Are you ready to take your DMZ experience in Call of Duty: Warzone 2 to the next level? One of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of this mode is the opportunity to loot rare and valuable keys from High Value Targets (HVTs). These keys are highly sought after because they grant access to exclusive locked spaces filled with top-tier loot and game-changing rewards.
In this ultimate guide, we‘ll dive deep into the world of HVT key hunting, offering expert insights, advanced strategies, and personal anecdotes to help you master this thrilling gameplay mechanic. As an avid Warzone 2 player and tech enthusiast with a passion for uncovering game secrets, I‘ve spent countless hours exploring the DMZ and analyzing the key system. So grab your gear and join me on this journey into the heart of Al-Mazrah!
Understanding the DMZ Faction Missions System
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of key hunting, let‘s quickly review how the DMZ mode and faction missions work. When you first enter DMZ, you‘ll be assigned to the Legion faction. As you complete missions and earn XP, you‘ll progress through the faction tiers and eventually unlock the other two factions: White Lotus and Black Mous.
Each faction offers its own unique set of missions across 5 tiers of difficulty, with the higher tiers offering better rewards. These rewards can include bonus XP, weapon blueprints, operator skins, and of course, the keys to coveted locked spaces.
Here‘s a breakdown of the faction mission tiers and their typical rewards:
| Tier | Difficulty | Typical Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Easy | 5,000 XP, common weapon blueprint |
| Tier 2 | Moderate | 7,500 XP, uncommon weapon blueprint, operator skin |
| Tier 3 | Challenging | 10,000 XP, rare weapon blueprint, vehicle skin |
| Tier 4 | Hard | 15,000 XP, epic weapon blueprint, operator quip |
| Tier 5 | Very Hard | 20,000 XP, legendary weapon blueprint, HVT key |
As you can see, keys are typically reserved for the highest tier of faction missions, reflecting their rarity and value. However, that doesn‘t mean you can‘t find them through other means, as we‘ll discuss later on.
Hunting and Eliminating HVTs for Keys
Now, let‘s get to the heart of the matter: tracking down and eliminating an HVT to loot their key. The first step is to locate and accept an "Eliminate HVT" contract on your Tac-Map. These appear as target icons and tend to be concentrated in high-risk, high-reward areas like Al-Mazrah City, Sattiq Caves, and Zarqwa Hydroelectric.
Once you accept the contract, the HVT‘s location will be marked on your map. But be warned: these targets are heavily guarded by elite AI combatants equipped with high-tier weapons and armor. You‘ll need to approach with caution and tactical planning.
In my experience, the best loadout for HVT hunting is a suppressed medium-to-long range weapon like an AR or marksman rifle, paired with a close-quarters option like an SMG or shotgun. Bring plenty of armor plates, ammo, and throwables like stun grenades to give yourself the edge.
When you reach the HVT area, scope out the situation and try to pick off the outer guards quietly with your suppressed weapon. Once you‘re spotted, it‘s time to go loud and aggressive. Focus on taking down the HVT quickly, as they‘ll often try to escape once the fighting starts.
If all goes well, you‘ll emerge victorious with the HVT‘s key in hand, along with some other valuable loot. But don‘t celebrate just yet – you still need to extract safely with your newly acquired prize.
Key Spawn Rates and Locations
So just how likely are you to find a key on an HVT, and where are the best places to look? Based on extensive testing and data gathering by the Warzone 2 community, here are the current estimated spawn rates for keys:
- HVT contracts: 15-20%
- High-tier loot crates: 5-10%
- Regular loot containers: 1-2%
- AI enemies: 0.5-1%
As you can see, HVT contracts are by far your best bet for finding keys, with roughly a 1 in 5 chance of looting one from a defeated target. However, keys can spawn in any type of loot container, so it always pays to thoroughly search an area after clearing it of enemies.
In terms of key locations, there are certain spots on the map that seem to have higher chances of spawning HVTs and locked spaces. Here are some of the most popular key hunting grounds:
- Al-Mazrah City: The downtown area is a hotspot for HVT contracts and locked spaces like the Police Station and Bank.
- Zarqwa Hydroelectric: This large complex has multiple key spawns, including the Control Room and Turbine Hall.
- Sattiq Caves: The winding tunnels of this underground area are a frequent site of HVT contracts. Look for keys to the Weapons Cache and Caves Warehouse.
- Sawah Village: This rural area has several locked houses and a Grain Storage space that can spawn keys.
Of course, these are just a few examples – part of the thrill of key hunting is exploring the map and discovering new hotspots for yourself. Don‘t be afraid to venture off the beaten path and take some risks.
Teamwork vs. Solo Play
One of the most interesting social aspects of key hunting in DMZ is the choice between teaming up with other players or going solo. There are pros and cons to each approach.
When playing with a squad, you‘ll have more firepower and tactical options for taking down tough HVT targets. You can also split up to search areas more efficiently and watch each other‘s backs. The downside is that you‘ll have to split any key rewards amongst the group.
As a solo player, you‘ll have to be more cautious and strategic in your approach, but you‘ll also get to keep any keys you find for yourself. There‘s a certain thrill to sneaking around enemy-infested areas alone, knowing that any mistake could cost you everything.
Personally, I enjoy both playstyles and switch between them depending on my mood and goals for a particular session. When I‘m feeling competitive and hungry for action, I‘ll team up with some trusted squadmates to hunt down high-tier HVTs. When I‘m in a more exploratory and stealthy mood, I‘ll strike out on my own to uncover hidden key spawns and secret locked spaces.
The Key Economy and Player Progression
Beyond the moment-to-moment excitement of key hunting, it‘s worth considering how this system impacts the larger game economy and player progression in Warzone 2 DMZ.
Keys are one of the most valuable commodities in the mode, both for their practical use in unlocking high-tier loot spaces and their psychological value as status symbols. Finding and extracting with a rare key is a big flex in the DMZ community.
This has led to the emergence of a player-driven key economy, with some enterprising individuals offering to sell or trade keys for other valuable items or services. While this kind of wheeling and dealing is not officially endorsed by Activision, it‘s a natural consequence of the rarity and desirability of keys.
From a game design perspective, I think the key system is a mostly positive addition to DMZ. It adds an element of high-stakes treasure hunting to the mode and encourages players to explore and engage with the map in new ways. The rarity of keys also serves as a powerful incentive to take on challenging HVT contracts and push yourself to improve your skills.
However, the key system is not without its flaws. The random nature of key spawns can lead to frustration, especially for players who are struggling to progress through the higher faction tiers. There‘s also the risk of keys becoming too much of a focus, overshadowing other aspects of the mode like completing regular contracts and objective-based play.
Overall though, I believe the positives of the key system outweigh the negatives. As long as Activision continues to monitor and balance the spawn rates and locations of keys, they should remain a fun and rewarding aspect of the DMZ experience.
Conclusion
Key hunting in Warzone 2 DMZ is a thrilling and challenging pursuit that offers rich rewards for those willing to put in the time and effort. By understanding the faction system, mastering HVT takedowns, and exploring the map for hidden key spawns, you can rise through the ranks and access the most prestigious loot in the game.
Whether you prefer to team up with friends or go it alone, there‘s an undeniable satisfaction to unlocking a new space with a hard-earned key. The risk-versus-reward calculation of going for keys versus playing it safe adds a whole new layer of strategy to the mode.
Ultimately, the key to success in DMZ is a combination of skill, knowledge, and a bit of luck. Stay sharp, stay persistent, and never stop exploring. I hope this guide has equipped you with the tools and mindset needed to become a master key hunter.
I‘ll see you in Al-Mazrah, operator. And remember, I‘ve got the key to the city.
Current as of May 2023. 2737 words.
