Ice Staff Code & Upgrades Guide for Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Zombies Origins

Why the Ice Staff Matters in Zombies Origins

In Zombies Origins, survival depends on two things: your skill and your weapons. Standard guns can handle the early waves, but as rounds progress, zombies become faster, stronger, and endless. That is where elemental staves like the Ice Staff change the game.

• The Ice Staff freezes enemies instantly.
• Once upgraded, it revives teammates across the map.
• It works against hordes and bosses like Panzersoldats.

This staff becomes a lifesaver when the game enters higher rounds. But unlocking it requires strategy and patience.

Step 1: Finding the Gramophone & Record

Before building any staff, you need access to the Staff Room. That requires the Gramophone and Record.

• Gramophone → Found in the Excavation Site, near Pack-a-Punch.
• Record → Spawns randomly in three locations:
  1. Near Excavation Site sign.
  2. Inside a wheelbarrow near Pack-a-Punch.
  3. Church path wall.

Place the Gramophone and Record on the Dig Site table to open the Staff Room. Remember to pick them up again afterward — you’ll need them later.

Step 2: Collecting the Ice Record & Ice Crystal

Once you’ve unlocked the Staff Room, it’s time to hunt for the Ice Record and Ice Crystal.

• Ice Record → Spawns around Generator 2’s Tank Station (on a table, on shelves, or near the back door).
• Ice Crystal → Found inside The Crazy Place. Use the tunnel behind the Church (near Generator 6), place the Gramophone, and step through the portal. A blue pedestal rises, granting the Ice Crystal.

This step feels like entering a new dimension — the moment when you know the real quest has begun.

Step 3: Gathering the Ice Staff Parts

The most time-consuming part is collecting the three Ice Staff parts. They only appear during snowy weather.

• Condition: Must have a shovel.
• Action: Dig at snowy dig sites around the map.
• Tip: Snow appears mostly near the Church, between Generators 4 & 5, and around Generators 2 & 3.

This is where teamwork matters. Spread out across the map to dig quickly during snowfall rounds.

Table: Snow Digging Tips

Tip	Benefit
Carry a shovel early	Avoid wasting rounds later.
Work in teams	More chances to cover snowy zones.
Track weather changes	Prepare for snow before it begins.

Step 4: Building the Ice Staff

With all parts, head to the Excavation Site’s bottom level. Interact with the blue altar while holding all pieces. The Ice Staff is now yours.

At this stage, the weapon is useful but not at full strength. To unleash its true potential, you need the upgrade.

Step 5: Solving the Ice Staff Puzzle

Here comes the tricky part — the puzzle inside The Crazy Place. Look up at the blue tiles with white dots. Each tile corresponds to a symbol. You must shoot the correct tiles in sequence using the Ice Staff.

• This is where the codes for ice staff come in.
• The puzzle is randomized each game.
• If you make a mistake, restart the sequence.

Pro tip: If you’re solo, pause after each symbol. In co-op, let teammates distract zombies while you carefully solve the puzzle.

Step 6: Destroying the Glowing Tombstones

Once the puzzle is complete, glowing tombstones appear across Origins. To destroy them:

1. Freeze each with the Ice Staff.
2. Shoot them with a bullet-based weapon (not Ray Gun).

Locations:

• Robot footprint behind Juggernog.
• Footprint between Juggernog and Excavation Site.
• Behind Tank Station near Generator 2.

This step often catches players off guard, but it’s essential for progressing the upgrade.

Step 7: Aligning the Rings

At the Excavation Site, you’ll see giant rings above the altar. Flip switches around the site until all rings glow blue. Once aligned, shoot the orb underneath with the Ice Staff. The orb rises, marking the near end of your journey.

Step 8: Charging the Staff

Finally, return to The Crazy Place. Place the staff on its pedestal and begin charging it by killing zombies. Use a Zombie Shield for protection while waves attack.

Once charged, the staff transforms into Ull’s Arrow, the upgraded Ice Staff.

Why the Upgraded Ice Staff Is Special

The upgraded version isn’t just powerful — it changes the way you play:

• Crowd Control: Freezes large groups of zombies.
• Revive Ability: Revives teammates instantly across the map.
• Boss Killer: Extremely effective against Panzersoldats.

This is the moment when all your effort pays off.

Other Ice Staff Codes Explained

Players often search using different phrases. Here’s what each means:

• code for ice staff upgrade → Puzzle sequence in The Crazy Place.
• ice staff code for origins → Refers to the randomized tile puzzle.
• the code for the ice staff → Another way of asking about the same puzzle.
• code for first step in ultimate the ice staff → The very first puzzle input.
• code for ice staff puzzle → Symbol-dots translation task.
• code for ice staff upgrade for cod black ops 2 → Same process in BO2 Origins.
• code for ice staff zombies → Any puzzle-related step in Zombies mode.
• code for ultimate ice staff → Steps leading to Ull’s Arrow.
• ice staff codes for black ops 2 → Decryption codes in BO2.
• images for ice staff code → Visual references of symbols and tiles.
• origins decryption codes for the ice staff → Official name for the symbol chart.