Origins Zombies Guide - Complete Easter Egg & Strategy

Introduction

Origins is widely considered the greatest Zombies map in Call of Duty history. Set in a diesel-punk World War I excavation site in Northern France, Origins introduces four elemental staffs, giant robots that stomp across the map, a Panzer Soldat boss enemy, and one of the most rewarding Easter egg quests Treyarch has ever created.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to conquer Origins: generator locations, how to build and upgrade all four elemental staffs, the full Easter egg walkthrough, and proven high-round strategies. Whether you are a first-time visitor to Excavation Site 64 or chasing the "Little Lost Girl" achievement, this guide has you covered.

Map Layout & Generators

Origins features six generators that power the map's perk machines, workbenches, and mystery box. Activating all six is your first priority in every game.

| Generator | Location | Zombie Attacks | Priority | |-----------|----------|---------------|----------| | Gen 1 | Spawn Room (Excavation Site) | First to be attacked | High | | Gen 2 | Church Approach | Frequent attacks | Medium | | Gen 3 | Near Tank Station | Moderate | Medium | | Gen 4 | Church Area (Juggernog) | High traffic | Essential | | Gen 5 | Excavation Path | Moderate | Medium | | Gen 6 | Near Stamin-Up | Low priority | Low |

The Four Elemental Staffs

The staffs are Origins' defining feature — four elemental wonder weapons, each requiring a base staff to be built and then upgraded via a unique quest.

Building the Base Staffs

To build any staff, you need three parts plus the elemental crystal. Staff parts are found in the excavation site and around the map:

• Disc: Found in the central excavation area
• Rod: Found near each staff's associated area
• Crystal: Found in the Crazy Place portal area

Staff Overview Table

Ice Staff (Staff of Ice) - Upgrade Guide

The Ice Staff is the easiest to build and upgrade, making it ideal for beginners. It fires ice shots that freeze zombies solid, and the charged shot creates a blizzard that freezes everything in a wide area.

Upgrade Steps:

1. Solve the ice staff code puzzle in the Crazy Place (shoot floating symbols in order)
2. The code relates to the symbols on the excavation site ceiling tiles
3. After solving, shoot the ice ball in the Crazy Place ceiling to complete

Fire Staff (Staff of Fire) - Upgrade Guide

The Fire Staff deals the highest single-target damage and is the best staff for killing Panzer Soldats quickly.

Upgrade Steps:

1. In the Crazy Place, shoot four fire cauldrons in the correct order
2. The order is determined by torches visible in the excavation site
3. Complete the sequence, then shoot the fire orb to finish

Lightning Staff (Staff of Lightning) - Upgrade Guide

The Lightning Staff's chain effect makes it the best high-round staff. Its charged shot sends lightning arcing through entire hordes of zombies.

Upgrade Steps:

1. Find the three tuning forks scattered around the map
2. Place them on the correct pedestals in the Crazy Place
3. Play the correct notes on each to resonate the lightning crystal

Wind Staff (Staff of Wind) - Upgrade Guide

The Wind Staff provides exceptional mobility with its charged shot creating a tornado that lifts and kills zombies.

Upgrade Steps:

1. Collect the three gears in the Crazy Place
2. Place them in the correct slots on the excavation machines
3. Wind will guide you to the correct placement order

Full Easter Egg Walkthrough

The Origins Easter egg, "Little Lost Girl," is a multi-step quest to free Samantha Maxis from Agartha. Here is a condensed walkthrough:

Step 1: Build All Four Staffs Each player should focus on one staff. If playing solo, build the Ice Staff first for survival.

Step 2: Upgrade All Four Staffs Complete all upgrade quests for each staff.

Step 3: Fill the Soul Chests After upgrading, each staff can fill a soul chest in the Crazy Place by killing zombies near the corresponding elemental circle. A total of approximately 100 zombies must be killed per chest.

Step 4: The Rain Fire Step Once all chests are filled, the sky will darken. Place the four staffs in the giant robots' heads by entering them through the opened robot foot. Each robot head accepts one staff.

Step 5: Release Samantha After placing all staffs, the final ritual begins in the Crazy Place. Defend against waves of zombies while the ritual completes.

Step 6: Final Boss Fight Enter the portal to the final arena. You face waves of templar zombies and Panzer Soldats while keeping all four staffs active. Focus fire on the glowing Panzer Soldat weak point.

Step 7: Complete the Ritual After surviving the final wave, interact with the portal to free Samantha and complete the Easter egg.

Panzer Soldat Strategy

The Panzer Soldat is Origins' boss zombie — a massive armored enemy with a flamethrower and claw grab that can down even experienced players. Encountered first around round 8, then periodically thereafter.

Killing the Panzer Soldat:

• Shoot the glowing red power core on its arm or head for critical damage
• The Fire Staff's charged shot deals massive damage to Panzers
• The MP40 and STG-44 wall weapons are effective when shooting the weak point
• Activate the Maxis Drone (buildable) for a temporary ally that distracts Panzers

High Round Strategy

For rounds 30+, the proven strategy on Origins is:

1. Train in the Church area near Generator 4 — Wide, open space with multiple escape routes
2. Use the Ice or Lightning Staff — Ice freezes trains for easy elimination, Lightning chains through hordes
3. Keep Juggernog, Speed Cola, Double Tap, and Stamin-Up active — Generator management is crucial
4. Build the Zombie Shield — Essential protection from zombies sneaking up behind you
5. Use the G-Strike (Semtex buildable) — Earned from filling the reward chest, acts as a Monkey Bomb substitute

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Origins Easter egg be completed solo?

Yes, but it is extremely difficult. You must build and upgrade all four staffs alone, and some steps (like the Rain Fire step) require you to navigate the map while robots are stomping. It is one of the hardest solo Easter eggs in CoD history.

What is the best staff for beginners?

The Ice Staff has the easiest upgrade quest and the most forgiving charged shot (freezes everything). Learn the Ice Staff first, then branch out to Fire for boss damage and Lightning for high rounds.

How do I stop generators from being attacked?

You cannot permanently stop generator attacks, but you can reduce their frequency by keeping generators fully powered and defending them promptly when the zombie attack notification appears. The more generators are powered, the faster each attack ends.

What round does the Panzer Soldat first spawn?

The Panzer Soldat first appears on Round 8 and then every 3-5 rounds thereafter. On later rounds, multiple Panzers can spawn simultaneously.

Conclusion

Origins is a masterpiece of Zombies design — complex, challenging, and deeply rewarding. The staff-building system, Panzer Soldat encounters, and epic Easter egg create an experience that players return to year after year. Whether your goal is to complete the quest, reach round 50, or simply survive as long as possible, mastering Origins represents the pinnacle of Black Ops 2 Zombies achievement.

Take your time learning each staff's quest and upgrade path. Focus on generator management and point optimization in early rounds. And most importantly: never stop moving. The trenches of World War I are unforgiving — but with this guide, you have everything you need to survive.