If you have been playing Black Ops 7 Zombies on Paradox Junction, you have probably heard players talking about the Weapon Summoning Paradox. This guide will walk you through exactly what it means, how the Summoning Key Relic works, and the step-by-step process to unlock it. We spent time testing this in both solo and co-op play to bring you the most accurate walkthrough available.
The Weapon Summoning Paradox refers to a unique strategic trade-off that occurs when you equip the Summoning Key Relic in Black Ops 7 Zombies. When this relic is active, every zombie you kill will explode on death. This explosion damages nearby enemies, making it easier to clear waves quickly. However, the explosion also damages your teammates, which creates a difficult choice during co-op play.
You might think more explosions would always be better, but the paradox emerges when you consider team dynamics. In solo play, you reap the full benefit of the explosions without any downside. In co-op, you need to coordinate with your team to maximize kills while minimizing the chaos caused by friendly fire from explosions. This makes the Summoning Key Relic one of the most interesting relics in Paradox Junction Cursed Mode.
The relic gets its “summoning” name because activating it seems to summon or call forth this explosive death mechanic onto every zombie. The weapon summoning paradox has become a hot topic in the COD Zombies community, with players debating whether the trade-off is worth it compared to other relics available on the map.
The Summoning Key Relic is one of three Paradox Junction Relics you can unlock in Black Ops 7 Zombies. Its primary effect is straightforward: zombies explode upon death while the relic is equipped. The explosion has a moderate radius and deals significant damage to anything in its blast zone.
The damage to zombies is a major advantage. When a zombie dies, the explosion can chain into nearby zombies, creating cascading kills that rapidly build your score multiplier. This makes the relic particularly valuable during high-round gameplay where zombie health pools have grown substantial. Instead of spending precious ammunition finishing off each zombie individually, you can rely on the explosion to finish the job.
The downside is the damage to players. When zombies explode near your teammates, they take damage too. In Tier 1 Cursed Mode, this friendly fire can quickly drain your team’s resources. Players report spending more time reviving each other than actually killing zombies when the relic is used carelessly. Strategic timing becomes essential.
You can mitigate the team damage issue by communicating with your squad. Designate periods where only one player has the Summoning Key equipped while others hang back. Alternatively, use the relic during solo play or when your team has excess healing resources available. Many players recommend saving the relic for emergencies rather than keeping it equipped constantly.
Before you can even attempt to obtain the Summoning Key Relic, you need to meet two strict requirements. First, you must reach Round 40 in your current game. This is a significant time investment that requires consistent gameplay across dozens of rounds. Second, you must be playing on Tier 1 or higher of Cursed Mode.
Cursed Mode is a modifier that activates on Paradox Junction after you complete certain Easter egg steps. When active, Cursed Mode adds additional challenges and modifies zombie behavior. Tier 1 represents the base difficulty level, with higher tiers presenting even greater challenges for those seeking an extra test.
Reddit users on the COD Zombies subreddit report that reaching Round 40 in Cursed Mode is challenging but achievable with the right loadout. We recommend using the Sundergat as your primary weapon, augmenting with Aether Shroud for mobility and Iron Core to ensure you keep Jugger-Nog active even during down states. The War Machine is excellent for handling HVTs (High Value Targets) that appear during the relic trial waves.
Once you have met the prerequisites, head to the area near the Pack-a-Punch machine in Paradox Junction. The Dog Collar is located on a workbench near the spawn area. You will need to look carefully as it blends in with other objects on the table. The collar is small and rectangular with a distinctive tag.
Players have reported difficulty finding the Dog Collar because it resembles other junk items scattered around the map. Take your time and search methodically near the workbench area. Once you find it, walk over it to pick it up automatically. Your screen will flash briefly to confirm acquisition.
Next, you need to locate the Tennis Ball. This item spawns in an outdoor area of Paradox Junction, typically near the garden or yard section of the map. The tennis ball is bright green and easier to spot than the dog collar, but it still requires some searching.
One important note from the community: do not use Brain Rot on the dog while trying to grab the ball. A Reddit user reported getting stuck in a bug where the ball appeared but could not be picked up after using Brain Rot on the dog. If this happens, you may need to restart from an earlier save or begin the process again.
With both the Dog Collar and Tennis Ball in your inventory, locate the Gravestone on Paradox Junction. This is typically found in a quieter section of the map, away from the main zombie spawn points. The Gravestone has a distinctive appearance that stands out from other environmental objects.
Approach the Gravestone and interact with it. A menu should appear allowing you to place your collected items. Select the Dog Collar first, then the Tennis Ball. The game will confirm both items have been placed correctly. This action initiates the relic trial sequence.
After placing the items, you must complete five consecutive wave trials, each lasting exactly 90 seconds. These trials are challenging and require you to kill zombies continuously without dying. The waves spawn increasingly difficult zombie types as you progress through the trials.
Each wave begins immediately after the previous one ends. There is no rest period between trials, so you need to maintain consistent aggression throughout all five waves. We recommend using the War Machine for HVTs that appear during trials, as the explosive damage handles groups effectively. The Aftertaste GobbleGum is highly recommended to keep your perks active during the dying and respawning process.
Upon completing all five 90-second trials, the Summoning Key Relic will appear at the Gravestone. Walk up to it and interact to claim your new relic. The relic will automatically equip, and you will see the explosion effect immediately apply to your next zombie kills.
There are three relics available in Paradox Junction Cursed Mode, each with different requirements and effects. Understanding the differences helps you prioritize which to pursue first based on your current round progress and play style.
The Rocket Relic (also called the Grim Relic) requires Round 20 and Tier 1 Cursed Mode. Its effect deals explosive damage to zombies, similar to the War Machine scorestreak. Players favor this relic for its straightforward damage output without the team damage drawback.
The Summoning Key Relic requires Round 40 and Tier 1 Cursed Mode. Its effect causes zombies to explode on death, damaging both enemies and teammates. This creates the strategic paradox discussed throughout this guide.
The Mangler Helmet Relic requires Round 60 and Tier 2 Cursed Mode. Its effect provides increased damage resistance and stronger melee attacks. This relic suits aggressive players who prefer close-quarters combat.
Focus your efforts on the Rocket Relic first since it has the lowest requirements. Once you have that, work toward Round 40 for the Summoning Key Relic. Save the Mangler Helmet Relic for last unless you are specifically chasing the achievement or trophy for collecting all three.
Successfully completing the 90-second wave trials requires preparation and execution. The right loadout makes a significant difference between struggling through the trials and clearing them comfortably.
For your primary weapon, the Sundergat is the top choice. This upgraded form of the Blundergat offers excellent damage and range. Pack-a-Punch it fully to maximize its effectiveness. The spread pattern handles groups of zombies well, and the high damage per shot means fewer bullets needed to secure kills.
GobbleGum selection is critical. Aftertaste is the most recommended option because it preserves your perks when you go down. Given the intensity of the relic trials, you will likely take damage. Aftertaste ensures you do not lose your hard-earned perk loadout each time you respawn. Other useful GobbleGums includeephemeral enhancement for temporary damage boosts and trunk monkey for additional protection.
Field Upgrades should be set to Aether Shroud for solo play. This provides temporary invisibility that lets you reposition or revive safely. In co-op, coordinate with your team to ensure at least one player has a healing Field Upgrade available at all times.
Common mistakes to avoid include ignoring HVTs during trials. These special zombies have more health and deal more damage. Let them accumulate and you will be overwhelmed. Keep the War Machine or similar high-damage weapon ready specifically for HVTs. Another mistake is staying in one position too long. Keep moving to avoid being surrounded.
For solo players, patience is key. The relic trials are designed for co-op but are completable solo with practice. Focus on maximizing each kill and utilizing your field upgrade strategically. Do not rush through the waves. Clear methodically rather than gambling on risky plays.
To get the Rocket Relic in Paradox Junction, you need to reach Round 20 on Tier 1+ Cursed Mode. Collect the required items scattered across the map, place them at the designated location, and complete the associated trial waves to unlock the relic.
Paradox Junction relics are obtained by meeting round and tier requirements, collecting specific items (Dog Collar, Tennis Ball, and others), placing them at the Gravestone, and completing wave trials. Each relic has different requirements ranging from Round 20 to Round 60.
Weapon summoning is a game mechanic in Black Ops 7 Zombies where certain relics cause zombies to explode on death, dealing damage to nearby enemies and players. The term specifically refers to the Summoning Key Relic’s effect of summoning explosive deaths.
In the context of Paradox Junction, the Summoning Key Relic is the “weapon summoning” item. It is not a traditional weapon but a relic that causes zombies to explode. Players typically pair it with high-damage weapons like the Sundergat or War Machine for maximum effectiveness.
You can obtain the Summoning Key Relic starting at Round 40 in Paradox Junction on Tier 1+ of Cursed Mode. You must also collect the Dog Collar and Tennis Ball, place them at the Gravestone, and complete five 90-second wave trials.
Yes, you can obtain the Summoning Key Relic in solo play. While the relic trials are challenging solo, they are achievable with the right loadout. Use the Sundergat, Aether Shroud field upgrade, Aftertaste GobbleGum, and focus on methodical play rather than rushing.
The Weapon Summoning Paradox in Black Ops 7 Zombies represents one of the most interesting strategic trade-offs in modern zombie modes. The Summoning Key Relic offers devastating explosion effects that clear zombie groups quickly, but the friendly fire damage creates genuine tactical decisions for co-op teams.
To summarize the Weapon Summoning Paradox Guide: reach Round 40 on Tier 1+ Cursed Mode, collect the Dog Collar and Tennis Ball, place them at the Gravestone, and survive five 90-second wave trials. The relic is worth the effort for players seeking to master Paradox Junction Cursed Mode.
If you found this guide helpful, explore our other Black Ops 7 Zombies content. We cover all Paradox Junction Easter egg steps, detailed weapon reviews, and strategy guides for every Cursed Mode tier. Our team continues testing new strategies as the game receives updates.
