The Reckoning map in Black Ops 6 Zombies comes packed with layered objectives and hidden mechanics, and one of the trickiest involves sprinklers and water buckets. These aren’t just random details—they play a key role in cleansing the Fungal Head during the Easter egg quest. If you’re stuck trying to track them down or wondering how to activate sprinklers when they’re turned off, this guide breaks it all down.
How Sprinklers Work in Reckoning
The sprinkler step is easy to miss but essential for progressing through the main Easter egg. You’ll need to:
- Locate a sprinkler and its paired water bucket.
- Fill the bucket with water by pushing it underneath the active sprinkler.
- Later, use this water to cleanse the Fungal Head so it can collect zombie souls.
Only one sprinkler is active per round, and the active location rotates when the round changes—so if one shuts off, you’ll need to check another spot. This explains why some players feel like the step is “bugging out.”
See also: All Free Power-Up Locations on Reckoning – Black Ops 6 Zombies Guide
Tip: You can actually complete this step as early as Round 1 by meleeing the mop bucket at spawn (to the right when you first enter) and pushing it under the spawn sprinkler before passing through the metal detectors.
How to Activate Sprinklers in Reckoning (Black Ops 6 Zombies)
Sprinklers don’t stay active in every round, but you can manually trigger them using equipment. Here’s how:
- Craft or pick up a Molotov (or other explosive) at the Crafting Table.
- Throw it at specific smoke alarms around the map.
- When the alarm goes off, the sprinkler system in that area activates.
All three smoke-alarm trigger spots are:
- T1 Project Janus Reception: Look through the southeast zombie barrier (near the doors leading toward Pack-a-Punch) and throw the Molotov at the staircase area.
- T2 Android Assembly: In the room where you build Franken-Klaus, face the south zombie barrier and throw.
- T1 Executive Suite: On the north wall, throw into the kitchen area through the zombie barrier.
This method guarantees the sprinklers switch on, even if they’re inactive that round.
See also: Reckoning Aetherella Easter Egg Guide – Black Ops 6 Zombies
All Sprinkler & Water Bucket Locations in Reckoning (BO6 Zombies)
Each sprinkler system has a nearby bucket. You’ll need to melee the bucket until it’s directly beneath the sprinkler to start filling it with water. You can melee the bucket with fists or any weapon—Melee Macchiato is not required.
Here are all the spots:
| Sprinkler Location | Water Bucket Location |
|---|---|
| T1 Project Janus Reception – Just before the metal detectors at spawn, look up to spot the sprinklers. | Same spawn area, face the north wall to find the bucket. |
| T2 Android Assembly – In the center of the large room, between the Franken-Klaus assembly spot and the launcher leading to T1 Quantum Computing. | Same room, far east corner near the launcher to T1 Quantum Computing. |
| T1 Executive Suite – In the downstairs café, right in the middle of the room. | At the café’s north wall, placed near the bar. |
| T2 Sublevel 10 – Occasionally, a yellow mop bucket can spawn here as well. If it does, push it under the local sprinkler once you’ve activated it. | Bucket spawns here are less common, but worth checking if you can’t find one in the other areas. |
How to Use Sprinklers and Water Buckets in Black Ops 6 Zombies Reckoning
Once you’ve aligned the bucket under the sprinkler and it fills with water, here’s what to do:
- Obtain the Fungal Head
- Go to the T1 Quantum Computing Core with the Gorgofex Wonder Weapon.
- Look up for the small high window that contains a Dark Aether plant with a white light and fire a charged Gorgofex shot into it. This will drop the Fungal Head.
- Cleanse the Head
- Place the Fungal Head into your filled water bucket. This “cleanses” it and makes it usable as a Soul Box.
- Charge the Head with Souls
- Kill purple-eyed zombies near the bucket until no more spawn. This is the signal that the head is fully charged.
- Deliver It
- Pick up the cleansed and charged head. While carrying it, you cannot run, and a shadowy entity will slowly drain your health. Plan your route and clear zombies before you pick it up.
- Carry it carefully to the T2 Teleportation Lab and place it on the teleporter to progress the Easter egg.
Quick Tips for Sprinkler Step
The sprinkler step can be frustrating if you don’t prepare properly, but a few strategies make it much smoother. Keep these quick tips in mind:
- Do it early: The spawn sprinkler can be completed as soon as Round 1 before you pass through the metal detectors.
- Always carry a Molotov: If you can’t find an active sprinkler, forcing it on is faster than waiting.
- Co-op strategy: In multiplayer, have one player throw the Molotov to trigger sprinklers while another pushes the bucket. This saves valuable time.
- Watch your mobility: When carrying the Fungal Head, you’ll move slower and be hunted by a shadowy entity—make sure your path is clear.
- Bug workaround: If a sprinkler refuses to trigger at spawn, try the T2 Android Assembly or T1 Executive Suite setups instead. These often work as reliable backups.
See also: How to Complete the Hardest Dark Ops Challenges in Black Ops 6 Zombies
Sprinklers in Reckoning are more than just background detail—they’re central to completing the Easter egg. By learning their locations, knowing how to activate them, and understanding how to pair them with the Fungal Head, you’ll save yourself a lot of frustration and keep the run moving smoothly. Play Now!
