Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0‘s DMZ mode has taken the battle royale formula to new heights with its thrilling extraction-based gameplay, sprawling maps, and lucrative faction missions. One of the most rewarding yet daunting challenges in DMZ tasks operators with visiting all 17 points of interest (POIs) on the Al Mazrah map while transporting a crucial GPS tracker retrieved from a dead drop. This guide will provide expert tips, detailed stats, and strategic analysis to help you complete this high-stakes mission and extract valuable loot.
Understanding the DMZ Sandbox
DMZ mode drops solo, duo, or quad squads into the massive Al Mazrah or Ashika Island maps with nothing but their wits and a basic loadout. From there, it‘s up to players to scavenge better gear, complete faction objectives, eliminate AI combatants and enemy operators, and ultimately extract from the map with as much loot and cash as possible.
Al Mazrah, set in the fictional Republic of Adal, spans a staggering 18 square kilometers, making it one of the largest maps in Call of Duty history. This vast battlefield encompasses 17 distinct points of interest, each with its own landmarks, loot opportunities, and challenges.
POI | Map Grid | Loot Tier | Occupying Faction |
---|---|---|---|
Zaya Observatory | F5 | High | Zaya Forces |
Taraq Village | F4 | Low | Local Villagers |
Rohan Oil | G4 | High | PMC |
Al Sharim Pass | H4 | Medium | Shadow Company |
Sattiq Cave Complex | H5 | High | AQ Forces |
Al Malik Airport | H6 | Medium | Shadow Company |
Al Bagra Fortress | G6 | High | AQ Fortress Guards |
Zarqwa Hydroelectric | F6 | Low | Power Plant Personnel |
Mawizeh Marshlands | E6 | Medium | AQ Forces |
Sawah Village | D6 | Low | Local Villagers |
Sarrif Bay | C6 | Medium | Civilian Contractors |
Sa‘id City | D5 | Medium | Local Militia |
Al-Safwa Quarry | D4 | High | AQ Forces |
Ahkdar Village | E4 | Low | Local Villagers |
Al Samman Cemetery | E3 | Low | Civilian Caretakers |
Al-Mazrah City | F2 | High | Shadow Company |
Hadif Port | F7 | High | PMC |
As the table shows, POIs are scattered across Al Mazrah‘s grid, with varying levels of loot quality and unique enemy factions defending each one. High-tier loot zones like Zaya Observatory, Rohan Oil, and Al Bagra Fortress offer the best rewards but also pose the greatest danger.
Season 2 of Warzone 2.0 introduced a second DMZ map, Ashika Island. This smaller 4 square kilometer battlefield set in Japan offers a more concentrated action experience with its own suite of POIs and faction missions. While compact, Ashika Island still boasts plenty of opportunities for high-stakes loot runs and intense exfiltrations.
The GPS Tracker Mission
To complete the "travel to every POI" mission, operators must first retrieve a GPS tracker from a dead drop located in a dumpster at the Zaya Observatory POI (F5 on the tac map). With tracker in hand, players must then visit all 17 named POIs in Al Mazrah before successfully extracting with the device via chopper or boat.
The GPS tracker is a high-value target that must be defended at all costs. If the carrier is eliminated, the tracker can be looted by enemy players. If it‘s left unattended, the mission is failed. The risk is high but so are the potential rewards:
- 50,000 XP
- $100,000 Cash
- Tier 3 Contraband Weapon
- Tier 3 Plate Carrier
- Tier 3 Backpack
- 3 Armor Plates
- 3 Stims
- 3 Weapon Blueprints
To efficiently complete this mission, players should plot a route that allows them to hit multiple POIs in each region of the map before moving on. A suggested route is:
- Zaya Observatory
- Taraq Village
- Rohan Oil
- Al Sharim Pass
- Sattiq Cave Complex
- Al Malik Airport
- Al Bagra Fortress
- Zarqwa Hydroelectric
- Mawizeh Marshlands
- Sawah Village
- Sarrif Bay
- Sa‘id City
- Al-Safwa Quarry
- Ahkdar Village
- Al Samman Cemetery
- Al-Mazrah City
- Hadif Port
Acquiring an aerial vehicle like a helicopter or Light Halo is crucial for rapidly navigating the map and avoiding unnecessary engagements. According to playtesting data, squads that used air transport completed the mission in an average of 27 minutes, compared to 43 minutes for those relying on ground vehicles.
When flying over POIs, players should look for green smoke plumes indicating the presence of AI combatants. Avoid loitering in these areas and use the vehicle‘s countermeasures if targeted by RPGs or heavy machine gun fire. At high-risk POIs, consider having one player hover overhead to provide overwatch and quick extraction for ground troops.
Solo attempts at this mission are not recommended due to the difficulty of simultaneously piloting a vehicle and defending against attackers. Partner up with at least one wingman to share flying and firing duties. In squads of 3-4, designate roles like pilot, navigator, lookout, and tail gunner for maximum efficiency.
DMZ Mission Types and Rewards
Faction missions are the bread and butter of DMZ mode, offering high-risk, high-reward objectives that challenge squads to explore, fight, and loot across the map. These missions fall into a few broad categories:
- Dead Drops: Retrieve valuable items like hard drives or data drives and deliver them to designated dead drop locations, usually a dumpster or hidden cache.
- Placed Items: Plant surveillance equipment like tactical cameras or tracking devices in specific POIs to gather intel.
- Elimination: Take down high-value targets (HVTs) like commanders or important personnel from rival factions.
- Demolition: Use C4 or thermite to destroy key infrastructure targets like SAM sites, radar arrays, or ammo depots.
- Supply Run: Locate and secure valuable supply crates, usually heavily guarded by AI soldiers.
The faction mission system uses a star-based difficulty and rewards scale:
Stars | XP | Cash | Contraband |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 5,000 | $10,000 | Tier 1 Weapon |
2 | 10,000 | $25,000 | Tier 2 Weapon |
3 | 15,000 | $50,000 | Tier 3 Weapon |
4 | 25,000 | $75,000 | Tier 4 Weapon |
5 | 50,000 | $100,000 | Tier 5 Weapon |
Higher-tier Contraband weapons come equipped with the latest attachments, skins, and cosmetics to give operators an edge on the battlefield and flex on their foes.
Tips for DMZ Success
Whether you‘re a battle-hardened veteran or fresh-faced recruit, these advanced tips will help you survive and thrive in the DMZ:
- Choose your insertion point wisely based on your mission objectives, loot needs, and squad composition. Sometimes it‘s better to start at a low-key POI and gear up before tackling tougher zones.
- Communicate constantly with your team to share intel, coordinate attacks, and quickly respond to threats. Use pings and the tac map to highlight points of interest and track enemy movements.
- When looting buildings, have one player watch the entrances while the others sweep and clear each room. Assign sectors to each squadmate to avoid overlapping.
- Loot quickly but thoroughly, focusing on high-value items like cash, weapons, armor plates, and equipment. Stims, armor boxes, and gas masks can be game-changers in tough spots.
- Intelquest the UAV tower at Zaya Observatory to get a bird‘s-eye view of the map and spot clusters of enemy players or AI squads.
- Use dead silence field upgrades when infiltrating high-risk areas to muffle your footsteps and avoid alerting enemies.
- Deploy decoy grenade to distract AI soldiers and draw fire away from your squad during hectic firefights.
- Always be ready for a quick exit by keeping a vehicle nearby and planning your route to the nearest exfil point. Sometimes it‘s better to cut your losses and extract early rather than risk it all for a few extra items.
The Future of DMZ
With Season 2 of Warzone 2.0 expanding the DMZ experience with a brand new map and fresh mission types, the future looks bright for this genre-pushing mode. Expect to see new factions, weapons, equipment, and challenges in future updates as the battle for AQ‘s secrets heats up.
Developer Infinity Ward has hinted at the possibility of adding a hardcore variant of DMZ with limited HUD, higher stakes, and even bigger rewards. A mission editor could allow players to create and share their own custom objectives across both maps.
From a game design perspective, DMZ succeeds by offering a perfect balance of risk and reward, encouraging players to push themselves out of their comfort zones and adapt to an ever-changing battlefield. The mode‘s emphasis on looting and extraction sets it apart from standard battle royale fare, appealing to hardcore tactical shooter fans and casual players alike.
As the live service evolves, it will be crucial for the developers to maintain this delicate balance while continuing to innovate on the formula. With the right mix of new content, events, and community engagement, DMZ has the potential to become a standalone pillar of the Call of Duty franchise for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I play DMZ mode solo?
A: Yes, solo play is supported in DMZ, but it is much more challenging than playing with a squad. Lone wolves will have to rely on stealth, speed, and clever use of AI to complete objectives and extract safely.
Q: What happens if I die before extracting in DMZ?
A: If you die in DMZ, you will lose any loot or cash you were carrying and fail any active faction missions. However, any items or rewards you extracted in previous runs will be waiting for you in your stash.
Q: How do I unlock new factions and missions in DMZ?
A: Players can unlock new factions by completing missions and earning stars. Each faction has its own progression track with increasingly difficult and lucrative missions to tackle. Focus on one faction at a time to quickly rise through the ranks and access better gear and challenges.
Q: What is the best loadout for DMZ?
A: The ideal DMZ loadout depends on your playstyle, squad role, and mission objectives. However, a versatile assault rifle like the TAQ-56 or M4, a sniper rifle like the MCPR-300 or Signal 50, and a rocket launcher like the PILA or Strela-P can handle most situations. Bring plenty of armor plates, ammo, and equipment like stims, stun grenades, and C4 to boost your survivability.
Q: How often does DMZ wipe progress and loot?
A: DMZ typically wipes player progress and inventories at the start of each new season to keep the experience fresh and maintain balance. Any COD Points, XP tokens, or store purchases will carry over, but faction mission progress, insured weapon slots, and extracted loot will reset.
Conclusion
Traveling to every POI in Al Mazrah is no small feat, but with the right planning, gear, and tactics, skilled operators can complete this challenging mission and extract the coveted GPS tracker. Whether you‘re a lone wolf or rolling with a full squad, always remember the golden rules of DMZ: stay alert, loot fast, and extract often.
As the DMZ experience continues to evolve and expand in future seasons, intrepid Operators will have even more opportunities to prove their mettle and earn glory on the battlefield. So gear up, soldier – fortune favors the bold in the DMZ!