle.
| Content Type | Item Name | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Zombies Map | Buried | Subterranean Old West town with Arthur the Giant |
| Multiplayer Map | Cove | Small tropical island with crashed aircraft |
| Multiplayer Map | Detour | Destroyed suspension bridge with verticality |
| Multiplayer Map | Rush | Fast-paced paintball arena |
| Multiplayer Map | Uplink | Reimagined Summit mountain facility |
| Bonus Weapon | Ray Gun Mark II | Three-round burst laser available in all Zombies maps |
If you own the Vengeance DLC, the Ray Gun Mark II is added to the Mystery Box on every single Zombies map in the game, not just Buried. This makes it an essential purchase for high-round attempts on TranZit or Die Rise.
Multiplayer Maps: Strategies and Routes
The multiplayer component of call of duty black ops ii vengeance provides a balanced mix of small, medium, and reimagined layouts. Whether you prefer the chaotic close-quarters combat of a paintball field or the tactical lane-holding of a snowy mountain base, this pack has a specific "flow" for every playstyle.
Video Highlights:
- Detailed walkthrough of the four multiplayer environments.
- Strategic power positions for snipers on Detour and Uplink.
- Objective routes for Domination and Hardpoint on Rush.
Cove: Tropical Survival
Cove is a small, circular map set on a remote island in the Indian Ocean. The center of the map is dominated by a crashed airplane, which serves as the primary chokepoint.
- Aggressive Play: Use SMGs like the MSMC to weave between the rocky outcroppings on the shoreline.
- Defense: Hold the cockpit of the aircraft to watch the two main paths leading from the beach.
Detour: Bridge Warfare
Set on a destroyed suspension bridge in the United States, Detour is a long, narrow map with two distinct levels.
- Upper Level: Favors Assault Rifles and Snipers. Use vehicle husks for cover.
- Lower Level: A series of maintenance walkways perfect for flanking and objective rotations in Search and Destroy.
Rush: Paintball Chaos
Rush is arguably the most popular map in the Vengeance pack. It mimics a competitive paintball arena with high-visibility obstacles and very fast engagement times.
- Movement: Stay mobile. The "Speedball" lane allows for extremely fast spawntrapping if your team coordinates.
- Equipment: Trophy Systems are vital here to block the constant barrage of Concussion grenades.
Uplink: The Return of Summit
Uplink is a futuristic reimagining of Summit. It retains the classic three-lane structure but updates the aesthetic to match the 2025 setting of Black Ops II.
- Central Control: Controlling the main interior room is the key to winning Domination matches.
- Cliffside Path: Use this for stealthy flanks, but be careful not to fall off the edge during high-intensity gunfights.
| Map | Best Weapon Class | Engagement Range | Recommended Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cove | Shotguns / SMGs | Close | Kill Confirmed |
| Detour | Sniper / AR | Long | Search and Destroy |
| Rush | SMGs | Very Close | Hardpoint |
| Uplink | Assault Rifles | Medium | Domination |
All Vengeance maps are included in the 2026 Season Pass. On PC via Steam, these maps are automatically integrated into the map rotation once installed.
Buried Zombies: The Ultimate Guide
The crown jewel of call of duty black ops ii vengeance is undoubtedly "Buried." Set in a collapsed underground Old West town, this map introduced unique mechanics that shifted the Zombies meta toward heavy resource management and cooperation with a friendly NPC.
Working with Arthur (The Giant)
Arthur is a massive NPC found in a jail cell near the beginning of the map. By feeding him Booze or Candy, you can manipulate his behavior to assist your team.
- Booze: Arthur charges forward, breaking barricades or destroying the fountain.
- Candy: Arthur performs context-sensitive actions, such as building equipment, holding a crawler, or protecting a specific area.
Free Arthur
Locate the key in the Courthouse or near the jail cell and open Arthur's door.
Find Booze/Candy
Booze spawns in the Saloon or the Jail. Candy spawns in the Candy Shop. Feed these to Arthur to trigger his abilities.
Build the Subsurface Resonator
Gather parts from the General Store and have Arthur build the resonator to create a powerful sonic defense.
Navigate the Mansion
Pass through the haunted mansion (avoiding the ghosts who steal your points) to reach the Maze and Pack-a-Punch.
The Paralyzer Wonder Weapon
The Paralyzer is a unique wonder weapon that fires a continuous beam of energy. It has infinite ammo but operates on a cooling mechanic.
- Combat: It slows and eventually disintegrates Zombies.
- Utility: Aiming the Paralyzer at the ground and jumping allows the player to "fly" or hover, reaching rooftops and skipping parkour sections.
| Buildable Item | Location of Parts | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Trample Steam | General Store | Flings players and zombies across gaps |
| Head Chopper | General Store | Automated blade trap for doorways |
| Turbine | General Store | Powers other buildables and doors |
| Subsurface Resonator | General Store | High-damage sonic wave (requires Turbine) |
When entering the Mansion, ghosts will spawn and touch you, stealing 2,000 points per hit. If you have no points, they will steal a Perk. Ensure your team moves quickly or uses the Paralyzer to clear them out.
The Ray Gun Mark II and Weapon Meta
The call of duty black ops ii vengeance DLC changed the weapon landscape by introducing the Ray Gun Mark II. Unlike the original Ray Gun, which dealt splash damage and often downed the user in close quarters, the Mark II is a precision instrument.
Ray Gun Mark II Pros
- No Splash Damage: Safe to use at point-blank range.
- High Penetration: Can hit multiple zombies in a line.
- Burst Fire: High accuracy and ammo conservation.
Ray Gun Mark II Cons
- Requires Aim: Must hit headshots for maximum efficiency.
- Burst Delay: Small gap between shots can be dangerous.
- Mystery Box Only: Rare drop rate compared to wall weapons.
In multiplayer, the meta during the Vengeance season often revolves around high-mobility builds to handle the verticality of maps like Detour and the tight corners of Rush.
Recommended Loadout for Rush:
- Primary: MSMC with Fast Mag and Laser Sight.
- Perks: Lightweight, Toughness, Dexterity.
- Wildcard: Perk 3 Greed (add Extreme Conditioning).
- Tactical: Trophy System (essential for objective play).
The Ray Gun Mark II is incredibly effective against the "Big" zombies in other maps, such as the Brutus on Mob of the Dead or the Panzer Soldat on Origins. If you are playing those maps, having a teammate with Vengeance owned is a huge advantage.
Platform Guide and Essential Checklist
With the 2026 release of Call of Duty: Black Ops II on PS5 and PS4, players need to know how to properly access their Vengeance content. The game supports "Cross-Buy" for the DLC on PlayStation, meaning if you purchased it on PS3 years ago, it should be available in your library for the modern port.
Platform Comparison
| Platform | Resolution / FPS | Online Service | Cross-Platform Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | 4K / 60 FPS (Upscaled) | PlayStation Plus | No (PS4/PS5 only) |
| PlayStation 4 | 1080p / 60 FPS | PlayStation Plus | No (PS4/PS5 only) |
| Xbox Series X | 1080p / 60 FPS (BC) | Game Pass Core/Ult | No |
| PC (Steam) | Native / Uncapped | Steam | No |
Vengeance Completionist Goals:
- Unlock the Pack-a-Punch machine in Buried
- Obtain the Paralyzer from the Mystery Box
- Successfully navigate the Haunted Mansion without losing points
- Win a Domination match on the Rush map
- Get a 5-kill streak using the Ray Gun Mark II in Zombies
The 2026 PS5 port does not support cross-play with Xbox or PC. Ensure your squad is on the same platform family before purchasing the Vengeance DLC for group play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Ray Gun Mark II included in the Vengeance DLC?
Yes. Once you own the Vengeance DLC, the Ray Gun Mark II is added to the Mystery Box on all Black Ops II Zombies maps, including the base game maps like TranZit.
Q: Can I play Buried solo?
Absolutely. Buried is very solo-friendly because Arthur the Giant can help you build all the necessary equipment, and the Paralyzer allows for easy escape from tight corners.
Q: How do I get Arthur to build things for me?
Pick up a part for a buildable, stand near the workbench, and feed Arthur Candy. He will find the remaining parts and finish the build for you instantly.
Q: Does Vengeance work on the 2026 PS5 version?
Yes, the Vengeance DLC is fully supported on the PS5 and PS4 versions released on July 9, 2026. You can download it via the PlayStation Store.