Decoding Ascension: From Black Ops Zombies to Cosmic Levels and Beyond
You may have heard the term “Ascension” in gaming and felt lost. This word appears in various games, carrying different meanings. Don’t worry, brave gamer. We’ll explain “Ascension” in various gaming worlds. From blasting zombies in Call of Duty: Black Ops to RPGs. Here’s your guide to understanding “Ascension.”
Ascension in Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies
We start where many first saw “Ascension”: Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies. Particularly on the map called… yes, “Ascension.”
The Ascension Map Pack: A Blast from the Past
Back in 2011, if you wanted to experience Ascension, you needed the First Strike map pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops. It wasn’t free; it was premium DLC. Xbox 360 players got it on February 1st. PlayStation 3 players waited until March 3rd. PC gamers got it on March 25th. For $14.99, you accessed this iconic map.
Unlocking the Pack-a-Punch on Ascension: Moon Landers and Missiles
If you wanted to survive waves of undead on Ascension, you needed the Pack-a-Punch machine. This upgrade station turns good weapons into zombie-slayers. But unlocking it? It’s a bit complicated. You must become a lunar transport leader.
To get the Pack-a-Punch working, take a ride on the Moon Lander. Think of it as an escape shuttle and key for Pack-a-Punch. There’s a red button near the power switch. It’s your launch control. The rocket symbol next to it tracks your progress, divided into four segments. Each successful Moon Lander trip turns one segment green. Get all four, and you’re set.
First, use the Lunar Lander to travel from all starting points to the main building. It’s like a scenic zombie tour. After the trip, press the launch button by the Power Switch. Boom! Missile launch initiated. The rocket isn’t just for show; it opens the Pack-A-Punch area beneath it once cleared. Now you can upgrade your gear and show the zombies who’s boss.
Black Ops 3 Zombie Map Unlock Trick: Keyboard Kommando
In Black Ops 3, there was a trick for instant access to all Zombie Mode maps. No need to grind each one. Just find the in-game computer, interact with it, and a keyboard appears in the corner. Type: 3ARC UNLOCK. Hit enter, and BAM! You can play any Zombie map. It’s like magic.
Ascension Gameplay and Features: Perks and Training Grounds
The Ascension map wasn’t just about Pack-a-Punch; it introduced unique gameplay elements. Let’s discuss perks and strategies.
Free Perks: Monkey Business (The Good Kind)
Everyone loves free stuff. Ascension let you get free perks with a catch: monkeys. These Space Monkeys aren’t cute distractions; they steal perks. Survive a monkey round without losing perks, and you get a free perk. It tests your defensive skills. Successfully fend them off? You get a “thank you” reward.
Widow’s Wine Perk: Sticky Situation for Zombies
Widow’s Wine debuted in Black Ops 3 Zombies, changing the game when swarmed. This perk makes your grenades sticky, turning them into web bombs. When they explode, they immobilize zombies temporarily. It’s like crowd control in a bottle. If a zombie gets too close, it gets webbed too! Like a personal barrier.
Bonus? Explosive resistance. It’s like PHD Flopper from past games, reducing damage from explosions. Widow’s Wine fills that explosive-resistance need without the original perk. Sticky grenades and minor damage protection? A win-win.
Training Spot Nirvana: The Central Courtyard
If you wanted a top training spot, Ascension’s central courtyard was legendary. It featured PhD Flopper (or Widow’s Wine later). Its large square shape allowed easy zombie kiting. “Training” means leading zombies in a circle or figure-eight to bunch them up. This courtyard? Like a training dojo designed for simplicity. You could almost train zombies in your sleep! Easily one of the best training spots in Call of Duty Zombies.
Number Codes: Cold War Secrets on Ascension
This is lore-adjacent but still cool. “Ascension” in Black Ops isn’t just a map name; it connects to mysterious number codes in Call of Duty: Black Ops. These weren’t random digits; they were encrypted orders sent to Soviet sleeper agents. Ascension might refer to activation levels or coded messages. While training zombies, remember that “Ascension” has deeper roots in the Black Ops narrative.
Related Black Ops 3 Game Elements: Divinium and GobbleGums
Let’s shift to a different topic: elements from Black Ops 3 Zombies that enhance gameplay: Liquid Divinium and GobbleGums.
Liquid Divinium: Zombie Gum Currency
In Black Ops 3 Zombies, Liquid Divinium is your currency for acquiring GobbleGums. Think of it as zombie gum tokens. You earn it by playing Zombies. The longer you survive and the more zombies you kill, the more Divinium you gain. It rewards your zombie-slaying efforts. Complete Daily Challenges for extra Liquid Divinium. Essentially, playing Zombies equals more Divinium, leading to more GobbleGums.
GobbleGums: Consumable Power-Ups
GobbleGums are a Black Ops 3 Zombies addition. These are bonuses or abilities you activate during matches for an edge. Need a temporary damage boost? There’s a GobbleGum for it! Want to teleport out of danger? GobbleGum saves you. You find GobbleGums at Dr. Monty’s GobbleGum Machines across maps. Spend Liquid Divinium at these to earn random GobbleGums. While a gamble, potential power-ups are worth it. GobbleGums add tactical depth, giving you temporary boosts.
Mule Kick: The Three-Weapon
Arsenal
Mule Kick is a Perk-A-Cola in Zombies. It allows you to carry three weapons instead of two. In a zombie apocalypse, having more guns means more firepower. Mule Kick adds a weapon slot for versatility. Want a shotgun, sniper rifle, and an SMG? Mule Kick makes it happen. It’s great for any zombie scenario.
Perkaholic: Perk Overload
Perkaholic is the ultimate perk-buff GobbleGum. It gives you all available perks at once. Speed Cola, Juggernog, Quick Revive, Stamin-Up – all active. It’s like a perk cocktail. Perkaholic can turn you into a near-invincible zombie killer. Use it, and say, “Bring on the horde; I’m ready.”
Black Ops 3 Additional Intel: Nightmares and Cheats
Black Ops 3 includes more than Zombies. Let’s discuss Nightmares mode and a secret cheat code.
Nightmares Mode: Zombie Campaign Remix
Nightmares mode is a twist on the main campaign in Black Ops 3. Instead of soldiers, you’re battling zombies. It retells the original story with undead themes. To unlock it, complete the entire main campaign. After finishing the story, Nightmares mode appears in the menu. It’s a fun zombie-filled campaign revisit.
Secret Cheat Menu: Shoulder Button Magic
Want a secret cheat menu in Black Ops 3? There’s a button combo for that. Hold down all four shoulder buttons (L1, L2, R1, R2 or LB, LT, RB, RT based on your console). While holding these, press X and Y (Xbox) or Square and Triangle (PlayStation). This should bring up a hidden menu for cheat codes. It’s a classic way to unlock features and enjoy unexpected fun.
Ascension Beyond Black Ops: Leveling Up in Other Games
“Ascension” isn’t just about Black Ops Zombies or Cold War codes. It shows up in many genres, signifying progression or unlocking new gameplay phases. Let’s examine “Ascension” in popular games.
Slay the Spire: Climbing the Ascension Levels
In Slay the Spire, Ascension increases difficulty. Beat the game with a character to unlock Ascension mode. Choose an Ascension level for a new run. Each level adds modifiers like tougher enemies and fewer healing opportunities. Climbing levels challenges you to master each character. It’s a test after beating the game.
Path of Exile 2: Choosing Your Ascension Class
Path of Exile 2 features Ascendancy classes, or “Ascension.” Unlocking your class requires completing Trials. Trials are mini-dungeons that test your skills. Completing one unlocks Ascendancy class selection. These subclasses offer powerful skill trees for building your character. Choosing a class significantly affects playstyle and endgame potential.
Genshin Impact: World Level Ascension
Genshin Impact uses “World Level Ascension” for progression. This isn’t unlocked via a quest; it’s based on your Adventure Rank. At Adventure Rank 58, you get the World Level Ascension quest. Completing it raises your World Level to 9. This leads to tougher enemies and better rewards. It keeps the challenge as you grow stronger.
World of Warcraft (WoW): Path of Ascension
In World of Warcraft, the “Path of Ascension” exists in the Shadowlands expansion for the Kyrian Covenant. It’s unlocked by buying upgrades from Haephus in Elysian Hold. The Path of Ascension allows combat with Soulbinds, summoning allies in battle. It’s unique to the Kyrian Covenant and tests your skills.
The Sims 4: Spellcaster Ascension
The Sims 4 features “Ascension” in the Realm of Magic Game Pack. Sims can become Spellcasters by collecting Motes. Gathering seven Motes in The Magic Realm leads to “Ascension.” Return to any Sage to turn in Motes, and then undergo the Right of Ascension. It’s a magical task that graduates your Sim to full spellcasting.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Hero Ascension Quests
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 has Hero Ascension Quests. Return to Agnus Castle with a Hero and complete prerequisite quests. These quests deepen the story and motives of your Heroes. Completing them grants new abilities and enhancements for your Hero. It rewards you for investing time into each character.
Ascension Points in Path of Exile 2: Trial by Fire (and Ultimatum)
Back to Path of Exile 2, “Ascension Points” come from completing Trials. These also unlock Ascendancy classes but grant extra points. Your third point is earned through a level 60+ Trial or a level 75 Ultimatum challenge. Ascension Points unlock nodes in your chosen class skill tree, strengthening your character.
Ascension WoW: Private Server Territory
“Ascension WoW” is a private World of Warcraft server. Private servers run outside Blizzard’s infrastructure. Ascension WoW offers a “classless” experience, differing from official WoW gameplay. These servers operate in a legal grey area and are against Blizzard’s EULA. They provide unique gameplay twists but come with risks.
Other “Ascensions”: Astronomy and Portals
“Ascension” appears in other contexts outside gaming. Let’s briefly explore two of these.
Right Ascension: Celestial Coordinates
In astronomy, Right Ascension measures celestial coordinates…
“Right Ascension” helps locate objects on the celestial sphere. It is similar to longitude on Earth. It measures east from the “First Point of Aries.” This point marks the Sun’s position at the March equinox. Astronomers use Right Ascension to find stars, planets, and galaxies in space.
Ascension Portal: Login Required
“Ascension Portal” often means a login for systems or services. It acts as a gateway. When you see “Ascension Portal,” it leads to a login page. You enter your user ID and password here. This is less about cosmic topics and more about logging in.
You now see “Ascension” explained across gaming and beyond. Whether unlocking Pack-a-Punch, climbing levels, making a subclass, or logging in, “Ascension” means progress. It shows advancement and new challenges. So go forth and ascend, gamer!
