Astra Malorum is one of the most complex and content-rich Zombies maps in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, packed with perks, traps, a unique mini-boss, hidden interactions, and an Easter egg quest that goes all the way to Mars. This guide walks you through everything you need to know before loading in-recommended augments, perk locations, Pack-a-Punch steps, wonder weapon details, side quests, and survival strategy.

Prepare Before Loading In

Before starting your match, make sure your augment setup is optimized. Mule Kick augments are incredibly strong on this map, so choose those over less impactful upgrades like Mr. Peak's field upgrade progress. Also, equip augments for returning carryover abilities such as Tesla Storm, Lightning, and Shatter Blast, all restored from Black Ops 6. Selecting these early ensures you don't lose progress or run an inefficient loadout.

For weapons, several standouts perform especially well in Astra Malorum.

· Novaline - reliable, strong damage output.

· Akita - especially good in Cursed mode and available as a wall-buy.

· Jagger - still usable, though nerfed since Ashes.

· SK - a community favorite for mobility and handling.

Anything agile tends to shine on this map's open lanes and elevated platforms.

Map Overview and Key Locations

You spawn at the Crash Site, where Old Tessy rests after the intro cutscene. Here you'll find Quick Revive and the Rampage Inducer.

· Luminarium (Left Path): Home to Juggernog, an armory station, and the Stellar Dissector trap-used later for the Easter egg.

· Museum Infinity: Filled with interactive exhibits, hidden items, a Skull for side quests, Speed Cola, and another crafting bench.

· Machina Astralis: A solar system display with Stamin-Up, an armor wall-buy, and several Easter egg items.

· Stargazers Courtyard: Contains another armor buy and the Apogee Annihilator firework trap.

· Abyssal Rim: A skybox overlook with intel and a crafting bench. Beware fall damage.

· Veil Walk: Location of the new Mule Kick machine.

· Observatory Dome: Your home for Pack-a-Punch and the top of the main path.

Despite seeming like the map's end, the Observatory is not the final zone-Astra Malorum hides an entire Mars location, accessible through the main quest.

Power & Pack-a-Punch

To activate PAP, collect two Harmonic Components-one near the Luminarium, one near Machina Astralis. Bring both to the Harmonic Oculus in the Observatory, start a 45-second lockdown, and you'll unlock the Pack-a-Punch. This also activates the fast travels, which behave like simple teleporters between the Crash Site and Observatory.

Special Rounds, Oscar, and Enemies

Special rounds now feature returning Ravagers, accompanied by meteors crashing into the asteroid's surface. Staying indoors prevents accidental knockback damage.

The new mini-boss, Oscar, patrols the map without aggroing unless he sees you. If provoked, he fires red UFOs that mark you, making all zombies hyper-aggressive. His rotating UFO shields must be destroyed to expose his weak points, though trapping him in hazards like the Stellar Dissector is far more efficient.

Uberclaus also appears-but only during Xfils. He's weak to Cryo-Freeze and Napalm Burst, so equip those if you plan to extract.

Traps and the Wonder Weapon

Astra Malorum features two major traps:

· Apogee Annihilator - firework launcher, highly damaging to everything nearby.

· Stellar Dissector - a rotating laser used both for crowd control and Easter egg objectives.

Completing the free wonder weapon quest unlocks one of the most creative weapons in Zombies history: a UFO-swarm shooter containing a tiny alien inside. It uses infinite ammo via cooldown and deals stacking nanite-style damage similar to Destiny's Outbreak Perfected. Great for bosses and armor shredding.

Side Quests, Easter Eggs, and Free Rewards

Astra offers numerous hidden interactables:

· Jump Scare: Activate valves in the Observatory, look through the viewfinder, and find the floating skull in space.

· Easter Egg Songs: Collect Mr. Peaks' headphones in the Luminarium, Machina Astralis, and Mars. A second song, Pareidolia, plays by shooting the giant head's nostrils on Mars.

· Free Double Points: Located on the third floor of Machina Astralis under a castle painting.

· Free Perk Quest: Find five skulls across the map, shoot each with Pack-a-Punch, place them in Machina Astralis, then shoot them in the revealed order.

Surviving Early and Mid-Game

Astra Malorum is spacious enough for beginners, though the community will eventually settle on a high-round trap-running strategy. Until then, rely on open areas like Stargazers and Machina Astralis, avoid Oscar unless prepared, and upgrade your mobility weapons early.

When ready, dive into the full main quest-or head to Mars to explore the map's biggest secrets. ELD.gg is committed to helping players enjoy the game, providing high-quality services such as buying CoD: Black Ops 7 Bot Lobbies and boosting.