Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is finally out, and it launches with three Zombies maps (well, four counting the Classified map that is exclusive to season pass owners) including the Ancient Rome-themed map called IX. While it may have a drastically different setting than most Zombies maps and zombie tigers instead of zombie dogs, there are a lot of familiar elements in IX, including the ability to pack-a-punch.
For those unfamiliar with the concept, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 players can "pack-a-punch" their weapons by spending 5000 points at the pack-a-punch machine. However, players can't just go straight to the pack-a-punch; rather, they have to complete a set of objectives before they can unlock it.
With that in mind, here is a step-by-step guide on how to unlock pack-a-punch on the IX map in Black Ops 4 Zombies. Note that any references to the cost of doors assumes players are on Normal difficulty. The doors will be more expensive on higher difficulties and less expensive on Casual difficulty.
1. Ra Altar Room
The first part to unlocking pack-a-punch in IX is collecting four heads of zombie champions, who can be summoned with special gongs located in specific locations around the map. From the start, unlock the door on the right that costs 1000 points. Then follow this path and go up the stairs to reach the Ra Altar Room.
It may be a good idea to purchase a weapon off the wall just in case, but when ready, interact with the gong to summon the zombie champion. Zombie champions come in a few different flavors; there's one with an axe, one with claws, and sometimes players have to face an onslaught of zombie tigers instead. Regardless, the strategy for all of them is the same, and that's to take potshots while keeping some serious distance.
It's best to fight these champions near the end of rounds so players don't have to worry too much about other zombies that could be in the area. It's also worth pointing out that sometimes these zombie champions will spawn without hitting the gong, and sometimes there will even be two at once. Regardless, kill them and then collect the head that they drop. Players will know that they've killed the right zombie champion because the announcer will indicate as much.
2. Danu Altar Room
From the Ra Altar Room, purchase the door that costs 1250 points. Walk across the bridge and interact with the gong in the Danu Altar Room to summon the next champion. Use the same strategy as before, and once he's dead, grab the head.
3. Odin Altar Room
From the Danu Altar Room, go downstairs to reach the Danu Tower: Arboretum. Purchase the door in here for 1500 points to reach the underground area. This place is basically a big loop, and while it may seem intimidating, a few walks around it should help players familiarize themselves with all its locations.
What we're looking for is the area called the Odin-Zeus Temple Entrance, but players may also walk through areas like the Collapsed Tunnel, The Pit, The Temple, and the Fallen Hero (which just might be where the mystery box is, so using that couldn't hurt). We recommend unlocking all the doors in the underground area, as it will make things much easier. Upon finding the Odin-Zeus Temple Entrance, there will be two doors. While facing both of them, take the door on the left to find the Odin Tower.
Go to the top of the Odin Tower to reach the Odin Altar Room. Hit the gong, kill the zombie champion, and collect the head.
4. Zeus Altar Room
As we saw with the Danu Altar Room, getting to the Zeus Altar Room isn't too hard. Just purchase the bridge in the Odin Altar Room and take it across to immediately get to the Zeus Altar Room. Summon the zombie champion, kill it, collect the head, and then it's time to pack-a-punch.
5. Pack-A-Punch
Return to the underground area and head to the Temple. There is a stone altar here with four spears sticking out of the ground. Put the heads on them and hang tight. After a moment, the Pack-A-Punch on the IX Zombies map will be active.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.