Based on my experience; it is faster to reach higher levels with less people.
It is easier to survive using the path on the upper area from the lobby 'til you reach the stage and turn-on the power.
For the 1st and 2nd wave of hell hounds; you must already reached the room with MP40 and quickly kill the dogs on sight or just group together in a corner.
Reach the stage as quick as possible and before turning on the power make sure you have the claymore and atleast 2,500 for the Joggernog.
If you already found the mystery/random weapon box aim immediately for the Thundergun, Raygun, and Monkey Bomb; this is applicable for solo. Other players should aim for the Raygun, Monkey Bomb, and other assault rifle, SMG, or LMG but I prefer the packed-a-punched M14.
This is where the real strategy will go:
Don't use the claymores immediately, just place them on the stage, facing the wall, where you can pick them easily on times of emergency.
The ThunderGun carrier should be good at dodging zombies 'coz he will just kite zombies on the stage, run around the stage in a circular form, make the ThunderGun as your primary weapone, when it seems there are enough/too much zombies following you or in emergency; fire it.
The other players(if there are) might stay next to the M14(make sure that the door near it is closed and the ThunderGun carrier would run in smaller circle that near the dressing room) or run around from lobby, upstairs, to the dressing room, and back to the stage and use the teleporter if available. Just don't be in the way of the ThunderGunner. The other players should stick together.
If someone is down, one should use the Monkey Bomb and quickly revive the downed player.
And the most important of all is communication for newbies or proper coordination if you know the map very well and don't have a headset.
Good luck!
Best Answer
Zombies mode in Black Ops features the maps
"Kino Der Toten". (Unlocked immediately)
Upon completion of the Campaign, or typing in "3ARC UNLOCK" on the Computer Console in the Main Menu, the map "Five" would be unlocked.
Also, typing in either "DOA" or "3ARC UNLOCK" on the Computer Console would unlock the map "Dead Ops Arcade".
More maps may be purchased via Downloadable Content (DLC) or pre-ordering the Hardened/Prestige Editions.
The Hardened and Prestige Edition include the four revamped versions of "Nacht Der Untoten", "Verruct", "Shi No Numa", and "Der Riese".
First Strike includes "Ascension"
Escalation includes "Call of the Dead"
Annihilation includes "Shangri-La"
and Rezurrection includes "Moon" and the revamped versions of "Nacht Der Untoten", "Verrückt", "Shi No Numa", and "Der Riese".
A total of 12 maps (unless Rezurrections revamped maps are different than the other revamps making it 16 maps)
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