Aetherium Crystals are utility items that can be obtained in the Zombies mode of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. They are used to upgrade Perk-a-Colas, Field Upgrades, Ammo Mods and Weapon Classes. There are three classes of Aetherium Crystals, each rarer than the last. There are Raw Aetherium Crystals, Refined Aetherium Crystals, and Flawless Aetherium Crystals.[1]
Earning Aetherium Crystals
Aetherium Crystals are awarded differently dependent on current gamemode being played. In a standard round-based map, Aetherium Crystals are awarded upon reaching "Round Milestones" which is first archived at Round 10 with subsequent milestones occurring every 5 rounds. Continuing a higher round total will award more crystals alongside the higher tiers more frequently. Within Outbreak, Aetherium Crystals are awarded for completion of the primary objective of the Region. Warping into new Regions and continuing to complete objectives will increase the amount and the rarity of Aetherium Crystals.
Completion of a successful Exfiltration also has a chance of awarding Aetherium Crystals.
Spending Aetherium Crystals
Aetherium Crystals are used to upgrade "Skills" which consist of Weapon Classes, Field Upgrades, Perk-a-Colas, and Ammo Mods to enhance their abilities up to five additional times, with each time requiring more Aetherium. Upgrading any mechanic up to Tier 3 will require more Raw Aetherium Crystals as you upgrade the tiers (i.e. Juggernog will need 2 crystals for a Tier 2 upgrade as opposed to 1 crystal with a Tier 1 upgrade.). However, Tiers 4 and 5 will require 4 Refined Aetherium Crystals for Tier 4, and 5 Flawless Aetherium Crystals for Tier 5.[1]
Trivia
- They appear to be a spiritual successor to both Liquid Divinium and Nebulium Plasma, as they are a currency that are earned after a match ends.
- Unlike their predecessors, however, Aetherium Crystals are not a microtransaction currency and thus cannot be purchased using CODPoints.
- There is also a limit to an amount of Aetherium Crystals one can earn, as the player can only earn as many crystals that can be spent on upgrades, unlike their predecessors which the player could earn an indefinite amount of.
