DMZ mode can feel overwhelming when you first dive in, but once you grasp the basics and core mechanics, it becomes a rewarding, high-stakes experience unlike anything else in the Modern Warfare ecosystem. This beginner’s guide will take you step-by-step through every essential element you need to know—from loadouts and extractions to faction missions and high-risk objectives. If you’re new to DMZ or simply looking to build a solid foundation, this is where your journey begins.
Understanding Loadouts, Insured Weapons & Contraband
Before you even deploy, head to the Weapons tab to see everything you’re taking into the DMZ. Your setup includes your current loadout, backpack, and soldier gear. There are two categories of weapons to pay attention to:
- Insured Slot: You can bring in any multiplayer weapon—fully customized with attachments and tuning. However, if you die while using this weapon in DMZ, it goes on a cooldown timer (between 2 to 10 hours). You can reduce this timer by successfully extracting with cash or depositing it into Dead Drop bins across the map.
- Contraband Weapons: These are guns you extract with from DMZ. They come with various attachments and cannot be customized. If you die with a Contraband weapon, it is lost forever.
What Happens If You Die?
Death in DMZ is unforgiving. Whether taken out by AI or real players, you lose everything on you at the time—insured or contraband weapons, your backpack items, armor vests, gas mask, killstreaks, and self-revives. However, your insured weapon’s cooldown can be reduced by extracting with or depositing cash in the field.
Prepping for Success: What to Bring
Each match allows you to equip two weapons, a tactical grenade, a lethal, and a field upgrade. You can carry a third weapon if you find a large backpack during your run. Additionally, you’ll find keys for strongholds and secret locations by looting or killing players. If you extract with these, they’ll stay in your stash for future use.
Faction Missions & Progression
DMZ introduces Faction Missions as its core progression system. You can activate up to three missions per match. Completing all Tier 1 missions under a faction unlocks Tier 2, and eventually Tier 3 and beyond. Completing Tier 3 across all factions earns you another insured weapon slot, increasing your ability to bring in customized gear.
Your First Deployment: Step-by-Step
Once you deploy, you’ll start with one armor plate and a small backpack. Your first objectives are simple:
- Loot nearby buildings for armor plates, vests, gas masks, weapons, and cash. Early-game looting should be calm for the first few minutes.
- Grab a vehicle as soon as possible. Vehicles are essential for navigating Al Mazrah quickly and safely.
- Target Ammo Depots on the map. These locations are low-risk and offer consistent loot, including armor vests, sidearms, and self-revives. It’s a solid starting point for rebuilding after a wipe.
Sell valuables at Buy Stations to generate cash. Prioritize purchasing:
- A medium or large backpack
- A 2- or 3-plate armor vest
- Self-revive kits
Use UAV Towers near Buy Stations to detect nearby AI and enemy squads.
Spend, Don’t Save
Unlike Warzone, hoarding cash in DMZ isn’t necessary. Spend it mid-match to improve your survivability and kit. Medium backpacks and additional armor are far more valuable than carrying out huge stacks of cash.
Mid-Tier Objectives: Sam Sites & Strongholds
Once you’re geared, push into mid-level content:
- Sam Sites: These allow you to shoot down enemy supply planes. Capturing one is risky due to heavy AI resistance but rewarding—downed aircraft drop supply crates with killstreaks, stronghold keys, weapons, and cash.
- Strongholds: Accessible via Stronghold Keycards (found from AI or purchased at Buy Stations). These are guarded by tougher AI, including riot shield enemies. Clearing them yields high-tier loot and helps complete faction missions.
Extraction: Know When to Leave
There are always three Exfil points per match, marked with a blue running man icon. Call a chopper, defend the area for a minute, then board to extract safely.
Pro Tip: The last Exfil happens during final radiation collapse. If you’re still in the zone, head to the randomly selected final Exfil point—miss it, and you lose everything.
High-Risk, High-Reward: The Chemist & Weapon Case
If you’re confident, go after the two endgame objectives of DMZ:
- The Chemist (Radiation Zone): Spawns in a yellow hazmat suit within the radioactive circle. Drive into the zone with a vehicle, locate and run him over to grab the M13B—an exclusive unlock for multiplayer and Warzone. Then exfil immediately.
- Weapon Case Event: Marked with a yellow circle and a briefcase icon. Inside, a Juggernaut awaits. Kill him to claim the case. Once picked up, every player on the map is alerted to your position. Exfil fast, because you’ll become a walking target. Each successful exfil with the case unlocks one of seven unique rewards (the first being an RPK blueprint, later rewards include calling cards, emblems, and an operator skin).
Optional Contracts & Side Missions
DMZ also includes multiple contract types for additional rewards:
- Nuclear Material: Use Geiger counters to locate and retrieve radioactive objects.
- Ship Cargo: Drive boats to marked extraction zones while under fire.
- Destroy Supplies: Plant bombs at enemy caches, defend them until detonation.
- Squad Hunt: Track and kill a real enemy team—or be hunted yourself for 5 minutes.
These contracts grant large cash rewards and are great for mid-match goals, but remember—the more active you are, the more attention you draw.
PvP Encounters, Proximity Chat & Dog Tags
Real players are your biggest threat. Look for downed icons and nameplate kills to confirm PvP takedowns. Use proximity chat to negotiate or bluff—but don’t expect mercy from everyone.
Kill enemy squads to loot their keys, armor, and unique gear. You can also collect and sell their dog tags for extra cash—or just keep them as trophies.
Ready for More?
Now that you understand DMZ’s risk-reward structure, it’s time to gear up, complete faction missions, and chase high-value objectives. Whether you choose to play it safe or go full rogue, DMZ offers one of the most dynamic sandbox experiences in Call of Duty history.
So prep your loadout, grab your keys, and remember: in DMZ, surviving is the real victory.
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