TL;DR
- Complete the initial portal objective to access Merchant Road and locate the trapped Decimator Shield
- Break four gold crystals by completing Purge objectives after gaining Vercanna’s trust
- Defeat Zaballa the Deceiver in the Dark Aether to claim the awakened shield
- Destroy four energy anchors using the shield’s shock ability to free the ritual page
- Manage the 90-second cooldown effectively while defending against zombie hordes
This comprehensive Zombies guide delivers every essential step to successfully complete the main storyline quest in Terra Maledicta, Call of Duty: Vanguard’s newest objective-based map.
With Season 2 now active, players can explore the Egyptian Eastern Desert setting featuring the innovative Temple hub area. This location advances Vanguard Zombies’ continuing narrative where operators assist Professor Krafft in preventing Von List and Kortifex from deploying an undead army to secure Nazi victory in World War II. Our detailed walkthrough ensures you master this intricate Easter egg quest efficiently.
Terra Maledicta’s starting hub area layout
Pro Tip: Before starting the main quest, ensure you have at least two fully upgraded weapons and essential perks like Juggernog and Speed Cola for optimal survival chances.
Upon entering a Terra Maledicta match, Vercanna the Last immediately provides audio instructions directing you to retrieve a page from the Tome of Rituals. Your initial objective requires completing the portal challenge positioned at the eastern extremity of the starting Temple hub zone.
Successfully finishing this portal task unlocks Merchant Road, where you’ll encounter the remarkable Decimator Shield Wonder Weapon. However, this powerful artifact remains initially imprisoned within an energy barrier.
Portal location leading to Merchant Road area
Strategic Insight: The eastern portal objective typically involves either a Transmit or Blitz mission type. Prepare accordingly with crowd-control weapons to handle concentrated zombie waves during completion.
Audio narrative reveals the shield’s backstory and explains that shattering four crystalline structures will liberate it from confinement. Vercanna mandates that you establish trust before attempting to fracture the crystals.
From the central hub, locate and complete the northern-facing objective portal to gain entry to the Tents sector, which houses the Demonic Frenzy (Speed Cola) perk machine.
Speaker stone positioning opposite Demonic Frenzy perk
After finishing the objective, return to the Tents area to discover the speaker stone positioned against a tent structure directly across from the perk fountain. Engage with the stone to receive additional audio guidance from Vercanna.
Upon dialogue completion, Vercanna generates a portal directly before you. Enter this portal to undertake a Purge objective, functioning identically to standard Purge missions by requiring you to stand on illuminated rune circles while eliminating zombies until the symbols vanish.
Automatic transportation returns you to the main hub, with subsequent dialogue confirming the crystals have fractured.
Gold crystal locations above starting hub area
Simply destroy the four golden crystals positioned overhead in the hub. This action channels energy back to the shield, though the weapon stays inactive. Proceed back to the shield location for further instructions.
Advanced Technique: During Purge objectives, utilize area-denial equipment like Molotovs or monkeys to control zombie spawn points while standing on runes.
Vercanna’s audio guidance indicates you must awaken the shield. Locate and interact with the speaking stone adjacent to the Diabolical Damage (Double Tap) perk fountain to receive subsequent instructions.
Complete the portal objective on the southwestern hub perimeter, accessing the Bazaar location.
Bazaar speaker stone location inside doorway
The speaking stone rests on ground level immediately inside the Bazaar entrance. Interact with the stone for additional narrative, prompting a new portal formation.
Portal entry transports you to the Dark Aether dimension, where you confront Zaballa the Deceiver, a Dark Aether antagonist aligned with Kortifex.
Your mission involves safeguarding designated map locations while simultaneously assaulting Zaballa. Target the three masks obscuring her face as these represent her vulnerable zones. Vanquishing Vercanna returns you to the Decimator Shield, now available for collection on the ground.
Decimator Shield Wonder Weapon acquired
Note: Acquiring the shield displaces one of your two primary weapon slots. The shield features a slow-charging shock assault, making pairing with a potent alternative like a Pack-a-Punched shotgun highly advisable.
Combat Strategy: During the Zaballa encounter, prioritize destroying the three protective masks while utilizing cover to avoid her projectile attacks. Rotate between defense points systematically.
Following additional narrative exposition, you’re directed toward the speaker stone near the Venomous Vigor (health regeneration) perk fountain, situated in the Debris Field map section.
Speaker stone proximity to Venomous Vigor perk
Extended story dialogue follows stone interaction, after which Vercanna creates another portal. This gateway returns you to the Dark Aether, where the Tome of Rituals page remains tethered to the environment through luminous crimson energy strands.
Activate the shield’s shock capability (Left trigger on consoles) adjacent to the crimson orb-like anchors securing the page.
Energy anchor destruction targets
Eliminating all four anchors demands patience, since the shield provides single usage before entering approximately 90-second recharge. Maintain mobility and eliminate approaching zombies during the waiting period. Recharge completion is signaled by an auditory cue and both shield eyes illuminating. After demolishing all anchors, approach the hovering page above. The page descends toward you for collection. Retrieving the page portals you back to the hub, where substantial loot materializes as your completion reward, finalizing the Easter egg quest.
Consult our comprehensive perk guide for Terra Maledicta. Newcomers to Vanguard Zombies should explore the prologue Easter egg on Der Anfang for supplementary narrative context preceding Terra Maledicta and Vercanna the Last. Additional storyline insights can be gathered by discovering and listening to radio intel scattered throughout Der Anfang. Reference our complete intel locations guide for detailed positioning.
Cooldown Management: Use the 90-second recharge intervals to gather resources, repair armor, or eliminate zombies for point accumulation.
Weapon Synergy Optimization: The Decimator Shield performs optimally when complemented by high-damage secondary weapons. Pack-a-Punched shotguns, LMGs, or wonder weapons provide excellent complementary firepower.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid: Many players fail by attempting anchor destruction without proper zombie clearance, or by underestimating Zaballa’s damage output. Always prioritize survival over speed during critical encounters.
Time Efficiency Strategies: Experienced players can complete the entire quest in approximately 45-60 minutes with optimal routing and loadout preparation.
Advanced Cooldown Utilization: During the shield’s 90-second recharge, focus on training zombies in predictable patterns while gathering ammunition and armor plates.
For deeper gameplay mechanics and additional Easter egg content, explore our Complete Guide to master all aspects of objective-based Zombies gameplay.
If you’re seeking to enhance your overall combat effectiveness, our Weapons Unlock guide provides comprehensive armament strategies. Additionally, our Class Guide offers specialized loadout recommendations for different playstyles.
Action Checklist
- Complete eastern portal objective to unlock Merchant Road and locate trapped Decimator Shield
- Finish northern portal to access Tents area and interact with speaker stone
- Complete Purge objective and destroy four gold crystals above starting hub
- Defeat Zaballa the Deceiver by targeting her three mask weak points
- Use shield shock ability to destroy four energy anchors securing the ritual page
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » How To Complete The Terra Maledicta Main Easter Egg In CoD: Vanguard Zombies Complete step-by-step guide to conquer Terra Maledicta's main quest and unlock the Decimator Shield Wonder Weapon
