Defeat Zakhaev Walkthrough: How to Deploy to Zakhaev's Stronghold

Defeat Zakhaev is the final Act 3 mission in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) Zombies. Learn about Defeat Zakhaev objectives, how to deploy to Zakhaev's stronghold, and Defeat Zakhaev rewards!

How to Defeat Zakhaev

Defeat Zakhaev Mission Tips
Defeat the Orcus Aether Worm Boss Upgrade Your Gun to Pack-a-Punch 2 Farm for Perks and Essence Squad Up to Make the Orcus Fight Easier

Defeat the Orcus Boss

Orcus is a large Aether Worm that you have to fight during the Defeat Zakhaev Act 3 mission in MW3 Zombies. In order to thwart Zakhaev's plans, you will need to defeat Orcus in a difficult boss fight during the tail end of the mission.

Tip: Aim for Orcus' weak points (glowing purple bits) during the boss fight to deal increased damage. This speeds up the fight drastically, especially when playing solo.

How to Beat Orcus Boss

Experimental Gas Grenade Strat Nerfed in Season 1

Unfortunately, the Experimental Gas Grenade strat for solo players was heavily nerfed in Season 1. Fighting Orcus will now require you to actually have a decent weapon that has Pack-a-Punch 2 or higher in order to deal damage.

Upgrade Your Gun to Pack-a-Punch 2

Since you'll be pitted against a difficult boss in the form of Orcus, you won't be finishing Defeat Zakhaev if you don't have a Pack-a-Punched weapon. Make sure to get at least Pack-a-Punch 2 for an Epic or Legendary weapon, especially if you plan to do this mission solo.

Pack-a-Punch Cost and Locations

Use a Raw, Refined, or Flawless Aetherium Crystal for Easy Upgrades

Alternatively, players who have Raw, Refined, or Flawless Aetherium Crystals, can opt to bring those along instead. This lessens the Essence and Perk farming time before you deploy for the Defeat Zakhaev final mission.

Farm for Perks and Essence

While not as essential when playing with a squad, some perks will make all the difference for a solo during the mission. Make sure to prioritize getting at least Juggernog, Speed Cola, and Stamin-Up if you plan to play and complete this mission solo.

Additionally, make sure to also farm for Essence while securing the all the Perks before the Defeat Zakhaev mission. Since Zakhaev's base will have buy stations, deploying to the area with Essence will help you resupply during the lengthy boss battle at the end.

All Zombies Perks and Best Perks Tier List

Bring Self Revives if Playing Solo

Again, if you're playing as a solo, make sure to bring at least 2-3 Self Revives before you exfil to Zakhaev's base (mission start). The Buy Station near the Neutralizer during the Orcus boss fight will sell Self-Revives for 5,000 Essence each.

How to Get Self-Revives

Squad Up to Make the Orcus Fight Easier

Alternatively, you can opt to join or queue up with a squad in order to make this Zombies mission a walk in the park. As a squad, you'll be able to revive each other and eventually power through the mission even without optimal loadouts.

Defeat Zakhaev Mission Walkthrough

Defeat Zakhaev Objectives

1. Deploy to Zakhaev's Stronghhold via the exfil icon with a star
2. Cleanse the Exclusion Zone
3. Proceed to Zakhaev's facility
4. Locate the Aetherium enrichment device
5. Plant explosive charge on enrichment device
6. Get to the Neutralizer
7. Power up the Neutralizer
8. Destroy Helicopter
9. Take down Orcus

How to Cleanse Exclusion Zone

1	The Deploy to Zakhaev's Stronghold exfil location will appear on the map only a couple minutes after the match starts for the Deploy to Zakhaev's Stronghold objective. Keep a look out for the exfil icon with a star to appear somewhere in the yellow zone. Afterward, exfil at that spot to trigger the story mission.
2	The exclusive zone's map is filled with Mercenaries and zombies but rather straightforward in terms of objectives. Just head west, running past zombies and Mercenaries when you can, since they'll mostly be fighting each other.
3	Inside the smoke stacks facility, plant the explosive charge on the enrichment device before heading west again to the final site of the mission.
4	You can use the Ascender crane after Zakhaev's facility in order to quickly get to the Neutralizer site.
5	Power up the Neutralizer in order to start the final stage of the mission.
6	An Attack Helicopter will spawn and the objective will say to destroy it. However, don't waste your ammo since an Orcus will appear to destroy the helicopter either way.
7	Your last task will be to defeat the Orcus. Aim for the glowing purple areas of its body, since the rest of its body has armor. Avoid being directly in front of it, since it can either body slam or shoot a laser. ▶ How to Beat Orcus Boss

Zombies Ending Explained

Defeat Zakhaev Rewards

Bone Collector Operator Skin

Defeat Zakhaev Rewards
Bone Collector Operator Skin

The operator skin is equipped to the Ripper operator.

Operator List and All Operator Skins

Zombies Achievements

One Against All G: 90	Kill Orcus while in a 6 person squad in MWZ
The End? G: 30	Complete Act III in MWZ

You can get the above trophies and achievements even if Defeat Zakhaev isn't your current Equipped Mission but you complete it with someone who has it active.

Trophy Guide and List of Achievements

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) Related Guides

Zombies Mode Walkthrough and Guide

All Zombies Guides

All Zombies Acts 1 to 4 Missions