Call of Duty Zombies features a vast roster of characters spanning multiple universes and timelines. The most iconic are the Aether crews—Ultimis, Primis, and Victis—centered around Tank Dempsey, Nikolai Belinski, Takeo Masaki, and Edward Richtofen. Since 2020, the franchise has shifted to the Dark Aether saga, featuring Samantha Maxis and various military operators.
The Call of Duty Zombies mode, originally a hidden easter egg in 2008’s World at War, has evolved into one of the most complex narratives in gaming history. As of 2026, the lore encompasses multiversal collapses, ancient gods, and high-stakes military conspiracies. To understand the characters, one must understand the divided storylines: the original Aether Storyline, the mythological Chaos Storyline, and the modern Dark Aether Saga. This guide provides an exhaustive breakdown of the heroes, villains, and ensembles that have defined the undead experience.
The Aether Storyline: The Foundational Cast
The Aether Storyline is the backbone of the Zombies experience, spanning from World at War (2008) to Black Ops 4 (2018). It is defined by the "Cycle"—a repeating loop of suffering and heroism involving two versions of the same four men.
The Ultimis Crew
The Ultimis crew represents the original versions of the characters introduced in maps like Shi No Numa and Der Riese. These characters were initially archetypes of World War II soldiers, but they grew into deeply flawed, tragic figures as the lore expanded.
- Edward Richtofen (Ultimis): A sociopathic German scientist and member of Group 935. His obsession with the Vril-Ya and the MPD (Moon Pyramid Device) led him to betray his teammates to seize control of the zombies.
- Tank Dempsey (Ultimis): A loud, fourth-wall-breaking American Marine. His persona is defined by his aggression toward "Richtofen the Fink" and his reliance on heavy weaponry.
- Nikolai Belinski (Ultimis): A vodka-soaked Soviet soldier whose dialogue often revolves around his many wives and his state of perpetual inebriation. However, later lore revealed his drinking was a coping mechanism for the loss of his first wife during the war.
- Takeo Masaki (Ultimis): An Imperial Japanese soldier fiercely loyal to the Emperor. In the Ultimis timeline, his fanatical devotion is often exploited by Richtofen via mind-control experiments.
The Primis Crew
Introduced in Origins (Black Ops II), the Primis crew consists of younger, more serious versions of the original four. They come from Dimension 63 and are tasked by a mysterious entity known as Dr. Monty to secure their souls and "fix" the universe.
- "Origins" Richtofen: Unlike his Ultimis counterpart, Primis Richtofen is a man burdened by the weight of the universe. He spends much of the narrative trying to find a way to save his friends from the inevitable "Great War."
- "Origins" Dempsey: A more tactical and grounded version of the Marine, Dempsey evolves from a skeptical soldier to a leader who understands the cosmic stakes.
- "Origins" Nikolai: This version of Nikolai is sober and somber. He eventually becomes the pivot point for the ending of the Aether story in Tag der Toten.
- "Origins" Takeo: A warrior who discovers that his Emperor betrayed him. He represents the theme of honor found in the face of absolute despair.
The Victis Crew
Victis (Latin for "the defeated") is the crew introduced in Black Ops II’s TranZit. They are survivors on a fractured, post-apocalyptic Earth.
- Abigail "Misty" Briarton: A tough, self-reliant survivor with a mysterious past related to the military.
- Marlton Johnson: A highly intelligent, germaphobic scientist who often clashes with the others due to his elitism.
- Samuel Stuhlinger: The only member of the crew who can hear Richtofen’s voice in his head, thanks to his history of consuming zombie flesh.
- Russman: An elderly former operative of "Broken Arrow" with failing memory, providing crucial links to the conspiracy behind the zombie outbreak.
The Chaos Storyline: Ancient Mythos
Debuting in Black Ops 4, the Chaos Storyline is entirely separate from the Aether events. It focuses on ancient trials, mythological gods, and a secret society known as the Order.
- Scarlett Rhodes: The protagonist seeking her missing father, Alistair Rhodes. Her journey takes her from the Titanic to ancient Delphi.
- Bruno Delacroix: A former criminal with a brutal physical presence, struggling with a dark transformation forced upon him by the Order.
- Diego Necalli: A charming spy and thief specializing in bladed weapons and stealth.
- Stanton Shaw: An eccentric chemist with a history of using hallucinogenic potions, providing the group with technical and alchemical knowledge.
The Dark Aether Saga: The Modern Era (2020–2026)
Following the "reboot" of the universe at the end of Black Ops 4, the Dark Aether saga began with Black Ops Cold War. It merged the Zombies lore with the broader Call of Duty universe, involving organizations like Requiem and Omega Group.
Key Figures of the Dark Aether
- Samantha Maxis: Once the young girl in the original Aether maps, she returned as a grown operative in the Cold War era. She is the most powerful entity in the current timeline, having spent decades in the Dark Aether.
- Grigori Weaver: A classic Black Ops character who leads Requiem’s field operations. His story arc focuses on the moral ambiguities of using Dark Aether technology.
- Dr. Elizabeth Grey: A scientist specializing in the biological effects of Aetherium. In Black Ops 6, she transitions from a researcher to a field combatant.
- Captain Mackenzie Carver: A career military officer who brings a structured, tactical approach to the chaos of the outbreaks.
- Maya Aguinaldo: Introduced in the mid-2020s (specifically the Black Ops 6 era), Maya is a smuggler and expert survivor who assists the Requiem team in their quest for redemption.
The Antagonists
- Dr. William Peck: A brilliant but smug scientist working for the Soviet Omega Group. He serves as a primary foil to the Requiem team.
- The Forsaken: An ancient, god-like entity from the Dark Aether that consumes everything in its path, serving as the primary threat of the early 2020s narrative.
Celebrity and Guest Ensembles
One of the hallmarks of Call of Duty Zombies is the "Celebrity Map," where famous actors lend their likenesses and voices to unique, one-off crews.
| Crew/Map Name | Characters | Notable Actors |
|---|---|---|
| "Five" | JFK, Robert McNamara, Richard Nixon, Fidel Castro | N/A (Likenesses used) |
| Call of the Dead | Sarah Michelle Gellar, Danny Trejo, Robert Englund, Michael Rooker | Themselves |
| Mob of the Dead | "Sal" DeLuca, Billy Handsome, Finn O'Leary, Al "The Weasel" Arlington | Chazz Palminteri, Joe Pantoliano, Michael Madsen, Ray Liotta |
| Shadows of Evil | Nero Blackstone, Jessica Rose, Jack Vincent, Floyd Campbell | Jeff Goldblum, Heather Graham, Neal McDonough, Ron Perlman |
| Dead of the Night | Dotty Gallivan, Godfrey, Gideon Mirel, the Brigadier | Helena Bonham Carter, Charles Dance, Kiefer Sutherland, Brian Blessed |
Non-Treyarch Zombies Characters
While Treyarch is the primary developer of the Zombies mode, other studios have created their own distinct takes on the formula.
Exo Zombies (Sledgehammer Games)
Featured in Advanced Warfare, this crew fought against Atlas Corporation’s undead.
- Oz (John Malkovich): A janitor with a secret past.
- Lilith (Rose McGowan): An IT specialist.
- Decker (Jon Bernthal): A security guard.
- Kahn (Bill Paxton): An Atlas executive.
Infinite Warfare Zombies (Infinity Ward)
A more lighthearted, "meta" take on Zombies where characters are trapped in various horror movie genres by the villainous director Willard Wyler (voiced by Paul Reubens).
- The Crew: AJ (The Jock), Andre (The Rapper), Poindexter (The Nerd), and Sally (The Valley Girl).
- Special Guests: Featuring David Hasselhoff, Kevin Smith, Pam Grier, and Cassandra Peterson (Elvira).
WWII Zombies (Sledgehammer Games)
A darker, more "gritty" horror interpretation focusing on the "Final Reich."
- Marie Fischer: An OSS engineer looking for her brother.
- Drostan Hynd: An art thief and former SAS commando.
- Olivia Durant: An art historian and resistance fighter.
- Jefferson Potts: A military intelligence officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most important character in CoD Zombies history?
Edward Richtofen is widely considered the most important character. Whether as the antagonist (Ultimis) or the tragic hero (Primis), his actions drive the plot across nearly every game. His internal struggle with the voices of the Dark Aether and his desire to "do the right thing" for the soul of Samantha Maxis form the emotional core of the series.
What is the difference between Primis and Ultimis?
The difference lies in their origins and tone. Ultimis are the original 1945 versions of the characters who are often portrayed with dark humor and extreme personality traits. Primis are the versions from 1918 (Origins) who are more stoic, heroic, and aware of the multiversal stakes. They exist in separate dimensions but eventually meet in Classified and Blood of the Dead.
Are the characters in Modern Warfare III (2023) and Black Ops 6 (2024) the same?
Yes, these games are part of the Dark Aether Saga. The characters seen in MWIII (like Sergei Ravenov) are older versions of characters introduced in Black Ops Cold War. Black Ops 6 serves as a bridge, detailing what happened to Weaver, Maxis, and Grey in the years following the 1985 outbreak.
Why did Call of Duty stop using the original characters?
The Aether Storyline reached a definitive conclusion in Black Ops 4 with the map Tag der Toten. The developers at Treyarch wanted to start a new chapter (the Dark Aether) that could integrate with the modern Call of Duty narrative. However, they have continued to bring back key figures like Samantha Maxis and Edward Richtofen in new roles to satisfy long-time fans.
Is the Chaos Storyline ever going to return?
As of 2026, the Chaos Storyline remains on hiatus. While it was praised for its unique setting and mythology, it did not achieve the same cultural impact as the Aether Storyline. Small references to the Chaos universe occasionally appear in Dark Aether intel, leading many to believe the two may one day be loosely connected.
Strategic Guidance for Lore Enthusiasts
For those looking to dive deeper into the "all cod zombies characters" rabbit hole, the best next step is to examine the Kronorium. This in-game book chronicles every event in the Aether timeline. Because the narrative relies heavily on environmental storytelling, players should focus on collecting "Intel" items in Cold War, MWIII, and Black Ops 6. These audio logs and documents provide the necessary context for the current status of characters like Weaver and the mysterious "Director" of Requiem.
If you are playing the older titles, pay close attention to character dialogue changes as you progress through the rounds; the characters often reveal their motivations and hidden memories as they succumb to the influence of Element 115.
