The Pill Bottle is a key used to open the Dark Aether Rift in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) Zombies. Read on to learn how to get the Pill Bottle from Toxic Cysts, how to upgrade it to Gold rarity, and where to place it to open the Dark Aether Rift.

How to Get Pill Bottle

You can get the purple rarity Pill Bottle by equipping your gun with the Brain Rot Ammo Mod and shooting a Cyst inside an Aether Nest or Infested Stronghold. Follow the steps below to get the Pill Bottle and upgrade it to Gold Rarity in one game:

1. Equip Your Gun with the Brain Rot Ammo Mod
2. Shoot a Cyst Using Brain Rot Ammo
3. Take the Purple Pill Bottle to an Aether Tear
4. Complete Purple Contract to Get Gold Pill Bottle

Equip Your Gun with the Brain Rot Ammo Mod

Before you can get the Pill Bottle, you will first need to get the Brain Rot Ammo Mod and equip it to your gun. This mod can be found in-game by opening Loot Caches and Reward Rifts.

Note: If you already have the Brain Rot Ammo Mod schematic, you can craft it before the match so that you deploy with it immediately.

How to Get Brain Rot Ammo Mod

Shoot a Cyst Using Brain Rot Ammo

Opening a Cyst takes a while. Have your teammates protect you while opening the Cyst.

Once you have Brain Rot ammo, head over to a nearby Aether Nest or Infested Stronghold. Inside, shoot any Cyst until it turns green. Once it's green, you will be able to interact with it and open it to reveal the purple Pill Bottle.

Note: We recommend taking on Aether Nests as they are easier to clear when solo. Additionally, you don't have to destroy the Cyst. A few shots are enough to turn it green, allowing you to open it directly.

Pick Up the Pill Bottle from Inside the Toxic Cyst

After opening the Cyst, you will find the Pill Bottle lodged inside. Interact with it to pick it up. It should be classified as a purple rarity key when added to your Rucksack.

All MW3 Stronghold Locations

Take the Purple Pill Bottle to an Aether Tear

Before you can use the purple Pill Bottle, you will need to upgrade it to Gold rarity. Head over to the nearest Aether Tear on your map and ride it while the Pill Bottle is in your inventory.

Once you teleport up in the sky, you should see a floating Green Aether Tear. Parachute and enter through it to teleport to the Pill Bottle's upgrade Bounty Contract.

All Aether Tear Locations

Aether Tears Only Show Up on Your Map if You're Near Them

Unfortunately, Aether Tears will only show up on your map if you're near them. Luckily, they show up as bright purple portals, making them easy to spot while you explore the Zombies map.

Complete the Purple Contract to Get Gold Pill Bottle

After entering the Green Aether Tear, you will be teleported near the Purple Contract. Accept and complete the Purple Bounty Contract to upgrade your Pill Bottle to the Gold Pill Bottle.

The purple Pill Bottle contract will lead you to fight a Tier 1 Big Bounty HVT. Your target will either be a Mangler, Disciple, or Mimic in the Low Threat Zone.

How to Kill Big Bounty HVTs

What to Do With the Pill Bottle

Place the Gold Pill Bottle on the Rift Pedestal

To use the Gold Pill Bottle, head to the Dark Aether Rift found on the a small island at the south of the Red Zone. Place it on the Rift Pedestal with the Skull and Crossbones to activate 1 of 4 pedestals needed to open the Dark Aether Rift.

Note: Do not place the Gold Pill Bottle on the pedestal until you have the other 3 keys. Pedestal progress does not carry over, so if you fail to place all 4 in a single match, you will have to repeat the entire process during your next match.

How to Get All Keys

Place the Remaining Keys to Open the Dark Aether Rift

The Gold Pill Bottle alone won't open the Dark Aether Rift. You will need to place the other 3 Keys on their respective pedestals to reach the new location. Place the following keys on the remaining pedestals to reach the Dark Aether.

How to Enter Dark Aether Rift

What is the Pill Bottle?

Key Item to Open the Dark Aether Rift

The Pill Bottle is one of the new key items introduced in MW3 Zombies Season 1. It is used to open the Dark Aether Rift, along with the Locked Diary, Surveillance Camera, and Dog Collar key items.

The Dark Aether Rift takes players to a brand new map in MW3 Zombies called the Dark Aether. Travelling to this new location grants you 30 extra minutes of playtime, new contracts, and better loot than the Red Zone.

Dark Aether Map

Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) Related Guides

Zombies Mode Walkthrough and Guide

All Zombies Guides

Zombies Season 1 Guides