The ominous locked door stands before you, tempting with the treasures that lie beyond. The faint hum of electricity mixes with lapping waves nearby as you weigh the risk of breaching this northern complex. Will your squad secure the Water Pump Control Key and reap the rewards? Or fall prey to enemies stalking these irradiated shores?
Welcome to DMZ – the brutal extraction shooter experience arriving with Call of Duty: Warzone 2 that‘s putting the franchise‘s battle royale gameplay to a whole new test. Surviving and thriving in this lethal PvEvP hybrid hinges on skill, strategy, and knowledge – especially of pivotal points of interest like the Water Pump Control building.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll breakdown everything you need to master DMZ‘s northern zone, leverage the Water Pump Control Key for max rewards, and gain a winning edge over the deadly competition:
DMZ 101 – Primed for Extraction
DMZ launches the Call of Duty series into a genre popularized by games like Escape from Tarkov and Hunt: Showdown. The core loop focuses on landing into expansive open maps, scavenging for loot, completing mission objectives, vanquishing AI and player threats, and ultimately extracting safely.
It’s the first real permanent, standalone extraction shooter experience baked into Call of Duty. The mode leverages Warzone 2’s cutting-edge gunplay and engine while adding new progression systems, high risk/reward stakes, and unpredictable PvEvP clashes.
Here‘s a quick overview of what to expect:
- Massive Map – Explore the sprawling, irradiated Ashika Island environment
- AI Enemies – Squads of armored AI troops patrol territories
- Mission Objectives – Complete randomized tasks for loot and XP
- Extractions – Escape via land/air to bank acquired contraband
- Weapon Mods – Find and equip attachments out in the field
- Inventory – Carry limited gear between virtual backpacks
- High Stakes – Permadeath looms if you fail to extract
- Progression – Unlock new operators, cosmetics and loadout options
Those joining from traditional multiplayer may need to adjust to the tense, tactical pace of DMZ. Stealth, positioning, and situational awareness are paramount. This is where map knowledge comes in…
Scouting Ashika Island – Geography of Survival
DMZ’s Ashika Island layout generally divides into a few key zones – the west/east coastal regions, central urban areas, and northern industrial coastline.
Understanding the boundaries, chokepoints, and opportunities across each region is critical to survival. For example, veteran players immediately recognize:
- The west coast as a hotbed of activity and carnage
- The east as more remote but with valuable weapon caches
- The central town as an urban battlefield and mission hub
- The north as sparsely populated but rich in rare loot
We’ll be focused specifically on dominating DMZ’s northern reaches surrounding the Water Treatment Plant. This includes the shoreline, inland cliffsides, and the all-important Water Pump Control building.
Why prioritize the north? It tends to be less congested, especially at match start. The wide cliffs also provide good sightlines and natural cover. But most importantly, it harbors the consistently-spawning Water Pump Control Key – your ticket to unique loot and missions.
The Water Pump Control Key – Unlocking Northern Rewards
While many keys and access cards are randomly scattered about Ashika Island, the Water Pump Control Key has a fixed location – inside the shoreline building just south of the Water Treatment Plant extraction point.
With this key in hand, you can unlock the front door and raid the weapon caches and loot crates inside. There’s also a terminal for activating lucrative intel missions specific to this location.
The types of rewards you’ll find include:
- Weapons – RPK, Kastov-74u, BAS-P and more
- Intel – Missions awarding XP, keys, resources and faction progress
- Attachments – Optics, muzzles, lasers and grips for your armory
- Lethals – C4, Claymores and Throwing Knives
- Tacticals – Stim shots, flashbangs, gas grenades
- Equipment – Armor plates, ammo, backpacks and keycards
With a potential payload this rich, it’s no wonder the Water Pump Control Key is a pivotal target for players looking to gear up quickly and efficiently.
One seasoned DMZ expert I connected with named @SniperEliteXX had this to say:
“I make acquiring the Water Pump Control Key a priority in 90% of my drops. The loot density concentrated inside that small building is just too good to pass up. It really accelerates my loadout and gets our squad income rolling from selling extra weapons."
However, the predictable location also draws attention…
Breaching the Complex – Enemy Forces
Before you unlock the full potential of the Water Pump Control Key, you‘ll need to secure the shoreline complex and clear out the AI forces guarding it.
Based on community data tracking, you can expect to deal with:
- 3-5 Infantry – Armored grunts armed with pistols, shotguns and assault rifles patrol the exterior in fireteams.
- 1-2 Heavies – Slow but formidable Juggernauts packing miniguns and riot shields.
- 0-2 Snipers – Longshot rooftop snipers surveil from the cliffs inland.
Decoy grenades are great for luring enemies out of position for ambushes. A shotgun absolutely shreds Juggernauts up close by destroying their face shield weak point. And obviously, smoke helps provide concealment against ranged foes.
However, the most dangerous threat comes from enemy players also seeking to loot this location…
PvP Clashes – Contending for the Key
Given the value of the Water Pump Control Key, you can expect hot competition, especially in the opening phases of a match. Thankfully there are some tactics to avoid getting caught in a 5 squad bloodbath right on extraction:
- Delayed Approach – Don‘t immediately drop right on the shoreline building. Explore and gear up first before looping back.
- Perimeter Breach – Island hop along the exterior balconies rather than the front door.
- Timed Infiltration – Note when other teams grab the key and collapse on them when they‘re distracted.
- Squad Roles – Have a designated sniper provide overwatch.
Once you‘ve eliminated the AI and outplayed any earlybird opponents, the key and northern loot riches will be yours for the taking.
Recommended Loadouts – Tactical Advantage
When tackling the Water Pump Control Key location, your chosen Operator, weapon blueprint, equipment, and perks can make all the difference:
- Zeus – His Trophy System provides protection against lethal AI grenade spam.
- Sakinah – Hersnapshots reveal enemy locations through walls.
- FSS Hurricane – This SMG shreds up close against Juggernauts.
- Victus XMR – Sturdy LMG to counter sniper threats.
- Dual Diamattis – Pistols for quick swapping in CQC.
- C4 – Essential for breaking doors and ambushing groups.
- Stim – Allows quick self-revives if ambushed.
- Battle Hardened – Reduces flash/gas effects from enemies.
- Tracker – Follow footstep trails to monitor enemy activity.
Ideally, your whole squad will collaborate to cover ranges – packing a sniper, shotgun, SMG/AR and health/support role. Mandatory equipment like gas masks and armor plates also apply.
With the right planning and positioning, your crew will safely secure the Water Pump Control Key in no time!
Dominating Ashika Island – What‘s Next?
Once you‘ve conquered the Water Pump Control complex, having the key opens up new tactical options for your squad:
- Rush and complete new northern intel missions
- Push inland to capture more territory
- Extract north with your haul uncontested
- Circle back south hunting other players
- Sell excess weapons to stockpile Cash
- Acquire Intel for DMZ faction missions
No matter your next objective, the Water Pump Control Key serves as a powerful springboard for advancing your overall rank, arsenal and resources. It‘s a prime target every match.
And with future planned content updates, there‘s no telling how control over this strategic location could evolve…
The Future Meta – What‘s in Store for DMZ?
DMZ is just getting started as Warzone 2‘s brand new high stakes extraction experience. The developers have many content drops planned that could drastically impact strategy on Ashika Island.
Based on early plans outlined by Activision, players can expect:
- Expanded maps with new zones and extraction points
- Dynamic weather/lighting and seasonal events
- Additional AI enemy faction types
- More unlockable operators with unique perks
- New mission objectives and intel contracts
- Evolving meta events that alter the environment
All of this leaves the current fate of the Water Pump Control Key uncertain. Static loot locations may randomize in future seasons to encourage adaptation. Or new mechanics like capture points could be introduced. We‘ll have to wait and see!
For now, memorize the key‘s fixed shoreline spawn and leverage it to get a headstart. The tactics in this guide will have you extracting loaded with loot in no time.
Just remember to watch your back – competition is brutal out there in the DMZ!
Key Takeaways – Start Strong in DMZ
Here are the core tips to walk away with for maximizing your DMZ domination:
- Learn the map terrain – memorize key areas like the northern shoreline
- Prioritize the Water Pump Control Key – it unlocks valuable loot
- Clear enemies methodically – use decoys, smokes, suppressors
- Avoid hot drops – don‘t alert everyone right on extraction
- Loadout for CQC and range – bring ARs, shotguns, snipers and more
- Extract safely – don‘t get overzealous losing your hard-earned gear
Securing that first elusive extraction is an incredible rush. The action only amplifies from there. Get out in the DMZ and show ‘em who’s boss!
