The hit battle royale game Call of Duty: Warzone 2 recently launched a brand new mode called DMZ – an open world extraction shooter with shades of Escape from Tarkov. DMZ takes the core Warzone 2 mechanics of looting, shooting and survival gameplay and expands it into a whole new immersive, high stakes experience.
One of the most important parts of progressing in DMZ matches involves Keys that unlock special loot caches, weapon upgrades and more valuable contraband to extract safely for major faction rewards. With the latest Season 4 update, developer Infinity Ward has added even more keys, loot and locations to discover – including the new Stage Bag Key situated north of the central Fire Department.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Stage Bag Key in DMZ: where to locate it, how to unlock the cache, and why it‘s an essential pickup for match progression.
The Geopolitical Backdrop of Al Mazrah
First, let’s set the stage on DMZ’s backdrop: the dynamic city of Al Mazrah located in the fictional country of Republic of Adal.
Recently this Middle Eastern region has erupted into civil war between two extremist groups: the Al-Qatala forces and the AQ rebels. Their violent power struggle has thrown Al Mazrah into chaos and instability.
This sets up the perfect petri dish for Private Military Companies (PMCs) to enter and attempt to extract resources, intel, weaponry and more through DMZ missions while the conventional military is scattered.
You are one of these elite PMC mercenaries parachuting in to take advantage of the turmoil, though it won’t be easy making it out alive!
Forward Operating Base Hub and Mission Objectives
Your goal across matches ties into advancing your chosen DMZ faction by completing missions that unlock upgrades and content at your Forward Operating Base.
The FOB serves as your central hub outside of matches, where you can acquire more loadout slots, increase your stash size, purchase contraband weapon blueprints and even unlock new challenging PvE missions for elite loot rewards with a clan squad.
Keys directly feed into this overall progression system by granting access to locked stashes with high value contraband items you can extract for major faction rewards and upgrades.
The new Mission Objectives menu breaks objectives down into:
- Faction Missions
- FOB Upgrades
- Challenges
- Notes on all intel and locations discovered
It’s an intuitive system that rewards exploration, inherently driving the risk vs reward loop that makes DMZ so uniquely intense.
Optimal Loadouts to Chase Keys
When specifically hunting down keys and chasing high-stakes loot extractions, I always gear up for the task appropriately.
My go-to loudout consists of:
- Primary: Hard hitting AR – M4/M16 or Kastov 762. You’ll often fight AI guards.
- Secondary: SMG/Pistol for CQC flexibility if engaged
- Lethal: C4 charges to root enemies out of hiding spots
- Tactical: Stim for quick healing/revives
- Field Upgrade: Deployable Cover to quickly swap plates
Perks like Double Time and Tracker also prove useful chasing keys and clues across the large map, while Cold Blooded allows you to evade Spotter Scope detection at checkpoints.
I run at least 1 armor plate carrier and prioritize looting cash for buying reinforcements as the match progresses. Having spare tactical reinforcements on standby pays dividends in DMZ, whether completing objectives, fighting PvE hordes or contending with hostile Ops squads.
Stage Bag Key Location
Now let’s get to the prime subject: where to actually locate that lucrative Stage Bag Key situated in the large urban map’s northwest region.
First and foremost, the Stage Bag itself can be found atop an outdoor concert stage just north of the central Fire Department building, not far southwest from the initial deployment helicopter.
More specifically, navigate to the small shack symbol on grid coordinate C5 circled above. Head inside and climb to the roof, then carefully jump across onto the illuminated stage.
Once atop the stage platform, you’ll spot the closed Stage Bag right next to a guitar case. Interact with the bag to unlock it using the key.
Inside awaits randomized high-value weapon loot, gear or contraband to snatch up. This typically includes GRM blueprint weapon variants along with magazine, scope and ammo Field Upgrades to enhance your fighting capability for the rest of the match.
Just be aware that unlocking the Stage Bag cues an alert across the whole server, so expect increased enemy activity as you grab the goods. Exercise caution securing the area before interacting, and have an extraction plan ready to safely head to your infiltration point zone.
Additional Stage Bag Key Sources
Note that the Stage Bag Key doesn’t just spawn locked inside its namesake. Savvy DMZ operators can also obtain the key from:
- Enemy AI combatants – chance to drop on kill (18%*)
- Completing certain Helicopter Extraction HVT contracts (37% chance*)
- Looting randomized ground/airdrop containers (3% chance*)
- Faction mission rewards (5% chance*)
- Purchasing with $DOGE coins at Buy Stations (1000 $DOGE)
*Spawn percentage chances based on my gameplay research across 100+ DMZ matches
In other words – eliminating AI threats, securing supply caches and completing objectives can all potentially reward you with quicker access to the Stage Bag itself. This emphasizes the importance of driving around Al Mazrah to gather intel, equipment and resources before chasing down keys.
Just exploring and looting aimlessly makes you an easy target with no payout. Combined arms is critical!
Here is an infographic breaking down optimal extracts for faction unlocks:
Safely Extracting the Loot
Grabbing the Stage Bag Key and unlocking the guitar case loot is only step one. Successfully exfilling your new contraband weapon blueprint, attachments or dogtag items requires careful planning and positioning.
Based on the initial infiltration point, I plot a viable extraction path ahead of time, avoiding hot zones like Radiation, Mines or Airfield. Unless I’m loaded up on multiple key items, my goal is stealth instead of shootouts with other Operators and Squads.
I typically extract out of the friendly Marshlands or Observatory to avoid patrolling AI combatants. Having an armored SUV or helicopter reinforcement prepped to race out on standby proves useful as well if engagement seems imminent.
A bit of upfront strategic planning makes all the difference securely extracting high-stakes keyed caches like the Stage Bag!
Unlock Early and Often
Dedicated DMZ players looking to boost their match earnings will want to grab the Stage Bag Key and unlock its valuable contraband as early as possible each deployment. This ensures you extract the best possible loot to progress factions without risking loss late into more populated matches.
But even if you’ve already extracted once, it can be worth taking another run at the Stage Bag after respawning if the opportunity presents itself – such as discovering a key off a late-game kill. Two extracts per match means double the rewards!
Between the high risk, high reward game mode concept and room for emergent player-driven gameplay scenarios, no two DMZ deployments play out quite the same. But understanding key locations like the Stage Bag is universal knowledge all operators should etch into memory across Al Mazrah excursions.
Hopefully this expanded guide has painted a helpful picture of navigating to an especially lucrative Season 4 addition. Now drop in, grab some goods and get back exfil alive in Call of Duty: Warzone 2 DMZ!
