Much like the Dark Aether Zone associated with the Bad Signla mission, there is a complicated, easter egg-filled way to permanently open the Coutermeasures Dark Aether Zone in Modern Warfare Zombies. It involves the Drum you get from completing the Countermeasures mission and a few other special items.
To permanently unlock the Countermeasures Dark Aether Rift, you need to collect a series of items similar to the Sigils with the Bad Signal Dark Aether Zone. You need the Drum, Tattered MMA Gloves, Perforated Target, and Instead of finding the items in Urzikstan, you’ll find the easter egg items within the Countermeasure mission Dark Aether Zone.
How to get and use the Drum in MWZ
The Drum is one part of four items you need to permanently open the Countermeasures Dark Aether Zone Gate. For now, you can keep your Drum in the stash because it is Gold.
You now need to first collect the three purple items, which are the Tattered MMA Gloves, Perforated Target, and … which are in the Countermeasures Dark Aether Zone, and then you need to return to Urzikstan and do specific things to make them gold.
How to get the Tattered MMA Gloves in MWZ
The Tattered Boxing Gloves are acquired from completing a Seal challenge in the Countermeasure Dark Aether Zone. This Seal is found on the large cargo ship directly to your left when entering the Dark Aether Zone. Get on top of it and activate the Seal.
The only way to score points on the Seal is to get melee kills within the ring. Luckily, you get an Insta-Kill right at the start. Wait until it’s almost gone, take it, and melee all the zombies that show up. Once completed, get the Tattered MMA Gloves from the Rift Reward.
How to get the Perforated Target in MWZ
Another item you need is the Perforated Target. This is located in E4, near the top of the map, near a four-way intersection of dirt roads. The goal of this Seal is to get headshots. After you’ve gotten enough headshots, you’ll get your Rift Reward that contains Perforated Target.
How to get the Pristine Mirror in MWZ
The Seal for the last item is found in H8. This is in the foggy river in the southeast of the map. Look for a circle of five large purple crystals and you’ll find the Seal in the middle. The goal for this Seal is to get kills with the element that matches the outer ring. You can get the Ammo Mod by interacting with the mirrors around the Seal.
First, use Nalpalm to secure souls. Next, use Cryo and get kills. Third, is Deadwire. Last, use Brainrot. It can be hard to get the Ammo Mod interaction prompt, but I’ve seen clearing away the Ammo makes it easier to appear. Get the Pristine Mirror from the Rift Reward and now you have all four items. Don’t forget to find the hidden rocks to play the 115 easter egg song.
How to upgrade the Tattered MMA Gloves to gold in MWZ
To turn the Tattered MMA Gloves gold, you need to have the Tattered MMA Gloves in your rucksack and go to the boxing ring in Urzikstan. In the center, interact with the offer unattuned relic message in the center of the ring.
While it is active, melee the punching bags from left to right with no weapon in your hands. Once all the punching bags are on fire, go back to the ring and beat up the zombie with red hands. I’ve found it easier to kill the other generic zombies nearby and then use fists to melee the red-handed zombie in the ring. Scoop the gold Tattered MMA Gloves from off the ground and move on to the next objective.
How to upgrade the Perforated Target to gold in MWZ
To upgrade the Perforated Target to gold, you need to go to the shooting range in Urzikstan. Once there, offer your unattuned relic which is at the firing range in the south next to the hill.
All you need to do is shoot all the bluish-purple targets to turn them red. There are about seven spread out around the shooting range, so look around. The last one is behind the cargo crates. It spawns a red zombie that you need to headshot. That’s how you get your gold Perforated Target relic.
How to upgrade the Pristine Mirror to gold in MWZ
The way to upgrade your Pristine Mirror to gold is to go to the graveyard which is near the Warlord Keres. Offer your unattuned relic at the headstone with a mirror on it. It’s exactly the same as the Countermeasures Dark Aether Zone method. Go to the tower in the graveyard and use the Ammo Mods on the specific zombies.
One zombie is glowing with an element. You need to use the specific Ammo Mod to kill that glowing zombie elemental. Once you’ve done that with Deadwire, Napalm, Brainrot, and Cryo, you’re good to get your gold Pristine Mirror.
How to open the Countermeasures Dark Aether Rift Gate in MWZ
Once you have all the gold relics, which is the Drum, Tattered MMA Gloves, Perforated Target, and Pristine Mirror, go to the Dark Aether Rift on the north side of Old Town in the red zone. You should prepare with high Pack-a-Punch weapons and as many Perk-a-Colas as you can get your hands on. Going in with a squad will also make it easier.
Put all the correct gold relics on their correct pedestals. Look at the symbols on the pedestals to confirm. Now, defeat Pulse the Mimic and you’ll get the Sigil you need. Now, go to a corner of the Rift and interact with it to send the Sigil. All that’s left to do is wait for the countdown and enter the Rift.
And just like that, you’ve entered the Countermeasures Dark Aether Zone. You can now look for the three blue bunnies which are the Contracts. Complete the Contracts and you can get the new Schematics. Hopefully, you get the Blood Burner Key Schematic.
