All MW3 Zombies Schematics and how to get them

The best loot to find.

A player holds a Jugger-Nog Perk Can in their hands while a swam of Zombies approach.
Image via Activision

There are plenty of activities to complete and place to explore in Modern Warfare 3‘s Zombies mode. but hunting for Schematics should definitely be a priority, given how valuable these items will be in future deployments.

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These Schematics will allow you to permanently unlock the ability to create Aether Tools, Perk-a-Colas, Ammo Mods, Wonder Weapons, and other classified items—though the catch is they can be extremely tricky to locate or acquire.

We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know, including tips on how to maximize your chances of securing one of these rare drops.

Where to get all Schematics in MW3 Zombies

A screenshot of an inventory in MW3 Zombies with a Schematic inside.
Prioritize exfil when you get one of these. Screenshot by Dot Esports.

Schematics in MW3 Zombies come from a variety of sources. Some of the more basic ones are earned as a reward for completing story missions or completing contracts within a certain threat tier. However, some of the rarer Schematics require you to complete some of the more unique activities that MW3 Zombies has to offer.

While a Schematic drop is not guaranteed, these activities will give you the best chance at each Schematic, according to Reddit user Ziqd and the MW3 Zombies community.

Tip:

If a Schematic is noted as a story mission reward, it means there’s a chance the Schematic drops randomly after completing a mission from the corresponding story act. For example, completing a story act mission will give you a chance at picking up the Uncommon Aether Tool Schematic.

Aether Tools and Aetherium Crystals

ItemEffectSource
Uncommon Aether ToolUpgrades currently held weapon to Uncommon rarity.Story act one mission reward
Rare Aether ToolUpgrades currently held weapon to Rare rarity.Story act two mission reward
Epic Aether ToolUpgrades currently held weapon to Epic rarity.Tier three contract
Legendary Aether ToolUpgrades currently held weapon to Legendary rarity.Red Worm Storm Boss
Raw Aetherium CrystalUpgrades currently held weapon to Pack-a-Punch level one.Tier two contract
Refined Aetherium CrystalUpgrades currently held weapon to Pack-a-Punch level two.Tier three contract
Flawless Aetherium CrystalUpgrades currently held weapon to Pack-a-Punch level three.Red Worm Storm Boss

Perk-a-Colas

ItemEffectSource
Deadshot DaiquiriIncrease enemy critical damage.Tier one contract
Speed ColaDrink to reload and replate armor fasterTier one contract
Stamin-UpIncrease run and sprint speed.Tier one contract
Jugger-nogIncreases max health.Tier two contract
PHD FlopperDive to prone triggers an explosion that increases the higher you fall. Grants immunity from fall damage while diving.Tier two contract
Elemental PopEvery bullet you fire has a small chance to apply a random ammo mod effect.Tier three contract
TombstoneOn death, create a tombstone stash at that location containing your backpack inventory in the next game.Tier three contract
Quick ReviveReduce health regen delay time by 50 percent. Reduce time it takes to revive an ally by 50 percent.Story act one mission reward
Death PerceptionObscured enemies, chests, resources, and item drops are keylined.Story act three mission reward

Ammo Mods

ItemEffectSource
Brain RotTemporarily makes a zombie your ally. Zombies with Brain Rot deal Toxic damage.Tier one contract
Cryo FreezeFreezes enemies.Story act two mission reward
Dead WireShocks and stuns enemies.Tier two contract
Napalm BurstBurns enemies over time.Tier one contract
Shatter BlastBullets explode on impact.Tier two contract

Wonder Weapons

ItemEffectSource
Ray Gun caseCrafts the Ray Gun. Automatic laser gun.Tier three contract
The Scorcher caseCrafts The Scorcher. Pulse rifle.Red Worm Storm Boss
Wunderwaffe DG-2 caseCrafts Wunderwaffe DG-2. Zaps groups of enemies.Story act three mission reward

Classified

Classified items are unique in that you have to complete contracts while inside the Elder Dark Aether, and you get a specific Schematic depending on which contract you’re on.

ItemEffectSource
Dog BoneSummons an allied Hell Hound.First Elder Dark Aether contract
Golden Armor PlateArmor slots will automatically refill.Second Elder Dark Aether contract
Aether BladeThrowing knife that seeks an additional enemy before returning.Third Elder Dark Aether contract

Best contracts for farming Schematics in MW3 Zombies

There are numerous contracts to pick from during an MW3 Zombies match, but some are significantly easier and quicker to accomplish, giving you more opportunities at Schematic drops:

  • Deliver Cargo: Hop in a vehicle and drive from point A to point B, this is one of the fastest contracts you can complete. Plus you can keep the vehicle after and quickly head to another contract.
  • Raid Weapon Stash and Outlast: With the right weapons and gear, holding off waves of zombies isn’t too challenging.
  • Eliminate the Bounty: If you can manage to Pack-a-Punch just one of your weapons like an AR or an SMG, you can melt down zombie boss health pretty quickly.
Tip:

I would avoid Defend Ground Station at all costs. The mercs are pretty relentless, and without a team of squadmates, the mercs can break down the computer you’re defending rather quickly.

How to use Schematics in MW3 Zombies

A screenshot of the Perks Schematics page in MW3 Zombies.
Craft away. Screenshot by Dot Esports.

Once you’ve successfully extracted from Zombies with a Schematic in your inventory, you’ll permanently unlock the item for crafting in the pre-game menu.

To access them, head to the inventory customization menu that can be accessed before you drop into a game. Find an empty slot in your inventory and then click it, which opens up another menu where you are presented with two choices.

The first is where you can find the Acquisitions you have extracted previously, so you need to hit the second menu for Schematics. Here, you’ll see all of the Schematics that can be found and the option to craft the Schematics you have unlocked.

However, there is a cooldown for crafting that varies by item. As you can see in the image above, a Speed Cola Can has a three-hour crafting cooldown. More powerful Schematics, like the Ray Gun, have an even longer cooldown.

Author
Image of Josh Challies
Josh Challies
Staff Writer. Professional writer since 2014. Pokemon, Marvel, Star Wars and overall geek. Previously wrote for Yahoo Sport, Stats Perform and online news publications.
Author
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Scott Robertson
VALORANT lead staff writer, also covering CS:GO, FPS games, other titles, and the wider esports industry. Watching and writing esports since 2014. Previously wrote for Dexerto, Upcomer, Splyce, and somehow MySpace. Jack of all games, master of none.