Call of Duty: Warzone 2 DMZ mode fully detailed

This week, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s multiplayer suite will expand with the launch of the revamped Warzone 2.0 and its Escape from Tarkov-like DMZ mode. The latter mode is probably the most intriguing of the two as it’s a completely new multiplayer experience for Call of Duty.

We got our first look at DMZ mode this weekend but now Activision has provided a full overview ahead of its launch.

"DMZ is an open-world, narrative-focused extraction mode where Operators have free rein to complete faction-based missions, take on additional side objectives, engage with enemy Operators or AI combatants, and search for valuable items, all while fighting to survive toward exfiltration."

Each DMZ match begins with you spawning at a random point around Al Mazrah. From there, what you choose to do next is completely up to you. The ultimate goal is to reach the designated extraction point before you die or the time limit is reached. But along the way you can complete various tasks — faction missions, contracts, random events — to collect valuable items. If you successfully escape with these items, you can bring them with you into the next match, giving you a leg up on the competition.

Think of it as another type of battle royale game except the progress (or failures) in DMZ are persistent between matches. Any items you extract with in your Backpack — weapons, equipment, Cash, etc. — are sent to your Storage, which you can access in between matches in the prematch lobby. You can take anything from Storage and put it into your Backpack or active loadout for your next infiltration. However, if you are killed in a match, you will lose all of the nonpermanent items in your Backpack. DMZ is a single-life game mode, although squadmates can perform revives to save your life.

There are three different factions battling in DMZ: Legion, White Lotus and Black Mous. Your main objective is to complete missions given to you by these factions. In addition to these missions, you can also complete Contracts that you find mid-match. Contracts are quick-completion objectives that provide Cash and other rewards on completion. These range from securing intel to eliminating an AI target to rescuing a hostage, and more.

There are other world activities you can take part in as well. Side objectives include unlocking safes, which can draw the attention of AI enemies as well as other Operators; activating SAM sites to shoot down planes and recover their Supply Box; and more.

While the focus of DMZ is more on eliminating AI combatants, you’re still in a world inhabited by other human-controlled Operators. While we’re all probably used to a shoot-first mentality in Warzone, Proximity Chat in DMZ means you can communicate with other players and perhaps forge alliances. When you assimilate with other squads, you can take on tougher objectives to obtain better rewards. While assimilated, you can revive each other as well. And while these alliances are only temporary, while you are assimilated with other players, friendly fire is disabled. But that doesn’t mean you’re not in danger once the temporary alliances ceases.

DMZ launches alongside Warzone 2.0 this week on November 16.