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.
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.
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:
| Location | Skeleton Key Recipe |
| Al Mazrah | GPU and two Gold Bars |
| Ashika | Videocassette Recorder, two Gold Bars, Vintage Wine, and an Encrypted Hard Drive |
| Vondel | Three 3-Plate Armor Vests, three Self-Revive Kits and a Gold Bar |
| Building 21 | Three 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 Name | Faction & Tier | Skeleton Key Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Committed Shopper | Black Mous – Tier 1 | Worn |
| Untouchable | Black Mous – Tier 5 | Pristine |
| Gear Up | White Lotus – Tier 4 | Used |
| Chemist’s Sources | White Lotus – Tier 4 (Story Mission) | Used |
| The Route Forward | White Lotus – Tier 5 | Used |
| Tactique-Verte Testing | Crown – Tier 1 | Worn |
| Case By Case | Crown – Tier 5 | Pristine |
| The Old Place | Shadow Company – Tier 2 | Used |
| Black Box | Shadow Company – Tier 3 | Used |
| The Ultimate Vehicle is Team | Shadow Company – Tier 4 | Used |
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.
