Mimics are a monstrous type of enemy inCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’sZombies mode that can be quite the problem to deal with, especially if players are underequipped to fight against one. However, eliminating these faceless monsters is required for a number of quests and challenges, and they aren’t as common as the usual garden-variety undead.
Finding a Mimic (orany other special zombie inModern Warfare 3, for that matter) can be tricky,but there are a couple of ways where players can get a higher chance of finding a Mimic out in the wild. Here’s how.
Updated Jul 29, 2025 by Marc Santos:Despite the many updated Modern Warfare 3 has received since launch, finding Mimics in MWZ remains more or less the same. Any of the tactics players have been doing in the past still applies today, but for the sake of helping players find these special zombies even faster, we’ve updated this guide to add some additional information on how to find Mimics fast.
Where to Find Mimics in MW3 Zombies
Like other special zombies, Mimics can appear randomly in the open or inside POIs.Aether Nests and zombie strongholdshave a chance of containing a special zombie or two, and the odds of encountering one are usually higher in the latter. When going on a Zombies run, make a beeline toward the first zombie stronghold you see and listen for sound cues that might indicate the presence of a nearby Mimic.
DoingContracts inModern Warfare 3 Zombiesis a great way to find special zombies, including Mimics.High-Value Target contractsmight occasionally send you after a Mimic, but this isn’t guaranteed. A good alternative to this areOutlast and Weapon Stash contracts. There’s a pretty good chance that a Mimic or two will go after you while doing these, especially if you’re doing Tier 2 versions in medium-high risk zones.
Speaking of medium-high risk zones, you can rarely find Mimics in these areas just wandering around. Grab a car and ride around these zones, and you may find one. One trick you can do is check the map for players — other people might be doing contracts in the area, and if they are, there’s a good chance Mimics will be nearby.
Mimics will relentlessly chase playersdown should they spot one. They move at an alarming pace, and they can use their long tendrils to grab a player and deal a good chunk of damage to them. Also, Mimics are much more durable than the average zombie, even in the low-risk zone. Shoot them in their glowing mouths to deal critical damage, and attempt to bring a high-rarity gun or a Pack-a-Punched weapon when hunting these monsters down.
