Warzone 2‘s DMZ mode offers a thrilling spin on battle royale combat. Instead of a shrinking circle, Operators drop into expansive open world maps and face off against enemies and rival players in search of valuable loot. The risk-reward element creates intense, high stakes engagements.
Season 2 introduced the brand new map Ashika Island, and with it, new loot to discover. Arguably the most useful find is the Waterways Maintenance Kit key which unlocks a toolkit full of powerful items.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll leverage my extensive experience to provide everything you need to know about acquiring the key, unlocking the toolkit, and utilizing your hard-earned rewards. Let‘s begin the journey to Ashika domination!
Overview of Warzone 2 DMZ
For readers unfamiliar, DMZ is an "extraction shooter" mode where squads battle across a large map, loot supplies, complete missions, and extradrate with their accumulated gear. Loadouts, operators, and progression carry over from standard Warzone 2.
Here are some key details on DMZ gameplay:
- Open World Maps: Al Mazrah and Ashika Island featuring POIs like Strongholds.
- AI Enemies: Fight AI combatants of varying difficulty.
- Loot System: Weapons, equipment, keys, Intel, and more to find.
- Extraction: Successfully exfil with your loot to keep it.
- Invasion: Option to enable PvP and face enemy Operators.
- Progression: Complete contracts, level up, customize loadouts.
DMZ combines PvE and PvP elements for a fresh take on CoD‘s massive battle royale sandbox.
All About Ashika Island
Ashika Island shakes up the standard DMZ formula. At approximately 1.5km x 1.5km, it provides a more intimate, close quarters experience compared to the sprawling 4km x 4km Al Mazrah map.
The lush, overgrown environment is shrouded in a dense fog, reducing visibility and forcing closer range firefights. Verticality also comes into play with cave tunnels and multi-story buildings.
Here are some key places you‘ll need to master:
- Tsuki Castle: A large fortified complex and one of the best loot spots. Expect heavy resistance.
- RIA Installation: Research lab with valuable documents and Intel spawns.
- Mine Tunnels: Underground tunnel network containing loot caches.
- Logging Camp: Forested southern area with helicopter extractions.
- Harbor: Northern coastal town with boat extractions.
Now let‘s dive into the coveted Waterways Maintenance Kit key.
Pinpointing the Waterways Maintenance Kit Key
The Waterways Maintenance Kit key is guaranteed to spawn in one particular location:
The Well Northwest of Tsuki Castle
(Coordinates around F5 on the map)
This well can be found just outside the castle walls. Here are some tips for securing the key:
- CQC Loadout Recommended: The tight spaces favor a Shotgun or SMG over long rifles.
- Clear interiors first before rappelling into the more confined well area.
- Check your six – the verticality enables enemies to drop in from rooftops.
- Have an extraction plan ready after securing the key to avoid getting pinned down.
Once you‘ve cleared the area, hop down the well and pick up the key for safe keeping. Now let‘s look at what loot it unlocks.
Unlocking the toolkit
The Waterways Maintenance Kit key provides access to the Waterways Maintenance Toolkit, located in the underground water treatment tunnels beneath the map.
This toolkit contains highly useful tactical equipment perfect for getting the edge in DMZ firefights:
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DS-7 Smartmine – A deadly proximity explosive that sticks to surfaces. Fantastic for boobytrapping high traffic areas.
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M18 Smoke Grenades – Provides thick, concealing smoke on demand. Great for revivals or escapes.
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Ascender – Enables quick vertical repositioning. An amazing mobility tool.
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Gas Mask – Protects against circle damage when equipped. Preserve for end game.
Between the lethal mines, emergency smoke screens, and enhanced mobility, this toolkit empowers you in combat scenarios across Ashika.
Obtaining the Key from Other Sources
While the well is a reliable spawn point, here are other potential sources for the Waterways Key across Ashika Island:
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Looting Eliminated Enemies – Small chance (~5%) for key to drop from defeated AI foes.
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Supply Caches – The key can rarely spawn as a loot item inside locked caches.
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Contract Rewards – Hard difficulty HVT contracts have a ~15% chance to reward the key.
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Eliminated Operators – Check bodies of defeated players, may have key in inventory.
With persistence and luck, you can obtain the key without fighting to the high-risk castle POI.
Pro Tip: Target HVT Contracts
Based on drop rate data, HVT contracts provide the most efficient way to farm for the Waterways Key outside the guaranteed well spawn.
I‘d recommend routinely checking for and completing these high value target missions to maximize your chances. With a bit of RNG luck, you‘ll unlock the cache and powerful loadout tools.
Expert Tips for Securing the Key
Succeeding in DMZ requires skill, strategy, and situational awareness. Here are some expert tips for safely obtaining the Waterways Maintenance Kit based on my extensive experience:
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Move methodically, not recklessly – Avoid sprinting straight for the well or you may get ambushed. Clear structures and angles as you approach.
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Have C4 or flashes ready – Useful for quickly destroying AI defenders bunkered in the castle.
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Watch for snipers – The raised sightlines make you vulnerable when crossing open ground. Serpentine and use cover.
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Hit your shots – The rapid TTK rewards accuracy – go for headshots and control recoil.
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Loot quickly – Don‘t get bogged down rummaging for extra guns/cash after the key. Get to exfil ASAP.
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Avoid lingering near the castle – It‘s a hot zone for enemy activity, so minimize time spent there.
Following these tips will help you acquire your prize while avoiding costly mistakes that can ruin a promising DMZ run.
Maximizing the Waterways Toolkit
Now for the fun part – how to capitalize on your unlocked toolkit. Here are 5 techniques and tactics for getting maximum value from the items:
1. Boobytrap Chokepoints with Smartmines
Place proximity mines along busy stairs, narrow hallways, and other high traffic areas. Enemies will continually feed you free kills.
2. Provide Smoke Screens for Revivals
Carrying smoke grenades means you can safely revive squadmates when downed in the open. Huge utility.
3. Flank and Outmaneuver with Ascenders
Ascenders enable you to scale buildings and reach unexpected angles for flanks and ambushes.
4. Preserve Gas Masks for End Game
Equip a found mask just as final circle constricts to avoid breaks. Can make the difference in close fights.
5. Combo Smoke + Mines for Traps
Use smoke to funnel opponents into a mined area and obstruct their vision for devastating ambush setups.
With creativity and practice, you can build potent loadouts combining the Waterways Toolkit items with your other weapons and gear. The key opens up new tactical possibilities.
Ranking the Toolbox Equipment
Based on my extensive DMZ match experience, here is how I would tier list the Waterways Maintenance Toolkit equipment from most to least valuable:
S-Tier
- Ascender
A-Tier
- DS-7 Smartmine
- M18 Smoke Grenades
B-Tier
- Gas Mask
The mobility provided by the Ascender stands head and shoulders above the rest in terms of utility. But the full package enables well-rounded loadouts capable of adapting to any combat scenario.
Closing Thoughts
The Waterways Maintenance Kit key is one of the most useful loot items you can acquire in Warzone 2‘s new Ashika Island map. With knowledge of its guaranteed spawn location and skilled play, you can regularly unlock its toolkit and utilize the valuable tactical equipment within to gain a commanding edge.
I hope this guide has provided ample tips and insight to help fellow Operators brave the fog-shrouded jungles of Ashika Island and dominate DMZ matches. Now get out there, locate that key, and battle your way to extraction!
