Unlocking Al Mazrah: Your Ultimate Guide to Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 DMZ Keys and Their Uses
Dropping into the DMZ mode of Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 is a thrilling experience. It’s a sandbox of possibilities, blending high-octane combat with strategic looting and tense extraction runs. But among all the weapons, contracts, and AI combatants, one category of items consistently generates both excitement and confusion: the DMZ Keys. These seemingly simple items are the gateway to the most valuable loot, hidden quests, and significant advantages within Al Mazrah, Ashika Island, and Building 21.
If you've ever found a key, stared at its cryptic description, and wondered, "What does this open, and is it even worth it?"—you've come to the right place. This comprehensive guide is designed to be your one-stop resource, demystifying the entire DMZ key system. We'll cover everything from what keys are and how to find them, to a detailed breakdown of key locations and, most importantly, the incredible rewards that await behind those locked doors.
What Are DMZ Keys and How Do They Work?
In essence, DMZ Keys are single-use items that grant access to specific locked points of interest (POIs) across the game's maps. Each key is unique, named after its corresponding location, such as "Al Mazrah City Post Office Key" or "Ashika Island Lost Room 403 Key." They are not kept in your permanent inventory like weapon blueprints; instead, they are found and stored within a single DMZ deployment.
Here’s the core workflow:
- Acquisition: You find a key during a match. This can be from looting containers, defeating high-value targets (HVTs), completing contracts, or even eliminating other players who were carrying them.
- Storage: Once extracted with the key, it is stored in your Key Inventory for that specific faction (e.g., Crown, Legion, White Lotus). You can hold multiple keys at once, but they are consumable.
- Usage: In a subsequent match, you can select the key from your inventory before deploying. When you are near the locked door or cache it corresponds to, you will receive a prompt to unlock it.
- Consumption: The key is consumed upon use. If you die before using it, you lose it from your inventory. If your squad uses it, everyone can access the room, but the key is still consumed from the holder's inventory.
The Ultimate Treasure Hunt: How to Find DMZ Keys
Finding these coveted keys requires a proactive looting strategy. Don't just run aimlessly; focus your efforts on these high-probability sources:
- Looting Civilian Caches: The small, gray toolboxes and duffle bags scattered across the map are the most common sources. Hitting these consistently is a reliable, if slow, method.
- Completing Contracts: Certain contracts, especially the HVT (High-Value Target) contract, almost guarantee a key as a reward. The HVT will often drop a key specific to the region you're in upon elimination.
- Defeating the AI: While less reliable, stronger AI enemies like the armored "Tier 3" soldiers can occasionally drop keys.
- Looting from Players: Sometimes, the best key is one someone else found for you. If you eliminate a player operator, check their backpack—they might be on a key-hunting mission themselves.
- The Barter System (Ashika Island): On Ashika Island, you can use the Buy Station's Barter feature to trade for specific keys. For example, you can often trade a Game Console, Cephalexin, and a Vintage Wine for a useful key.
A Deep Dive into Key Locations and Their Prized Loot

Now, let's get to the heart of the matter. What do these keys actually unlock? The value can vary dramatically, but the best locations offer a significant head start. Here are some of the most sought-after keys across the different maps and what you can typically expect inside.
Al Mazrah Key Highlights:
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Al Mazrah City Post Office Key:
- Location: The central post office in Al Mazrah City, a large multi-story building. The locked room is on the ground floor.
- Uses and Loot: This is a fan favorite for a reason. Inside, you'll find multiple high-value loot containers, including at least two or three Safes. This means a huge cash injection, often enough to buy a Personal Exfil or multiple UAVs right off the bat. You'll also find plenty of armor plates and ammo boxes.
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Sattiq Caves Lost Room Key:
- Location: Within the complex network of the Sattiq Caves. The specific room is tucked away and requires navigating through the cave system.
- Uses and Loot: This room is a goldmine for players looking to gear up. It consistently contains multiple Weapon Lockers, offering a high chance of finding a custom, high-tier insured weapon. It's a perfect spot to re-kit after a previous rough deployment.
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Ch 7 Editorial Department Key:
- Location: On the top floor of the Channel 7 TV station building, located east of Al Mazrah City.
- Uses and Loot: This location is notorious for housing the Editor's Desk, which has a very high chance of spawning a Stronghold Keycard. This allows your squad to tackle a Stronghold immediately without needing to find $5000 first, granting you early access to a UAV and other valuable loot.
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Al-Safwa Quarry Lost Room Key:
- Location: In the quarry area, inside one of the office buildings.
- Uses and Loot: Similar to the Sattiq Caves room, this is another excellent source for Weapon Lockers and general high-tier loot, making it a key target for players dropping into the quarry.
Ashika Island Key Highlights:
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Ashika Island Lost Room 403 Key:
- Location: In the residential area, specifically the apartment building with the green balconies. The room is on the top floor.
- Uses and Loot: This room is small but often contains a Weapon Locker and other valuable items. Its central location makes it a hotly contested drop, so be prepared for a fight.
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Tsuki Castle Weapons Locker Key:
- Location: Inside the main castle building on Ashika Island, in a lower-level room.
- Uses and Loot: As the name implies, this unlocks a locker that guarantees powerful weapons. It's an essential key for anyone planning to hold and control the castle, a key strategic point on the map.
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Waterway Cottage Key:
- Location: One of the small, isolated cottages near the waterways.
- Uses and Loot: While smaller, these cottages often contain Golden Skulls, Encrypted USB sticks, and other high-value barter items, making them excellent for completing faction missions or generating cash.
Building 21 and Specialized Keys:
- Building 21 Keycards: Access to the intense, close-quarters Building 21 map requires a special Building 21 Keycard. These are found in Al Mazrah or Ashika Island and are consumed upon entry. Inside Building 21, you'll find even more specialized keys for rooms containing the absolute best loot, including unique weapons and blueprints.
Pro-Tips for Mastering the DMZ Key System
- Check Your Inventory: Before a match, always review your key stash. Plan your drop location around the keys you want to use. There's no point having a Quarry key if you're dropping in Sarrif Bay.
- Squad Communication is Key: Let your teammates know what keys you have. A coordinated push to a locked location is far more effective than going solo and getting ambushed.
- Know the Exits: Some keys, like the Al Mazrah Under Freeway East Zip Line Hideout Key, unlock small rooms that can serve as excellent, defensible hiding spots near an exfil point for a last-second escape.
- It's Not Always Worth It: If the locked location is in a highly contested area and the radiation is closing in, sometimes the smartest move is to cut your losses and exfil. A key saved is a key earned for another day.
- Mission-First Focus: Many faction missions require you to loot specific items from specific locked locations. Use your keys strategically to complete these missions and unlock your second and third insured weapon slots faster.
The world of DMZ keys is a deep and rewarding meta-game within Warzone 2.0. It encourages exploration, risk-taking, and strategic planning. So next time you find a key, don't just leave it in your backpack to be forgotten. Consult this guide, plot your course, and unlock the hidden treasures of Al Mazrah. Good luck, and see you at the exfil