There are plenty of ways to get away with loot and cash in DMZ. Players who are stocked up with so much gear and don’t want to risk it all at an exfil can make use of various dead drop locations around each map.
Here is a full guide on what dead drops are and where to find them on DMZ’s many maps.
What are dead drops in DMZ?
DMZ’s dead drops are interactive white dumpsters that, when approached, can be used to store items from your inventory. By placing weapons, items, or cash into a dead drop, you earn XP and reduce the cooldown for your insured weapons.
Additionally, there are faction missions that will require you to deposit certain items in specific dead drops. While your items aren’t saved, their cash value is—allowing you to reacquire your favorite weapons and loadouts faster in future deployments.
There are currently 21 active dead drops across DMZ:
- Six on Al Mazrah
- Four on Ashika Island
- Five on Vondel
- One in Koschei Complex
- One in Building 21
Here’s where you can find all of them, sorted by what landmarks and locations they are near and what their grid coordinate is on the tactical map.
Note: These are active as of the end of MW2 season six’s “The Haunted” update, and given the mode isn’t expected to receive any more updates, these should be final.
Al Mazrah dead drop locations in DMZ
There have been 11 total dead drop dumpsters that were active at some point in DMZ, but as of MW3 season one there are only six currently active ones. Inactive dead drop dumpsters are still there, but they are a different color and you cannot interact with them. The active drops are marked below.
East of Al Bagra Fortress (G5)
This dead drop is located on the east side of the island, dominated by Al Bagra Fortress, in the G5 section of the southeast portion of Al Mazrah. The dumpster, located on the side of a building, is enough distance away from the proper fortress that there shouldn’t be as many enemy AI combatants to deal with.
Zarqwa Hydroelectric (D4)
This Al Mazrah dead drop location is behind a small gas station building in Zarqwa Hydroelectric, next to the bridge. Be aware of enemy patrols on the bridge, which are very common in the earlier portions of the DMZ round.
Akhdar Village Center (F5)
The Akhdar Village dead drop is one of the hardest Al Mazrah dead drops to reach because it is located right in the middle of the area that is overwhelmed by tough enemy AI combatants. It is located next to one of the entrances to the main bazaar square.
Northeast of Zaya Observatory (E5)
The Zaya Observatory dead drop is located on the northeast side of the area, between a trio of buildings (look for a burger sign). Approaching the dead drop from the northeast will be your best bet, as navigating through the entire landmark will be a challenge.
Sattiq Cave Complex (D3)
This dead drop is located on the outside of, but still effectively in the middle of, the Sattiq Cave Complex. It’s in a little cornered-off area next to an ambulance and a tent.
Al Sharim Pass (G6)
The final Al Mazrah dead drop can be found at the peak to the south of Al Sharim Pass. On top of the hill in the small village, you’ll want to head to the west side of the building, diagonally south of the stronghold. The dumpster will be facing outwards from the entry door.
Ashika Island dead drop locations in DMZ
There are four Ashika Island dead drop locations. Three are on the island’s surface, while the fourth is underground in the service tunnels and dock.
Ashika Island Town Center: North (E5)
This dead drop is located to the northeast of the Town Center, right at the border of E5 and E4. Cross the road from the gas station and head behind the small building to find a shop, a workbench, and the dead drop dumpster.
Ashika Island Beach Club (E6)
Directly in from the west coast and north of the Beach Club will be a gas station. Outside of the back of the station and facing the sea, you’ll find this dead drop. This dumpster is best approached from the north or south, as most enemy operators will be active in the center of the map.
Ashika Island Underground Docks (G5)
This is a tougher Ashika Island dead drop to reach, so only head here if you know where you are going or if it is the most convenient option. You can access the underground dock by boat via numerous inlets around the edge of the island or through the tunnels beneath Tsuki Castle.
Ashika Island Residences (G3)
In the northernmost section of Ashika Island, you’ll come across two houses by the road. The house to the east will have a mesh fence. In the corner of the fence towards the center of G3, you’ll find this dead drop. Be careful when approaching from the center of the island—it’s best to approach via a car on the road.
Vondel dead drop locations in DMZ
There are five Vondel dead drop locations. Early faction missions will point out the two easiest-to-access dead drops, with a further three more revealed later.
Vondel University Dead Drop (G3)
The university’s dead drop lies on the border of G3 and F3, in the northeasternmost corner of the main university complex. Across the parking lot, you’ll find a gas station with a white dumpster along its back wall.
Vondel Zoo Dead Drop (D7)
The Vondel Zoo dead drop is one of the first dead drops you’ll learn about, with the dumpster used in a tier one Phalanx faction mission.
The dead drop dumpster is behind the zoo’s cafeteria, to the west of the zoo in D7. It’s best entered via the southwest entry to the zoo, just off the main road.
Vondel Fire Department West (B5)
This Vondel dead drop can be found to the northwest of the Fire Department. Head to the outer edge ring road of the map at B5. In the final building before the intersection, there is a small, paved parking lot with a dead drop outside an apartment block.
Vondel Phalanx Dead Drop (E3)
This is the dead drop used by the Phalanx faction to collect any special documents or weapons you encounter via faction missions. This dead drop is directly off of the main road where E3, E4, D4, and D3 intersect, against the red brick wall of a nearby building.
Vondel Museum Dead Drop (H6)
The Museum dead drop can be found against the southeasternmost corner of the Museum, facing east—but it isn’t at ground level. Underneath the museum is the underground parking lot, accessible via the museum’s atrium or the road entrance. The dead drop is inside the parking lot near the entry stairwell.
Koschei Complex dead drop location in DMZ
The special Koschei Complex zone has one dead drop, located at the Shopkeeper deep inside the main complex area. To access this, you’ll need to enter the Koschei Complex. Make sure you are armed and ready for a fight, as enemies—both bots and players—will be ready.
How to reach the Koschei Complex dead drop
Enter and proceed to the Chemical Plant. You’ll want to find the Factory Admin Key, which will be inside the various vents and crawlspaces in the plant room. Bring some night vision goggles, as the power is completely out in this section.
Once you’ve found a key, head to the bunker door marked A/1 on the outside walls of the complex and use the key to open the door. Push through and into Factory Admin, and look for the Shop sign.
Inside a small room will be the Shopkeeper. His shop features various special items, but speaking to the Shopkeeper himself will open the dead drop menu.
Building 21 dead drop location in DMZ
Building 21 has a single dead drop, but it can spawn in one of four different locations. It will spawn at the bottom of one of the corner stairwells on the lowest floor. It appears as a white dumpster, just like any standard dead drop.
You’ll have to battle against other players, of course, but hopefully, this information on dead drop locations in DMZ will help you take advantage of the dead drop system for all of your future DMZ battles.
