Best DMZ weapons and loadouts (MW3, Season 1)

In DMZ, the weapons and ammo you find are the keys to a successful exfil. They may not be as prevalent and free to find as in Warzone, but you can bring in contraband weapons with you to start off with an early advantage. While an insured weapon will eventually return to you, contraband weapons will be lost.

Prior to the start of a match, players can equip their loadout with equipment, field upgrades, and anywhere from zero to three weapons (contraband or insured). Players who have survived earlier games can keep their armor, gas mask, and bigger backpacks as well.

Looking to build the best loadout for DMZ? Here are some of our tips.

Best DMZ loadouts in MW3 Season One

In general, weapons with more attachments are typically more viable and useful. As a reminder, any weapons that you exfil that end up in your contraband stash have locked attachments. They can only be changed by taking the weapon to a workbench in DMZ and paying to add new attachments.

Insured weapons can be any unlocked weapon and can be equipped with any unlocked attachments. DMZ players will start with one insured weapon slot but can unlock more.

Here are some ideal weapons we recommend you consider bringing with you in a DMZ match, and ones you should consider prioritizing in your backpack when you go to exfil.

M4 (Assault Rifle)

The M4 is one of the most consistent, viable, and readily available weapons in Warzone and DMZ. It’s one of our go-to favorites, especially when we’ve outfitted it with our attachment loadout that maximizes long-range fight efficiency.

Best M4 attachments for DMZ

• Stock: Corio Precio Factory
  • Aim Idle Stability: +2.14in
  • Bullet Velocity: +1.00in
• Barrel: Hightower 20″ Barrel
  • Recoil Steadiness: +0.46lb
  • Damage Range: +0.37in
• Optic: SZ Holotherm
  • Flinch Resistance: +2.80oz
  • Far: -1.45in
• Underbarrel: Schalger Tango
  • Recoil Control: -0.16oz
  • Aim Down Sight Speed: -0.38in
• Magazine: 60 Round Mag

KV Broadside (Shotgun)

The KV Broadside is the best shotgun to use in DMZ, and I recommend equipping the Dragon’s Breath ammunition to rain fire on opponents. This is an excellent weapon for tougher raids in Koschei Complex and Building 21, as well for taking on strongholds. With this weapon, you can easily engage multiple opponents at once to get a few eliminations.

Best KV Broadside attachments for DMZ

• Muzzle: SA MX-50
  • Aim Down Sight Speed: -1.12oz
  • Bullet Velocity: +0.97in
• Barrel: Gunner D20
  • Aim Walking Speed: -0.47lb
  • Damage Range: +0.36in
• Ammunition: 12 Gauge Dragon’s Breath
  • Damage Range: +0.70g
  • Bullet Velocity: +9.00gr
• Bolt: Dashbolt 60
• Magazine: 25 Shell Drum

TAQ-56 (Assault Rifle)

The TAQ-56 is a go-to choice for assault rifle specialists, given its power and performance. Our Warzone and DMZ attachment loadout maximizes accuracy and recoil control and lets you mow down multiple enemies with its 60-round mag.

Best TAQ-56 attachments for DMZ

• Stock: TV Cardinal Stock
  • Aim Down Sight Speed: -3.32oz
  • Aim Walking Speed: -1.70in
• Barrel: 17.5″ Tundra Pro Barrel
  • Recoil Steadiness: +0.50lb
  • Aim Down Sight Speed: -0.40in
• Optic: SZ Holotherm
  • Aim Down Sight Speed: -3.00oz
  • Close: +1.80in
• Underbarrel: Cronen Grooveshot
  • HIP Recoil Control: +0.75oz
  • HIP Fire Accuracy: +0.19in
• Magazine: 60 Round Mag

ISO Hemlock (Assault Rifle)

The ISO Hemlock has been an excellent addition to the AR category since its season two arrival. Our ideal attachment loadout for the rifle buffs range, accuracy, and recoil control.

Best ISO Hemlock attachments for DMZ

• Muzzle: Harbinger D20
  • Aim Down Sight Speed: -1.05 oz
  • Bullet Velocity: +0.98 in
• Barrel: Fielder-T50
  • Recoil Steadiness: +0.44 lb
  • Damage Range: +0.39 in
• Optic: SZ Holotherm
  • Aim Down Sight Speed: -2.32 oz
  • Far: -1.50 in
• Underbarrel: VX Pineapple
  • HIP Walking Speed: -0.72oz
  • HIP Fire Accuracy: +0.39in
• Magazine: 45 Round Mag

FR Avancer (Assault Rifle)

The FR Avancer assault rifle is another top choice for close to mid-range fights in DMZ. This weapon’s recoil can be difficult to control, but with the right attachments, you can laser opponents during combat.

Best FR Avancer attachments for DMZ

• Muzzle: Echoless 80
  • Recoil Smoothness: +1.29oz
  • Bullet Velocity: +0.96in
• Barrel: 600MM FR Longbore
  • Recoil Steadiness: +0.44lb
  • Damage Range: +0.40in
• Underbarrel: FTAC Ripper
  • Recoil Stabilization: +0.63lb
  • Aim Idle Stability: +0.38in
• Optic: SZ Holotherm
  • Flinch Resistance: +2.72 oz
  • Far: -1.40 in
• Magazine: 60 Round Mag

RPK (Light Machine Gun)

As a base light machine gun, the RPK already has dominant damage and range. Our loadout turns it into a stabilized, non-stop laser that will melt AI and player opponents alike.

Best RPK attachments for DMZ

• Muzzle: ZLR Talon 5
  • Recoil smoothness: +1.40oz
  • Bullet velocity: +1.00in
• Laser: FSS OLE-V Laser
• Optic: AIM OP-V4
  • Aim down sight speed: -3.00z
• Underbarrel: FTAC Ripper 56
  • Recoil stabilization: +0.75oz
  • Aiming idle stability: +0.40in
• Ammunition: 7.62 High Velocity
  • Recoil smoothness: -0.70g
  • Recoil steadiness: -9.00gr

FSS Hurricane (Submachine Gun)

Need to clear out a close-quarters room like in a stronghold? Our FSS Hurricane loadout improves accuracy, recoil control, mobility, and handling.

Best Hurricane attachments for DMZ

• Muzzle: Bruen Cubic Comp
  • Aim Down Sight Speed: -0.80oz
  • Gun Kick Control: +0.35in
• Laser: FSS OLE-V Laser
• Stock: Demo Quicksilver Stock
  • Aim Down Sight Speed: -4.00oz
  • Aiming Idle Stability: +2.40in
• Underbarrel: FTAC Ripper 56
  • Aim Down Sight Speed: -0.80oz
  • Aiming Idle Stability: +0.40in
• Rear Grip: XTEN Grip
  • Aim Down Sight Speed: -1.00oz
  • Sprint to Fire Speed: -0.45in

Tempus Torrent (Marksman Rifle)

The Tempus Torrent marksman rifle is one of the best guns for mid to long-range combat. With the right attachments, you can build the perfect loadout that functions exceptionally in both Warzone and DMZ.

Best Tempus Torrent attachments for DMZ

• Stock: Corio Precio Factory
• Barrel: 14 Chroma LRS
• Optic: Luca Bandera Scope
• Underbarrel: Hex-40 Grip 
• Magazine: 30 Round Mag

Victus XMR (Sniper Rifle)

The ultimate tool for fighting at extremely long range, whether you want to weaken bosses or pick off enemy players as they go to exfil. Our attachment loadout for the Victus XMR sniper rifle adds damage, range, and even explosive ammo.

Best Victus XMR attachments for DMZ

• Muzzle: Bruen Counter-Ops
• Barrel: Mack 8 33.5 Super
  • Aim Walking Speed: -0.50lb
  • Aim Down Sight Speed: -0.40in
• Laser: VLK LZR 7MW
• Ammunition: .50 Cal Explosive
• Rear Grip: Bruen Q900 Grip
  • Aim Down Sight Speed: -1.00oz
  • Aiming Idle Stability: +0.45in

FJX Imperium (Sniper Rifle)

The FJX Imperium is a top-tier sniper rifle that you can use on maps like Al Mazrah, Ashika Island, and Vondel to get easy eliminations. This weapon performs brilliantly over range, if you can build a proper loadout for both DMZ and Warzone 2. I prefer using explosive rounds for this sniper, but you can switch it out with high-velocity bullets as well.

Best FJX Imperium attachments for DMZ

• Barrel: Fahrenheit 29″
  • Damage Range: 0.39in
  • Recoil Steadiness: 0.49lb
• Muzzle: Nilsound 90
  • Aim Down Sight Speed: -1.35oz
  • Bullet Velocity: +0.97in
• Laser: VLK LZR 7MW
  • Aim Down Sight Speed: 0.47oz
  • Aim Walking Steadiness: -50.24ft
• Optic: SZ Heatsource
  • Far: -0.72in
  • Flinch Resistance: +2.97oz
• Ammunition: .408 Explosive
  • Bullet Velocity: +8.54gr
  • Damage Range: +0.68g

Best armor vests in DMZ

Stealth Vest

If you are playing as a solo in DMZ, then the Stealth vest is the best armor you can obtain. The three-plate Stealth vest essentially gives you the Ghost perk hiding your operator from UAVs and Advanced UAVs. With this armor equipped, you can explore the map carefully without getting noticed by opponent squads.

Keep in mind you can only barter the Stealth vest on Al Mazrah and the Koschei Complex map in DMZ. This vest is my personal favorite for solo raids, and here are the items you need to barter it from a Buy Station.

• One Encrypted Thumb Drive
• One Comic Book
• One Game Console

Comms Vest

The three-plate Comms vest is another top-tier armor you can barter in DMZ. The Comms vest comes with several benefits revolving around UAV killstreaks, radios, and towers. With this vest equipped, all UAVs function as Advanced UAVs, revealing the precise location of enemies.

Likewise, the Comms vest has a 100-meter range, meaning you’ll get a ping every time an enemy operator is in your vicinity. I use the three-plate Comms vest often while playing with a squad, and here are the items you need to barter this armor vest.

• One Soothing Hand Cream
• One Encrypted Hard Drive
• Two Batteries

Medic Vest

The three-plate Medic Vest is the easiest armor to barter in DMZ. This armor allows you to utilize Self-Revives and Revive Pistols efficiently by massively decreasing the time it takes to get back up. Additionally, you can revive your teammates much faster while having the three-plate Medic vest equipped.

If you are playing in a squad, make sure to have at least one operator using the Medic vest for quicker revives. Here are the items you need to barter this vest in DMZ.

• Two Bandages
• One Liquor
• One Watch

Best equipment to use in DMZ

When you enter a DMZ match, you will start with a piece of tactical and lethal equipment, as well as a single field upgrade.

Overall, your choices come down to personal preference, but here are our primary recommendations.

Best DMZ solo equipment

If you’re going in with nothing (nothing to lose, everything to gain), then a great suggestion is Throwing Knife, Stim, and Dead Silence. With no weapons or gear to start with, a Throwing Knife and Dead Silence can help you get a weapon or two off an AI combatant early.

Best lethal and tactical equipment in DMZ

Spotter Scope, Snapshot Grenades, and Heartbeat Sensors are brilliant for maps with less visibility. Use them on Vondel and Ashika Island to get an idea of the enemy’s position without having to use UAV killstreaks. Stim is also a great choice.

Nothing beats the classic Semtex when it comes to lethal equipment. Throwing Knife is a great option for sneaky runs, and both the Claymore and Proximity Mine are great for covering flanks.

Best field upgrades in DMZ

Recon Drone is an excellent field upgrade option for exfil situations. Once the exfil helicopter pops up, the Recon Drone will highlight nearby foes (human and AI), letting you know how safe you are to get out.

If you have unlocked the Armor Box field upgrade, use it while playing with a full squad. This allows you to get plates quickly without having to visit a buy station.

The DDOS field upgrade is another underrated item you can use to get amazing results. I use the DDOS to take out the Wheelson over on Ashika Island. This method allows you to easily infiltrate Tsuki Castle by hacking the security system.

The Rebreather field upgrade can also be unlocked, and I’ve found it exceptionally useful on maps like Vondel and Ashika Island. The operator spawn points on these two maps are quite clustered, so you can always make an escape by swimming underwater using the Rebreather.