Zombies Ascension Map - What to Expect

The new Black Ops DLC called First Strike will contain a new zombies map called Ascension. This new map introduces new traps, guns and even new zombies! We take a look at the new map and what you can expect from the Xbox DLC coming Feb 1 2011.

What is the Ascension zombies map?

This is the new (8th) zombie map that comes with the downloadable content for Black Ops – First Strike. The DLC for Xbox 360 is due for release on Feb 1 2011 and then later for PS3. The Ascension map is based on an abandoned Soviet Cosmodrome and introduces new types of zombies (space monkeys), new types of guns such as the Black Hole gun (Gersch Richtofen) and even new ways to move around the map.

What weapons are in Ascension?

The following weapons have been announced but their exact location is not known. The weapons are:

MP5k (from the wall)
Stakeout (from the wall)
Claymore (from the wall)
Sickle (from the wall)
SPAS-12 (via Mystery Box)
HS10 (via Mystery Box)
Matryoshka Dolls (via Mystery Box)
Gersch Device (via Mystery Box)
Death Machine (Power Up)

The interesting ones to note are Matryoshka Dolls, Gersch Device and Death Machine.

Matryoshka Dolls

Not much is known about this weapon but the name relates to Babushka dolls which are Russian nesting dolls. Each one of the dolls decreases in size but fits into the previous doll.

Gersch Device

Known only as the Black Hole, this gun is new to the Ascension map. We expect the gun to have the same deadly power as the air cannon gun from Kin der Toten. It'll probably suck enemies into a hole on the map rather than blast them away from you. Once a zombie gets sucked into the hole, they're dead. Its more than likely that this gun will have limited ammo and hence restrict its over use.

Death Machine

This is a minigun which is obtained from a power up (dropped after killing a zombie). Its got unlimited ammo but does have a time limit. Basically, if you get this just spray the whole screen with bullets and knock out as many zombies as you can!!

About the Ascension map

This map looks likely to be the largest of the zombie maps. It contains levels rather than a flat playing surface. Players can climb ladders to reach upper levels and shoot down at zombies below. It should have a similar feel to the COD multiplayer where players can hide in rooms and on structures at a safe distance from the enemy. The Rocket pad will also let players move between areas of the map whilst still shooting at zombies.

As with other Zombie maps, the Ascension map has a power switch to open the pack a punch room and also activate the traps. The Rocket platform will probably be dependent on the power being switched on.

New zombies

This map contains new Space Monkeys and Zombies wearing gas masks. It's not clear if the zombies wearing masks are immune to any weapons but its likely that they won't be affected when crawlers die and release their green gas. The Space Monkeys may be the equivalent to the dogs and the Scientist thief in the other zombie maps.

New Traps

The large Cosmodrome room looks likely to contain a trap as the rotating device is around the same height as the zombies. The device could also create a zero gravity effect where zombies get stuck. In the real world, this kind of device is usually used for cosmonauts to train for zero gravity.

More Ascension details will appear as they're released..