- Call of Duty Black Ops II Juggernog is the most essential perk in Zombies mode, costing 2500 points.
- Health Boost: Increases player health from 100 points to 250 points, allowing you to survive 4 hits.
- Key Location: Found on the second floor of the building across from the bank in the Town area (TranZit).
- Persistent Upgrade: Unique to Black Ops II, players can unlock a permanent health boost that stacks with the perk.
- Survival Tip: Prioritize purchasing Juggernog before any other perk to ensure survival past round 10.
Overview of Juggernog Mechanics
In the brutal environment of Zombies, Call of Duty Black Ops II Juggernog (often stylized as Jugger-Nog) serves as the literal lifeline for players. Introduced early in the franchise, this Perk-a-Cola has remained a staple because it fundamentally changes the player's survivability. Without it, a single mistake or a momentary cornering by a small group of undead leads to an immediate "Game Over."
The primary function of Juggernog is to increase the player's maximum health. In the base game of Black Ops II, a player starts with 100 health points. A standard zombie hit deals 50 damage, meaning you go down in just two hits. Once you consume Juggernog, your health pool expands significantly.
| Enemy Type | Base Hits to Down | Hits with Juggernog | Damage Per Hit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Zombie | 2 Hits | 5 Hits | 50 Damage |
| Hellhound | 2 Hits | 6 Hits | 40 Damage |
| Lava/Fire Damage | Rapid Decay | Reduced Decay | Variable |
With Juggernog active, you will only go down on the fifth hit from a standard zombie. This gives you the necessary buffer to escape "windmilling" zombies—enemies that strike multiple times in rapid succession.
Beyond simple health, Juggernog also influences how quickly you recover. While it does not technically increase the regeneration rate in Black Ops II (unlike the specialized versions seen in early World at War maps), the larger health pool means you have more time to find safety before your health reaches zero.
Exact Locations in Black Ops II Maps
Finding the red vending machine is the top priority for any survival run. In Call of Duty Black Ops II, the locations are consistent across the main TranZit mode and the individual survival maps. The machine itself is modeled after classic 1950s soda dispensers, featuring a distinct red and white color scheme with the iconic shield logo.
TranZit / Town Location
- District: Town Area
- Building: Across from the Bank
- Floor: Second Floor
- Requirement: Power must be ON or a Turbine must be placed nearby.
Survival / Grief (Town)
- Location: Same as TranZit
- Accessibility: Available immediately if you have the 2500 points.
- Strategy: Easiest perk to reach if you spawn in the Town area.
In TranZit, the machine will not function until the power is turned on at the Power Station. Alternatively, you can use a Turbine to power it temporarily, but be careful—if the Turbine is destroyed, the perk machine shuts down, though you keep the perk if already purchased.
The machine in Black Ops II features minor aesthetic updates from previous versions. The labels on the neck of the bottle were corrected to read "Jugger-nog soda" rather than the "Juggernaut soda" labels seen in earlier titles. When you approach the machine, you will hear the classic, stock-style jingle that has become synonymous with survival in the Call of Duty universe.
Step-by-Step Purchase Guide
Securing Call of Duty Black Ops II Juggernog requires a mix of point management and map navigation. Following a specific route ensures you get protected before the zombie runners become too aggressive.
Point Accumulation
Earn at least 2500 points. The most efficient way in early rounds is the "6-shot and knife" method: shoot a zombie 6 times in the leg with the starting pistol, then finish with a melee kill for maximum points.
Navigate to Town
If playing TranZit, board the bus or run through the fog to reach the Town district. If you are running through the fog, stay on the main road to avoid getting lost or killed by Denizens.
Access the Building
Locate the building directly across from the Bank. Enter through the ground floor and take the stairs to the second level. The Juggernog machine is tucked into a corner near the balcony.
Activate and Consume
Ensure the power is active. Interact with the machine to spend your 2500 points. Your character will undergo a brief animation of drinking the soda, during which you are vulnerable, so clear the area first.
If you are short on points, remember that you can withdraw money from the Bank in Town if you stored points in a previous game. This allows for a "Round 1 Juggernog" strategy, which is highly effective for setup.
Persistent Juggernog: The BO2 Secret
One of the most unique features of Call of Duty Black Ops II Juggernog is the "Persistent Upgrade" (often called "Perma-Perks"). This is a hidden mechanic in TranZit, Die Rise, and Buried that allows players to gain the effects of Juggernog permanently, even without buying the soda, or to stack it for even higher health.
| Upgrade Type | Hits to Down (Base) | Hits with Perk | Stacking Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Perk | 2 Hits | 5 Hits | N/A |
| Persistent Only | 4 Hits | N/A | Survive 3 hits without Perk |
| Stacked (Both) | 4 Hits | 6-7 Hits | Maximum Survivability |
To unlock this persistent upgrade, you generally need to take several hits from zombies in a single round without going down, or survive a specific number of hits across multiple games. You will know you have unlocked it when you see a faint green flash on your screen.
Stacking the Persistent Upgrade with the physical Juggernog perk is the only way to survive high rounds efficiently. This combination allows you to take up to 6 hits, which is vital when navigating tight corridors in maps like Die Rise.
However, be warned: Persistent Upgrades can be lost. If you go down very early in a game (usually before Round 5 or 10), you may see another flash indicating the upgrade has been removed. You will then need to re-earn it through gameplay.
Lore, Trivia, and Ingredients
The lore surrounding Juggernog is as dark as the game mode itself. According to in-game textures and later lore reveals in the Dark Aether saga, Juggernog is not just a simple soda. It is a concoction designed by Group 935 to create super-soldiers.
Nutritional and Ingredient Facts:
- Calories: 1000 per can/bottle.
- Protein: 400g (Extreme muscle density).
- Key Ingredients: Carbonated milk, powdered crocodile eggs, spinach juice, and pure gumption.
- Side Effects: Maya Aguinaldo described the taste as "rancid spinach" with a texture like "wallpaper paste."
Did You Know?
- The name is a portmanteau of Juggernaut and Eggnog.
- The machine features a faded bloody handprint on the right side.
- In Der Riese, you can sometimes hear children singing near the machine.
- A real-world mini-fridge was released with the BO3 Juggernog Edition.
- The machine costs 10 cents in-universe, but 2500 points for the player.
In Black Ops II, if you lay prone in front of the Juggernog machine (or any perk machine), you will sometimes receive 25 points. While small, this can help if you are exactly 25 points short of a crucial purchase!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many hits can I take with Juggernog in Black Ops II?
With the standard Call of Duty Black Ops II Juggernog perk, you can take 4 hits and will go down on the 5th hit. If you have the Persistent Upgrade stacked with it, you can take up to 6 hits.
Q: Where is Juggernog located in TranZit?
It is located in the Town district. You must go to the second floor of the building directly across from the Bank. It requires power to operate.
Q: Does Juggernog cost more in higher rounds?
No, the price of Juggernog remains constant at 2500 points regardless of the round number or how many times you have purchased it in a single game.
Q: Can I lose Juggernog?
Yes, if you are downed, you lose all your perks, including Juggernog. You will need to buy it again once you are revived or start a new round.
Always make Juggernog your first priority. In the chaotic world of Call of Duty Black Ops II Zombies, it is the difference between a failed run and a world-record high score.