MW4 DMZ Loot: 7 Spots Without Air Base Armory Key
If you are looking for high-value loot in the MW4 DMZ (the fourth iteration of Call of Duty’s extraction mode) but do not have the Air Base Armory Key, you can still find excellent rewards in seven specific alternative locations: the underwater supply crates at the harbor, the locked room in the police station, the rooftop cache on the bank building, the hidden bunker under the gas station, the office safe in the construction site, the medical supply room in the hospital, and the weapon stash in the train station. These spots consistently spawn tier-3 loot, including weapons, armor, and cash, and most require only a basic lockpick or a standard key that is more common than the armory key.
Why the Air Base Armory Key Is Overrated
The Air Base Armory Key is one of the most sought-after keys in MW4 DMZ because it opens a room with guaranteed high-tier loot, including a weapons case and often a killstreak. However, its spawn rate is notoriously low, and the air base itself is a high-traffic PvP zone. Many players spend hours hunting for the key only to be killed by another squad before they even reach the door. The seven locations below offer comparable loot with far less competition, and they are spread across the map, so you can choose one based on your spawn point and the current safe zone.
How the Loot System Works in MW4 DMZ
Loot in MW4 DMZ is tiered from 1 to 3, with tier-3 being the best (weapons, armor plates, self-revives, killstreaks, and large cash stacks). Tier-1 is common (ammo, bandages, junk). Each locked area has a set loot table, but the actual items are randomized. Keys open specific doors, but some areas can be opened with a lockpick (a consumable that takes 10 seconds to use) or by finding a standard key that is more common. The seven locations below are all tier-3 zones that do not require the armory key, but they do require either a lockpick, a specific key that drops from enemies, or a simple puzzle (like activating a switch).
The 7 Alternative Locations (Ranked by Loot Value)
- Underwater Supply Crates (Harbor) – Requires a scuba mask (found in most buildings). Dive to the bottom of the harbor near the sunken boat; there are three crates that spawn tier-3 weapons and armor. No key needed, but you must watch for enemy divers.
- Police Station Locked Room (2nd Floor) – The door is marked with a yellow padlock. It opens with a standard Police Station Key, which drops from any police officer NPC. Inside: a weapons locker, a safe, and often a self-revive.
- Bank Building Rooftop Cache – On the roof of the main bank, there is a small vent that can be shot open with a sniper rifle. Inside the vent is a single crate with a random killstreak or a tier-3 weapon. No key, but the vent is loud and attracts attention.
- Gas Station Bunker (Underground) – Behind the gas station, there is a trapdoor that requires a Crowbar (found in construction zones). The bunker contains two weapon crates and a cash box. The crowbar is a one-time use, so bring two if you want to re-enter.
- Construction Site Office Safe – The safe is in the trailer on the 3rd floor. It requires a Safe Cracking Tool (found in toolboxes). The safe always contains a large cash stack and a random tier-3 weapon attachment.
- Hospital Medical Supply Room – The door is locked with a Medical Key, which drops from the hospital’s zombies or NPC medics. Inside: two medical crates with self-revives, stims, and occasionally a durable gas mask.
- Train Station Weapon Stash – In the basement, there is a locked grate that can be opened with a Bolt Cutter (found in maintenance rooms). Inside: a wall-mounted weapon that is always a tier-3 blueprint, plus a small ammo box.
How to Choose the Right Location for Your Run
Your choice depends on your spawn, the number of players left, and what you already have. If you spawn near the harbor, the underwater crates are the fastest (2 minutes) but require a scuba mask. If you need a self-revive, head to the hospital, but be aware that the medical key is a rare drop. For pure cash, the construction site safe is best, but it requires a safe cracking tool that is also rare. In general, the police station and train station are the most balanced because their keys drop from common enemies (police and maintenance workers). Avoid the bank rooftop if you are solo, as the sound of shooting the vent will draw a crowd.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
A common misconception is that all locked doors require a specific key. In MW4 DMZ, some doors can be opened with a lockpick, but the lockpick is consumed on use. Another mistake is assuming that the loot is static – it is not. Each location has a loot table, but the exact items are randomized, so you might get a tier-2 weapon instead of a tier-3. Also, many players forget that the underwater crates are visible on the map if you have a sonar buoy, so you are not hidden. Finally, do not waste a key on a door that you can open with a crowbar – crowbars are more common and cheaper to find.
Safety Tips for Looting These Areas
- Always carry a lockpick or a crowbar as a backup, even if you have the specific key.
- Check the minimap for enemy proximity before opening any locked door – the animation leaves you vulnerable.
- For underwater crates, surface periodically to avoid drowning; the scuba mask gives you 90 seconds of air, but the loot takes time to open.
- Do not loot the police station immediately after a police spawn – wait for the NPCs to patrol away.
- If you hear a UAV, leave the area and come back later; these locations are popular for ambushes.
Comparing Loot Value: Armory vs. Alternatives
The Air Base Armory has a guaranteed weapons case (which is needed for a mission) and a 100% chance of a tier-3 weapon. The alternatives have a 70-80% chance of a tier-3 weapon, but they also have a chance of spawning a weapons case (except for the bank and gas station). The armory also has a higher chance of a killstreak (30% vs. 15% for alternatives). However, the armory is in the middle of the map, making it a hot zone. The alternatives are on the edges, so you can extract faster. If you need a weapons case for a mission, the armory is the only guaranteed source, but for general loot, the alternatives are safer and nearly as rewarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a key for the underwater crates?
No, the underwater crates at the harbor do not require a key. You only need a scuba mask to breathe underwater. The crates are unlocked, but you must open them while underwater, which takes about 5 seconds each. Be careful of enemy divers and the oxygen timer.
What is the best alternative for a weapons case?
None of the seven alternatives guarantee a weapons case. The police station and hospital have a 10% chance to spawn one, but the armory is the only guaranteed location. If you are doing a mission that requires a weapons case, you should still go to the armory, but bring a squad and a key.
Can I open the police station door with a lockpick?
No, the police station locked room requires the Police Station Key specifically. A lockpick will not work on this door. The key is a common drop from police officers, so you can farm it quickly by killing a few NPCs.
How long does it take to loot all seven locations?
If you have all the required tools and keys, looting all seven locations takes about 15-20 minutes of travel and opening time. However, the map is large, and you will likely encounter enemies. It is more realistic to choose two or three locations that are close to your spawn and extract.
Are these locations safe in solo play?
Yes, but with caution. The bank rooftop and gas station bunker are the riskiest because they are in open areas. The hospital and train station have more cover. Always carry a self-revive and a smoke grenade for escapes. Solo players should avoid the underwater crates unless they have a scuba mask and a stealth approach.
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