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Buy Station in Warzone DMZ
Image Credit: Activision via Twinfinite

How to Get Skeleton Keys in Warzone DMZ

Become the key master.

Warzone’s DMZ may be approaching its sixth season of post-launch content but Skeleton Keys are still among the most valuable and in-demand items in the entire extraction mode. Here’s how to get them, craft them and use them.

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What are Skeleton Keys?

They’re DMZ’s master keys. They open any lock for any location, whether that’s a bag, cache or crate. If you have one, keep it safe because it’s an incredibly powerful tool for looting and exploring.

Most keys, like the Barista’s Bag Key, open one item. In this specific case, it’s the Barista’s Bag (obviously). Some open a couple – like the Stage Bag Key which opens both of Vondel’s Stage Bags. None, other than Skeleton Keys, can open anywhere or anything.

The only places they can’t unlock are those that have specific access protocols. Building 21 and the Koschei Complex, for example, require their own access methods (a keycard and airlock, respectively).

Like DMZ’s other keys, there’s three types of Skeleton Key, each of which determines how many times they can be used. These are:

  • Pristine = 3 uses
  • Used = 2 uses
  • Worn = 1 use

Getting Them: Missions, Bartering & Recipes

Players have two ways to earn them in DMZ. The first is bartering, the second is completing missions that reward them.

Bartering

Players must be Reputation Level 2 in the White Lotus Faction in order to unlock DMZ’s barter system.

After that, visiting a Buy Station on any exclusion zone will offer players the Barter Option. Opening it up will list all the items available for barter and navigating to them will show you what you need to trade in.

Typically, the most desirable items (including Skeleton Keys) are available to be traded for. The better the item, the more difficult the barter.

DMZ Buy Station
Image Credit: Activision via Twinfinite

Unsurprisingly, Skeleton Keys are difficult to craft because of their rarity and value. There’s multiple Skeleton Key recipes depending on your exclusion zones. They are:

LocationSkeleton Key Recipe
Al MazrahGPU and two Gold Bars
AshikaVideocassette Recorder, two Gold Bars, Vintage Wine, and an Encrypted Hard Drive
VondelThree 3-Plate Armor Vests, three Self-Revive Kits and a Gold Bar
Building 21Three Encrypted Hard Drives

Missions

The Shadow Company Faction originally dropped with Season 5 and was expanded to include five tiers with the Season 5 Reloaded update.

Some of the higher tier missions award Skeleton Keys, so we’ve updated the table below to ensure it’s accurate for the new season and you’ve got as many ways as possible to acquire them.

Below, we’ve listed every mission, its Tier and Faction, and the condition of the key it awards:

Mission NameFaction & TierSkeleton Key Awarded
Committed ShopperBlack Mous – Tier 1Worn
UntouchableBlack Mous – Tier 5Pristine
Gear UpWhite Lotus – Tier 4Used
Chemist’s SourcesWhite Lotus – Tier 4 (Story Mission)Used
The Route ForwardWhite Lotus – Tier 5Used
Tactique-Verte TestingCrown – Tier 1Worn
Case By CaseCrown – Tier 5Pristine
The Old PlaceShadow Company – Tier 2Used
Black BoxShadow Company – Tier 3Used
The Ultimate Vehicle is TeamShadow Company – Tier 4Used

That’s the low down on DMZ’s Skeleton Keys. They’re high value, difficult to acquire… and incredibly useful in-game. Check out the related content below for even more on DMZ and Call of Duty.


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Author
Image of Kristina Ebanez
Kristina Ebanez
Kristina is a Staff Writer and has been with Twinfinite for more than a year. She typically covers Minecraft, The Sims 4, Disney Dreamlight Valley, anime, Call of Duty, and newly released games. She loves the Metal Gear Solid series (Snake Eater especially), Rockstar's Bully, the Horizon franchise, What Remains of Edith Finch, and many more. Her dog is also an avid video game watcher, primarily when there's a horse or a cat. She has a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and grew up gaming on the islands.
Author
Image of Joe Craven
Joe Craven
Joe is a writer and publisher based in England. He loves history, video games and football. As you read this, he's probably reading about an obscure war, playing a video game or moaning about Leeds United.