- Core Content: The call of duty black ops ii vengeance dlc features four multiplayer maps and one Zombies map.
- Zombies Map: Buried takes players to a subterranean Old West town with unique mechanics and enemies.
- Bonus Weapon: Owners receive the Ray Gun Mark II, usable across all Black Ops II Zombies maps.
- Multiplayer Maps: Includes Cove, Detour, Rush, and Uplink (a remake of the classic map Summit).
- Critical Warning: Season Pass owners should download the content in-game to avoid being double-charged.
Multiplayer Map Overview and Tactics
The call of duty black ops ii vengeance dlc represents the third major content drop for the title, focusing on diverse environments and tactical variety. This pack caters to different playstyles, from the long-range engagements of Detour to the frantic, close-quarters chaos of Rush. Understanding the layout and flow of these maps is essential for maintaining a high K/D ratio and securing objective wins in 2026.
| Map Name | Setting | Size | Primary Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cove | Tropical Island | Small/Medium | Close-Quarters, Flanking |
| Detour | Destroyed Bridge | Large/Narrow | Sniping, Long-Range |
| Rush | Paintball Course | Small | Fast-Paced, SMG Heavy |
| Uplink | High-Tech Facility | Medium | Balanced, Objective-Based |
The design philosophy behind Vengeance emphasizes verticality and lane-based combat. While previous DLCs focused on larger, more open areas, Vengeance brings back the tight, competitive feel that fans of the original Black Ops appreciated. Uplink, specifically, is a reimagining of Summit, ensuring that veteran players feel right at home with familiar sightlines and chokepoints.
If you are a Call of Duty: Black Ops II Season Pass holder, do NOT purchase the Vengeance DLC through the digital storefront (Xbox Store or PlayStation Store). You must download the content via the in-game "Store" menu to ensure it is recognized as part of your existing subscription.
Detailed Map Breakdowns
Cove is set on a small, forgotten island in the Indian Ocean. The central feature is a crashed smuggling plane which serves as the primary chokepoint. Because the map is circular with very little hard cover on the outskirts, players should focus on the "power positions" within the wreckage. Shotguns and SMGs dominate the interior of the plane, while Assault Rifles are best for patrolling the rocky perimeter.
Detour offers a unique longitudinal layout. Set on a collapsed suspension bridge in the East Coast, the map is divided into two main levels: the top deck and the lower maintenance walkways. Snipers will find plenty of opportunities on the top deck, but the real movement happens below. If you find yourself pinned down by long-range fire, use the lower pipes and scaffolding to flank the enemy team.
Rush is arguably the most popular map in the pack for casual play. It is a paintball course turned into a lethal arena. The map is divided into several "fields" with inflatable cover and wooden structures. Movement speed is key here. Using the "Dexterity" and "Extreme Conditioning" perks allows you to navigate the obstacles faster than your opponents, making it the ideal map for high-score streaks.
Uplink adapts the layout of Summit into a futuristic rain-soaked facility. The central control room remains the most important area to control. Unlike the original Summit, the aesthetic changes in Uplink provide better visibility in certain areas, though the rain can occasionally obscure long-distance targets.
The Buried Zombies Experience
Buried is the centerpiece of the call of duty black ops ii vengeance dlc for Zombies fans. It transports the four protagonists to a subterranean Old West town that has been swallowed by the earth. This map introduced several revolutionary mechanics to the Zombies franchise, including a friendly giant NPC and the highly sought-after Paralyzer wonder weapon.
| Feature | Function | Strategic Value |
|---|---|---|
| The Giant (Arthur) | Escort/Worker NPC | High (Breaks barriers, holds crawlers) |
| The Paralyzer | Infinite Ammo Weapon | Extreme (Massive horde control, flight) |
| Subsurface Resonator | Buildable Trap | Medium (Great for camping strategies) |
| The Ghost House | Perk Acquisition | High (Free perks after clearing ghosts) |
Buried is often considered one of the easier maps for high-round attempts due to the sheer power of the buildables and the Paralyzer. However, navigating the town requires careful planning, especially when dealing with the "Ghosts" in the mansion who can steal your points upon contact.
Always keep a steady supply of Booze and Candy. Use Booze to make Arthur smash through barricades and debris, opening up the map without spending points. Use Candy near a crafting table to make him build items for you instantly, or near a crawler to make him hold it indefinitely while you set up your easter egg steps.
Survival Strategies for Buried
To survive past round 30 in Buried, players must master the verticality of the map. The Paralyzer allows players to "fly" by aiming at the ground and jumping, which provides access to rooftops that are otherwise unreachable. This is the primary method for avoiding large hordes in the narrow streets of the town.
The Bank system, carried over from Die Rise and Tranzit, is also present here. Players can store points in the bank to be retrieved in later games, making the initial setup phase of Buried significantly faster than other maps. If you are playing in 2026, ensure your bank is maxed out at 250,000 points to allow for an immediate Pack-a-Punch on Round 1.
Ray Gun Mark II and New Weaponry
One of the biggest selling points of the call of duty black ops ii vengeance dlc is the inclusion of the Ray Gun Mark II. Unlike the original Ray Gun, which fired single explosive rounds that could cause splash damage to the player, the Mark II fires three-round bursts of concentrated energy.
| Weapon Attribute | Original Ray Gun | Ray Gun Mark II |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Mode | Semi-Auto | 3-Round Burst |
| Damage Type | Explosive (Splash) | Impact (No Splash) |
| Penetration | Low | High (Pierces through multiple zombies) |
| Ammo Capacity | 20/160 | 21/162 |
| Headshot Multiplier | Low | Very High |
The Mark II is a significant upgrade in almost every way. Because it lacks splash damage, it is much safer to use in close quarters. Furthermore, its ability to pierce through entire lines of zombies makes it incredibly efficient for clearing "trains" in high rounds.
Once you own the Vengeance DLC, the Ray Gun Mark II is added to the Mystery Box on every Black Ops II Zombies map, including Tranzit, Die Rise, Mob of the Dead, and Nuketown Zombies. This adds immense value to the DLC beyond just the Buried map.
The Paralyzer and Time Bomb
In addition to the Ray Gun Mark II, Buried introduces two unique items:
- The Paralyzer: A wonder weapon with infinite ammo that operates on a cooling mechanic. It slows zombies down until they eventually disintegrate. It also allows the player to hover and reach rooftops.
- The Time Bomb: A tactical equipment that allows players to "save" the current state of the game. If the team is about to go down or a mistake is made during an Easter Egg step, the player can detonate the bomb to revert the game back to the exact moment it was placed (including points, perks, and round number).
Installation and Setup Guide
Getting the call of duty black ops ii vengeance dlc running on modern hardware like the Xbox Series X|S or PC requires a few specific steps to ensure all content, including the Ray Gun Mark II, is properly licensed.
Verify Base Game Installation
Ensure Call of Duty: Black Ops II is fully installed on your drive. On consoles, check the "Manage Game and Add-ons" section to confirm the base 18GB+ file is present.
Purchase or Redeem Vengeance
Navigate to the store. If you own the Season Pass, do not buy it again. Go to the in-game store menu and select "Vengeance" to trigger the free download.
Download the Compatibility Pack
On many platforms, a small "Compatibility Pack" is required for multiplayer matchmaking. Ensure this is downloaded alongside the 1.8GB Vengeance DLC file.
Restart and Verify
Launch the game. Go to "Local" or "Online" Zombies. Check if "Buried" appears in the map selection. If it does, the Ray Gun Mark II will now be available in the Mystery Box across all maps.
The Vengeance DLC requires approximately 1.9 GB of additional storage space. Ensure you have adequate room, especially on older Xbox 360 consoles where storage might be limited.
Vengeance Strategy and Loadouts
To maximize your performance across the new content, consider these specialized loadouts and strategies tailored for the unique environments found in the call of duty black ops ii vengeance dlc.
The 'Rush' Specialist
- Primary: MSMC or Skorpion EVO
- Perks: Lightweight, Dexterity, Extreme Conditioning
- Tactics: Use the paintball bunkers for cover and never stop moving.
The 'Detour' Sniper
- Primary: DSR-50 or SVU-AS
- Perks: Blind Eye, Cold Blooded
- Tactics: Control the long sightlines of the bridge deck and use Claymores to protect your back.
The 'Buried' Survivor
- Primary: AN-94 (Pack-a-Punched)
- Wonder Weapon: The Paralyzer
- Tactics: Camp on the balcony of the Saloon with the Subsurface Resonator.
Objective Play on Uplink
When playing Domination or Hardpoint on Uplink, the "B" flag (or the central Hardpoint) is notoriously difficult to hold because it is overlooked by the central window.
| Objective Position | Risk Level | Recommended Equipment |
|---|---|---|
| Central Control Room | Very High | Trophy System, Flak Jacket |
| Server Room | Medium | Tactical Mask, Shock Charge |
| Outside Balcony | High | Smoke Grenade, Target Finder |
Always use a Trophy System when capturing the central point on Uplink. The verticality of the map allows enemies to rain down grenades from the upper walkways, and a Trophy System is the only way to survive a sustained assault.
In Buried, the "Mined Games" Easter Egg can be completed for either Maxis or Richtofen. Completing this is essential for players looking to finish the overarching Black Ops II Zombies storyline and unlock the ultimate reward in the "Buried" endgame.
Vengeance DLC Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you have experienced everything the call of duty black ops ii vengeance dlc has to offer.
Completion Goals:
- Play a full match on Cove, Detour, Rush, and Uplink
- Obtain the Ray Gun Mark II from the Mystery Box
- Unlock the Paralyzer in the Buried map
- Feed Arthur (The Giant) both Booze and Candy
- Navigate through the Ghost Mansion without losing points
- Build the Subsurface Resonator and Headtrample in Buried
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the Ray Gun Mark II replace the original Ray Gun?
No, both weapons exist in the Mystery Box simultaneously. However, a player cannot hold both the original Ray Gun and the Mark II at the same time unless they use specific glitches or perks like Mule Kick.
Q: Is Uplink exactly the same as Summit from Black Ops 1?
The layout is identical, but the aesthetic has been changed to a high-tech facility in the middle of a rainstorm. Some minor cover objects have been moved or adjusted for Black Ops II's movement mechanics.
Q: Can I play Buried solo?
Yes, Buried is fully playable in solo mode. In fact, many players prefer solo for high-round attempts because it is easier to manage Arthur and the Ghost House mechanics alone.
Q: How do I get the Ray Gun Mark II in other maps?
As long as the call of duty black ops ii vengeance dlc is installed on your system, the Mark II is automatically added to the Mystery Box loot pool for all other Zombies maps you own.