Unlike most Zombies maps, Moon gives players access to the Pack-a-Punch machine from the very beginning of the game. The catch is that it’s located in Area 51 (Groom Lake), where zombies spawn endlessly and become increasingly aggressive the longer you stay. With the right strategy, however, you can earn enough points to upgrade your starting weapon before ever setting foot on the Moon.

Here’s how to Pack-a-Punch before Round 1 and how to revisit Area 51 later in the match.

How to Pack-a-Punch Before Round 1

The key is earning enough points before the zombies become too dangerous.

As soon as the match begins, avoid using your pistol and rely on melee attacks instead. Each knife kill awards 130 points, making it the fastest way to build an early score. Your initial goal is to reach roughly 2,000 points before the first alarm sounds, as zombies begin sprinting once the alarm activates.

During this opening phase:

  • Stay on the move around the central circular area.
  • Avoid running through the water whenever possible, as it slows your movement.
  • Eliminate the first Hellhounds with melee attacks since they go down in a single hit.

Build Points With Grenades and Your Pistol

Once every zombie has spawned, begin gathering them into a single group.

Cook a grenade for about four seconds before throwing it at your feet so it detonates just behind you as you run. The explosion should either kill several zombies outright or leave behind crawlers that can be finished with a single knife strike for additional points.

Repeat this process until you’ve used all of your grenades. By then, you should have accumulated around 4,000 points.

Next, switch to your starting M1911 and fire into tightly packed groups of zombies. Lining up multiple enemies allows each bullet to generate as many points as possible.

By the time you’re out of ammunition, you should have enough points to reach the 5,000 needed for Pack-a-Punch.

Upgrade Your Weapon and Escape

Once you’ve earned enough points, immediately use the Pack-a-Punch machine.

After placing your weapon inside, continue circling the area until it’s safe to retrieve it. If you’ve upgraded the starting M1911, you’ll receive the powerful Mustang & Sally pistols.

With your weapon in hand, head straight for the teleporter to leave Area 51 and begin Round 1 on the Moon.

How to Return to Area 51 Later

After reaching the Moon, you can revisit Area 51 to use Pack-a-Punch again.

To do so:

  1. Travel through Tunnel 6 or Tunnel 11, as both lead to the laboratory.
  2. Climb to the third floor.
  3. Exit onto the Moon’s surface while wearing a P.E.S. suit.
  4. Find the teleporter near the AK-74u wall weapon.
  5. Have every surviving teammate stand on the teleporter to activate it.

The teleporter sends your squad back to Area 51, where the Pack-a-Punch machine is waiting in the center.

Keep in mind that zombies become faster and more aggressive the longer you remain there, so it’s best to upgrade your weapons and leave as quickly as possible.

Important Area 51 Tips

Area 51 contains more than just the Pack-a-Punch machine.

Both Jugger-Nog and Speed Cola are exclusive to this location, although only one of the two machines is active during each visit. Their availability alternates every time you return.

There’s also a cooldown on the teleporter. After leaving Area 51, you can’t return again during the same round. You’ll need to survive until the following round and wait roughly two minutes for the teleporter to reactivate, indicated by the green lights above the platform and the protective cage opening.

Mastering this early-game strategy gives you one of the strongest possible starts on Moon, letting you enter Round 1 with upgraded weapons while making later trips to Area 51 much easier to manage.