Mastering the Call of Duty Black Ops II TranZit Easter Egg: The Ultimate Tower of Babble Guide

A comprehensive guide to completing the Call of Duty Black Ops II TranZit Easter Egg, covering both the Maxis and Richtofen paths for the Tower of Babble.

For fans of the Zombies sub-series, few maps carry as much historical weight and controversy as Green Run. Successfully completing the Call of Duty Black Ops II tranzit easter egg, formally known as the Tower of Babble, is a rite of passage for any serious undead slayer. Whether you are seeking to follow the instructions of Dr. Maxis or the schizoid whispers of Edward Richtofen, this Call of Duty Black Ops II tranzit easter egg requires coordination, patience, and a deep understanding of the map's unique mechanics.

Overview of the Tower of Babble Quest

The Tower of Babble is the primary narrative quest in TranZit, introducing the Victis crew: Misty, Marlton, Russman, and Stuhlinger. This quest is unique because it offers two distinct branching paths based on which "voice" the players choose to follow. Completing either side rewards players with the Tower of Babble achievement and sets the stage for the overarching story that continues through Die Rise and Buried.

Players must ensure they are playing on the "Original" difficulty setting. The "Easy" mode disables all main quest progression. While the Maxis path is considered the canon ending according to the official Zombies timeline, many players find the Richtofen path more challenging and rewarding. Community reports suggest that having a full team of four makes several steps significantly easier, though certain methods allow for completion with fewer players.

Feature	Dr. Maxis Path	Dr. Richtofen Path
Power Requirement	Must be turned OFF	Must be turned ON
Minimum Players	2 Players	1–4 (Solo requires Stuhlinger)
Primary Tool	Turbine	Thrustodyne Aeronautics Model 23
Key Item	EMP Grenades	EMP Grenades
Narrative Status	Canon Ending	Alternate Ending

Essential Preparation and Power Activation

Before you can begin the specific steps for the Call of Duty Black Ops II tranzit easter egg, you must first navigate to the Power Station and assemble the switch. This area is located between the Farm and the Town. You can reach it by staying on the bus or by running through the fog, provided you can handle the pesky Denizens that latch onto your head.

Once inside the Power Station, players must locate three specific parts to build the power switch on the nearby workbench. According to player experience, these parts usually spawn in the same general vicinity but can be tucked behind crates or on desks. After the switch is flipped, the quest truly begins as both Maxis and Richtofen will begin addressing the players.

Power Switch Parts and Locations

Part Name	Common Spawn Locations
Severed Arm	Near the mystery box location or on the floor by the boxes.
Circuit Board	Leaning against a computer desk or near the entrance barrier.
Lever	On top of computer desktops or near the circle entrance.

The Path of Dr. Maxis: The Canon Route

The Maxis path is often favored by teams of two or three because it does not require building the complex Jet Gun. However, it does require impeccable timing with Turbines. Once the power is turned on in Step 2, Maxis will immediately ask you to turn it back off. This is a crucial distinction; his path relies on external power sources rather than the main grid.

After the power is killed, the team must obtain EMP grenades from the Mystery Box. This is often the most frustrating part of the quest, as it relies entirely on luck. Once equipped, players must head to the large cornfield maze located between the Farm and the Power Station. Deep within the corn, you will find the massive electrical pylon.

Step-by-Step for Maxis

Build Turbines: All players should grab a Turbine from the starting Bus Depot.
Kill the Power: Turn the power on to trigger the dialogue, then turn it off.
Spawn the Avogadro: Wait for a thunderstorm to begin. Kill the last zombie of a round under the pylon to encourage the Avogadro (the electric boss) to spawn.
The EMP Sacrifice: Place two Turbines under the pylon. When the Avogadro is directly beneath the tower, hit him with an EMP grenade.
Lamp Post Synchronization: Two players must take their Turbines to two different green lamp posts (usually at the Bus Depot and Diner) and place them simultaneously.

Maxis Path Checklist	Status
Power toggled On then Off	[ ]
EMP Grenades acquired	[ ]
Turbines placed under Pylon	[ ]
Avogadro killed with EMP under Pylon	[ ]
Turbines placed under Lamp Posts	[ ]

The Path of Dr. Richtofen: The Voices in the Head

The Richtofen path is more involved and requires the assembly of the Thrustodyne Aeronautics Model 23, commonly known as the Jet Gun. Only Samuel J. Stuhlinger can hear Richtofen's voice, so if you are playing solo or in a group, the player controlling Samuel must communicate the instructions to the team.

The Jet Gun is a buildable Wonder Weapon with parts scattered across the entire map. Unlike other buildables, the Jet Gun can break if overused, requiring you to wait for it to cool down or, if it explodes, to hunt for the parts all over again. Mastering the Call of Duty Black Ops II tranzit easter egg on this path requires careful heat management of this weapon.

Jet Gun Parts and Locations

Part	Location Description
Jet Engine	Found in the Tunnel between the Bus Depot and the Diner.
Wires	Located in the Power Station, often near the Tombstone perk.
Handbrake	Inside the Hunter's Cabin (the shack in the fog).
Pressure Gauge	Inside the Nacht der Untoten building in the cornfield.

Once the Jet Gun is built at the workbench in the Town's bar, the player holding it must go to the pylon in the cornfield. You must fire the Jet Gun at the base of the pylon until it overheats and breaks. Richtofen will then demand that the pylon be "heated up" further by killing zombies with explosives underneath it. Community reports suggest that roughly 25 explosive kills (using grenades, the Ray Gun, or the Mustang and Sally) are required to satisfy this step.

Finally, the team must coordinate the use of EMP grenades on four different green lamp posts around the map. In a four-player game, this is simple: everyone stands at a different lamp and throws an EMP at the same time. For smaller groups, players must use the teleporters (created by Denizens under lamp posts) to move quickly between locations to hit multiple lamps in a short window.

Advanced Strategies for Solo and Co-op Success

Completing the Call of Duty Black Ops II tranzit easter egg solo is technically possible on the Richtofen path, though it is exceptionally difficult. It requires the player to be Samuel and to use a series of perfectly timed teleporters and EMP throws. Most players recommend a full squad to avoid the headache of Denizen management and the RNG of the Mystery Box.

One of the most important tips for any run is "Turbine Management." In the Maxis path, if your Turbine takes too much damage from zombies or simply runs out of power, Maxis will scold you, and you may have to restart the step. Always keep a fresh Turbine ready at the Bus Depot if things go south.

For those struggling with the Avogadro, remember that he cannot be damaged by traditional bullets while in his phased state. Using the EMP is the most efficient way to deal with him, but if you haven't pulled EMPs from the box yet, Galvaknuckles (found on the roof of the Diner) are a solid backup for self-defense, though they won't progress the Easter Egg step.

Visual Rewards and Map Changes

Once you have finished the Call of Duty Black Ops II tranzit easter egg, the map undergoes permanent visual changes for that session. These indicators help you track your progress across the entire "Victis" trilogy of maps.

Path Completed	Map Icon Color	Pylon Effect	Lamp Post Effect
Maxis	Orange Lightning	Orange Surges	Red Aura / Orange Electricity
Richtofen	Blue Lightning	Blue Surges	Blue Aura / Blue Electricity

Final Thoughts on the Green Run Quest

The complexity of the Call of Duty Black Ops II tranzit easter egg was a major step forward for the series in 2012. It introduced the concept of player choice affecting the world and the narrative, a trend that would continue through the rest of the Black Ops II DLC season. While the map itself has its detractors due to the fog and the lava, the Tower of Babble remains a high-stakes, high-reward challenge that tests a team's ability to survive and coordinate under pressure.

To stay updated on the latest Zombies news and official guides, be sure to visit the Official Call of Duty Website for insights into the evolving Aether and Dark Aether storylines. Whether you are a retro gamer revisitng the classics or a newcomer exploring the roots of Victis, mastering this quest is an essential part of the Zombies experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I complete the Call of Duty Black Ops II tranzit easter egg on Easy mode?

No, the main quest and all associated achievements are disabled in Easy mode. You must play on the Original difficulty setting to progress through the Tower of Babble steps.

Do I need to build the NAV table for the Easter Egg?

While the NAV table is a part of the larger overarching quest across all Black Ops II maps, it is not strictly required to earn the Tower of Babble achievement for either the Maxis or Richtofen path.

What happens if I complete both sides of the Easter Egg?

Your profile can only save one side of the completion at a time. If you have completed the Maxis side and wish to switch to Richtofen, you must complete the Richtofen path in a new game. This will overwrite the previous completion and change the color of the lightning on your map selection screen.

Is the Jet Gun required for the Maxis path?

No, the Jet Gun (Thrustodyne Aeronautics Model 23) is only required if you are following Richtofen's instructions. Maxis' path relies on Turbines and EMP grenades instead.