- Primary Map: Origins, also known as Excavation Site 64, is the legendary final DLC map for call of duty black ops ii.
- Key Mechanic: Power is distributed across six 115 Generators instead of a single power switch.
- Wonder Weapons: Four elemental staffs (Fire, Ice, Wind, and Lightning) serve as the ultimate defense.
- Major Threats: Avoid the crushing feet of three Giant Robots and prepare for the armored Panzer Soldat starting on Round 8.
Origins Map Overview and Core Mechanics
The definitive final chapter of the Zombies saga in call of duty black ops ii takes players to Northern France in 1918. In call of duty black ops ii origins, you control the younger Primis versions of Dempsey, Nikolai, Takeo, and Richtofen as they navigate a muddy, trench-filled battlefield devastated by Element 115.
Unlike traditional maps, Origins does not feature a master power switch. Instead, players must activate six different 115 Generators scattered across the dig site to power local perks, mystery boxes, and the Pack-a-Punch machine.
| Generator | Location | Adjacent Perks & Utilities |
|---|---|---|
| Generator 1 | Spawn Room | Quick Revive, Shovel spawns |
| Generator 2 | Tank Station | Stamin-Up, Mystery Box location |
| Generator 3 | Fire Tunnel Trenches | Speed Cola, Shield part spawn |
| Generator 4 | Wind Tunnel | Juggernog, Der Wunderfizz |
| Generator 5 | Lightning Tunnel | Stamin-Up, Wunderfizz, Stamina trials |
| Generator 6 | Church Yard | Double Tap, Mark IV Tank stop |
Once all six generators are active, Templar Zombies will periodically spawn to attack and deactivate them. Defend your generators to keep the Pack-a-Punch machine active at the top of the Excavation Mound.
How to Build the Four Elemental Staffs
The core gameplay loop of call of duty black ops ii origins revolves around building and upgrading the four Elemental Staffs. These powerful Wonder Weapons are required to complete the main "Little Lost Girl" Easter Egg and survive high rounds.
Staff of Fire
- How to Get: Shoot the glowing red plane, defeat the Round 8 Panzer Soldat, and activate Generator 6.
- Best For: High damage output against single targets and bosses.
- Upgrade Location: Fire Tunnel / The Crazy Place.
Staff of Ice
- How to Get: Dig up blue dig spots using a shovel specifically while it is snowing on the map.
- Best For: Crowd control and freezing large hordes of zombies instantly.
- Upgrade Location: Ice Tunnel / The Crazy Place.
Staff of Wind
- How to Get: Shoot the glowing yellow feet of the three Giant Robots (Thor, Odin, Freya) and step inside.
- Best For: Blowing away close-range threats and saving trapped players.
- Upgrade Location: Wind Tunnel / The Crazy Place.
Staff of Lightning
- How to Get: Ride the Mark IV Tank and jump off at three specific wooden platforms around the map.
- Best For: High ammo capacity and chaining electricity to multiple enemies.
- Upgrade Location: Lightning Tunnel / The Crazy Place.
To access the lower chamber of the Excavation Site and build any staff, you must find the Gramophone inside the excavation mound and pair it with the correct elemental record.
Step-by-Step Origins Setup Guide
Getting set up efficiently in the early rounds is critical to surviving the mid-to-late game challenges of call of duty black ops ii origins. Follow this optimal pathing sequence to maximize your resources.
Secure the Spawn Area
Grab the shovels in the spawn room, activate Generator 1, and farm points using the Mauser C96 and melee attacks. Do not open the doors until you have at least 2,500 points.
Acquire the Zombie Shield
Open the path toward Generator 2 or 3. Search the trenches and the Workshop to find the three shield parts. Build the Zombie Shield at the workbench inside the Workshop to protect your back.
Power Up Juggernog
Head to Generator 4 in No Man's Land. Activate the generator to turn on the Juggernog machine. Purchase Juggernog immediately for 2,500 points to increase your health.
Prepare for the Panzer Soldat
On Round 8, the first Panzer Soldat will drop. Ensure you have a high-damage weapon like the MP40, STG-44, or an early Elemental Staff to destroy his helmet and core before he grabs you with his claw.
Survival Equipment and Perks
Survival in call of duty black ops ii origins requires a smart combination of perks, buildable equipment, and utility items. Use the table below to plan your ideal character loadout.
| Item Type | Item Name | How to Obtain | Utility / Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Zombie Shield | Build at Workshop | Blocks rear attacks, provides melee strike |
| Equipment | Maxis Drone | Build at Church / Mound | Revives downed players, shoots nearby targets |
| Melee | One Inch Punch | Complete Ritual Chests | Extremely powerful melee replacement |
| Tactical | G-Strike Beacon | Cleanse the stone slab | Attracts zombies, triggers robot missile strike |
| Perk | Der Wunderfizz | Random spin (1,500 pts) | Grants random perks including PhD Flopper |
Digging up enough dig spots upgrades your shovel to the Golden Shovel. This allows you to find the Golden Helmet (protects from Giant Robot footsteps) and orange glowing dig spots in Zombie Blood mode to unlock extra perk slots.
Map Objectives and Checklist
Track your progress during your match to ensure you are fully prepared for the late-game rounds and the main Easter Egg quest.
Match Progression Milestones:
- Activate all six 115 Generators to power up the Pack-a-Punch machine
- Assemble the Zombie Shield and the Maxis Drone
- Construct and upgrade all four Elemental Staffs
- Obtain the Golden Shovel and the Golden Helmet from dig piles
- Upgrade your melee attack to the Iron Fist via the main quest
Origins FAQ
Q: How do you survive when a Giant Robot steps on you in Origins?
To survive a Giant Robot step, you must look at its feet as it approaches. If one of the feet is glowing yellow, shoot it to open the hatch and enter the robot. Alternatively, you can dig up the Golden Helmet with a Golden Shovel to survive the stomp automatically.
Q: When does the Panzer Soldat spawn in Call of Duty Black Ops II Origins?
The Panzer Soldat first spawns at the beginning of Round 8. After that, he will spawn every 3 to 5 rounds. Note that he will never spawn if the doors leading to No Man's Land remain closed.
Q: What is the best staff for high-round survival?
The Staff of Ice is widely considered the best staff for high rounds because its upgraded blizzard blast freezes and kills entire hordes of zombies instantly, making it highly effective for crowd control.
Q: How do you get extra perk slots in Origins?
You must first obtain the Golden Shovel. Then, while in Zombie Blood mode, look for glowing red/orange dig spots that are invisible during normal play. Digging these up yields an Empty Perk Bottle, which permanently unlocks an extra perk slot.