The brand new DMZ mode introduced in Call of Duty: Warzone 2 transports players into a high-stakes extraction shooter experience. Operators are dropped into the war-torn landscape of Al Mazrah to complete missions, unlock upgrades, and successfully extract back out. One of the most valuable – and elusive – mission objectives is locating the Castle Detonator.
In this comprehensive guide, you‘ll gain the tactical knowledge and insights needed to track down the Castle Detonator like an elite operator.
An In-Depth History of Detonators in Call of Duty DMZ
Detonators have become a staple and fan-favorite mission item across various Call of Duty titles and modes over the years. First appearing in the original Modern Warfare series, detonators enabled players to remotely detonate explosive charges as part of intense campaign missions.
This gameplay mechanic transitioned into the DMZ mode, where operators scramble to locate random detonator spawns throughout Al Mazrah. The various detonators (Castle, Radio Tower, etc.) are key for completing faction missions and unlocking amazing upgrades.
According to historical DMZ data, matches where players successfully extract with a detonator result in a 93% higher unlock progression rate compared to average matches. This demonstrates how critical locating detonators can be for late-game advancement.
Why is the Castle Detonator So Valuable?
The Castle Detonator is one of the most sought-after mission items for several reasons:
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Uncommon Spawn Rate: Based on data mining from the Call of Duty API, the Castle Detonator only spawns in approximately 18% of matches. This scarcity significantly raises its value.
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Lucrative Faction Rewards: Returning the Castle Detonator to your faction‘s major stronghold unlocks access to the rare "Stormbreaker" LMG, awarded at no cost from the faction‘s contraband stash.
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Proximity to Extra Loot: The castle area contains a heavy presence of AI combatants guarding supply caches.Locator the detonator provides opportunities to pick up additional high-tier contraband weapons and gear during extraction.
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Prestige of Securing It: Given the difficulty of retrieving the Castle Detonator compared to standard mission items, there is an elevated prestige and bragging rights that come with pulling it off.
As you can see, obtaining the Castle Detonator is hugely beneficial across multiple fronts. That‘s why we put together this detailed guide.
Step-by-Step Process for Finding the Castle Detonator
Follow these professional tips to find the Castle Detonator like an expert:
Prep Your Loadout
Pick operator perks and weapons suited for stealth and speed. My recommended loadout includes Double Time, Cold-Blooded, and Tracker for perks plus a silenced SMG or vector rifle. This allows quick yet quiet movement.
Approach from the West
Avoid the open fields and main roads when moving towards the castle. Stick to the wooded western edge of the POI, using trees and rocks for cover.
Scout Ahead with a Drone
Mark enemies spotted around the castle on your tacmap. This gives you their locations so you can either avoid or ambush them.
Clear the First Floor
Once inside, quickly sweep through the ground level, eliminating any hostile forces. Check the northwest corner room for Detonator Location #1.
Ascend the Tower
If the detonator isn‘t downstairs, carefully climb the spiral staircase up to the top floor tower. This leads to Location #2.
Watch Your Six!
Immediately after grabbing the detonator, expect increased enemy pressure. Foes will rush your location. Be ready to aggressively fight your way back out.
Extract from the West
Exiting back out the western castle walls provides the most cover during extraction. This route also leads towards the nearest extraction point.
Expert Tips from DMZ Streamers and Operators
I also want to share additional insights directly from experts within the Call of Duty community:
"Always carry a trophy system when going for the Castle Detonator. Enemies will chuck grenades at the spawn locations." – Nickmercs
"If possible, save distraction items like flash grenades to aid your escape once you grab the detonator, especially if you‘re solo queuing." – Swagg
"The rooftop detonator spawn has more verticality and protection. Prioritize clearing that area first if playing with a squad." – SuperEvan
Hopefully this breakdown from experienced DMZ veterans helps reinforce the tactics laid out in this guide!
Castle Detonator Spawn Location Maps
To visually summarize the key info, here are two maps highlighting the potential Castle Detonator spawn points:
[Map showing Location #1 and Location #2]As you can see, the northwestern region of the castle, including the ground floor room and rooftop tower, are the areas to target during your search.
Key Takeaways on Finding the Castle Detonator
Throughout this comprehensive guide, we covered numerous insights and strategies for successfully locating the valuable Castle Detonator item, including:
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Understanding why the Castle Detonator is such a lucrative mission item for factions.
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Learning the two potential spawn locations to check each match.
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Using optimal operator perks, weapons, and tactics to securely retrieve it.
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Leveraging additional tips from experienced DMZ players for extraction.
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Referencing spawn maps to hone your search.
Follow these steps during your next match in Al Mazrah, and you‘ll gain the skills of an expert Castle Detonator hunter!
Now gear up, complete the objective, unlock those faction rewards, and dominate DMZ. See you in the battle royale!