Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II launched back in October after months of hype and intense anticipation. Warzone 2.0 – the long-awaited sequel to 2019’s Call of Duty: Warzone – followed soon afterwards. But what about the less popular DMZ mode? What is DMZ in MW2, exactly?
In the run up to Warzone 2.0‘s launch, a new mode was mentioned that piqued fan interest. It was called DMZ. However, Activision and Infinity Ward shared few details about the mystery DMZ mode and this caused lots of players to ignore it almost entirely when it was released.
But with Season 02 of Warzone 2.0 now well underway, DMZ is receiving increased interest and attention. That’s because players are starting to realise what an underrated game mode it is, which still provides excellent Warzone-esque action without the same level of frustration.
For anyone looking for an alternative to Warzone‘s battle royale mode or just something different to play with friends, DMZ is well worth a try. We highly recommend it.
What is DMZ?
DMZ is a multiplayer sandbox extraction game mode which is part of Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0. It is currently in beta.
The mode takes inspiration from Escape from Tarkov, with the primary focus being on survival, the collection of valuable loot, and extraction.
When players infiltrate an Exclusion Zone (one of the mode’s maps), they spawn at a random location with minimal equipment. The objective is to last as long as possible while contending with other human players and AI-controlled enemies.
Along the way, you must collect items, complete missions and contracts, purchase better gear, and make it to an exfiltration site before the time runs out. Escaping means you’ll be able to return to the Exclusion Zone next time with the superior equipment you extracted with.
How To Play DMZ
To play DMZ, players must download Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 via PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Battle.net, or Steam. Once you have installed Warzone 2.0 on your platform of choice, you will be able to select the DMZ mode from the main menu.
Is DMZ Free?
DMZ is free-to-play as part of Warzone 2.0. You do not need to own Modern Warfare II in order to play it.
Progression
Progression in DMZ is tied directly to Warzone 2.0 and Modern Warfare II multiplayer. That means your rank, battle pass, unlocks, and weapons all carry over to DMZ. Additionally, any progress you make while playing DMZ will be reflected in Warzone 2.0 and MW2.
Squads and Operators in DMZ
DMZ allows squads of up to three players. You can invite friends to join you or activate Squad Fill and be matched with random players.
You can also play solo or as a duo, however DMZ does not restrict each game to squads of the same size like Warzone does. So, if you choose to enter with less than three players, you will be at a disadvantage.
With that being said, if you employ appropriate tactics, it is perfectly possible to be successful in DMZ without a full squad.
The maximum lobby size in DMZ is 66. If you enter as a trio, you can expect to encounter 63 other human players at most.
DMZ Maps (Exclusion Zones)
There are three maps in DMZ, called “Exclusion Zones”. Two are also featured in Warzone 2.0, while the other is exclusive to DMZ.
Al Mazrah
Al Mazrah is the largest map in DMZ and has been included in the mode since its launch. It features the same locations and points of interest (POIs) as its battle royale counterpart. It is where you will likely spend most of your time when playing DMZ and is the site of most faction missions (more on those later).
Ashika Island
Ashika Island was introduced to DMZ at the beginning of Season 02. It far smaller than Al Mazrah but offers the same style of gameplay and objectives. There are also missions exclusive to Ashika Island, so you’ll have plenty of reasons to pay the island a visit.
Building 21
Building 21 is exclusive to DMZ and not featured in Warzone 2.0. It was introduced as part of Season 01 Reloaded. The map is smaller than Al Mazrah and Ashika Island. It is arguably to hardest exclusion zone in DMZ and features highly aggressive AI enemies, as well as other squads. However, Building 21 also offers lots of valuable loot. So, if you survive, it will have been worth your while.
To access Building 21, players must have a DRC Access Card (these can be acquired in the other two maps). Additionally, Building 21 isn’t always available to play. When the map is ‘closed’, a timer will be shown on the location selection screen indicating when it will reopen.
DMZ Loadouts
DMZ features loadouts, much the same as multiplayer and Warzone (you can check out our recommended DMZ loadout here). However, there are some limitations.
Players cannot select perks and will initially only be able to build and equip one ‘insured’ weapon (explained below). Despite this, players can choose any tactical and lethal equipment to use plus a field upgrade.
Players can deploy into DMZ with up to three weapons depending on the size of your backpack.
Insured Weapons
Insured weapons are the backbone of your DMZ experience. There are three insured weapon slots, although only one is available when you begin your DMZ career.
To unlock the two additional slots, you must complete a number of faction missions.
Insured weapons can be built using gunsmith (complete with all the attachments you’ve unlocked in MW2 multiplayer and Warzone 2.0). Because of this, insured guns are usually the best and most useful weapons in the mode.
If you fail to extract with an insured weapon, it will be unavailable to use again until its ‘cooldown’ period is complete. A timer will be shown on the slot indicating how long you’ll need to wait.
Contraband
The vast majority of weapons in DMZ are ‘contraband’. Contraband weapons are guns you’ve collected and extracted from an exclusion zone.
You can store up to 20 contraband weapons and pick from any of them before deploying. However, if you lose a contraband weapon in DMZ, it is gone forever. The only way to get it back is to find another one.
Handily, if you extract a contraband weapon that you haven’t previously unlocked, it will now be unlocked across DMZ, Warzone, and multiplayer.
Infiltration
You will hear a lot about ‘infiltration’ in DMZ. However, this simply means deploying into one of the mode’s maps.
When you infiltrate, you will be dropped at a random location in the exclusion zone with your squad. You will start with any weapons and equipment you brought with you.
The first time you enter an exclusion zone, you will only have one armor plate slot. Two-plate and three-plate armor vests can be collected, however. If you successfully extract with them, you can return with more armor slots available next time.
Similarly, if you extract with a gas mask, self-revive, or killstreak you can bring them into your next game.
Exfiltration
Exfiltration is the only method of escaping an exclusion zone. Exfil sites are indicated on your tac-map by map markers. The icon for exfil sites shows a blue character running through a door.
When you arrive at an exfil site, you must call in an exfil chopper by approaching the green smoke. Once you’ve done this, a green flare will be fired into the air. The chopper will take time to arrive, so you must survive until it does.
When the chopper lands, you only have a limited amount of time to board before it leaves. Of course, another squad could attack and take the chopper for themselves so you should always be ready for a fight.
Towards the end of the game, the radiation zone will begin to expand. Once all exfiltration sites have been covered by radiation, a final exfil site will become available. You only have a limited amount of time to reach it before it leaves without you and you’re sure to be in for a fight if and when you get to it.
Exfil Streaks
Exfil streaks are the only way to equip perks in DMZ. To build an exfil streak, you can’t just extract. You must first complete a contract and then head to an exfil site. You can acquire up to 10 perks by building your exfil streak.
Loot
Loot is the name of the game in DMZ. All generic items in the mode are assigned a monetary value. This means they can be sold at buy stations for cash.
Some pieces of loot are far more valuable than others. However, some loot may have a specific purpose as part of a faction mission.
More important than generic items is equipment. The easiest way to survive in DMZ is by finding better gear. That means your top priority should always be finding (or buying) a medium/large backpack and a two-plate/three-plate armor vest. Likewise, gas masks and self-revives are also incredibly useful.
DMZ features lootable containers, much like Warzone. These are your best bet for finding top-notch equipment. These containers are often found in Strongholds, which can be identified via the tac-map. You will need a Stronghold Keycard to enter, however these are often dropped by AI enemies and can be purchased.
DMZ Keys
Keys are an important part of DMZ. They are scattered throughout the mode’s maps and provide access to special loot caches. These can range from small locked toolboxes or briefcases to entire points of interest.
Using keys is perhaps the best way of acquiring valuable items quickly in DMZ, as long as you know what they unlock.
When you first acquire a key, few details are provided about where the thing it unlocks is. However, coordinates are added once you unlock a cache for the first time. That means you’ll always know where to go in future.
Contracts
There are nine different types of contract in DMZ. Each reward players with cash, as well as valuable loot and other goodies. The contract types in DMZ are as follows:
- Eliminate HVT
- Hunt Squad
- Rescue Hostage
- Secure Intel
- Secure Nuclear Material
- Ship Cargo
- Deliver Cargo
- Destroy Supplies
- Raid Weapon Stash
Contracts are marked on your tac-map with green icons. These icons also indicate the type of contract.
DMZ Factions and Enemies
There are four “factions” in DMZ. They are White Lotus, Legion, Black Mous, and Crown. You do not belong to any particular faction, nor can you choose to join a faction.
Faction Missions
The primary function of factions is related to missions, dubbed “Faction Missions”. These missions are split into four categories corresponding to each faction.
Faction missions also provide a story element to DMZ, although this is almost entirely text-based in the form of mission descriptions.
You can access Faction Missions from the DMZ lobby screen. Completing missions will earn you rewards – including weapons, tokens, operator skins, XP, and more.
Faction missions are also tiered. There are five tiers for each faction and each tier consists of seven missions. As you progress up the tiers, the rewards get better but the missions get harder and more complex.
Completing faction missions is essential for unlocking the second and third insured weapon slots. For details on exactly which missions you need to complete to unlock insured slots, refer to a locked insured slot which will display the requirements.
AI Enemies
AI-controlled enemies are everywhere in DMZ and impossible to avoid entirely. Their large numbers and surprising accuracy make them lethal and you can become quickly overwhelmed.
There are different types of standard AI enemies in DMZ, too. This is largely based on how much armor they are equipped with and what weapons they are using.
Heavily armored soldiers appear frequently in DMZ’s more lucrative areas. Likewise, you’re more likely to encounter them later in the game.
Soldiers can also have wide variety of weapons – this includes everything from shotguns to riot shields.
It’s best to keep your distance when engaging AI enemies. Try to find cover and pick them off one by one.
Another useful tactic is to throw smoke grenades when you become overwhelmed or need to revive a downed teammate. They can’t see through the smoke and this will help provide much-needed cover.
Bosses
In addition to standard enemies, DMZ also includes bosses. While they aren’t anything particularly special to look at, they form an essential part of some missions and can drop useful loot if defeated.
There are two named bosses in DMZ. They are:
- The Chemist (Al Mazrah)
- The Bombmaker (Ashika Island)
The Chemist is located inside the Radiation Zone in Al Mazrah. This is the area signified by the large yellow circle on the map.
The Bombmaker is found inside Tsuki Castle on Ashika Island. He is on the top floor of the castle which is rigged with dangerous traps.
Both bosses are heavily guarded by countless AI soldiers, so taking them out is no small feat.
Radiation Zone
The radiation zone is less important in DMZ than the gas is in Warzone. That’s because you’ll predominantly be entering the radiation zone by choice, and it is relatively easy to avoid.
To find the radiation zone, look for the large yellow circle containing a radiation symbol on your tac-map.
As mentioned, The Chemist is located inside the radiation zone. So, you may have to head in if you want to kill him.
The only way to protect yourself from the radiation is to equip a gas mask or take radiation blockers. Radiation blockers are special items which can be collected at random throughout exclusion zones. They offer superior protection against radiation than gas masks.
When DMZ’s initial countdown timer reaches zero, the radiation zone will begin to expand. It will engulf exfil sites before you are finally forced to go for the final exfil chopper.
Eventually, the radiation zone will take over the entire map. If you fail to extract on the final chopper, it’s game over and all of your equipment, weapons, and loot will be lost.
Weapons Case
DMZ features a unique collectable item called the “Weapons Case”. This orange case contains a valuable unlockable – usually an emblem, calling card, or operator skin – so are highly sought after.
The Weapons Case is located inside a large zone indicated by an orange circe visible on the map. It is being held by a juggernaut, so getting it isn’t easy. The juggernaut is also supported by many heavily armored soldiers.
When you enter the zone, any vehicles will be disabled by a DDOS. This makes acquiring the Weapons Case and escaping even tougher.
Once you’ve successfully killed the juggernaut, collect the case. However, this will make you visible to other human players in the game. They will be able to see all your movements on the map and can take the case from you.
Your safest option is to head quickly for extraction.
Buy Stations
Buy stations allow you to purchase useful items in DMZ. This includes armor vests, munitions boxes, armor plates, gas masks, self-revives, backpacks, killstreaks, keys, contraband weapons, vehicles, and more.
You can also use buy stations to sell any unwanted loot for cash.
Vehicles
A variety of vehicles are available in DMZ to help you traverse the exclusion zones. This includes various types of boats, cars, 4x4s, and trucks, as well as helicopters.
AI enemies also use vehicles and often appear in helicopters and armored trucks.
Vehicles must be refuelled when travelling long distances. Likewise, if a vehicle sustains too much damage, it must be repaired. This can be done at gas stations.
Now you know everything about what DMZ is and how to play it! Did you find this ultimate guide useful? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
