Your mission is simple: survive until every other player or squad is eliminated. But in Call of Duty: Warzone, how you achieve that goal is entirely up to you. Whether you’re dropping into Urzikstan for the first time or trying to master The Gulag, this guide will help you lay a solid foundation. From choosing the right loadout to understanding every game mode, here’s how to get started in Warzone and boost your odds of victory.
Know the Modes: Find Your Best Fit
Warzone isn’t just one type of game—it’s several. Each mode offers unique rules and pacing, so your approach should vary accordingly:
- Bootcamp: Perfect for beginners. Set in Urzikstan with up to 20 players and 24 bots, this quad-only mode gives you a chance to learn without the pressure of full competition. It’s a great space to test out weapons, movement, and tactics.
- Battle Royale: The classic. One life (with a potential second chance in The Gulag), one shrinking map, and one winner. It’s high-stakes, high-reward, and takes place on the full-sized Urzikstan map.
- Resurgence: More forgiving. Teammates can respawn if at least one member of your squad survives, but only until the respawn timer ends. Played on tighter maps like Rebirth Island and Ashika, this mode is intense and chaotic.
- Plunder: Focused on collecting the most cash, not surviving the longest. You can respawn, equip a loadout from the start, and win by hitting $2 million in collected funds.
- Lockdown: Teams capture zones to earn points rather than eliminate opponents. Respawns are active, and strategy is key—perfect for objective-focused players.
Each mode caters to different playstyles, whether you’re aggressive, strategic, or a support player.
Essential Tactics: Loot, Cash, and Loadouts
Loot Like a Pro
At the start of every Warzone match, you drop in with just a pistol. Your first task? Loot. Search buildings and listen for the hum of Supply Boxes—they often contain weapons, equipment, and cash.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to physically collect the loot that pops out; it won’t auto-pickup everything, especially cash and gear.
Cash Rules Everything
Cash is your lifeline. You’ll need it to buy Loadouts, redeploy teammates, or stock up at Buy Stations. Complete Contracts (like Bounties and Scavenger missions) for larger payouts and faster progression. Keep an eye out for Deployable Buy Stations, but beware: using one can alert enemies with a visible flare.
Build the Right Loadout
Your Loadout defines your combat effectiveness. Every Loadout includes:
- Primary and Secondary Weapons
- Tactical and Lethal Equipment
- Perk Package
There are multiple preset and customizable Perk Packages. For example:
- Aggressive Players: Use perks like Quick Fix and High Alert
- Stealth Flankers: Equip Ghost and Double Time
- Support Roles: Load up on Resupply and Spotter
Try combinations like a Longbow sniper with a Holger 556 for early-game distance, or a Striker SMG and Lockwood shotgun for close-quarters chaos in the endgame.
Survive to Win: The Gulag, The Gas, and Urzikstan Tips
Fight Back in The Gulag
When eliminated for the first time, you’ll likely end up in The Gulag—a 1v1 duel for a second chance. Learn the map layouts, get familiar with randomized weapons, and use Tactical Equipment smartly. Winning sends you back into the match, often at a critical time.
Mind the Gas
The playable area shrinks over time thanks to a deadly gas. Always keep a Gas Mask on hand (or stowed in your backpack). Vehicles or horizontal ziplines can help you stay ahead of the zone, but use them strategically—they’re loud and visible.
Master Urzikstan
Warzone’s newest large-scale map, Urzikstan, features dynamic terrain, urban zones, and mobility tools like horizontal ziplines and the Drivable Train. Control the train’s speed and direction for positional advantages—but know that it’s often a hot zone early on.
Explore POIs (Points of Interest) using the Tac-Atlas to understand loot hotspots and ambush opportunities. Familiarity with the terrain can be the difference between a top-10 finish and a sudden elimination.
Final Thoughts: Train Smart, Fight Smarter
No Warzone guide can guarantee a win—skill, luck, and split-second decisions all play a role. But by understanding the game’s core mechanics, refining your loadout, and mastering the different modes, you’ll be better prepared than most. Whether you’re just finishing Bootcamp or landing your 100th drop into Urzikstan, the key to Warzone is adaptation.
So drop in, loot up, and remember: there can be only one squad left standing. Why not make it yours?
