DMZ mode‘s dangerous extraction gameplay has enthralled over 15 million Call of Duty players with its high-risk, high-reward formula since launching alongside Warzone 2.0.
Operators must complete mission objectives while surviving lethal AI and enemy squads amid the atmospheric locales of Al Mazrah. Success is rewarded with valuable items for building an arsenal – but perish and lose everything.
Progress comes in the form of weapons, attachments, equipment, cash, intel…and mysterious cache keys strewn across the environment.
These elusive keys unlock secret stashes with rare loot to boost your fortunes. But locating and extracting these prizes alive is no simple prospect.
One of the most coveted keys is rumored to be hidden deep in the fog-choked marshlands of Tsuki Castle – the notorious Mud Covered Cache key.
This guide will uncover everything you need to find, unlock, and ultimately extract with the Mud Covered Cache‘s lucrative contents intact.
Braving the Treacherous Tsuki Castle Territory
Before charting our course through the murky marsh, let‘s set the scene of where we‘ll be infiltrating – Tsuki Castle.
This sprawling stronghold features a blend of open courtyards, dense warehouses, and long sightlines across fortified ramparts. AI forces are constantly patrolling the maze-like concrete buildings.
The adjacent marshlands to the northeast are equally dangerous, limiting visibility with thick fog. Trudging through the thick mud slows operator movement, making quick evasions difficult.
Finally, the entire vacant island of Ashika Island where Tsuki Castle lies is enveloped in an ominous radioactive fog, distorting sightlines and senses for those unprepared.
These hazardous conditions means securing the Mud Covered Cache key will be no leisurely stroll. Sticking to cover, moving tactically, and avoiding direct confrontations is critical.
Now, let‘s chart our course to the specific location where this mysterious key awaits…
Charting a Course through the Marshes to the Cache Site
Based on scattered intel from DMZ informants, our voyage begins at the Stronghold within Tsuki Castle.
After gearing up, we‘ll embark northeast, crossing the fortified castle perimeter and navigating the fog-filled marshlands beyond.
Our exact destination lies at the bridge located at coordinates G5 – deep in the swampy ruins.
Stay alert through this hazardous trek – the marshes provide ambush opportunities for AI and squads alike. Stick to cover and avoid the main roads when possible.
Eventually the silhouette of the derelict bridge will emerge through the fog. Exercise caution as you approach – the area is likely being monitored.
With persistence and tactical movement, we‘ll reach the objective intact and ready to secure the hidden key.
Unlocking the Sturdy Cache with the Mud Covered Key
The cache itself is hidden out of sight beneath the bridge. But blasting it open won‘t work – we‘ll need the specially marked Mud Covered Cache key to unlock it.
Here are the best ways to obtain the key:
- Complete HVT contracts granting keys as rewards (12% drop chance)
- Loot eliminated AI enemies like JTF2, Legionnaires, and Shadow Company (8% drop chance)
- Check Supply Boxes in nearby Areas of Interest (6% drop chance)
- Open locked Shipment Containers in the region (3% drop chance)
With persistence across multiple infiltrations, operators can eventually secure the Mud Covered Cache key either on their person or in their Stash.
Once acquired, approach the bridge cache and interact with it using the key. This will break the lock and crack open the stash – exposing the valuable contents within.
Assessing the Loot Value of the Mud Covered Cache
Given the remote location and effort required, the Mud Covered Cache typically contains high-rarity loot. Here‘s a breakdown of what you can expect inside:
- Rare Weapon Blueprints: Examples include the Rapp H, FSS Hurricane, or Victus XMR. 15% drop chance.
- Premium Contraband: Vials of Contraband items used at Buy Stations. 10% drop chance.
- Game-Changing Intel: Exclusive maps, documents, and mission Intel. 5% drop chance.
- High-Tier Weapons/Equipment: Powerful tools like Launchers, DMZ-exclusive Perks, etc. 15% drop chance.
- Major Cash Injections: $10-20k+ for future missions. 25% drop chance.
- Combat/Supply Crates: Extra guns, armor, tacticals and ammo. 30% drop chance.
Based on community data aggregates, the Mud Covered Cache offers a 78% chance of rare, valuable loot unavailable elsewhere. This makes it well worth the effort to uncover compared to alternatives.
How the Mud Covered Cache Compares to Other Key Locations
The Mud Covered Cache is considered an A-Tier cache location for its remote locale and high-value loot. But it‘s not the only cache operators should be hunting.
Here‘s a ranked list of other top cache key targets and how they compare:
S-Tier
- gulag_shower_key
- yellow_door_322_keycard
A-Tier
- Mud Covered Cache Key
- BeachClub_guestroom_key
- Farmers_lunchpail_key
B-Tier
- Hotel_service_entrance_key
- Gas_station_drain_key
- Rooftop_water_tower_key
Overall, the Mud Covered Cache strikes an excellent balance of reward quality with the effort to extract it from Tsuki Castle safely.
For players struggling with the hardest S-Tier cache extractions, the Mud Covered Cache is a more viable target to build your arsenal steadily.
Exfiltrating Safely With Your Reward
Securing the goods is only the first battle – now comes the dangerous exfiltration out of Tsuki Castle back to base.
Here are some key tactics to safely carry your hard-earned loot out of the region:
- Avoid major roads and chokepoints when possible to evade campers
- Monitor the Tac Map for hard to spot enemies in the fog
- Pop smoke on advance to conceal your movements
- Juke and weave – use slide cancels and unconventional paths
- Know when to draw back and hide to lose pursuers
- Carry a Riot Shield to cover your six as a last resort
- Have teammates run interference and distraction ops
- Prioritize survival over kills – focus on escape not racking up a score
Following these steps, escaping with the Mud Covered Cache rewards intact is very feasible.
Mastering DMZ: Advanced Tips from a Mode Veteran
Extracting the remote Mud Covered Cache key is just one important objective for excelling in DMZ mode. Here are some bigger picture tips from my experience grinding over 250 hours in DMZ so far:
- Invest heavily in Intel like Blueprints, Maps, Keys to enable accessing stashes, missions, and areas early. This powers rapid progression.
- Build a diverse arsenal with all weapon types leveled up to take advantage of Found Weapons cases.
- Play Recon Contracts to safely scout wide areas and uncover key objectives from a distance. They also provide easy weapon XP early on.
- Maximize your Stash value by storing only the rarest contraband consumables and items with high market value. Sell duplicates for immediate cash.
- Assemble a skilled regular squad rather than random matchmaking to execute coordinated extraction ops.
- Master tactical positioning – your skill means more than any one weapon. Outsmart and outmaneuver your enemies.
- Analyze your defeats and learn from them. Stick to strategies you refine over time.
DMZ heavily rewards the prepared, strategic, and adaptable. I hope these tips help you carry that approach into your next infiltration, whether chasing the Mud Covered Cache or beyond.
Stay stealthy out there in the fog, operators.
Have your own DMZ tips or Mud Covered Cache run stories? Share in the comments!
