Jumping into Dead Ops Arcade can feel overwhelming at first. The top-down perspective, relentless hordes, and numerous power-ups create a chaotic but addictive experience. But before you chase high rounds, mastering a few basics is key to long-term survival and enjoyment. This guide focuses on the core strategies needed to consistently reach higher rounds and unlock the mode’s secrets, expanding on Mastering Dead Ops Arcade basics.
At a glance:
- Learn fundamental movement and zombie herding techniques.
- Understand the importance of power-up prioritization.
- Develop a round-by-round strategy for resource management.
- Identify key map layouts for optimal survival.
- Recognize and exploit zombie spawn patterns.
Core Movement: The Foundation of Survival
Your movement is your lifeline in Dead Ops Arcade. Unlike first-person zombie modes, you’re vulnerable from all directions. Mastering effective movement is the first step in consistent survival.
Circles and Figure Eights: The most basic, yet crucial technique, involves circling around zombies to create distance. Once you have a group trailing you, use figure-eight patterns to further separate them, creating gaps to exploit and avoid getting cornered. Think of it like herding cattle; keep them moving in a predictable pattern.
Corner Baiting: Use corners to your advantage. Lure zombies around a corner, then quickly reverse direction, gaining valuable time to escape or unleash a power-up. This is particularly effective in tight corridors.
Example: Imagine you are in a narrow hallway; zombies swarm from the front. Instead of panicking and running straight back, quickly dart into a side room, loop around a crate and exit back into the hallway. The brief detour breaks the zombie’s direct path, buying you critical seconds.
Power-Up Prioritization: Choosing Wisely
Power-ups are essential for survival, but using them indiscriminately is a recipe for disaster. Understanding their value and when to deploy them is critical.
S-Tier (Always Grab):
- Nuke: Clears the entire screen of zombies. Excellent for immediate danger.
- Lightning Bolt: Devastating area-of-effect damage. Great for thinning hordes.
- Death Machine: A high-powered minigun with rapid fire and high damage. Use strategically against high-health enemies or large groups.
A-Tier (Situational):
- Monkey Bomb: Attracts zombies, allowing you to escape or set up a trap.
- Speed Boost: Increases movement speed, useful for escaping or navigating the map quickly.
- Armor: Provides temporary damage resistance. Good for tanking hits in a pinch.
B-Tier (Use with Caution):
- Bonus Points: While helpful for score, they don’t directly contribute to survival.
- Extra Life: Valuable, but prioritize proactive strategies over relying on extra lives.
Decision Tree:
- Are you surrounded?
- Yes: Nuke or Lightning Bolt.
- No: Proceed to step 2.
- Are you facing a large, manageable horde?
- Yes: Death Machine or Monkey Bomb.
- No: Proceed to step 3.
- Do you need to reposition quickly?
- Yes: Speed Boost.
- No: Consider Armor or saving the power-up for a more opportune moment.
Round-by-Round Strategy: Resource Management is Key
Don’t just react to each round; plan ahead. A well-thought-out strategy will help you conserve resources and stay alive longer.
Early Rounds (1-5): Focus on establishing your movement patterns and familiarizing yourself with the map layout. Conserve power-ups. Don’t waste a Nuke on a small group of zombies.
Mid Rounds (6-15): This is where power-ups become your best friend. Use Lightning Bolts to thin hordes, especially during challenging rounds like the Monkey Rounds or the increased speed rounds.
Late Rounds (16+): Survival becomes increasingly difficult. Save Nukes for emergencies. Perfect your herding techniques and prioritize avoiding damage above all else. Communication is key if playing co-op; coordinate power-up usage and cover each other’s flanks.
Example Scenario: Round 8 is a Monkey Round. Instead of wasting a Nuke, use a Monkey Bomb to lure the monkeys into a tight group, then use a Lightning Bolt to wipe them out efficiently. This saves your Nuke for a later, more dangerous situation.
Map Awareness: Knowing Your Environment
Each Dead Ops Arcade map has unique layouts that can be used to your advantage. Understanding these layouts is crucial for optimizing your survival strategy.
Chokepoints: Identify narrow passages or doorways where you can funnel zombies, making them easier to manage and eliminate.
Open Areas: Recognize spacious areas where you can kite zombies effectively. These areas provide ample room to maneuver and avoid getting cornered.
Looping Paths: Locate routes that allow you to create continuous loops, constantly putting distance between you and the horde.
Example: On the original Dead Ops Arcade map, the “waterfall” area provides a natural chokepoint, allowing you to easily mow down zombies as they funnel through the narrow opening. Conversely, the central courtyard is a large open area perfect for kiting.
Zombie Spawn Patterns: Predictability is Power
Zombies don’t spawn randomly; they follow predictable patterns. Understanding these patterns allows you to anticipate their movements and position yourself accordingly.
Spawn Zones: Zombies typically spawn from specific locations on the map. Identify these zones and avoid lingering near them unnecessarily.
Pathing: Zombies generally follow the shortest path to the player. Use this to your advantage by creating routes that lead them through chokepoints or into traps.
Round-Specific Spawns: Some rounds, like the Monkey Rounds or the Hellhound Rounds, have unique spawn patterns. Be prepared for these variations and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Example: During Hellhound Rounds, the hellhounds usually spawn from the outer edges of the map. Knowing this, you can position yourself in the center to maintain a wider field of view and react more quickly to their attacks.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
Q: Is co-op easier than solo?
A: Co-op can be easier, but it requires communication and coordination. More players mean more zombies, but the ability to revive teammates and share power-ups can be a significant advantage.
Q: What’s the best weapon to use?
A: You have unlimited ammo with your starting weapon and power-ups are more impactful. Focusing on weapon upgrades isn’t as critical as mastering movement and power-up usage. The Death Machine remains a high impact, temporary weapon.
Q: Should I always go for the treasure chests?
A: Treasure chests can contain valuable power-ups, but they also leave you vulnerable. Assess the risk before attempting to open one. If you’re surrounded, it’s best to prioritize survival.
Q: Are there any “cheese” strategies?
A: While some glitches and exploits existed in the past, they are often patched out. Focusing on core skills and strategic gameplay is a more reliable approach for long-term success.
Your Dead Ops Arcade Playbook: A Quick Start
Ready to put these basics into action? Here’s a checklist to get you started:
- Master the Basics: Practice circling and figure-eight movement patterns in early rounds.
- Power-Up Prioritization: Learn to identify and prioritize S-Tier and A-Tier power-ups.
- Round-by-Round Planning: Develop a strategy for resource management, especially during challenging rounds.
- Map Awareness: Familiarize yourself with key map layouts, including chokepoints, open areas, and looping paths.
- Zombie Spawn Patterns: Pay attention to zombie spawn zones and pathing to anticipate their movements.
By focusing on these fundamental elements, you’ll transform from a casual player into a Dead Ops Arcade survivor. The key to Mastering Dead Ops Arcade basics is consistent practice and adaptation. Now go out there and conquer those hordes!