Played DMZ before? Start with these changes.
A new zone, a shared Stash and a growing FOB connect one deployment to the next.
Learn Hajin, one route at a time
Military facilities, rural crossings and dense city streets call for different approaches. Pick a destination before choosing equipment.
Turn a successful run into a reserve
Extracted equipment goes into a shared Stash at the FOB. Unload valuable finds before taking another Operator out.
Build the Operator behind the loadout
The FOB supports crafting, weapon setup and Operator progression. Trait choices are permanent, so give each Operator a role before spending points.
What brings you to Hajin?
Start with the decision you need to make next.
I want to get out with something.
Make the first run small enough to repeat.
- 01
Start with essentials
Use a Free Loadout if your Stash is empty.
- 02
Choose one task
Pick a nearby objective and keep a fallback route.
- 03
Keep the first win
Leave with useful supplies instead of adding another detour.
I want to build toward something.
Connect the next run to a specific upgrade.
- 01
Read the current Order
Check requirements before choosing your destination.
- 02
Check the next unlock
Find the FOB service that supports your goal.
- 03
Protect the ingredients
Keep needed resources in the Stash between deployments.
I want a route I can control.
Leave yourself options when nobody can cover your move.
- 01
Know your way back
Identify cover and a useful retreat before entering.
- 02
Choose the commitment
Skip a fight that does not advance the objective.
- 03
Set a stopping rule
Decide what is worth extracting before the backpack fills.
What do you lose? What do you keep?
Three rules worth remembering before taking expensive gear.
Unprotected gear is at risk
Upgraded backpacks can add Secure Slots. Gear outside them is lost after a failed extraction.
Recover the Operator, not the gear
An eliminated Operator becomes MIA. DMZ Cash recovery preserves Traits; it does not return lost equipment.
Progress can survive the loss
Earned DMZ XP remains after failed exfil. Use the next deployment to address what went wrong.
Pick the destination. Then pack.
Compare eight Hajin landmarks by terrain and AI threat. Choose a manageable approach before committing to a hazardous facility.
Imjin Farmland
South-southwest (South Korea). Farmland: Low. Rice Mill: Medium. Open fields.
- Plan each crossing
- Choose the next piece of cover before moving. Avoid having the whole squad stop in the same exposed position.
- Change your spacing
- Regroup before entering a building. A formation that helps while crossing open ground may obstruct teammates in a doorway.
Songdo Wharf
Eastern Hajin City (South Korea). Low. Coast, railway and monorail.
- Use precise landmarks
- Agree on a named meeting point before separating. Clarify which side of the route each teammate is using when regrouping.
- Check the onward route
- Plan how the squad will continue toward its objective. A convenient landmark is useful for navigation without needing to become another loot stop.
14th Political Prison
Northwest (North Korea). Prison: High. Citadel: Critical. Walled compound.
- Before entry
- Check the perimeter together and choose a retreat direction. Identify who watches the approach while the others move.
- Inside
- Move between rooms as a unit. If someone loses sight of the squad, pause the push and regroup before taking another passage.
Haneul Nuclear Reactor
Northeast (South Korea). High, with radiation. Protective apparel and gas mask required.
- Prepare the whole squad
- Confirm everyone's protective equipment before choosing this destination. One unprepared teammate can change the feasibility of the entire plan.
- Set a short task
- Choose a specific objective and return route before entering. Keep the first visit focused on that task rather than extending the search.
Mirae General Hospital
North-central (South Korea). Low. Multi-floor wards and stepped grounds.
- Name the floor
- Include the floor in every room callout. Confirm the nearest stairwell before committing to a search away from the team.
- Search with a limit
- Know what supplies you need and stop once the requirement is met. Avoid losing the route while checking every room.
Cheongun Village
North (South Korea). Village: Low. Heavenly Luck Casino: High. Border district.
- Choose the destination
- Agree whether the squad is passing through or entering the casino. Keep a short supply run from becoming an unplanned assault.
- Read the interior
- Check visibility before moving between floors. Establish a clear floor and room callout when teammates take different positions.
Chang-san Air Base
West (North Korea). Exterior: Critical. Bunker: Extreme. Hillside complex.
- Pick one objective
- Decide whether the run targets the exterior or the underground area. Reaching the first goal need not commit you to a deeper push.
- Keep a reserve
- Check ammunition, medical supplies and the return route before moving farther in. Preserve enough equipment for the journey back.
Deadtown
Southwest (North Korea). Exterior: Low. Re-Education Center: Medium. Streets and sewers.
- Cross together
- Watch the next crossing before leaving cover. Move with a destination rather than stopping halfway to sort the backpack.
- Separate the decision
- Treat entering a larger building as a new commitment. Finish the nearby search and check the squad before changing levels.
Low AI threat does not mean no rival players. Read the live Tac-Map before committing to a route.
Official Hajin POIs and threat ratings ↗
See the official Tac-Map preview
Build a loadout you can afford to lose
Start with handling you trust. Choose a second weapon for the distances your route demands.
Assault rifleA flexible start
Favor controllable handling and a readable optic. Practice at the FOB firing range.
SMG or shotgunA close-range role
Bring one for a deliberate close-range plan. Let a teammate lead at longer distances.
Marksman or sniper rifleA long-range role
Coordinate observation with teammates. Plan how to move or defend yourself when enemies close in.
Before deploying, check your weapon, available ammunition, armor and medical supplies. Leave room for the resources you plan to bring back.
You have what you came for. Now get it out.
Agree when to leave before your inventory fills or the squad comes under pressure.
Set a stopping rule
One objective or important item can be enough. Decide what to protect.
Communicate the move
Announce your destination and confirm teammates heard. Avoid leaving someone behind while looting.
Reassess the approach
Read the situation, stay together and adjust an untenable route.
Checklist saved in this browser.
Plan differently when playing solo
Solo play puts navigation, observation and recovery on one person. Reduce the number of decisions you must make while exposed.
| Situation | How to approach it |
|---|---|
| Several threats overlap | Break line of sight and reassess from cover. Avoid chasing one target into an area you have not checked. Repositioning can preserve the option to continue the objective later. |
| The approach has one obvious entrance | Identify a useful escape route before entering. Keep track of the last safe position and avoid filling every backpack slot if carrying more loot makes you reluctant to leave. |
| A new setup uses most of your reserves | Start with a lower-cost loadout and a familiar route. Spend more when the equipment solves a specific problem, rather than treating price as protection against an unfamiliar situation. |
Read the danger before the fight grows
The POI threat indicator concerns AI, not rival players. The timer warns when the radiation storm intensifies; watch the live map as conditions change.
Reduce escalation
Combat can trigger stronger reinforcements. Break line of sight, seek cover and disengage instead of extending an unnecessary fight. Choose a regroup location before the squad spreads apart.
Use the stealth warning
The detection indicator changes from white to yellow to orange, with an audio cue. React by getting into cover before the observer is alerted. Let teammates know why you stopped.
Protect a visible prize
A Lieutenant's Dog Tag Case can be tracked by other squads. Expect interception near extraction. Decide who carries it, keep that player supported and avoid splitting up to chase more loot.
Find the detail that changes your plan.
Choose the mission, unlock or setup question you need answered.
Available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2. PC requires TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Digital Standard and Vault preorders include Early Access.
Choose the right kind of objectiveStory Missions, Dynamic Operations, Free Roam and ongoing Orders.
Story Missions, Dynamic Operations and Free Roam are deployment choices. Side Ops add optional activities, while DMZ Orders track ongoing progression. Choose a main goal before adding detours.
| Activity | What it does | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Story Missions | Replayable narrative objectives inside the shared live zone. | Choose a clear mission when the squad wants the same destination. Read the briefing together and agree which equipment the task needs. |
| Dynamic Operations | Multi-step objectives generated for the match; phones can start them in the field. | Choose a guided run when you want an objective to follow. Reassess supplies before accepting another operation. |
| Side Ops | Optional discoveries including truck repairs, supply drops and radio towers. | Take a short detour when it serves the existing plan. Check whether the extra travel would make the return harder. |
| Free Roam | Explore Hajin without choosing a Story Mission or Dynamic Operation first. | Use a short reconnaissance or supply run to learn a landmark. Set a destination and a reason to leave so the search has a clear limit. |
| DMZ Orders | Ongoing progression directives, checked at the FOB and in the Tac-Map. | Read requirements before deployment. Combine an Order with the main task when they naturally overlap rather than forcing a distant second objective. |
Build up your Forward Operating BaseWhat to unlock first and what to leave safely in the Stash.
The FOB is your home between deployments. Complete objectives, bring resources back and turn a successful run into a better prepared next one.
FOB services to unlock first
| Station | Unlock | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 3D Printer | DMZ Level 2 | Craft gear and upgrade stations. |
| Boss Board | Complete your second DMZ Order | Buy Lieutenant intel. |
| Vendor | DMZ Level 5 | Buy rotating equipment. |
| Gunsmith | DMZ Level 10 | Build and modify weapons with cash. |
| Dog Tag Case | DMZ Level 20 | Display extracted player tags. |
What stays safe, and what you risk
Unload the items you want to keep before choosing the next deployment. Prepare for both a successful extraction and an expensive return.
Stash
Shared between Operators; stays at the FOB. Starts with 40 item slots plus 12 weapon slots.
Backpack
Basic Pack: eight slots. Upgraded packs can add Secure Slots. Unprotected items are lost on failed exfil.
MIA recovery
DMZ Cash recovers an eliminated Operator's Traits, not gear. More Traits mean a higher rescue cost.
Traits
Warfighter, Scout and Survivalist share 18 points per Operator. Chosen Traits cannot be swapped.
Keep three progression systems separateDMZ level, Operator Traits and weapon progression are different systems.
Decide what this run should improve. A useful progression result does not require carrying every valuable item into the next deployment.
| Progression | What changes | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| DMZ Player Level | Levels 1 to 70 unlock FOB rewards. | Earned DMZ XP survives failed exfil. |
| Operator | Dog Tags and Trait Points. | Separate from your DMZ Player Level. |
| Weapon | Shared MW4 Multiplayer and DMZ growth. | Unlocking an attachment does not equip a free weapon. |
Get MW4 DMZ on your platformEditions, linked accounts, PC requirements and launch troubleshooting.
Modern Warfare 4 is a paid release. Digital Standard and Vault editions include DMZ Early Access; Game Pass does not include MW4 at launch.
- Select PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC or Nintendo Switch 2 in the official store. On PC, choose Battle.net, Steam or Xbox on PC.
- Use the platform account that owns an eligible digital preorder for Early Access, beginning October 20 (Pacific Time). Check its local unlock notice.
- Install MW4 and available updates. Sign in to an Activision account and link the platform account you use to play.
Launch purchase and Game Pass details ↗
Activision accounts and platform linking ↗
PC requirements and installation
Install through Battle.net, Steam or the Xbox app. The recommended column targets 90 FPS in Multiplayer at High settings. Check your desktop components and leave room for updates.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 64-bit, latest update | Windows 11 64-bit, latest update |
| CPU | Ryzen 5 1400 / Core i5-6600 | Ryzen 5 3600 / Core i7-8700 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| GPU | RX 470 / GTX 970 or 1060 / Arc A580 | RX 6600 XT / RTX 3060 Ti / Arc B580 |
| VRAM | 3 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 115 GB available on SSD | 115 GB available on SSD |
| Graphics API | DirectX 12 compatible | DirectX 12 compatible |
TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and broadband internet are required. Intel Arc GPUs require Resizable BAR. Online play requires an Activision account; use the same linked account to continue online progression across platforms.
Common access and deployment problems
Start with the condition you can check directly, then change one thing at a time.
DMZ is not available in the menu
Check the release date and your platform's local availability. For Early Access, confirm eligible digital ownership on the same platform and account you are using, then check for required downloads and updates.
The game will not launch after an update
Check platform service notices and pending updates, then restart the launcher or console. Use the platform's standard file verification or installation repair options where available. Note any error code before contacting support.
The mission objective is hard to find
Read the selected objective again and check the Tac-Map against your current area. Confirm the squad is following the same task before moving. Nearby activity does not automatically mean you have reached the selected objective.
Several deployments end in failure
Identify the repeated cause: an exposed crossing, unnecessary fight, missing supplies or a late departure. Keep a familiar route as a baseline and change one decision on the next run so the result is easier to learn from.
DMZ MW4 questions, answered
Dates, cost, solo play and the details worth checking before you buy.
When is DMZ MW4 Early Access?
DMZ Early Access starts October 20, 2026 (Pacific Time) for eligible digital Standard and Vault preorders. Modern Warfare 4 releases October 23. Check the local unlock time on your platform.
Is MW4 DMZ free or included in Game Pass?
Modern Warfare 4 requires a separate purchase at launch. It is not included with Game Pass at launch. A Free Loadout is in-game equipment, not a free copy of MW4.
Which platforms support MW4 DMZ?
Modern Warfare 4 is announced for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2. PC purchase options include Battle.net, Steam and Xbox on PC.
Can I play DMZ solo?
Yes. You can deploy alone or with a squad. Start with a small objective, carry a reserve of supplies and keep a route out of the area before taking an optional fight.
Which map does MW4 DMZ use?
MW4 DMZ takes place in Hajin, with military sites, rural areas and urban districts. Use the in-game Tac-Map for current objectives and extraction information.
Does DMZ have its own level system?
Yes. DMZ player progression runs from level 1 to 70. Operator Traits and weapon progression are separate systems; weapon progression is shared with MW4 Multiplayer.
What weapon should a beginner choose?
Begin with a controllable assault rifle and an optic you can read clearly. Match a second weapon to the distances you expect, then practice recoil and target transitions at the firing range.
What happens when I fail to extract?
Gear outside Secure Slots is lost. An eliminated Operator becomes MIA; recovering them with DMZ Cash preserves Traits but does not restore the lost gear.
Do I need the Vault Edition for Early Access?
No. The digital Standard Edition also includes DMZ Early Access. Check that your purchase is an eligible digital preorder on the platform you intend to use.
Is this the same as the MWII DMZ Beta?
Modern Warfare 4 brings DMZ to Hajin with a Forward Operating Base and persistent Operator progression. Use the MW4 launch and access details rather than the older Warzone DMZ menus.
Does the PC version need TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot?
Yes. The published MW4 PC requirements include TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Confirm these settings against Activision support instructions before changing your system configuration.
Can I play MW4 DMZ in a browser?
MW4 DMZ runs inside Modern Warfare 4 on the supported PC and console platforms. Install the game through your platform store; it is not a browser game.
Official links
Independent HY8BIT guide. Call of Duty imagery and trademarks belong to Activision.