Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies – How to Upgrade The Ray Gun Mark 2

The Ray Gun Mark 2 is one of the most powerful weapons currently available in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies – Shattered Veil. However, to truly unleash its full potential, you'll need to upgrade it. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to unlock all three Ray Gun Mark 2 upgrades: the W, R, and P variants.

How to Get Empty Cannisters For Ray Gun Mark 2

Before you can begin the upgrade process, you’ll need to get your hands on the Ray Gun Mark 2. If you haven’t secured it yet, be sure to check out our full guide on how to obtain it. Once that’s done, there’s one more step before unlocking the upgrades—collecting Gas Canisters.

There are three canisters hidden around the map, and any one of them will work to unlock an upgrade. However, if you plan on switching between upgrade types later, you can collect all three. Here’s where to find each one:

Empty Canister #1 – Crystal Method

Destroy blue crystals around the map using the Ray Gun Mk 2. One of these will drop an Empty Canister. Crystal spawn locations include:

• Inside the Conservatory before Quick Revive.
• On the ceiling in the East Foyer (near Stamin-Up).
• Above the southwest balcony near the Nursery.
• On the Service Tunnel ceiling past the Mainframe Chamber.

Empty Canister #2 – Valve Puzzle

Go to the Service Tunnel from the Mainframe Chamber. Locate the burst valve near the Doppelghast cell. Identify whether it connects to pipe ‘A’ or ‘B.’ Return to the Mainframe Chamber and find the glass chamber connected to that pipe.

• Throw a Combat Axe at the red valve.
• Then throw a second axe at the corresponding ‘A’ or ‘B’ pipe.
• Finally, throw a Molotov at the glass chamber to release the canister.

Empty Canister #3 – LT53 Kazimir Method

Craft or find the LT53 Kazimir tactical:

• Craft it at a workbench for 1,500 Salvage after reaching level 48.
• Get it randomly from elite zombies.

Then:

• Head to the Rear Patio (behind Double Tap).
• Throw the Kazimir near the zombie spawn hole.
• The canister will be pulled into the map.

How to Upgrade Ray Gun Mark 2 Variants

With an Empty Canister in your possession, you can now choose from three powerful Ray Gun Mark 2 upgrades. Each variant offers unique firepower and plays a key role in progressing through the main quest of Shattered Veil. Here’s a breakdown of your upgrade options:

Ray Gun Mark 2-W (Wraith Fire Variant)

• Location: Shem's Henge (right of spawn, near Speed Cola).
• Place the canister into the yellow machine to spawn an Abomination.
• Bait its laser into three rocks around the area. Once glowing blue, bait it to charge into them.
• When all rocks float, defend the central portal from waves of enemies.
• After lockdown, the canister becomes an Explosive Canister.
• Take it to the Supply Depot (past the Service Tunnel in the Mainframe Chamber) and craft the Ray Gun Mark 2-W.

This version is fully automatic and fires blue projectiles.

Ray Gun Mark 2-R (Rot Blight Variant)

• Step 1: Collect four Plant Seeds by blowing up red Dark Aether plants outside with grenades or Semtex.
• Step 2: In the Conservatory, place your canister into the yellow machine and begin incubating one seed at a time.
• Defend each incubator until it finishes growing.
• After all four are done, collect the Toxic Canister.
• Craft the upgrade at the Garden Pond (spawn area).

This variant behaves like a sniper, shooting toxic, long-range projectiles.

Ray Gun Mark 2-P (Preservation Variant)

• Step 1: Find two Reflectors at:
  • The stone fountain outside the Conservatory.
  • The stone fountain near the Southwest Balcony.
• Step 2: Break white crates across the map until you find an Essence Bomb.
• Step 3: In the Service Tunnels (by Armor wall-buy), interact with rubble to reveal a secret room.
• Insert the canister into the yellow crate inside. A blue beam will fire from a crystal.
• Place Reflectors to redirect the beam, then melee the blue crystal to spawn a Doppelghast.
• Repeat this process three times, adjusting the Reflectors each time.
• After defeating all three, pick up the Light Canister and head to the Director’s Quarters to craft the Ray Gun Mark 2-P.

This purple variant acts like a shotgun, ideal for close-quarters combat.

With your upgraded Ray Gun Mark 2, you're now ready to take on tougher enemies, push through the main quest, and eventually unlock the Wunderwaffe in Shattered Veil.