Vanguard Zombies: New Perks and Perk Tier Upgrade system explained

Der Anfang is on the way and there's a new set of Zombies Perks coming to Call of Duty Vanguard. We knew Treyarch was going to do things a little differently this time around - with the new "War of the Dead" mode apparently replacing traditional round-based Zombies - but this is something else. Here's everything we know.

UPDATE - Treyarch confirms important details

Treyarch has just confirmed a lot of the details below - in addition to the following...

• The Base Tier of each Perk is free to acquire and follows this structure;
  • Tier 1 is free
  • Tier 2 is 2,500
  • Tier 3 is 5,000
  • Tier 4 is 7,500
• When downed in Zombies, you lose one Tier of upgrades from all Perks currently equipped
  • " Remember, upgrading from Tier 3 to 4 costs far more than going from Tier 1 to 2, so you’ll need to stack your upgrades carefully to avoid bankrupting your Essence after you go down."
• Each Tier upgrade buffs the specific stat the Perk offers
  • " As an example, Fiendish Fortitude provides +25 Health at Tier 1, and goes all the way up to +100 at Tier 4 for a massive boost in survivability."

NEW ZOMBIES PERKS - What you need to know

Ahead of Vanguard's launch, Nanikos - a notable Call of Duty leaker and data miner - has shared a few details about the Perks we'll be seeing in Vanguard's Zombies mode and Der Anfang.

Below, we have a list of all the perks leaked by Nanikos...

• Aetherial Haste
  • "Increases Speed"
    • This should be like Stamin-up.
• Venomous Vigor
  • "Increases Regen Speed"
    • This could be similar to Cold War Zombies' Quick Revive - something that increased health regeneration speeds.

• Diabolical Danger
  • "Increases Critical Damage"
    • This seems to be similar to how Deadshot Daquiri works.
• Fiendish Fortitude
  • "Increases Health
    • This is what Jugger-Nog does, so expect the same.
• Demonic Frenzy
  • "Boost reload speed"
    • This seems to be the equivalent of Speed Cola.

We should learn more about these Perks soon - if not by November 5th at the latest, when Vanguard launches.

PERK UPGRADES - You'll buy Tiers in-game

Unlike Black Ops Cold War's Zombies, Nanikos has suggested that you'll need to purchase Tier Upgrades in-game when playing Zombies.

We don't know exactly how this will work - however, we have a rough idea. After purchasing a perk in-game (at its base Tier), you will be able to return to the Perk Fountain and purchase another Tier that will increase the effectiveness of the Perk you're upgrading.

Nanikos has suggested that each Perk will just do one thing - it won't have unique other abilities like in Cold War Zombies. This will most likely put more reliance on the new "Altar of the Covenants" system in play - these will also offer in-game benefits and abilities.

It's safe to say that this isn't going to be like Zombies as we know it, for better or worse...