How to Start the Farm Ritual in Ashes of the Damned for Black Ops 7 Zombies

The Ashes of the Damned Zombies experience features a sprawling, multi-stage main Easter Egg quest that demands precision, puzzle-solving, and a mastery of the map’s new weapons. Regardless of whether you’re tackling the challenge in Standard, Cursed, or Directed Mode, the steps for advancing the narrative through the Vandorn Farm location are critical, complex, and highly prone to error.The central task in this region is the Vandorn Farm Ritual, a chilling objective that involves cracking a clock-based cipher, locating four hidden ceremonial items, and successfully defending them against an endless, timed onslaught of the undead.If you are feeling lost, frustrated, or simply want an efficient, step-by-step blueprint for success, this guide has you covered. We will break down the precise mechanics of the Farmhouse clock puzzle, map out the exact locations of the unique ritual artifacts, and provide the optimal strategy for surviving the harrowing lockdown phase without wasting precious time or ammunition.

BO7 Zombies: Start the Farm Ritual in Ashes of the Damned

Phase 1: Setting the Stage — Pre-Requisites and the Clock Cipher

Before entering the Farmhouse, you must complete the steps that charge your unique weapon and activate the clock tower for this stage. This involves utilizing the DG-2 Turret from the Ol' Tessie secret and your Necrofluid Gauntlet.

• Charge the Gauntlet: You must shoot the clock tower in the Ashwood section of the map with the DG-2 Turret. Following this, fire the Necrofluid Gauntlet at the clock face and reload the weapon. The Gauntlet's charge indicator will turn a distinctive purple hue, signifying it is ready for the next step.
• Enter the Farmhouse: With the charged weapon, proceed to the Vandorn Farmhouse, where the skeletal remains of the Vandorn family are seated around the dinner table.

Solving the Farmhouse Clock Puzzle

This puzzle involves reading a time indicator and matching it to a marker on the floor.

• Determine the Hour: Face the southwest wall within the Farmhouse. Note the position of the hour hand on the clock visible there. For example, if the hour hand points to $3$ (III), that is your designated number.
• Find Your Mark: Now, look down at the wooden floor near the dining table. You will see Roman numerals etched into the wood. Stand on the number that matches the hour hand’s position.
  • Tip: The number $12$ is typically behind the father's position, $9$ is usually behind the mother, and positions like $3$ are often found behind the children’s seats.
• The Skeleton's Signal: Once you are correctly standing on your assigned numeral, waitpatiently for one of the skeletons' heads to turn and face yourposition. When the skeleton's eyes begin to glow red, the sequence is ready.
• Execution: Aim your charged Necrofluid Gauntlet at the head of the father skeleton and fire the purple, charged shot.

Successfully executing this will trigger the next stage: the hunt for the ritual artifacts.

Phase 2: The Scavenger Hunt — Locating the Ritual Items

There are four specific ritual items scattered across the Vandorn Farm area,all of which are required to start the ceremonial lockdown. Crucially,the location of these items remains constant in every singleplaythrough. You can interact with and pick up each item using thereload button prompt.

Ritual Item Locations:

Item Name	Location Description	Detailed Position
Tasty-Face	The Upstairs Bedroom of the Farmhouse	Found on the lower mattress of the bunkbed. Interact with the teddy bear's head.
Pa's Pigsticker	The Garage	Situated on the north wall, resting on a workbench. This room usually contains the Armor Wall-Buy and the Mystery Box location.
Junior's Fun-Face	The Barn (Upstairs)	Proceed to the upper level of the Barn. Look towards the southeast wall. The mask is placed over a covering, next to a pile of hay, and slightly to the left of the Death Perception perk machine.
Ma's Chalice	The Barn (Cellar)	Head to the lowest level of the Barn (the Cellar). Enter the room where youpreviously obtained the Necrofluid Gauntlet near the locked flesh box.The Chalice is located on the northwest wall, on the left side of the bathtub.

Once all four items have been successfully collected, you are ready to prepare for the lockdown defense.

Phase 3: The Farm Ritual Defense (Lockdown)

This final step involves defending the ritual items against a punishing,timed siege. Preparation is essential, as the horde will be relentless.

Preparation and Initiation

• Recommended Upgrades: Ensure you have powerful tactical equipment stocked up, specifically Monkey Bombs (or Kazimir Devices, which are similar). A defensive Field Upgrade like Frenzied Guard is highly recommended for drawing enemy aggro away from the objective.
• Item Placement: Interact with the four glowing red circles scattered around the Vandorn Farm area to place each of the four ritual items.
• Start the Ritual: Once all items are placed, you must interact with each of the four items again in rapid succession. Interacting with the final item will immediately trigger the ritual's start.

The Defense Strategy

The ritual initiates a defense sequence lasting just over 60 seconds, during which an infinite horde of the undead will target and attempt to destroy the ritual items.

• Use Aggro Control: Your primary focus should be drawing the zombie attention away from the artifacts. Throw Monkey Bombs into open areas away from the items to divert the horde.
• Deploy Field Upgrades: If the zombies begin clustering near the items, activate Field Upgrades like Frenzied Guard to force enemy aggression onto yourself, buying precious time.
• High-Damage Clearing: Use high-damage weapons, like your Wonder Weapon, for quick clearing of groups, but prioritize surviving the timer.

Success Confirmation

When the timed sequence expires, you will know the ritual was successfullycompleted if all remaining zombies are instantly eliminated. A voiceline from the mysterious Entity will confirm your progress. Furthermore, the area where the glowing red circles and artifacts once stood will now be marked by distinct wisps.

• Note on Failure: If you fail to defend the items and the ritual is interrupted, you cansimply interact with the artifacts again in the following round torestart the sequence, applying the defensive advice above to ensuresuccess on the next attempt.

Mastering the Vandorn Farm Ritual is a major milestone in the Ashes of the Damned main quest, proving your ability to combine complex puzzle-solving with high-pressure combat survival.

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