Der Eisendrache: There's a reason this map is so popular. It's because it's fucking outstanding. The atmosphere is the kind of atmosphere zombies fans beg for but rarely ever receive. The snowy weather and the dark of the night creates the perfect ambiance for slaying the undead. The bows are just the best. The lightning bow, of course, at the top. Most fans hate the elemental variants of wonder weapons but tbh this was only the second time they ever did that so I think for that reason alone it gets a pass. Plus, the Wolf Bow is unique and rich with story, as is the map itself. The EE is very attainable and fun, the music is so good and the introduction of the ragnaroks is just iconic. Bringing back the panzer was kinda eh but I didn't much mind. Feeding the dragons for the bow brought back some very familiar memories from MotD in a good way and it's hard to call fans of this map "blinded by nostalgia" because it's just plain good.
Citadelle Des Morts: If I had a nickel for every DLC 1 map that released in a black ops game that had gobblegums and was set in a castle with four medieval era weapons variants as the map's dedicated WW, I'd have two nickels. This map is an instant classic. The positive reception it received upon launch was more than deserved. The doppleghasts were annoying for sure and spawned too frequently, and the Raven sword is a little too complicated to attain for my taste. But the boss fight was unapologetically unique and epic and the overall map design was masterful and a huge breath of fresh air from the recycled assets of BO4 and CW, as were Terminus and Liberty Falls
Dead of the Night: I honestly think the lack of marketing for this map was 95% of what held it back. People didn't know it was coming, nor did they really want it to. The other 5% would be the Chaos storyline and how fans weren't ready for a new story away from Aether. Plus, the maps is also overwhelmingly massive, the EE is a catch all with a ton of parts you're required to obtain, with some side quests requiring you to obtain MORE parts. The quest for obtaining PaP definitely gets easier with time but can be daunting for new players who don't know the map layout yet. The EE, like all bo4 EEs, was way too difficult. But the werewolf boss fight and the WW were both unique and the WW especially was incredible. The crew, despite being the game's designated celebrity cast, was kinda meh and hard to fall in love with like the Cotd cast, the MotD cast, and the SoE cast. Although I do love Kiefer Sutherland and Helena Bohnam Carter, I didn't recognize the other two. I liked the story surrounding the map and how it kinda revealed itself to be a prequel to Voyage as well
Firebase Z: I don't particularly understand the hate for this map. It has a badass WW, a decent map layout, and was fun for grinding camps. However, the Mimics were super frustrating and Orda's health scaling up faster than you can gain firepower to overthrow him was infuriating. Also I didn't like how he shut down the power every time you failed to take him down, despite using Tier 5 Ring of Fire and a tier 3 packed legendary weapon against him. Maybe it's a "skill issue" but it shouldn't be that hard. I still like the map, tho. Although I HATE HATE HATE all of the cutscenes from BOCW where the crew doesn't speak ANY words because they're operators you choose before loading in
Ascension: The only reason this is ranked below Firebase is because there's not much to do. Don't get me wrong, this map is a CLASSIC and an absolute favorite of mine. It has a ton of great training spots, my favorite PaP process, introduces the best equipment of all time, the Gersch Device, and brings back Kino's dope ass WW. But the monkeys were unfair and problematic. I can live with the fact that they're bullet sponges and can resist Thunder Gun shots (even though it insta kills regular zombies indefinitely) and can throw grenades back at you and disable Gersch Devices. But them stealing your perks was a fucking stupid feature that should have NEVER been considered, let alone actually added. Even if you actively race across the map to defend all of your perks the best you can, you inevitably lose at least one if you have your full 4. But, this map introduced TWO new perks, something that hasn't been done since. PHD Flopper and Stamin-up were instant fan favorites and to this day are grabbed by 95% of players in every game. It's a shame you can't keep those said perks 100% of the time :/
Die Rise: This map has two redeeming qualities. One, the Jumping Jacks, despite being absolute nuisances, can give you as many free perks as there are special rounds. And I think that's pretty cool. And two, one of the most badass WWs in history. It's one of two infinite damage WWs in the entire game, the other being the jet gun, and did not disappoint. You can get this weapon as soon as round 1 and it gives you 50 shots, which is unfortunately low. But each shot, if done correctly, can wipe out a whole hoarde and pre patch it could end an entire round. But the elevators and the labyrinth like layout of the map held this map back SO MUCH. The elevator keys should've been like the Warden's key, and not a one time use per player per game. Each elevator should've had a designated perk that stayed the same every game and not randomized locations. This would've taken the sting out of having to wait for them for transportation reasons. Also, you should've been able to go INSIDE the elevator cars with the perks just at the back of the car, but maybe this is just me. And don't get me started on Who's Who. There's a billion ways that perk could've been improved but they instead sent out a half assed perk onto a half assed map that, if you completed the EE, it was FORCED on you with a free perkaholic and so if you went down, you effectively had to start over because you were stuck with nothing but your wits, a two hit system, and a 1911. Oh, and it overrided Quick Revive ofc. If they added Flopper onto this map (they antagonized us with it in the elevator shaft on the way down from the starting room. They KNEW we would've wanted it and instead spat in our face) it would've fixed half of the issues people had with this map. But nope. Here's your shitty Walmart brand quick revive.
Lastly, Verruckt: I know, I keep taking the WaW maps so low. But Verruckt is very aptly named. It's German for "crazy" or "insane" and understandably so. It's considered one of the hardest maps of all time, if not THE hardest. But that's not why I don't like it that much. The reason I don't like it is mostly the layout. Incredibly tight corners and a bunch of buyable doors is never a good decision. Although I will cut them some slack. This is the birthplace of perks and every single map after this, except for Bus Depot, has perks. They're now a staple in the CoD zombies experience and you just can't be mad at that. Also, the power switch and traps. Two less common but still iconic parts of playing zombies. The vibes are crazy (heh heh, get it?) and terrifying. Just stepping into that starting room, you're filled with dread and nerves because you know there's no way out, which is why I hate having to rank this map so low. It's a classic by every definition of the word. Also, knowing that this is the death place of our beloved marines just makes it so gutting and somber. RIP Johnny Banana
19 Comments
Die Rise slander will not be tolerated
Hell nah Die Rise over Verruckt is bait
Justice for Ascension and Verruckt
1. Der eisendrache 10/10
2. Dotn 9/10
3. Die rise 7/10 (where Ascension would be if the monkeys didn’t steal your perks)
4. Verrukt 7/10
5. We have der eisendrache at home 6/10
6. Firebase z 5/10
7. Ascension 4/10
CDM RESPECT 🙏
Citadelle over DotN is a crime
Verrukt should be above Die Rise
CDM is definitely worse than DOTN, but the rest of the list is valid I guess
Firebase Z should be at the bottom of the
The one thing you got right is that nobody asked youÂ
VERRĂśCKT SLANDER!
My ranking would be
1) Der Eisendrache
2) Ascension
3) Dead of the night
4) Citadelle des morts
5) Die Rise
6) Verruckt
7) Firebase Z
I rank mostly off of vibes and overall fun I personally have with the map, but also by which one would I rather play right now.
If you wanted to exclude chronicles and say base bo1 ascension then I would have it swapped places with dead of the night
Personally, mine would look like:
1: Tie between DOTN and DE, interchangeable for me
2: Verruckt
3: Ascension
4: CDM
5: Die Rise
6: Firebase Z
If we’re counting NT, then place Outbreak below FBZ, Rave above Verruckt, Darkest Shore above FBZ, and TMD above Outbreak.
Opinion on Firebase Z’s main quest or no comment?
I was going to disagree with citadelle take but the “two nickels” line has changed my mind
Actual perfect list bro cooked
CDM is like when you have a bratty little kid who thinks it can hang with the teen (DE) or college student (origins). CDM has close to no redeeming qualities outside of the elemental swords and boss fight.
Dead of the night on the other hand is like the grandpa who always tried to give you advice but you never wanted to listen only for you to grow up and realize bro was speaking facts and would’ve saved you a lifetime of misery.
die rise and firebase at the bottom then i’d say yeah that works
Firebase Z anywhere but the bottom is foul