COD: Warzone 2 tips – how to get loadouts, AQ Soldier kills, and more

Get the lowdown on Warzone 2's new mechanics with these tips

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 has finally launched, and while it’ll feel familiar to many players, there are some key changes at play that’ll alter how you approach the game. In particular you loadout lovers might find it a bit tougher to get the equipment you need in a timely fashion.

As long as you can get through some intermittent server issues and actually play a steady game, there’s a lot to enjoy here, starting with the battle pass, and hopefully ending in some dramatic victories. For everything you need to know about Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, just read through our essential tips below.

If you need a solid weapon for MW2 and Warzone, take a look at our Vel 46 build.

COD: Warzone 2.0 tips you need to know

Battle Pass changes – Warzone 2

The first thing you need to know about Warzone 2, and by extension Modern Warfare II’s new update, is the battle pass. The battle pass has finally been added to the base game, and of course, it extends to all of your progress in Warzone 2, too. It’s a new map system that allows you to tactically choose what you wish to unlock using tokens. In each area of the map you must spend five tokens unlocking the base items, and then a final fifth token unlocking the main item on that part of the battle pass map. Once a section is complete, you’ll gain access to all map sections it connects to.

It’s pretty easy in practice, but you can browse what items are on which map space ahead of time, meaning you can tactically spend your tokens to get those items quickly. If you’ve been playing multiplayer since the launch of MW2, you’ll probably already have many tokens to spend unlocking items.

Find a 3 Plate Armor Vest – Warzone 2

In the last game everyone started with an armor vest that had three slots, but now the default vest only has two slots total. If you want three slots – and you do want three slots – you need to find a special 3 Plate Armor Vest. These are located all over the map like your usual selection of loot, but they’re fairly rare. Keep an eye out for them, for you and your teammates.

Contracts for cash – Warzone 2

You won’t get much cash by scavenging around the map, instead you’ll need to complete Contracts to get cash effectively. Try to grab a contract as soon as the game starts, and coordinate with your team to get it done.

Buying weapons – Warzone 2

Buying a full loadout isn’t possible in Warzone 2, so instead you’ll be buying just a primary weapon. You can equip it with your preferred attachments in advance, but if you want your usual selection of perks and equipment, you need to work a bit harder.

How to get a Loadout – Warzone 2

The easiest way to grab hold of your full loadout is to wait until the third circle closes, at which point you’ll be granted a free loadout drop. This applies to all players still alive, meaning that the final few circles will be more hectic than the beginning of the game. Remember that if you see an enemy loadout drop, you might be able to finish them off as they move towards it.

Stronghold Objectives – Warzone 2

Strongholds are another, and potentially faster, way to get a loadout in Warzone 2. If you complete a Stronghold objective you’ll come away with a loadout drop, allowing you to get equipped before the third circle. Strongholds don’t always have active objectives though, and if you’re going loud in there, it might attract more enemies. But Strongholds are a good way to get AQ kills. On that note…

AQ Soldier kills – Warzone 2

AQ Soldiers are NPCs that roam the map in Warzone 2, though you’ll find most of them in the DMZ mode. These NPCs are armored up and often wield LMGs. If they catch you in the open they can kill you surprisingly fast, so make sure to watch out for them. They die quickly, luckily. If you need AQ Soldier kills, focus on Stronghold objectives and the DMZ mode.

2v2 Gulags – Warzone 2

Gulags have undergone a big change. You’ll now play Gulags in a 2v2 mode, where you might have to ally with someone outside of your time. Make sure to use pings to highlight enemies you see. But you don’t just have to finish the enemy team – you can opt to kill the jailer instead. The jailer is a large enemy with a powerful weapon – you’ll find grenades around the stage to help your fight. If you take down the heavily armored jailer, everyone placed in the Gulag will be allowed to escape. Consider teaming up with your enemies to achieve this feat. Overall it feels like players have a better chance of using strategy to escape the Gulag.

How to refuel vehicles – Warzone 2

Vehicles need fuel now – how’s that for realism? Luckily it’s simple enough to refuel them, as small gas pumps are dotted next to main roads around the map – of course, the need to stop means that people could be camping on them waiting for someone to refuel. As a general rule, maybe avoid a gas station that has burnt-out cars around it.

Backpack changes – Warzone 2

Now you not only have your main loadout, but you are also able to put a variety of items into your backpack, including grenades, tactical items, and more. The inventory is pretty small, especially when it also shares your overall ammo space, but this can allow you to pack more away for tense engagements in the late game. It also means you should expect enemy players to potentially have several grenades in their arsenal. Make sure to look out for backpack upgrades as you play.