schemes They are the most valuable items you can find in Modern Warfare 3‘s Zombies mode, as they allow some permanent progression outside matches.
If you are lucky enough to find your favorite scheme perkFor example, you can appear in (some) of your games with a can that is already in your inventory. This can help you jump-start your game, making it much easier to tackle encounters like the Mercenary Convoy, or even tackle a solo game.
In this MW3 Schematics Zombies Guide, we will teach you how to find schematics quickly, how to unlock them permanently and everything you can create between games.
How to get schematics in MW3 Zombies
Image: Sledgehammer Games/Activision via Polygon
The annoying thing about the schemes in Zombies is that they are this terrible mixture of crucial and random – which means I can’t tell you exactly where to find your favorite benefit scheme. However, I’ve come across a few schemes in my games, so I can at least point you in the right direction.
Contracts have been my only reliable source of schematics in Zombies.specifically at Level 2 difficulty zone (the middle one). These Level 2 bounties are more difficult than Level 1 ones, but are still relatively easy to complete, even on a team of random players who weren’t communicating at all outside of pings.
According to PC Gamer, you can also get schematics Mercenary Loot Cache and Aether Loot Cachethat you can find in outdoor activities such as Ether nests and Strengths. I couldn’t replicate its schematic success in any of those activities, despite hours of testing on my own.
If you are specifically looking to obtain schemes, contracts are your best option. They are faster and safer than the other activities in the game. And, because they give you so much money, contracts are also the activities that random squadmates tend to gravitate toward, allowing you to easily farm with a group even if you normally play alone.
How to unlock and use schematics in MW3 Zombies
Image: Sledgehammer Games/Activision via Polygon
Once you have compiled a schematic in the MW3 Zombie map and you placed it in your backpack, you will have to extract it. If you die with a schematic in your backpack, you will lose it and have to retrieve it again in a different game. However, if you successfully exfiltrate with the scheme, you will permanently unlock the ability to craft that item for your characters.
The strange thing about the schemes and crafting in Zombies is that there is a real world timer associated with these elements, and is based on their power. For example, the raw Aetherium Crystal schematic I have has a cooldown of eight hours. That means that every eight hours in the real world, I can create a raw aetherium crystal and equip it on one of my characters to instantly pack a weapon. The Jugger-Nog Can, on the other hand, only has a three-hour recovery period between uses.
Once you have created these items, you will need to equip them to your character and carry them into the game with them.
List of MW3 schematics
Image: Sledgehammer Games/Activision via Polygon
Here are the different upgrades you can create from schematics (once you unlock them) in Modern Warfare 3 Zombies:
Aetherium
- Uncommon Ether Tool
- Rare Ether Tool
- Epic Aether Tool
- raw aetherium crystal
- Refined Aetherium Crystal
Perk-A-Colas
- Jugger-nog can
- Deadshot daiquiri can
- Perception of death
- Elemental Pop Can
- PHD Fin Can
- Quick reactivation can
- Quick cola can
- resistance can
- tombstone soda can
Ammo Mods
- Brain Rot Ammo Mod
- Cryofrozen Ammo Mod
- Dead Wire Ammo Mod
- Napalm Blast Ammo Mod
- Shatter Blast Ammo Mod
wonder weapons
For more Modern Warfare 3 guides, see how to switch to tactical stance, and check out our guides on the best SVA 545 loadout, best Striker loadout, best MCW loadout, and best AMR9 loadout.
If you’re entering the campaign, find all the items and weapons in “Precious Cargo” and “Reactor,” see how to earn the Back in the Field trophy and the A Shot Blocked achievement, or check out our walkthrough for “Undercover.”
