Ray Gun Mark 2 in Black Ops 6 Zombies Should Bring Back the Fun BO2 Feature

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies is stirring up excitement yet again with its upcoming feature, Shattered Veil, despite some mixed feedback surrounding The Tomb and the recasting of Samantha Maxis. On April 2nd, players will venture into the iconic Mansion highlighted in Liberty Falls’ opening cinematic. This map is set to be a fan favorite, diving deeper into the CoD Zombies’ Dark Aether storyline. Familiar faces like Edward Richtofen and Samantha Maxis will return, with the narrative exploring the Order from the Chaos storyline. Expect to encounter intriguing locales, such as a T-Rex skeleton, and face off against new foes like the Toxic Zombie and the Elder Disciple. Players will also have classic weapons at their disposal, such as the Wunderwaffe DG-2 and the Ray Gun Mark 2 Wonder Weapons. It’s worth mentioning that the latter deserves broader spotlight beyond just Shattered Veil.

For the uninitiated, the Ray Gun Mark 2 made its debut in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, famed for its sleek design, reliable damage-per-second output, and lack of splash damage. Just as before, Black Ops 6 incorporates multiple versions of the Mark 2 beyond its traditional form. This time, there are three variants: the SMG version sets enemies ablaze, the shotgun variant creates safe zones for players, and the Marksman Rifle variant delivers toxic area-of-effect damage. Chasing down these variants is set to be a major gameplay feature in Shattered Veil. However, while it should stay exclusive to those variants, the standard Mark 2 itself could benefit from a wider availability.

Looking back, while the iconic Buried map in Black Ops 2 technically introduced the Ray Gun Mark 2, it wasn’t limited to just that. Players who had the Vengeance map pack could access the Mark 2 across various maps. Classic maps featuring the original Ray Gun allowed players to choose between both versions, making the Mark 2 a powerhouse for dealing with hordes, even in the Nuketown Zombies bonus map. By adding the Mark 2 retroactively to maps like TranZit, Nuketown, Die Rise, and Mob of the Dead, as well as featuring it prominently in Origins, players always had a promising choice in their Mystery Box arsenal.

Treyarch has a history of enriching old maps with fresh elements, as seen when they added the Mule Kick perk to various maps in the original Black Ops, highlighting their commitment to enhancing player experiences.

The reintroduction of the Ray Gun Mark 2 could provide the much-needed thrill and depth to Black Ops 6’s Mystery Box. Fans often criticize the diminishing role of the Mystery Box in recent Treyarch titles, where players are content with their loadout weapons and bypass the need to gamble a box spin. If the Mark 2 graced other maps like Terminus, Liberty Falls, Citadelle Des Morts, and the Tomb, players might feel reinvigorated with each roll of the box, eager at the prospect of snagging the Mark 2.

Although it remains uncertain if this will happen, there’s a strong case for making the Mark 2 more universally available. While Shattered Veil boasts its unique identity with returning weapons like the Wunderwaffe DG-2 and the Ray Gun Mark 2, providing the base Mark 2 as a Mystery Box staple across maps could beautifully blend nostalgia with new-age gameplay. This strategic move could address current fan concerns while embracing the legacy of Call of Duty’s storied past. Hopefully, Treyarch considers this, delivering an enriched, nostalgic experience for longtime fans.