The elemental swords introduced in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies on the Citadel des Morts map boast an impressive aesthetic, but many players find them underwhelming in practice. Although they lack the overpowering utility expected of Wonder Weapons, strategic use of perks, augments, and abilities can dramatically enhance their effectiveness. The following guide will provide you with detailed instructions on how to use the sword to its full potential in Black Ops 6, which will help you dominate a game.
Related: How to Get & Upgrade All Swords in Black Ops 6 Citadelle des Morts?
Melee Macchiato is the foundation of making swords viable. This perk, available outside the castle entrance, replaces your default melee attack with a powerful punch and can be further enhanced by augments. Focus on the following augments:
Minor Augment: Stick and Move
- Enhances your backpedal speed after a melee attack, allowing safer positioning during engagements.
Major Augments: Espresso or Vampiric Extraction
- Espresso: Increases melee attack speed, making it easier to clear zombies faster.
- Vampiric Extraction: Heals a portion of health with each melee attack—ideal for aggressive players confident in close combat.
Pro Tip: Avoid augments like Triple Shot, as they only enhance the punch ability, not the swords.
Blocking is an underrated feature that can turn the tide in tricky situations:
- Crowd Control: Stuns nearby zombies for a brief moment.
- Projectile Defense: Effective against parasite projectiles or Doppelgast attacks.
- Amalgam Grab Counter: When grabbed by an amalgam, blocking immediately breaks free, nullifying damage.
- Boss Fight Utility: Use the block ability to withstand nearly all attacks from the map’s Guardian boss, minimizing damage.
Voltrade, combined with the Smell of Death augment, brings nostalgic mechanics from Black Ops 2, allowing zombies to ignore you temporarily when you enter a gas cloud dropped by defeated enemies. This synergy is particularly valuable when cornered, giving you critical breathing room.
The Light Sword’s special attack unleashes a protective rainbow tornado and boasts a secret perk: it fully replenishes your shield. This makes it indispensable during boss fights or high-pressure waves. While other swords have situational uses, the Light Sword's utility and hidden ability set it apart as the most versatile choice.
To maximize sword efficiency:
- Backpedal and Attack: Never charge into hordes recklessly; instead, maintain a controlled retreat while attacking.
- Pick Your Fights: Avoid engaging when completely surrounded; instead, use augments or Voltrade's smoke to reposition safely.
While the elemental swords might not yet match their Wonder Weapon status, they’re far from ineffective when used strategically. Incorporating the right perks, augments, and techniques can elevate their performance, making them a valuable tool for survival. If you haven't unlocked the swords in Black Ops 6, then the bo6 bot lobbies in U4GM will help you get and upgrade these swords more easily.