You ever get that feeling of pure nostalgia hitting you like a freight train? That’s basically what playing The Giant in Black Ops 3 feels like. It’s a remake of Der Riese, the legendary World at War map that practically defined what Zombies is today. But honestly, the Giant BO3 easter egg—technically called the "Paradoxical Prologue"—is a bit of a weird one compared to the massive, hour-long quests in maps like Revelations or Der Eisendrache.
It’s short. It’s sweet. And if you’re a completionist, it’s absolutely mandatory.
Most people call it the Fly Trap because, well, that’s what it was called in 2008. But in the Black Ops 3 universe, this tiny quest carries a lot of weight for the "Super Easter Egg" and your overall account progression. If you haven't seen that little green Gateworm icon on your map selection screen, you haven't really finished the map.
How to Actually Do the Giant BO3 Easter Egg
Let's skip the fluff. To get this done, you’ve gotta be efficient. You don't need a PhD in Aetherial physics, just a decent gun and some points.
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First off, you need to turn on the power. Standard stuff. Then, you have to link all three teleporters to the mainframe in the spawn area. This opens up the Pack-a-Punch machine. Once you’ve shoved your weapon of choice into that machine (and paid your 5,000 points), the real hunt starts.
Step 1: The Control Panel
Head over to the area near Teleporter Z-A. Look through the chain-link fence into the snowy abyss outside the map. There’s a small control panel on a pillar. Shoot it with your Pack-a-Punched weapon. You’ll hear Maxis start talking about a beacon, and a bunch of green objects will go flying into the air.
Step 2: The Hide and Seek
Now you’re playing hide and seek with three specific items. You can shoot these in any order, but you’ve gotta find them first:
- The Monkey Bomb: Go to the room with Teleporter Z-A. Look inside the open furnace/incinerator unit. He’s just chilling in there. Shoot him.
- The First Teddy Bear: Head to the balcony area near the power switch. Look way up on the fire escape/balcony of the building across from you. There’s a bear sitting on the railing.
- The Second Teddy Bear: Go to the room with Teleporter Z-B. There’s a large vat or container filled with water (to the left as you walk in). Look inside, and you’ll see the bear submerged. Give him a quick shot.
That Annihilator Reward
Once you’ve hit all three, Maxis confirms he’s found your location. "The beacon is lit!" he shouts. Now, run back to the furnace room (the one near the Vesper wall-buy). Inside the actual furnace, the Annihilator specialist weapon will be waiting for you.
Is it the best weapon in the game? Kinda? It’s a one-shot kill for a long time, but it’s mostly cool because it’s a Specialist weapon brought over from Multiplayer. It doesn’t take up a weapon slot, which is a massive plus when you’re already rocking a Dingo and a Ray Gun.
The "Secret" Perk: Hidden in the Snow
There is actually a second, separate mini-quest that people often confuse with the main Giant BO3 easter egg. This is the Hidden Perk quest.
To get this, you need Monkey Bombs from the Mystery Box. Take a monkey to each of the three teleporters. Throw the monkey inside, then teleport yourself while the monkey is still dancing and the teleporter is active. If you do this for all three, three red lights on the control panel at the mainframe will turn green.
Press the big red button on that panel. A giant robot head outside the map will fire a laser that melts a snow pile near the back of the map. This reveals a sixth perk machine—usually either Stamin-Up or Deadshot Daiquiri.
Why the Gateworm Matters in 2026
If you’re still playing BO3 in 2026, you’re likely chasing the RK5 starting pistol reward. To get that, you need to complete every main Easter Egg in the game.
Because The Giant is so small, people forget it. But if that Gateworm icon isn't there, you won't get the "Super Easter Egg" reward after beating Revelations. It’s the easiest Gateworm to get, so honestly, there’s no excuse to skip it.
A Few Pro Tips for Solo Players:
- Use Gobblegums: If you're struggling to get a Pack-a-Punched gun early, use "Ephemeral Enhancement" to temporary upgrade your pistol and shoot the panel. It counts.
- The Catwalk: After you get your Annihilator and your perks, the best strategy is still the old-school "Catwalk" camp. It's boring, sure, but it's the safest way to hit round 40+.
- The Wunderwaffe: Don't forget the Wunderwaffe DG-2 is in the box. In BO3, it’s much more reliable than the original version that used to take away your Juggernog.
Putting It All Together
Completing the quest isn't just about the pistol or the XP. It’s about the lore. Hearing Maxis talk about the "children" and the "beacon" sets the entire stage for the rest of the Black Ops 3 season. It bridges the gap between the Origins ending and the madness of Der Eisendrache.
To make sure your run counts, check your map selection screen after the game. If you see the glowing green worm, you’re good to go. If not, you probably missed a bear or didn't actually pick up the Annihilator from the furnace.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your Gateworm status: Look at the map selection screen for The Giant. If there's no icon in the bottom right, you need to redo the Fly Trap.
- Loadout Check: Equip the In Plain Sight or Anywhere But Here Gobblegums to help with the teleporter runs if you're playing solo.
- Weapon Choice: Aim to get a sniper or a scoped weapon from the box early; it makes shooting the balcony teddy bear much easier than trying to spray it with an SMG.