Not only did the launch of Warzone 2 bring a breath of fresh air to the F2P Call of Duty battle royale experience, but it also introduced a completely new way to enjoy the game in the form of DMZ. While this mode is by no means original, it does offer an experience that’s totally different from what CoD fans are used to. The new menus, terminologies, and game rules may be a little confusing at first though, so here’s a brief overview of everything players need to know about what DMZ mode is in Warzone 2.
DMZ mode in Warzone 2 – What is it, and what is it all about?
Screenshot by PC Invasion
Warzone 2 DMZ is a PvPvE game mode in the extraction shooter subgenre — think of it like Modern Warfare 2 sprinkled with a bit of Escape From Tarkov. The usual DMZ match is not as brutal and unforgiving as the latter, but it comes somewhat close. The most important thing to note about this mode is that loot carries over between matches. If players die during a raid, they will lose whatever loot they have in their inventory permanently.
There are quite a few things to do in DMZ outside of making it out alive. However, it’s totally up to the players to decide what they want to get out of their raids. Up to three players can queue up as a squad in DMZ, though a max party of six is possible via Assimilation.
DMZ Objectives and Activities
Screenshot by PC Invasion
Technically speaking, there is no set objective in this game mode. Players can treat it as a sandbox where they can fight AI or other players to their hearts’ content, or tackle any of its many activities However, there are several factions that offer quests that can only be done inside the DMZ game mode. These missions offer various rewards, ranging from XP to cosmetics and even weapon blueprints. Keep in mind that all XP gained in DMZ will affect the entire account. This means players can use this mode as an alternative for leveling up weapons they don’t usually use in other game modes.
In-game, players can take on Contracts similar to how they usually would in Warzone 2 BR. These are short missions that generally take just a few minutes to complete. Some involve simple delivery tasks while others require players to take out other squads or deliver cargo while being chased by a gunship. Completing Contracts rewards cash — more on this later.
Screenshot by PC Invasion
SAM Sites are NPC-guarded defensive installations that can be captured by players. Doing so will cause it to shoot down passing aircraft and cause supply drops to fall from the sky. These drops are visible to everyone in the game, so it’s likely that several other players will flock toward wherever the drops land.
There are also safes tucked away in buildings. They can be busted open to reveal generous amounts of cash and valuables. As soon as a safe is opened, a squad of AI will appear and try to take players down, so try to set up some traps or get to a fortified position once they come knocking.
Lastly, a single Weapon Case spawns every match. Taking it home will reward players with one of seven total rewards, which are as follows:
- Al Mazrah
- Caution Tape RPK blueprint
- Biohazard weapon sticker
- Jungle Incognito vehicle skin
- Gas Gas Gas charm
- Weapon Crate calling card
- Weapon Crate emblem
- Biohazard König operator skin
- Ashika Island
- Backup Plan pistol blueprint
- Aces emblem
- Full House calling card
- Bear With Me sticker
- Triple Threat loading screen
- Full House emblem
- Fight Night TAQ-56 blueprint
Weapon Cases are guarded by a contingent of strong NPCs as well as a boss. Taking them down is only the beginning too, as players will need to extract from the match in order to claim their reward. What makes this more complicated than usual is every other person on the map will be able to see where the Weapon Case is on their HUD and map. Whoever is carrying the case will essentially have a target on their back for as long as they have it on them.
To extract, head to any of the Exfil Points designated on the Tac-Map. They are also marked by green smoke. Interact with an Exfil Point and wait for the chopper to arrive. Make sure to dig in somewhere safe as other players may come to ruin your day. Failure to leave the area before the match timer ends will result in death.
All Weapons in DMZ
Screenshot by PC Invasion
Players have access to the entire Modern Warfare 2 arsenal when playing DMZ. The guns can either be looted from NPC soldiers, other players, random loot sources, or in-game buy stations. They are also given as rewards for completing missions.
Prior to starting a match, players can pick a loadout in the pre-game lobby. Here, weapons are divided into two categories: Insured and Contraband. The latter refers to any gun picked up during a raid or earned as quest rewards, while the former refers to any weapon equipped directly from the Gunsmith in the DMZ loadout screen. Any and all kills using whichever gun contributes to the weapon’s level regardless of whether it’s an Insured or a Contraband variant.
There are two key differences between these two gun categories. First, players cannot customize Contraband weapons. Second, instead of disappearing permanently, Insured weapons go on cooldown. Successfully finishing DMZ matches will reduce the cooldown timer.
Guns that players take home will automatically be unlocked for modifications at the Gunsmith, essentially removing the need to level up for the sake of getting a specific gun from the progression line. The Contraband version of the weapon itself will still be unavailable for modding.
Loot, money, and other items in DMZ
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In DMZ, cash is only used to purchase items from buy stations after a successful run. There are no shops outside of actual matches, and players cannot bring any money with them after a game. All cash in the player’s inventory is either lost on death or converted into XP after leaving the map.
Loose loot like scrap, electronics, and household products are either sold for cash or taken home as per faction mission objectives. The quests will sometimes request players to bring specific items like hard drives, laptops, medical supplies, and other similar valuables. Just extract with these items in your inventory, and they’ll automatically count toward quest progress.
Occasionally, players may run into keys. These open very specific doors in a map, and they’re often reserved for mission-related objectives. Don’t worry about these much, but do try to bring them back home since they can be stored in the Stash. It’s better to have them and not need them.
NPCs, Strongholds, and Fortresses in DMZ
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The various POIs all over the map will be populated by hostile soldiers controlled by AI. They’ll start out as militia at first and eventually, they’ll be replaced by harder-hitting operators with tactical gear, sturdier armor, and better weapons. Some locations also have stronger enemies in them by default.
Strongholds act as NPC bases, and they typically hide loot caches, computer parts, and documents. They can be accessed by using a Stronghold Key, which can be bought from buy stations or grabbed from dead NPCs. Entering and clearing a Stronghold will alert all players on the map, so make sure to keep an eye out for ambushes.
Fortresses are basically bigger Strongholds with tougher bad guys and even better loot. They have a different icon compared to their smaller counterparts, and they are typically in big POIs like embassies.
Warzone 2 — Building 21
Image via Activision
For anyone who has played Escape From Tarkov before, this is essentially the Labs map but for Warzone 2. Building 21 is a secret facility that’s filled with Shadow Company PMCs and other hostile Operators. The weapons and gear that drop from this location are all top-tier, which is fitting considering how deadly its defenders are. This area can only be entered if players have a Building 21 Access Card.
The most coveted piece of loot in Building 21 is its unique Weapon Case, which has its own set of rewards, which includes the Chimera assault rifle. Players need to find this case and exfil from Building 21 a total of six times in order to get this special gun.
How to get started in Warzone 2 DMZ mode
Screenshot by PC Invasion
First off, new DMZ players will be greeted with a string of beginner quests that introduce almost all of the topics covered above. Don’t worry: all of the steps are self-explanatory and they can all be finished in just a couple of raids. After that, players are free to explore the game mode as they wish.
Here are a few tips to help make the DMZ experience more fun (or less frustrating):
- Shoot armored NPCs in the head to make them drop Armor Plates.
- Make activating UAV Towers a priority.
- Don’t get too attached to Contraband weapons. You’ll lose them eventually.
- Not every player is out to get you. Communicate, make friends, and survive together.
- A match is considered a win even if only one squad member exfils safely.
We highly recommend doing quests first in order to rank up with the available factions. You’ll need to finish a certain amount of missions to earn the right to take a special mission that will unlock the next tier of quests. Some cosmetic rewards are locked behind the higher faction tiers, so it’ll be a good idea to get grinding as soon as possible.
