The community has been buzzing since the launch of Astra Malorum, the breathtakingly eerie new Zombie map set on a skull-shaped asteroid. More than just a survival arena, Astra Malorum is a narrative powerhouse, hiding its deep lore and ultimate payoff behind a labyrinthine Main Easter Egg. This is not a task for the faint of heart or the uncoordinated; it requires precision, teamwork, and an intimate knowledge of the map’s unsettling secrets.

For those ready to delve into the depths of the C-Link technology and face the chilling truths the developers have laid bare, here is the definitive, step-by-step guide to conquering the Astra Malorum Main Easter Egg.

Phase I: Activation and Power

The first steps are foundational and must be completed rapidly to ensure success:

  1. Activate the Primary Power: Locate the three main power switches scattered across the initial area (Observation Deck, Hydroponics Bay, and Engineering).
  2. Unlock Pack-a-Punch: Once power is restored, secure the three Aetherium Crystals dropped by special enemies in the courtyard. Place them in the generator located in the Subterranean Lab to activate the Pack-a-Punch Machine.
  3. Acquire the LGM-1 Wonder Weapon: This weapon is essential for several later steps. Complete the challenging Satellite Dish Repair Public Event in the Upper Observatory to receive the LGM-1 blueprint, then craft it using the new Fabricator Station.

Phase II: The Celestial Puzzles

This phase involves solving three complex puzzles related to the facility’s astronomical nature:

  1. The Planetary Alignment Puzzle: In the Cosmology Chamber, find the three missing Planetarium Slides. Insert them into the projector. The projector will display three distinct star patterns. You must then use the three corresponding adjustable telescopes in the Upper Deck to manually align their lenses to match the projected patterns. Confirmation is given by a distinct audio cue.
  2. The Tesla Coil Sequence: Locate the hidden control panel in the Maintenance Tunnels. This panel displays a blinking sequence of five colored lights. You must memorize this sequence and repeat it accurately by shooting the five nearby Tesla Coils in the correct order using the LGM-1 Wonder Weapon.
  3. The Chronometer Calibration: Travel to the Chamber of the Ancient Watch. Here, a giant clock face is frozen. You must input the correct time by finding three Temporal Relics (often found under piles of debris that require an explosive to clear). Insert the relics to move the hands to the specific time found etched onto the bottom of the Pack-a-Punch Machine.

Phase III: The Final Gauntlet

With the puzzles solved, the final sequence begins:

  1. The Essence Collection: A containment field activates in the Central Reactor Core. All four players must simultaneously stand within the field while defeating specific special enemies (e.g., three Abominations or five Manglers). The field will collect the enemies’ energy essence.
  2. Initiating the Uplink: Take the fully charged Essence Capsule and insert it into the main C-Link terminal located in the Command Center. This triggers the final countdown and the arrival of the boss.

Phase IV: The Boss Fight – The Dread Lich

The final step is the confrontation with The Dread Lich, a massive, mutated entity that controls gravitational forces.

  • Mechanics: The boss has three distinct phases. In Phase 1 and 3, focus on destroying the glowing blue Gravitational Nodes on its shoulders and back, which temporarily disables its shield.
  • Strategy: Use the LGM-1 and fully Pack-a-Punch’d weapons for maximum damage. Crucially, during Phase 2, the Lich will summon a horde of exploding zombies; players must use the environment’s jump pads to evade the blast and create distance.
  • The Final Blow: Once the Lich is weakened, a prompt will appear on the C-Link terminal. One player must quickly run to the terminal and initiate the self-destruct sequence while the remaining teammates maintain aggro.

Completing the Main Easter Egg grants players massive XP bonuses, a unique calling card, and the full cutscene detailing the chilling continuation of the Dark Aether story. Good luck, Operatives—the secrets of Astra Malorum are now yours to claim.