Black Ops 7 Season 1 has arrived with fresh content across all modes. While Multiplayer players are exploring new maps and Warzone enthusiasts are dropping into Haven’s Hollow Resurgence, Zombies fans have something special to sink their teeth into—Astra Malorum. This space-bound observatory map, launching from Liberty Falls, delivers an epic new quest filled with cosmic horrors and undead enemies.
Like every great Zombies map, one of your first priorities is getting that Pack-a-Punch Machine up and running. But unlike Ashes of the Damned, where you might already know the drill, Astra Malorum throws some new mechanics your way. Don’t worry though—I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about finding and activating Pack-a-Punch on this stellar new map.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through both routes to reach the Observatory Dome, show you exactly where to find the two Harmonic Oculus components, and give you the lowdown on surviving that lockdown sequence. Let’s get started!
Where to Find Pack-a-Punch in Astra Malorum
The Pack-a-Punch Machine in Astra Malorum is permanently located in the Observatory Dome—yep, that’s right, it stays in one spot for the entire match. No moving platforms or dimension hopping required this time around.
Getting to the Observatory Dome is pretty straightforward, especially if you’re not running Cursed Mode. The game provides objective markers that’ll guide you along, but there are actually two different paths you can take depending on your strategy and essence farming route.
Path One: The Museum Route (Longer but More Thorough)
This route takes you through more areas of the map, which is great if you’re looking to open up multiple perk locations and wall buy locations along the way:
- Crash Site → Museum Infinitum – Open the door from spawn
- Museum Infinitum → Scholar’s Way – Continue forward and purchase the next door
- Scholar’s Way → Machina Astralis – Keep pushing through
- Machina Astralis → Archive of Orbs – Open the connecting door
- Archive of Orbs → The Veilwalk – Move forward through the Archives
- The Veilwalk → Observatory Dome – Final stretch to your destination
Why choose this path? If you’re planning to explore the entire map or grab the components along the way (more on that below), this route hits more key locations. It’s also useful if you’re hunting for Intel locations or setting up your best training spots.
Path Two: The Luminarium Route (Faster and More Direct)
This is the speedrunner’s choice—fewer doors, less essence spent, quicker access:
- Crash Site → The Luminarium – Open the first door from spawn
- The Luminarium → Abyssal Rim – Purchase the connecting door
- Abyssal Rim → Observatory Dome – Push to the end and buy the final door
Why choose this path? If you’re focused on getting Pack-a-Punch activated ASAP or playing solo and conserving essence, this route gets you there faster with fewer doors to unlock. Perfect for experienced players or those attempting high-round strategies.
Pro tip: I usually recommend Path Two for your first trip to the Observatory Dome to get Pack-a-Punch online quickly, then backtrack through Path One to open up the rest of the map once you’ve got upgraded weapons.
How to Activate Pack-a-Punch in Astra Malorum (Step-by-Step)
Alright, so you’ve made it to the Observatory Dome. Now what? Well, you won’t see the Pack-a-Punch Machine sitting there waiting for you—at least not yet. Instead, you’ll find a massive telescope and a mysterious device called the Harmonic Oculus. This is what powers everything up.
Here’s the complete activation process:
Step 1: Locate the Harmonic Oculus
When you first enter the Observatory Dome, look for the Harmonic Oculus—a large instrument that’s impossible to miss. Walk up to it and interact to begin the power-up sequence. The game will now mark the locations of two components you need to collect.
Smart move: You can actually grab these components before interacting with the Harmonic Oculus if you’re planning ahead. This can save you a round or two if you’re efficient about it.
Step 2: Collect the First Component (Machina Astralis)
The first component is located at Machina Astralis, which you’ll pass through if you took Path One, or can backtrack to if you took Path Two.
- Head to the Arsenal Machine area in Machina Astralis
- Look for the glowing component nearby
- Interact to pick it up
The Arsenal Machine is where you purchase Ammo Mods and equipment, so it’s a landmark that’s easy to spot. If you’re grabbing this component early, it’s a good opportunity to stock up on salvage and supplies while you’re in the area.
Step 3: Collect the Second Component (The Luminarium)
The second component is found at The Luminarium—the same area where you can grab Jugger-Nog (and trust me, you’ll want that perk before attempting the lockdown).
- Navigate to The Luminarium
- Find the component near the Stellar Dissector Trap
- Pick it up
The Stellar Dissector Trap is a defensive tool you’ll want to remember for later, especially if you’re attempting Dark Ops challenges or high-round runs.
Step 4: Install Components and Power Up the Harmonic Oculus
With both components in hand, return to the Observatory Dome:
- Interact with the Harmonic Oculus to install the components
- Move to the side panel of the device
- Interact again to power it on
Once activated, get ready—things are about to get hectic.
Step 5: Survive the 45-Second Lockdown Sequence
Here’s where it gets interesting. As soon as you power up the Harmonic Oculus, a lockdown sequence initiates. You’ve got 45 seconds to defend the device from waves of zombies trying to destroy it.
Key survival tips:
- Protect the Harmonic Oculus at all costs – Zombies will swarm and attack it directly
- Use crowd control – Field Upgrades like Energy Mine or Aether Shroud work great here
- Position strategically – Stand between the zombies and the device
- Have decent weapons – At minimum, bring a wall buy weapon with some punch
- Watch your health – Jugger-Nog is almost essential for this step
- Use equipment – Lethal and tactical equipment can thin the horde
What happens if you fail? If the zombies destroy the Harmonic Oculus, don’t panic—you’ll just need to wait until the next round and try again. The components won’t disappear, so you just need to interact with the device once more to restart the lockdown.
Step 6: Pack-a-Punch Activates!
Survive those 45 seconds, and the Pack-a-Punch Machine will spawn directly below the telescope. Unlike some maps where Pack-a-Punch moves around, this bad boy stays put for the entire game. No chasing it around portals or completing additional steps every few rounds—it’s yours permanently.
Now you can start upgrading your arsenal and really get to work on the undead hordes!
Essential Tips for Activating Pack-a-Punch Efficiently
Want to activate Pack-a-Punch faster and smoother? Here are some pro strategies I’ve picked up:
Before You Start:
- Save your essence – You’ll need around 8,000-10,000 Essence total to open all necessary doors and grab Jugger-Nog
- Check your loadout – Start with a solid weapon from your custom class
- Grab Jugger-Nog first – Seriously, get this perk before attempting the lockdown
During Collection:
- Grab components early – Pick them up while exploring, even before interacting with the Harmonic Oculus
- Open key areas – Unlock The Luminarium and Machina Astralis regions first if possible
- Farm essence efficiently – Use our essence farming guide for the best spots
During Lockdown:
- Use the Stellar Dissector Trap – If you’re struggling, activate nearby traps to help thin the horde
- Train zombies away first – Clear some zombies before starting if the round is crowded
- Have a backup plan – Keep a Scorestreak ready for emergencies
- Coordinate in co-op – Split defense duties between teammates
After Activation:
- Upgrade immediately – Pack-a-Punch your best weapon first
- Explore for power-ups – Now’s a good time to find free power-up locations
- Set up your strategy – Plan your training route and best training spots
What to Do After Activating Pack-a-Punch
Once you’ve got Pack-a-Punch online, you’re ready to tackle Astra Malorum’s bigger challenges:
Upgrade Your Arsenal:
- Pack-a-Punch your best weapons
- Consider weapon prestiging for additional benefits
- Unlock Pack-a-Punch camo customization
Pursue Wonder Weapons:
- Hunt for the LGM-1 Wonder Weapon
- Try your luck with the Ray Gun from the Mystery Box
- Compare with the Necrofluid Gauntlet
Tackle Main Quest:
- Follow the main Easter egg guide
- Complete side Easter eggs
- Hunt down all special Elite Zombies
Optimize Your Gameplay:
- Max out augments for your perks and equipment
- Work toward camo challenges
- Attempt high-round runs
For even more strategies and loadout tips, check out the complete Astra Malorum walkthrough.
Additional Resources and Community Links
Want to dive deeper into Black Ops 7 Zombies? Here are some valuable resources:
Official Resources:
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Official Site – Latest news and updates
- Black Ops 7 Subreddit – Community discussions and strategies
- COD Community Discord – Real-time help and team-finding
Related Guides:
- Best multiplayer loadouts
- Campaign rewards unlock guide
- All prestige rewards
- Combat Specialties explained
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Pack-a-Punch move locations in Astra Malorum?
No, unlike Ashes of the Damned or some previous Zombies maps, the Pack-a-Punch Machine stays permanently in the Observatory Dome once activated. You won’t need to reactivate it or chase it around different locations throughout the match.
What round should I activate Pack-a-Punch on Astra Malorum?
Most players aim to activate Pack-a-Punch between rounds 5-8, depending on how efficiently they farm essence. You’ll need roughly 8,000-10,000 Essence to open all necessary doors, plus extra for Jugger-Nog. The earlier you activate it, the easier later rounds become.
Can you fail the Harmonic Oculus lockdown in Astra Malorum?
Yes, if zombies destroy the Harmonic Oculus during the 45-second defense sequence, you’ll fail the step. However, you can simply retry on the next round by interacting with the Harmonic Oculus again—you won’t need to recollect the components.
What’s the fastest path to Pack-a-Punch in Astra Malorum?
Path Two through The Luminarium and Abyssal Rim is the fastest route, requiring only 3 door purchases from spawn to reach the Observatory Dome. This is ideal for solo players or speed runs where you want Pack-a-Punch active as quickly as possible.
Activating Pack-a-Punch in Astra Malorum is a bit more involved than simply reaching a location, but the lockdown defense adds an exciting challenge to the process. Once you’ve got it online, you’ll have permanent access to weapon upgrades for the rest of your match, making those higher rounds much more manageable. Whether you’re hunting Wonder Weapons, completing Easter eggs, or just surviving as long as possible, Pack-a-Punch is your gateway to success on this cosmic map. Good luck out there, and may your shots always be true!
