Unstable Rift in MW3 Zombies
Image via Activision

How to open Unstable Rift in MW3 Zombies

Enter if you dare.

While Season 4 Reloaded didn’t offer a plethora of Zombies content, it did introduce the thrilling Unstable Rifts. This new feature takes the gameplay to a whole new level, pitting players against waves of formidable creatures. The process of opening an Unstable Rift in MW3 Zombies isn’t straightforward, on par with the game’s standard Easter Eggs. We’re here to guide you through this challenge and prepare you for the intense experience that awaits inside.

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How do you open Unstable Rifts in MW3 Zombies?

To open an Unstable Rift in MW3 Zombies, find and clear out three obelisks around the map. Their locations are fairly randomizꦰed, but players have determined ꦯseveral spots that have spawned them.

It would help to prepare beforehand by taking Ammo Mods from your Schematics. You’ll need to activate the obelisk with this, but it depends on which Ammo Mod it requires. I brought the Brain Rot, Cryo Freeze, Dead Wire, and Napalm Burst with me, just so I didn’t have to scrounge around for them in-game. You can still find them on the map, typically in Aether Nests or Strongholds. The altar will also reward you with the next Ammo Mod for the following task.

Unstable Rift obelisk spawn locations

Here are some areas you can look into, but keep in mind that they aren’t always guaranteed and can change throughout the match:

Obelisk locations in MW3 Zombies
Image by Destructoid

Once you’ve found an obelisk, look at what Ammo Mod symbol it displays. Then, equip the mod it specifies and activate the seal. Eliminate the zombies within its radius and wait for the altar to transform.

Obelisk in MW3 Zombies
Screenshot by Destructoid

You may run into some issues, though, because other players/teams will be gunning for the obelisks. It seems as if only one party can do this at a time, so it can be challenging to complete this tꦗask. I wou💦ld say the best thing to do is to join a team, and hopefully, your group will get in before anyone else.

The trickiest part is reaching the Unstable Rift once all three obelisks have transformed. Anyone can open it, regardless of whether they’ve completed any altars. That means it’s a first-come-serve system where anyone closest to the Unstable Rift can enter. A red circle icon seems to appear closest to the third and final obelisk that was transformed. Be sure to get there as quickly as possible, or you’ll have to repeat this process to trigger it again.

Unstable Rift icon in MW3 Zombies
Screenshot by Destructoid

If you’re an every-man-for-themselves type of player, you may even open an Unstable Rift without interacting with the obelisks. Just wait for the red symbol to appear on the map and see if you can get there faster than the others.

What happens when you open the Unstable Rift in MW3 Zombies?

When it’s time to head inside the Unstable Rift in MW3 Zombies, get ready for a brutal showdown. You don’t have to worry too much about decking out your gear, as the rift will provide you with perks, armor, and full upgrades for your weapons. Survive as long as you can to eliminate zombies in five waves.

Complete the waves to earn valuable rewards, including an exclusive camo and a reset on cooldowns for insured weapons and Schema🍌tics. Reward Rifts will also spawn after each wave to keep you in the fight longer.


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Kristina Ebanez
Staff Writer - Kristina has been a video game lover ever since she saw Solid Snake get under that cardboard box in Metal Gear Solid. She continues to show off her love for gaming and has been writing about it for more than two years. Aside from the Metal Gear Solid series, she enjoys playing The Sims, Call of Duty, Disney Dreamlight Valley, Horizon Forbidden West, Minecraft, and many more.