Before Getting Started

Step 1. Download the March 2023 version (old update) and the February 2026 version (the new update to switch back when you need to so you can play with your friends if it doesn’t work for you on the older update.)

Old Update: https://mega.nz/folder/CUt3kbSC#9Rz2Owwz9BZ2Dt-VadqZCg

New (Current) Update: https://mega.nz/folder/HU9hESzZ#2BSiQ0ACD5U1RF6ySRf3RQ

Step 2. Drag the Black Ops 3.exe from the “old update” folder into your Black Ops 3 Directory and replace the current Black Ops 3.exe that is in there.

(i.e. C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Call of Duty Black Ops III)

You can also find this by going to your Steam library -> Black Ops 3 -> Properties -> Installed Files -> Browse
You will do the same thing when updating your game back to the February 2026 version of the game.

Step 3. Launch the game and enjoy!

Scrappy’s Practice Tool

Provides the Shadows of Evil soft patch (reign, nero, and 5 zombies) and beast mode practice patch:

GitHub - Joshr520/BO3-Practice-Tool

Cbrnn’s Practice Patches

SOE Infinite Ovums Practice Includes:

Start any ovum an infinite amount of times

Waypoint system to quickly navigate between ovum locations

https://mega.nz/file/Gd1ExTQY#hckh9MzdYcMlk6K64bTQ8h1CQxgDynLKu4hB3A-lkjo

SOE Midgame Practice Includes:

Start from ovums

Splits for ovums+flag segments

PAP ritual skip

Toggle zombie counter with grenade+melee

(Can also be used to practice the flags segment)

https://mega.nz/folder/HJUiGR6T#O5O7inv-UbS7RaT_VHgL-Q

Important Notes to remember

Reading Symbols

From left to right, its ordered 1 to 9:

Both Scrappy’s Practice Tool and this document linked below shows how to read the Canals Symbol: SOE Code Guide (Beast) - Google Docs

Despawn Ticks

For Rounds before Round 5, the despawn tick (as soon as you see the round transition in the bottom left) is 42.5 seconds.

For Rounds after Round 5, the despawn tick is 32.5 seconds.

Once those despawn ticks begin, the normal game ticks (every 3 seconds) begin, so if you're on round 3, after 42.5 seconds, the 3 second ticks begin. So at 45.5, 48.5, etc., zombies will despawn at these times.

Every time you enter a rift portal on Shadows of Evil (even on COOPs), the normal round despawn tick is overshadowed for 17.5 seconds. So for those 17.5 seconds, zombies will not despawn and can still spawn in. Using this mechanic, you can perform spawn manipulations on Shadows of Evil due to the respawn coding being faulty. This respawn coding is also faulty on The Giant but maps after that you cannot perform the same kind of spawn manipulation. After those 17.5 seconds pass, zombies will begin to despawn and using certain places, you can force them to respawn in locations that you want.

Note: You can find a better explanation on how this works in the Extras Section under ScottyDogs007’s Tutorial.

Round 1-2

You will need to have Reign as your first gum from the gum machine.

Will not go over nukes first gum from the gum machine for the first 3 Beast Mode Routes as it’s pretty self explanatory:You will be guessing the Footlight symbol which is quicker but forces you to guess your symbol (1:59-2:01 Average Rift).

Beast First (2:08-2:10 Average Rift)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoYcpE1nrnc - Scottiei3

Fast Gum First (2:09-2:11 Average Rift)

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2541131631 - ScottyDogs007

Safe Gum First (2:12-2:14 Average Rift)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3UiOTa3JBw - ZoRaptr

You won’t be able to get as good as a spawn manipulation with Safe Gum First like Beast First and Safe Gum First but it makes ending round 1 easier if you find it hard to end the round with the other 2 routes.

Round 3 at Rift

After entering the rift, you will have 17.5 seconds to enter the beast mode, enter the code, hit the box for the statue, and then run up and open the door by mule kick and immediately exit the beast mode. I highly recommend you use your detailed timer (the timer under the big green one) to see when the despawn timer finishes.

You will go stand next to the gum machine and look at the candle shown below:

You will then hit the gum machine, grab your gum, walk backwards until 20.5 seconds, and grab your egg.

Place the egg on the statue (if you have nukes when entering Rift, you will pop it right next to the statue) and grab your gum. If you get Nukes or Perkaholic, you will hit the gum machine again in order to get either Wall Power or ABH (Anywhere but here). Kill the 12 zombies to fill the egg and then end your round either manually or with a nuke that is present.Grab your egg and run to Footlight.

Round 4 at Footlight

If you are holding wallpower, before entering Footlight, you will buy the KRM as you will need this weapon to kill margwas later.

If you do not obtain wallpower before entering Footlight, you will buy the Vesper.

When you enter Footlight, immediately go use the Beast mode to break open the box, open the rift door, grapple up, hit the box for the relic item, and then use 1 grapple to open the Burlesque and immediately exit out of beast mode. If you are not holding ABH at this time, run and hit the gum then immediately open the portal to Rift. Immediately return and pick up the relic item and pick up your gum. You will then look at the specific location while placing your egg in order to do the spawn manipulation.

Fill your egg, grab the egg, immediately start Footlight ritual and, end the round during the ritual.

ABH after round and ritual are finished.

Spawn Manipulation location 1:

Spawn Manipulation location 2 (move towards the first location):

Video Route:

https://youtu.be/eNiFBafJ5wU?si=YT7aj7m1xLj67pBv&t=167

Round 5

(It is heavily recommended especially when you want a better time that Round 5 is NOT a Bug round but a Zombie round).

Junction/Spawn/Canals ABHs

If you get any of these ABH locations, you will head over to Canals to the Canals ritual and egg.

Grab the relic item and open the portal first and then use the beast mode next to the statue box to open the stairs and then break the box while leaving beastmode.

Place your egg and then run upstairs to start the ritual immediately. Standing in the location shown below, you will try to feed as many as you can until the ritual is finished, in hopes that you finish before the ritual is over.

Once over, use the drop down from upstairs to head to the statue to grab your egg then head over to the portal to enter Rift.

Using the Waterfront Portal, you will have 17.5 seconds to run towards Junction in order to use the stairs on the left to enter the statue room. Use the beast mode and open the statue box and then exit the beast mode while looking at the window to the right of the statue.

As you exit the beast mode, run towards the statue and continue looking in the direction while going towards the window in which you will kill 12 of the manipulated zombies.

Video Route:

https://youtu.be/eNiFBafJ5wU?si=4j96u4st9ayc9p5E&t=334

After grabbing your egg, open the door and then run towards the second drop down at the bridge to drop down to Deep Waterfront. You will then buy the HVK and start the ritual immediately. You can thin the round down (helps be consistent at having 1 zombie left). After the ritual is finished, grab the worm and ABH trying to get Rift.

Deep Waterfront/Late Round End Rift & Statues ABH

(Late Round = Round 5 Zombies aren’t spawning in before the ritual is finished)

If you get any of these 3 ABHS (Other 2 with Late Round Ends), you will immediately go start the Waterfront Ritual.

After the ritual is over, use your second ABH.

Junction/Spawn/Canals ABH:

Grab the relic item and open the portal first and then use the beast mode next to the statue box to open the stairs and then break the box while leaving beastmode.

Place your egg and then run upstairs to start the ritual immediately. Standing in the location shown below, you will try to feed as many as you can until the ritual is finished, in hopes that you finish before the ritual is over.

Once over, use the drop down from upstairs to head to the statue to grab your egg then head over to the portal to enter Rift.

Using the Waterfront Portal, you will have 17.5 seconds to run towards Junction in order to use the stairs on the left to enter the statue room. Use the beast mode and open the statue box and then exit the beast mode while looking at the window to the right of the statue.

As you exit the beast mode, run towards the statue and continue looking in the direction while going towards the window in which you will kill 12 of the manipulated zombies.

Rift/Statues/Front Waterfront ABH:

You will immediately enter the statue room and use the beast mode and open the statue box and then exit the beast mode while looking at the window to the right of the statue.

As you exit the beast mode, run towards the statue and continue looking in the direction while going towards the window in which you will kill 12 of the manipulated zombies that you manage to get.

You will run to Canals after the egg is finished and grab the relic item and open the portal first and then use the beast mode next to the statue box to open the stairs and then break the box while leaving beastmode.

Place your egg and then run upstairs to start the ritual immediately. Standing in the location shown below, you will try to feed as many as you can until the ritual is finished, in hopes that you finish before the ritual is over.

Once over, use the drop down from upstairs to head to the statue to grab your egg then head over to the portal to enter Rift.

Deep Waterfront:

Note: You can enter the portal to Rift and go back through the portal to start the 17.5 second despawn if you wish to play it safe.

You will immediately enter the statue room and use the beast mode and open the statue box and then exit the beast mode while looking at the window to the right of the statue.

As you exit the beast mode, run towards the statue and continue looking in the direction while going towards the window in which you will kill 12 of the manipulated zombies that you manage to get.

You will run to Canals after the egg is finished and grab the relic item and open the portal first and then use the beast mode next to the statue box to open the stairs and then break the box while leaving beastmode.

Place your egg and then run upstairs to start the ritual immediately. Standing in the location shown below, you will try to feed as many as you can until the ritual is finished, in hopes that you finish before the ritual is over.

Once over, use the drop down from upstairs to head to the statue to grab your egg then head over to the portal to enter Rift.

Early Round End Front Waterfront/Rift/Statues

You will immediately enter the statue room and use the beast mode and open the statue box and then exit the beast mode while looking at the window to the right of the statue.

As you exit the beast mode, run towards the statue and continue looking in the direction while going towards the window in which you will kill 12 of the manipulated zombies that you manage to get.

You will run to Canals after the egg is finished and grab the relic item and open the portal first and then use the beast mode next to the statue box to open the stairs and then break the box while leaving beastmode.

Place your egg and then run upstairs to start the ritual immediately. Standing in the location shown below, you will try to feed as many as you can until the ritual is finished, in hopes that you finish before the ritual is over.

Once over, use the drop down from upstairs to head to the statue to grab your egg then head over to the portal to enter Rift.

PAP Ritual

You will hit gum in order to get one of the few gums that you need (depending on where in the cycle you are) but you will want to get nukes hopefully.

Hit the gum machine and then pick up your sword. After picking the sword up, you will either ignore the gum or pick it up depending on which gum it is.

If your cycle was REIGN NUKES ABH:

Wallpower Fourth:

It’s kind of cooked at this point to be honest but when you're entering Nero's Room, you can buy the KRM that's on the wall before his room. After you kill the Ovum margwa, ritual margwa, and last zombie of the round, hit the spawn gum machine in order to get Perka.

Perka Fourth:

After the PAP ritual is finished, hit gum once again before leaving the Rift area in order to get wallpower. When you're entering Nero's Room, you can buy the KRM that's on the wall before his room.

If you finished your FIRST CYCLE:

ABH:

14 Seconds into the PAP ritual, you will ABH in an attempt to get to spawn much quicker.

(Note: Do NOT kill your ritual margwa until you start doing Footlight Ovum)

Nukes/Reign:

Pick it up for later in the run.

Wallpower/Perka:

Ignore and don’t pick it up.

Enter the PAP Room and place the left worm, wallrun across to the middle, place the 2 worms, jump over to place the last worm and start the PAP Ritual which lasts 20 seconds. During this time, thin down to 1 zombie and make sure your ritual margwa has only 1 head left. Once finished, enter the Canals Portal to go to Nero’s room.

Ovums (Midgame)

Note: Do your best to kill any bugs that spawn from margwas as they can delay your round.

Junction

After grabbing your Ovum, go kill your Ovum margwa and then kill your last zombie and ritual margwa.

Run to Footlight.

Footlight

Kill a lot of bugs but keep a few remaining ones.

Kill your Ovum Margwas and then end the round.

Enter Rift and then hit gum for Nukes/Reign if you do not have it already.

Waterfront

1:10 (to be on the extremely safe side you can go lower once better) after your Round 6 ends, you will nuke the round.

Do the spawn manipulation before starting the Ovum margways and then spawn the margwas in (kill as many zombies before having insta kill at one of the margwas).

Spawn Manipulation Location:

https://youtu.be/KYHPf3sLpxs?si=gbKvp-OmK4kjzbf8&t=613

Kill your other margwa while killing zombies. After the margwa is dead, run upstairs while ensuring that you do not despawn zombies from the gym.

Remember that zombies will not despawn as long as you are looking at them so you are basically walking backwards after you reach the top of the slope and looking towards the gym.

Nuke it and wait until the round ends while doing this. After it ends, enter Rift to go to Canals.

Canals

You will kill your margwas and immediately go to Nero’s room either by doing the beast mode grapple from Canals if you learned it or simply by running there. Kill zombies while getting your upgraded sword and lifting the book and go to the Canals portal while ensuring you aren't despawning zombies on the way.

Remember that zombies will not despawn as long as you are looking at them so you are basically sliding/walking backwards towards the Canals Portal.

After you enter Rift, nuke it and grab the flag then run to Footlight first using the portal.

Flags

The Flag order will always (with this route) be Footlight first and Waterfront Last

After placing the flag, it takes 30 seconds for the flag to finish each time. During this time, always make sure to defend the flag, kill any and all bugs that the Shadowman summons or the margwa spawns, and hitting gum for Nukes and cycling other gums to make sure you can get ABH for the final flag.

Footlight

Try to get Nukes/Reign here so you can end the round after the flag is over.

When placing the flag in the Burlesque, do not kill any meatballs as you run back to Rift. Try to make sure they also do not despawn. If you see your round didn't instantly end by itself (6 seconds after you place the flag), use a nuke to end the round.

After finishing Footlight, if you get round 9 Meatballs, you will immediately grab the flag and go to Canals.

Round 9/10 Zombies

Round 9 nuke time: 54 seconds

Round 10 nuke time: 56 seconds

Round time starts as soon as you see the round number change

You will play the round in the Rift area. During this time, you can hit for more nukes or ABH while killing zombies and your margwa. When it's round time, nuke the round, grab the flag and run to spawn.

When the flag is over, remain in Nero’s Room near the exit at the second floor. If you do not see your round end immediately, either nuke your round or look in the window to the left, down stairs, or under the stairs to find your last zombie.

Head down to Rift.

If you get 10 Meatballs here, grab the flag and go to Canals.

If this was your round 10 flag, grab the flag and go to Waterfront.

Round 9/10 Meatballs

Note: The minimum number of meatballs is 9 but it can increase if you have despawners such as a round meatball that hasn't despawned due to being late at flag (which try to look for them if you can) or any bugs that despawn.

Note 2: If you are playing ABH strat for Flags and you get Canals ABH during a zombie round, the second best location to play the Meatball Round would be in the spawn location. Play the round on the second floor but inside Nero’s Room.

This will usually be played at Canals. Try to get to the flag as fast as you can so a meatball doesn't spawn.

After flag finishes, head to the bridge right before the gum machine

Beware of any meatball/s that may spawn behind you as you head to this location. Do your best to avoid the margwa if you can (or instakill hill if you manage to get the chance depending where he spawns). When the round ends, you can hit gum to cycle a gum out or get ABH/Nukes

Meatball Round Location + Example:

https://youtu.be/KYHPf3sLpxs?si=DzPLuaDNsROS6ZOR&t=1076

Waterfront/Final Flag

After you give the flag to the keeper, it takes 5 seconds for him to turn red. When the keeper turns red, you are guaranteed to get an ABH location that is in the PAP ritual room.

So around 4 seconds, use your ABH so it can be timed with the keeper turning red.

Boss

Depending on which side you get, interact with the closest keeper to give them your sword.

Wallrun over to the middle area and as soon as Shadowman is out of the bubble start shooting him with your KRM while slowly heading towards the table. Once he’s at the table, interact with him and now you have completed the Shadows of Evil Easter Egg.

Extra

Note: These are mostly links to things that go more into depth of things not covered in this guide.

Beast Mode Tricks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhnhr79yo-I

Canals Beast Mode to Flag Pickup:

https://youtu.be/KYHPf3sLpxs?si=-9pPOk8o8IqsdXyV&t=684

ScottyDogs007 Canals Beast Mode to Flag Pickup:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2675580407?t=00h02m23s

ScottyDog007’s tutorial for the first 4 minutes of the game which goes more into depth on how spawn zones and zombies work and a much better explained way of how to play the early game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ow6LelgxM0

Beginner's Guide on How to Speedrun the Shadows of Evil Easter Egg

Before Getting Started

World Record

Gum Loadout

Mods used for infinite gums and offline playability

Community Discord

Practice Patches

Notice

Scrappy’s Practice Tool

Cbrnn’s Practice Patches

Important Notes to remember

Reading Symbols

Despawn Ticks

Round 1-2

Beast First (2:08-2:10 Average Rift)

Fast Gum First (2:09-2:11 Average Rift)

Safe Gum First (2:12-2:14 Average Rift)

Round 3 at Rift

Round 4 at Footlight

Round 5

Junction/Spawn/Canals ABHs

Deep Waterfront/Late Round End Rift & Statues ABH

Early Round End Front Waterfront/Rift/Statues

PAP Ritual

Ovums (Midgame)

Junction

Footlight

Waterfront

Canals

Flags

Footlight

Round 9/10 Zombies

Round 9/10 Meatballs

Waterfront/Final Flag

Boss

Extra

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