The Ultimate Call of Duty Black Ops II Buried Easter Egg Guide: Mined Games

The "Buried" map remains one of the most atmospheric and mechanically unique experiences in the Aether saga. For many fans, completing the Call of Duty Black Ops II buried easter egg, known formally as "Mined Games," is the pinnacle of the Victis crew's journey. This complex quest forces players to choose between the manipulative Dr. Edward Richtofen and the calculating Ludvig Maxis, leading to a massive payoff that spans across multiple maps in the game.

Whether you are a seasoned veteran returning for a nostalgia run or a new player discovering the wonders of the subterranean town, this Call of Duty Black Ops II buried easter egg requires precision, teamwork, and a deep understanding of the map's unique buildables. In this guide, we will break down every step for both paths, ensuring your team earns the "Mined Games" achievement and prepares for the ultimate endgame.

Choosing Your Allegiance: Richtofen vs. Maxis

Before you fire a single shot, your team must decide which side to support. This decision is locked in the moment you begin building either the Guillotine (Richtofen) or the Gallows (Maxis). While both paths share some similarities, they require different buildables and playstyles.

Step 1: The Foundation of the Quest

The first step for any Call of Duty Black Ops II buried easter egg run is constructing the primary structure. These parts are scattered across the town, often in dangerous corners or hidden behind debris that only Arthur (the Giant) can clear.

The Buildable Components

Pro Tip: Community reports suggest that grabbing the wire first is the most efficient route, as it is located in a central hub near the catacombs entrance.

Richtofen’s Path: The Path of Manipulation

If your team chooses to follow the voice in Samuel Stuhlinger’s head, you are embarking on the Richtofen path. This route focuses on energy manipulation and time travel.

Powering the Orbs and the Lantern

First, you must use the Paralyzer wonder weapon to heat up four red orbs located around the map. Once they glow white, you have successfully powered them.

Next, use a well-timed grenade to knock a purple lantern out of the air as it floats between the courthouse and the church. Once retrieved, you must charge it by killing the "Mistresses" inside the haunted mansion. Player experience indicates that roughly 10-15 kills are needed to fully charge the lantern.

The Tic-Tac-Toe Cipher and the Wisp

After placing the charged lantern on the Gunsmith roof, a code will appear. This uses a classic "tic-tac-toe" or pigpen cipher. Deciphering this reveals three signs in the tunnels that must be hit with a melee weapon (Galvaknuckles are preferred).

Once the signs are hit, a "wisp" of energy appears. A player with Vulture Aid must track this wisp through the town, passing through it to keep it moving. If you lose sight of it for more than 15 seconds, it dissipates.

Maxis’ Path: The Path of Destruction

Following Maxis requires a more "grounded" approach, utilizing the map's traps and Arthur's strength to achieve your goals.

Breaking the Orbs and Charging the Lantern

Unlike Richtofen's heating method, Maxis wants these orbs destroyed. You must place a Subsurface Resonator (powered by a Turbine) in front of each red orb to shatter them.

The lantern step is similar, but the charging method differs. Instead of mansion spirits, you must kill zombies near the lantern using Arthur (feed him candy), the Trample Steam, or the Subsurface Resonator. This "Sugar Rush" step emphasizes the use of the map's unique mechanics.

The Bell Sequence

The most notorious part of the Maxis Call of Duty Black Ops II buried easter egg is the bell sequence. There are nine bells hidden across three locations: the Candy Shop, the Barn, and the Courtroom.

One player must stay in the Mansion's secret room to read a light-up switchboard while the others ring the corresponding bells in the town. This requires perfect communication and is often the point where many teams fail.

Shared Final Step: The Sharpshooter Challenge

Regardless of which side you choose, the penultimate step is the "Make a Wish" challenge. After interacting with the fountain in front of the church, lightning will strike, and metal targets will appear in four zones. Every single target must be destroyed.

This is widely considered the hardest part of the Call of Duty Black Ops II buried easter egg. If one person misses a single target, the step resets. Community members strongly recommend using the Paralyzer for its infinite ammo and wide hit detection, though standard LMGs with large magazines are also effective.

The Time Bomb and Round Infinity

For Richtofen's followers, Step 6 involves the Time Bomb. All four players must stand near the Guillotine while a Time Bomb is active on the bench. Detonating it sends the team to "Round Infinity."

In this monochrome version of the map, you have 60 seconds to search the corpses of the Victis crew (Misty, Marlton, Russman, and Stuhlinger) to find a hidden switch. The bodies spawn in various locations, such as the Gunsmith entrance or the alleyway behind the Bank.

The Global Endgame: The Navcard Tables

Completing the Call of Duty Black Ops II buried easter egg is only part of the larger narrative. To truly "finish" the story, you must have completed the easter eggs on TranZit and Die Rise as well. Furthermore, the Navcard Tables must be built on all three maps, and the correct cards must be inserted.

1. TranZit Card: Inserted into the Die Rise table.
2. Die Rise Card: Inserted into the Buried table.
3. Buried Card: Inserted into the TranZit table.

When all four players have the same side (either all Maxis or all Richtofen) completed across all three maps, a secret button in the Buried courthouse becomes interactable, triggering the final cinematic and permanent perks for the remainder of that match. For more information on the overarching lore, you can visit the official Call of Duty website.

Essential Tips for Easter Egg Success

• Arthur is Your Best Friend: Use candy to make Arthur lock the Mystery Box in place or protect a crawler while you perform steps.
• Vulture Aid is Mandatory: For the Richtofen path, you cannot see the wisp without this perk. It also helps you find parts through walls.
• Bank Your Points: Use the bank system to withdraw points early. The Call of Duty Black Ops II buried easter egg can get expensive if you need to move the Mystery Box multiple times for a Time Bomb.
• The Mark II Ray Gun: If you have the DLC, the Ray Gun Mark II is invaluable for the mansion steps, as it makes quick work of the Mistresses who steal your points.

Conclusion

The Call of Duty Black Ops II buried easter egg is a testament to the creativity of Treyarch’s Zombies team. It blends western aesthetics with high-concept sci-fi and time travel, offering a challenge that requires more than just shooting skills. By following this guide and coordinating with your team, you can master the "Mined Games" quest and see the finale of the Victis storyline.

Whether you are helping Maxis reclaim the Earth or assisting Richtofen in his quest for infinite power, the journey through the buried town of Western Africa is one you won't soon forget. Grab your Paralyzer, keep your Vulture Aid active, and get ready to make history—or rewrite it.

FAQ: Call of Duty Black Ops II Buried Easter Egg

Can you do the Buried easter egg solo?

No, the Call of Duty Black Ops II buried easter egg requires a team. Richtofen’s path strictly requires four players for the Round Infinity step, while Maxis’ path can technically be completed with three, though the Sharpshooter step becomes significantly harder.

What happens if you fail the Sharpshooter step?

If you fail the Sharpshooter step, you must wait until the next round or interact with the fountain again to reset it. It is recommended to have a crawler held by Arthur to ensure the round doesn't end while you are attempting the challenge.

Do I need the Navcards to get the achievement?

No, the "Mined Games" achievement is awarded simply for completing either the Richtofen or Maxis path on Buried. The Navcards are only required for the "Endgame" super easter egg that connects TranZit, Die Rise, and Buried.

Why can't I see the wisp on Richtofen's side?

To see the wisp, you must have the Vulture Aid perk equipped. If no one on your team has the perk, the wisp will still move, but it will be invisible, making the step nearly impossible to complete.