While scavenging through Urzikstan inCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3Zombies, players will want to complete contracts to earn bonus acquisitions, potential schematics, and earn essence to spend in-game to buy perks and Pack-a-Punch upgrades. One contract players can tackle is the Aether Extractors contract, which will require players totake out three Terminus squads and disable the nearby extractorsin the time limit, all while surviving the pursuing horde.
A twist on a classic mission fromCall of Duty Black Ops: Cold War’sOutbreak zombie mode where players had to defend two aether extractors from zombies, the tables are turned in Modern Warfare Zombies as players will be tasked with destroying three extractors in the redesigned Aether Extractors contract. Players will want to gear up to fight through ruthless enemy mercenaries, armed to the teeth and not willing to go down without a fight. Players will need to complete this contract as a mission objective for thefourth tier 3 mission in Operation Deadbolt, Saboteur.
Completing the Aether Extractors Contract
After grabbing the Aether Extractors contract phone and downloading the intel, players shouldtake a moment to drop any pursuing zombiesor hounds before moving to the contract area. Players will have three minutes to fight through the three squads of mercenaries and disable the extractorsbefore the onboard rockets launch and extract all the collected aether - so, while moving quickly is a priority, it is crucial to remove any threats that can sneak up on players when fighting the mercenaries. Move with a sense of urgency but be deliberate in clearing corners and ensuring all mercenaries are dealt with before attempting to disable an extractor.Use audio clues to help identify nearby soldiersand pinpoint their location.
When players are clear to approach the extractor,interact with the computer on board to begin the disabling process.Players will have tohold the input and the position for a few moments, so make sure all forces are down or squadmates are providing effective cover.Crouching or going prone is an optionwhile disabling an extractor for extra cover (it appears progress stops when going prone, but when standing back up the progress bar displays properly). Players are free to look around during this time as well, assessing the threats nearby and determining next steps. Players will bestuck in place for a short moment once the extractor is disabled, but be ready to move - theextractor will soon detonate, dealing a large amount of damage in a short area.Don’t get caught in the blastradius!
Once the first extractor is down, head for the second marked location and begin dispatching the mercenaries. It is important toremain calm and focused - despite the time limitfor this contract, panicking andrushing is a sure way to get caught off guardby a mercenary and get downed. There is typicallymore resistance on the first two extractors, so do not worry if it takes more than a minute to clear the first, and if the timer is under one minute when heading to the third extractor. Remain focused and clear the area of mercenaries.As long as players start the disable process before the timer hits zero,they will be able to delay the launch and complete the contract.
Best Weapons and Equipment for the Aether Extractors Contract
As players will be mostly dealing with Mercenaries for this contract, it is highly recommended tohave weapons that are effective at all ranges.Players will encounterrecon mercenaries, snipers, and shocktroopers, so players will need to be able toquickly change their effective combat range.Versatile assault rifles like theM13Band theM4and steadier SMGs like theStriker 9excel in this regard, especially when players take advantage ofModern Warfare 3’stactical stance feature. Auto-shotguns can be helpful for dealing with the recon mercenaries who charge in close in an attempt to stab players -the Riveter, with attachments that improve range and accuracy, can be an effective all around tool as well.Pack-a-Punch is an absolute must if attempting this contract in a higher threat tier- while most mercenaries can be quickly dispatched with headshots, theheavier armored soldiers can be nearly invulnerable to weapons of low rarity and without Pack-A-Punch.Effectively dropping enemies in a timely manner is critical to successfully completing the Aether Extractors contract.
Anyoffensive armaments like the Mortar Strikecan be excellent at quickly removing the Terminus forces around an extractor, just be careful not to get caught in the effect area. Throwable tactical and lethal equipment are also effective in this regard - when choosing between Epic tactical gear options, the Cymbal Monkeys or theKazimir Device, the latter willpull the mercenaries into the blackhole effect, similar to zombies, making itmore effective when dispatching a large group of Terminus goons. While the Cymbal Monkey does have an effective blast radius, the Mercenaries do not fall prey to the upbeat tune and will not gather around the explosion the way zombies would.Claymores and proximity mines can be useful at deterring recon assailants, but be cautious of proximity mine placementnot to accidentally catch yourself in the blastif triggered by a mercenary.Thermite is also highly effectiveagainst groups and heavily armored troops like the shocktroopers.
Best Weapon Mods for the Aether Extractors Contract
If playershave enough acquisitions or schematicsat their disposal in the pre-game lobby, elect to take abrain rotorshatter blast ammo modinto the deployment zone.Shatter blast is useful when dealing with shocktroopers and armored grunts, with the blast radius capable of breaking the armor of multiple mercenaries at a time if they are in proximity.Brain rot is incredibly useful when dealing with mercenaries,as turning a zombie to aid in the fight against the Terminus forces can bethe damage or distraction players need to easily eliminate all enemies. While there is no way for players to order a zombie to attack the mercenaries explicitly, when fighting the mercenaries defending the extractors, if a straggling zombie wanders over to attack players, if that zombie is turned he will charge the Terminus defense, giving players an opportunity to charge and flank the enemies and gain access to the extractor.
Best Perks for the Aether Extractors Contract
WhileJugger-Nog is always an excellent perkchoice, for the Aether Extractors contract, players will want to consider grabbing some additional perks besides just expanding their health.
Due to the time limit that players must disable the extractors under,Stamin-Up is an excellent aidwhen it comes to navigating to the extractors. Additionally,when used in tandem with Brain Rot, or with tactical squad play, players canuse Stamin-Ups speed bonus and duration extension to quickly reposition and flank mercenaries.
Quick Reviveis also a huge help in situations where players get surprised by a surprise zombie or, in the worst cases, a surprise horde. Being able todisengage the mercenaries and quickly heal, dispatch the zombies and heal, then return to the mercenary fight,can be instrumental in completion of this contract. Additionally, the increased regeneration factor can be a literal life-saverwhen players are locked in place, disabling an extractor.Remember that players can lay down during this process, taking cover from most fire - as long as there is not a mercenary immediately behind the player.If players begin receiving damage while attempting to disable an extractor, laying down and letting Quick Revive work its magic can help players avoid interruptions in progressand having to start the hack from the beginning.
General combat perks likeJugger-Nog, which increases maximum health, and Speed Cola, which increases reload speed,are also great tools for combating enemy soldiers.
