Black Ops 6 The Cradle mission walkthrough

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After destroying the three Scud launcher sites in the Hunting Season mission, the gang teams up with an SAS squad led by Gladney to storm Saddam’s palace. The objective is a mysterious bunker hidden under the palace that’s linked to the Pantheon and is said to contain a secret weapon. Things start with a bang as the gang arrives guns blazing into a hectic firefight.

In this guide, you’ll find a full walkthrough for the Black Ops 6 campaign’s fifth mission, The Cradle. We’ve arranged the guide according to the mission objectives, which you can jump straight to if needed by using the list on the right.

Black Ops 6 The Cradle mission walkthrough: Saddam's palace.
Clear out the entrance to the palace then press forward. Captured by VideoGamer

Locate the Bunker

As soon as you take control, start picking off the enemies in the courtyard ahead then focus on the snipers on the rooftops. Once the area is clear, advance forward under the arch into the courtyard with the winged-lion statue and into the palace proper. There’s a massive statue of a soldier above the palace so you can’t miss it.

✓ $1000

Enter the building on the left of the winged-lion and head to the second floor to find a radio. Tune it until both waves match each other then listen to the code. Use it to open the safe built into the wall to the left of the radio and grab a $1000 inside. For us the code was 7225.

Clear out the entrance hall, then call in air support when prompted to take out the soldiers towards the back of the compound. Press forward into the courtyard and clear it of enemies before heading to the objective marker. When you approach, you’ll get hit by a toxic grenade and a squad of Pantheon soldiers will show up on the ledge above. Take them out then proceed to the bunker entrance.

Search the Bunker

Descend the stairs and kill the soldiers at the bottom. Stock up on ammo and weapons from the crates there then walk to the door ahead of you. Once Marshall opens the door, go through and down the stairs into a room full of golden riches, paintings, and furniture – Saddam’s stash. Head through the door at the other end of the room.

Open the Case

Approach the red case on the table and investigate to discover a biological weapon known as The Cradle. Some sketchy business is afoot involving the CIA, who is apparently behind Saddam getting his hands on the know-how to make the weapon.

Regroup with the SAS

Exit the bunker by backtracking the way you came in: through the treasure room, past the weapon crates, up the stairs, and out into the courtyard.

Clear the Exfil Zone

As soon as you step outside, prepare for a fight: the compound has been overrun by Pantheon. You’ll need to reach the palace roof to exfil. Take out the soldiers on the roof then deal with those on the ground. Head over to the objective marker and ascend up to the roof. Get to cover and take out the Pantheon troops.

Two helicopters will show up. Call in air support to take one of them out and the other will leave. Get to cover near the edge of the roof then pick off the soldiers below. There’s a sniper and a rocket launcher nearby should you need them. Back up will arrive. Rinse and repeat, systematically taking out all the soldiers below, prioritising those with rocket launchers.

Another pair of helicopters will arrive. Take out the gunner in the helicopter on the right, then shift your attention to the enemies on the rooftops opposite you. Deal with those using rocket launchers and the elite pantheon soldiers with red health bars as a priority.

Board Talon One

Keep taking out enemies, both Iraqis and Pantheon, and before long the exfil chopper, Talon One, will arrive. Run over and board the helicopter through the back hatch as soon as it lands on the roof. After you take off, a massive air strike will destroy the palace. With that you’ll have completed The Cradle Black Ops 6 campaign mission and will unlock the Bunker Busters trophy. Up next is Emergence.

About the Author

Tom Bardwell

Tom is guides editor here at VideoGamer.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

  • Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X
  • Genre(s): Shooter