Unlocking the Necrofluid Gauntlet became one of my favorite accomplishments on Ashes of the Damned. I approached the process with the same mindset I use when testing strategies from bo7 bot lobbies—structured steps, efficient routing, and careful resource management. The Gauntlet’s spike-based mechanics and explosive recall ability made it an essential wonder weapon I didn’t want to miss out on.

The unlock sequence began by activating the three main generators around the map. I pushed through Ashwood, Blackwater Lake, and the Farm, ensuring Pack-a-Punch was open for later. Once the power network was fully operational, I headed to the sheriff’s office where Claus sat dormant behind bars. Right away, the objective became clear: reboot him.

I traveled to Janice Towers Plaza, spotted the large shipping container, and waited until round eight when the Mecha Claus burst out in a dramatic entrance. The battle forced me to keep moving, dodging zombies while firing at both weak spots. Once defeated, he collapsed into a Claus core and dropped the stabilizer chip—exactly what I needed. I returned to Claus and installed the chip, then stunned him repeatedly until sparks flew and he reawakened with that classic dramatic flair.

Using the controller, I directed him to the Cosmodrome. When I positioned him correctly at the locked door, he began typing rapidly, giving me access to a switch inside. Flipping that switch triggered one of the tensest steps of the entire quest. A red circle formed on the floor, and I had to stand inside it while focusing on a surveillance camera overhead. Zombies poured in from every direction, and even looking away paused the countdown. Leaving the circle entirely would fail the step. With a ray gun and tactical equipment, I managed to hold my ground.

Completing the lockdown granted me the Aether canister, initiating a timed relay across the map. I transported the canister to Ashwood, Blackwater Lake, and finally Van Dorne Farm—defending each power generator as waves of purple-eyed zombies attempted to destroy it. Because jump pads became disabled during this phase, driving Tessy efficiently was critical. Once the final charge completed at the farm, I carried the canister into the basement and installed it into the Cortifax box.

Next, I launched back up the tower to observe the three floating symbols on the barn, the silo, and the farmhouse roof. These symbols appear randomly each match, so remembering them accurately was important. I returned to the basement and activated the box’s blank panels until each symbol matched the ones I saw above ground.

When all three symbols aligned, I activated the eyeball panel and finally obtained the Necrofluid Gauntlet. The final test required shooting and retracting spikes at multiple glowing green spots along the walls. Once all runes vanished, the Gauntlet reached full functionality.

The entire process combined action, exploration, and puzzle-solving into one seamless challenge. I walked away impressed by how rewarding the weapon felt and how memorable the journey was.

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