How to Enter the Dark Aether Rift in MW3 Zombies

Last Updated on: 23 December, 2023 | 7:12 AM

The Zombies mode is back in Call of Duty with exciting missions and features. Introduced in 2008, the Zombies eventually became one of the biggest COD modes. However, the Modern Warfare series never received it until MW3 Zombies appeared in 2023. Like always the Zombies have brought tons of objectives to be completed on the map of Urzikstan and entering Dark Aether Rift is one of them. Though, it doesn’t sound complicated, believe me, it is complicated. So, if you are wondering how to enter the Dark Aether Rift, this guide will give you a detailed tour of the process.

The Dark Aether Rift is one of the most exciting, yet dangerous locations of the game. Dark Aether acts as a parallel dimension and the rift is the entrance to it. To be precise, the Dark Aether Rift bridges the two parallel realms. The other side of the rift is much more challenging than you can imagine. So, naturally, you may question the point of traveling there. Let me tell you all the Classified Schematics, like the Golden Armor Plate, Dog Bone, Aether Blade, etc., can be found there.

Now that you are aware of the reason, let’s jump into the process to open the rift. The rift is not open from the beginning, nor you can randomly open it anytime you want. Players need to follow a specific process to open the rift. There are two ways to enter the Dark Aether Rift.

Complete the Bad Signal Story Mission

This is the first and the simplest way to open the rift and enter Dark Aether. Bad Signal is an Act 4 mission in MW3 Zombies where players will enter the Dark Aether as part of the story. But that’s for a while. It won’t let you re-enter the rift further.

So, if you want to re-enter the rift, you must find four key items and the Sigil to activate the rift. These four keys are to be placed on four pedestals and then the Sigil should be placed to activate the rift. The process is lengthy and full of dangers. If you are getting confused, don’t worry and we will explain all the steps below.

Find the Locked Diary

The first key item is the Locked Diary. Finding the locked diary is not an issue as you don’t need to look for it. Instead, it is a reward for completing the Bad Signal mission.

Find Pill Bottle

This is a bit tough to acquire as it requires you to equip a Brain Rot Ammo mod and shoot a cyst. If you are not sure how to get a Brain Rot Ammo mod, it can be crafted using Brain Rot Ammo Schematic or acquired by cleaning Aether Nests or Infested Strongholds.

If you have been grinding the map, you are aware that both these locations are marked on the map with hexagon icons. These ammo mods are specifically located inside Aether Caches. But make sure to clean the area before you look for Brain Rot Ammo mod.

Find a Surveillance Camera

To get the surveillance camera, players must equip a Dead Wire Ammo Mod and destroy a Harvester Orb. If you have a Dead Wire Ammo Mod, it’s okay, but if you are looking for it, let me help you with it.

Similar to the Brain Rot Ammo Mod, the Dead Wire Ammo Mod can be crafted using Dead Wire Ammo Mod Schematic or found from cleaning Aether Nests and Infected Strongholds. Both these areas can be found marked on the map with a hexagon icon. So, players can easily locate them. But make sure you clear the area before searching for the ammo mod.

Dog Collar

Last of the four key items, the Dog Collar can be found by placing a chunk of meat and Molotov inside a dog house. Once the Hell Hound spawns, kill it to get the collar. If you are not sure about the process to get a chunk of flesh, zombies are the only way to have it.

You can either complete Escort Contracts and kill zombies or blow them up with explosives to get a chunk of flesh.

If you think that’s the end, you will be disappointed. The actual process will start after you collect these four items. Players must upgrade all these key items to Gold Rarity and get the Sigil. Let’s move forward one by one.

How to Upgrade Keys to Gold Rarity?

Before you place these items on the pedestal, you must upgrade their rarity. To do that, you must go to an Aether Tear. These are the points on the Urzikstan map that will teleport players way up into the air. Once you enter one, deploy your parachute to move faster to your destination. However, these spawn randomly anywhere on the map.

So, once you have all the key items, and you locate an Aether Tear, enter it. Next, hold the key item and use your parachute to move toward a Gold Rift. A Purple Bounty Contract will then become available somewhere on the map. Complete it and your key item will be upgraded to Gold Rarity. Repeat the same process with all four items.

Once you are done with all four keys, now, proceed to get the Sigil and open the portal.

How to Get a Sigil?

The process to acquire Sigil is pretty random and a bit complicated. The first one you will get after completing the Act 4 Bad Signal story mission. For the rest of them, travel to the Red circled zones and complete contracts. Now that you are ready, place a Sigil on the pillar at the entrance of the portal.

Unfortunately, that’s not enough. Now, all the teammates have to participate in a voting session where they must get a certain amount of ‘Yes’ to open the rift and teleport to the other side.

That’s the entire process of opening the Dark Aether Rift in Modern Warfare 3 Zombies. Before you enter the rift, make sure to have the most powerful weapons with you. On the other side, the zombies you will face are way too much challenging.