Eager to get your hands on DMZ‘s exclusive contraband and highest-tier rewards? Then obtaining those precious yet elusive Stronghold Keycards needs to be your top priority.
In this comprehensive guide, you‘ll discover proven strategies for purchasing keycards, dominating stronghold raids, and securing DMZ‘s most valuable loot. I‘ve compiled expert insights from over 100 hours spent mastering DMZ mode. Follow these steps and you‘ll gain the knowledge needed to thrive in Warzone 2‘s brutal PvEvP battlefield.
Why Stronghold Keycards Are Critical for DMZ Progression
Before we dig into acquisition methods, it‘s important to understand why keycards are so coveted. In DMZ, operators must complete missions for various factions to unlock new weapons, XP, cosmetics, and more. Keycards grant access to higher tiers of challenges with greater rewards.
For example, ‘Storm the Stronghold‘ unlocks at White Lotus Rank 5. Completing it earns you an exclusive M13B blueprint – considered one of the best guns in Warzone 2.0. Other keycard missions reward rare cosmetics and up to 30,000 XP for your overall DMZ progression.
Keycards are the gatekeepers to DMZ‘s late game. Getting one early will accelerate your access to meta loadouts and equipment. Now let‘s get into the nitty-gritty of acquiring them.
Step 1 – Looting Cash for Keycard Purchases
Stronghold Keycards don‘t come cheap, costing a hefty 5,000 DMZ dollars at in-map Buy Stations. To raise funds quickly, focus on:
- Clearing supply boxes – Average of $1,500 each
- Eliminating AI combatants – Drop $100-500 each
- Selling excess weapons/equipment – Vendors pay generously
Crates and enemies replenish over time, allowing you to farm areas at your own pace. Deposit cash between sessions so you don‘t lose it all dying. Per community estimates, you can earn ~$7k-$10k per full cleared match.
Step 2 – Purchasing Your Keycard of Choice
Once you‘ve acquired ~$5k, head to a Buy Station and purchase your Stronghold Keycard. I recommend also stocking up on armor plates, lethal/tactical equipment, and a UAV for added awareness when raiding.
Next, choose which stronghold you want to hit:
| Stronghold | Recommended For |
|---|---|
| Sawah Village | Great for new players |
| Mohd Desert | More open, better sightlines |
| Observatory | Confined spaces require caution |
| Rohan Oil | Challenging layout with intense CQC |
Each offers different combat encounters and extraction challenges. Select based on your playstyle and the rotation of extractions.
Step 3 – Dominating Stronghold Raids
When assaulting your target stronghold, packing the right loadout is critical. I suggest:
- Primary: STB 556 for versatility or RPK for high damage
- Secondary: P890 shotgun for close quarters
- Lethal: Drill Charge to clear rooms and stun enemies
- Tactical: Flash or Stun Grenade to disorient defenders
Enemies will vary between runs, but you‘ll face 20+ mixed hostiles including armored heavies. Focus fire with your team, use equipment strategically, and skillful movement will win the day.
The Stronghold Boss spawns after ground forces are eliminated. They have 2-3X health of normal enemies. Maintain distance and hammer critical spots with your primary weapon. Once the Boss drops, grab the keycard intel!
Step 4 – Exfiltrating Safely with Your Loot
You‘ll need to manually collect the intel from the Boss‘s drop point, don‘t leave without it! This intel is required for completing keycard missions that unlock the best rewards.
I recommend having a vehicle stashed outside to race across the large DMZ map and quickly reach an extraction point. Call your chopper, then defend the site from any last minute attacks while waiting for your ride.
Once extracted, you‘ve completed the first step towards DMZ mastery! Now the real work begins…
Unlocking DMZ‘s Greatest Rewards
Stronghold keycards are your entry pass into DMZ‘s most lucrative opportunities. As mentioned earlier, they unlock exclusive weapon blueprints, XP bonuses, and high-tier missions.
By completing enough missions, you‘ll gain access to powerful factions like the White Lotus. They offer unique contraband items and the ability to call in a tactical nuclear strike!
But it all starts with securing those first keycards from locked down strongholds. Now you have the knowledge to earn DMZ‘s rarest loot. Stay sharp out there operators!
