How to Find and Use Schematics in MW3 Zombies Mode

Schematics are the key to unlocking powerful upgrades and crafting rare items in Modern Warfare 3’s Zombies mode-but tracking them down is anything but straightforward. Whether you’re grinding contracts, braving high-threat zones, or hunting elusive loot caches, the path to these coveted blueprints is packed with risk, strategy, and a dash of luck. Ready to outsmart the undead and claim the ultimate rewards? Here’s how to get your hands on every schematic in MW3 Zombies.

If you’re lucky enough to find the schematic for your favorite perk, for example, you can spawn into (some) of your matches with a can already in your inventory. This can help you kickstart your match, making it much easier to take on encounters like the Mercenary Convoy, or even brave a match solo.

In this MW3 Schematics Zombies guide, we’ll teach you how to find schematics quickly, how to unlock them permanently, and what all you can craft between matches.

How to get schematics in MW3 Zombies

To get schematics in Modern Warfare 3’s Zombies mode, you need to complete specific in-game activities that reward you with these valuable blueprints. Schematics can be found by finishing high-tier contracts, looting chests and caches-especially in high-threat zones-and completing missions like Cargo Deliveries, which are riskier but offer better rewards. Some schematics are guaranteed drops from certain contract types, while others are obtained randomly from loot containers or as rewards at the end of missions. The process often involves fighting through waves of zombies, surviving dangerous areas, and exfiltrating with your rewards. As you progress and tackle tougher challenges, your chances of finding rare and powerful schematics increase, allowing you to craft unique items and gain an edge against the undead.

The annoying thing about schematics in Zombies is that they’re that terrible mix of crucial and random – meaning I can’t exactly tell you where to find the schematic for your favorite perk. However, I’ve come across a few schematics in my games, so I can at least point you in the right direction.

Contracts have been my only reliable source of schematics in Zombies, specifically in the Tier 2 difficulty zone (the middle one). These Tier 2 Contracts are more difficult than the Tier 1 ones, but they’re still relatively simple to complete, even in a squad of random players who weren’t communicating at all outside of pings.

According to PC Gamer, you can also grab schematics from Mercenary Loot Caches and Aether Loot Caches, which you can find in outdoor activities like Aether Nests and Strongholds. I wasn’t able to replicate their schematic success in either of those activities, despite hours of testing on my own.

If you’re specifically looking to farm for schematics, Contracts are your best bet. They’re faster and safer than the game’s other activities. And, because they give you so much money, Contracts are also the activities that random squad mates tend to gravitate toward, allowing you to easily farm with a group even if you typically play solo.

How to unlock and use schematics in MW3 Zombies

To unlock and use schematics in MW3 Zombies, you first need to acquire them by completing contracts, looting Aether Caches, or progressing through story missions. Once you successfully exfil with a schematic, it becomes available in your Schematic Crafting menu, which you can access from your loadout’s rucksack before a match. From there, you can craft powerful items like perks, ammo mods, Aether Tools, or even Wonder Weapons. Each crafted item has a cooldown period before it can be crafted again, with more powerful items like Wonder Weapons having longer cooldowns. Bringing these crafted items into your next match can give you a significant edge against the undead.

Once you’ve collected a schematic out in the MW3 Zombies map and placed it in your backpack, you’ll need to extract. If you die with a schematic in your backpack, you will lose it and need to collect it again in a different match. If you successfully exfil with the schematic, however, you’ll permanently unlock the ability to craft that item for your characters.

The strange thing about schematics and crafting in Zombies is that there is a real-world timer associated with these items, and it’s based on their power. For example, the Raw Aetherium Crystal schematic that I have is on an eight hour cooldown. That means that every eight hours in the real world, I can craft a Raw Aetherium Crystal and equip it on one of my characters to instantly Pack-A-Punch a weapon. The Jugger-Nog Can, on the other hand, only has a three hour cooldown period between uses.

Once you craft these items, you’ll need to equip them to your character and load into the match with them.

MW3 schematics list

The list of schematics in Modern Warfare 3’s Zombies mode is extensive and covers a range of perks, weapons, and unique utility items that players can craft for future matches. Common schematics include classic Perk-a-Cola cans like Jugger-Nog, Speed Cola, Deadshot Daiquiri, Quick Revive, and Elemental Pop, each found in different threat zones or as mission rewards. More advanced or “Classified” schematics offer powerful effects, such as summoning a friendly Hellhound, granting regenerating armor plates, or providing special weapons like the boomerang knife with infinite ammo. Seasonal updates, such as Season 5 Reloaded, have added unique schematics like the Disciple Bottle (summons a friendly Disciple), Stash Increase (expands loot slots), and Grenade Bandolier (replenishes grenades for an entire match). Some schematics are obtained by completing contracts in specific zones or Dark Aether Rifts, while the most powerful are tied to Elder Dark Aether Rifts and require Elder Sigils to access.

Here are the various different upgrades you can craft from schematics (once you unlock them) in Modern Warfare 3 Zombies:

Aetherium

• Uncommon Aether Tool
• Rare Aether Tool
• Epic Aether Tool
• Raw Aetherium Crystal
• Refined Aetherium Crystal

Perk-A-Colas

• Jugger-Nog Can
• Deadshot Daiquiri Can
• Death Perception
• Elemental Pop Can
• PHD Flopper Can
• Quick Revive Can
• Speed Cola Can
• Stamin-Up Can
• Tombstone Soda Can

Ammo Mods

• Brain Rot Ammo Mod
• Cryo Freeze Ammo Mod
• Dead Wire Ammo Mod
• Napalm Burst Ammo Mod
• Shatter Blast Ammo Mod

Wonder Weapons

• Ray Gun
• Wunderwaffe DG-2

For more Modern Warfare 3 guides, see how to switch to Tactical Stance, and check our guides on the best SVA 545 loadout, best Striker loadout, best MCW loadout, and best AMR9 loadout.

What secret locations unlock the rarest schematics in MW3 Zombies

Secret Locations for the Rarest Schematics in MW3 Zombies

Tier 3 Zones & Dark Aether Portals

• The rarest schematics, such as the Legendary Aether Tool, Flawless Ethereum Crystal, Treble Pack-a-Punch Crystal, and Scorcher, are primarily found in the Tier 3 (red) zones and within Dark Aether portals. Entering these high-threat areas significantly increases your chances of obtaining rare and legendary schematics.

Elder Sigil Dark Aether Runs

• To specifically target the rarest schematics, you must use an Elder Sigil to access the Tier 5 Dark Aether. This advanced portal offers a shorter timer but greatly boosts the drop rate for top-tier schematics. Regular sigils provide more time but are less likely to yield the rarest blueprints.

Contract Rewards in Special Dark Aether Missions

• In certain Dark Aether missions, particularly the Albra Fortress (Season 1), the first three contracts you complete will always reward you with the Dog Bone, Golden Armor Plate, and Ether Blade schematics, respectively. This is a unique case where contract order guarantees specific rare schematics.

Boss Encounters & Easter Eggs

• Defeating specific bosses, such as the Ether Storm Worm (the “red worm”), at the end of a match can unlock legendary schematics. Completing Easter egg objectives and high-level contracts within these secret locations further increases your odds of obtaining exclusive blueprints.

Summary Table

To maximize your chances, focus on Elder Sigil Dark Aether runs, complete all available contracts, and defeat endgame bosses in Tier 3 zones.

What hidden act 4 mission locations reveal the rarest schematics in MW3 Zombies

Hidden Act 4 Mission Locations for the Rarest Schematics in MW3 Zombies

Act 4 Story Missions and Dark Aether Rifts

• The rarest schematics in MW3 Zombies-such as the VR-11, Blood Burner Key, and Mags of Holding-are unlocked through Act 4 story missions that send you into special Dark Aether Rift locations.

• Each Act 4 mission is tied to a specific Dark Aether portal. For example, the VR-11 schematic is obtained in the second Dark Aether portal, located on top of a mountain in the Tier 3 zone. Completing contracts within this portal during the Act 4 mission gives you a chance to unlock the VR-11 schematic.

• Other rare schematics, like the Blood Burner Key and Mags of Holding, can also be acquired by completing all contracts in these Act 4 Dark Aether missions. Sometimes, you can get multiple rare schematics in a single run if you complete all contracts and successfully exfil.

Guaranteed Drops Through Contracts

• In the harder version of the Dark Aether accessed via Act 4 missions, completing the three available contracts (such as Ether Extractor, Outlast, and Escort) guarantees a classified schematic drop from each contract’s reward Rift. This is the only way to reliably obtain the Dog Bone, Golden Armor Plate, and Ether Blade schematics.

Summary Table

Key Takeaway:
To unlock the rarest schematics, focus on Act 4 story missions that send you into specific Dark Aether portals-especially the mountain portal for the VR-11-and complete all contracts within these rifts for guaranteed classified schematic drops.