With the launch of Season 3 Reloaded, the Zombies community in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has been relentlessly exploring every corner of “The Bastion.” For players chasing completion—and the exclusive Aetheric Conqueror skin—understanding the mechanics behind the final boss fight is essential.
I’ve personally found that even experienced squads can get caught off guard here if they rush the setup.
Before accessing the final encounter, your team must assemble and upgrade the Aetheric Railgun. Without it, the boss is effectively invincible.
Oscillator: Found in the Barracks
Focusing Lens: Located in the Armory
Aether Battery: Inside the Power Room
Once constructed, the weapon must be charged. Head to the Courtyard in a CoD BO7 Bot Lobby and eliminate 30 zombies near the Pylon to soul-charge the Railgun. This upgrades it into the Void-Piercer, which is required to break the boss’s shield during the fight.
To unlock the boss arena, your team must complete three major sequences:
Satellite Calibration:
Head to the rooftop and align three satellites so they all point toward the Central Spire. Precision matters here—misalignment will reset progress.
Memory Extraction Escort:
In the Laboratory, initiate the escort of a floating Aether Essence. Stay within its radius to increase movement speed, and be prepared for heavy zombie resistance along the route.
Spire Lockdown:
Inside the Central Spire, you’ll face a two-minute survival challenge. Only headshots will clear the encroaching fog, so accuracy is critical. Communication and positioning make all the difference in this phase.
This is usually where I notice squads start to fall apart if callouts aren’t clear.
The final encounter against Malakor is a multi-phase endurance fight that tests coordination and timing.
Phase 1: Shield Cycle
Malakor begins protected by a powerful Aether shield, making him immune to standard damage.
One player must use the Void-Piercer to overload three generators around the arena.
The remaining teammates should focus on clearing waves of armored zombies.
Once all generators are activated, the shield drops briefly—this is your window to deal massive damage.
Phase 2: Void Rifts
At 50% health, Malakor disappears and creates Void Rifts across the arena.
Standing in a rift deals continuous damage to players but doubles outgoing damage.
Skilled players can briefly step into rifts to maximize burst damage before retreating to heal.
Timing and awareness are key to avoiding unnecessary downs.
Phase 3: Final Enrage
At low health, Malakor triggers a “Total Dark” phase.
The arena goes nearly black, with only weak points on his body visible.
A wipe mechanic begins, giving your team roughly 45 seconds to finish the fight.
Use distractions like Monkey Bombs or Decoys to control the horde and focus fire on weak points.
Failure to eliminate Malakor during this phase results in an instant team wipe.
Success in “The Bastion” depends on preparation and teamwork.
Completing “The Bastion” Easter Egg is one of the toughest challenges in Black Ops 7 Zombies. However, with a coordinated squad, proper setup, and strong execution during the boss fight, victory is within reach.