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To increase the Contraband Stash size in DMZ mode, you need to complete a set of challenges. The weapons that you randomly extract from each match or get from completing missions are considered Contrabands. You lose them once, and they’re gone forever. However, you can increase the number of Contraband weapons that you can keep in your loadout stash. Want to know how? Here’s the ultimate guide to upgrading your Contraband Stash Expansion in Warzone 2 DMZ!
Contraband Stash Size Unlock in DMZ
The Contraband Stash in the DMZ mode is accessible in the Upgrades menu. From here, if reach the Weapons Locker tab, you’ll find a Contraband Stash Expansion. Now when you press on this option, it’ll expand into five stages, which have their own respective challenges. Remember, each Stage has a challenge to unlock, and a challenge to become accessible. First, you need to deal with the unlocking process.
- Weapon Stage Level 1: Reach level 5 reputation with the Black Mous faction.
- Weapon Stash Level 2: Reach level 7 reputation with the Black Mous faction.
- Weapon Stash Level 3: Reach level 9 reputation with the Black Mous faction.
- Weapon Stash Level 4: Reach level 12 reputation with the Black Mous faction.
- Weapon Stash Level 5: Reach level 15 reputation with the Black Mous faction.
If you play Warzone 2 DMZ for free, then you’ll have a total of 10 slots to keep your Contraband weapons. However, if you own MW2, then you’ll have a 20-slot Contraband Stash size in the DMZ mode. This is while expanding this stash is free and you can upgrade it by unlocking their challenges.
The first thing to do in order to unlock each Weapon Stash stage is by earning a reputation for the Black Mous faction. This faction’s missions are accessible through the missions menu. And you can track your rep level progress for each faction when choosing them. After you’ve done enough missions to unlock the stages, it’s time to do each level’s challenge to increase the Contraband Stash size in DMZ.
DMZ Weapon Stash Stages and Challenges
Stage 1 – Extract 4 Thumb Drives and 5 Hard Drives: The two items you need for the first Contraband Stash Expansion in DMZ are easy to find. The Thumb Drive and Hard Drive items can be literally found anywhere on the map. You’ll usually find them inside the buildings and Strongholds. You should also note that these items are featured in all DMZ maps.
Stage 2 – Extract 4 Dog Tags and 4 Black Mous Intel items: The challenge for unlocking the second stage of Contraband Stash size in DMZ is much harder than the previous level. Here you need to extract 4 Black Mous Intel items, which can be found around in the Rohan Oil area. But the tricky part is for extracting the Dog Tags.
When you kill enemy players, there’ll be a Dog Tag left in their backpacks. You can find and kill enemy players by picking Hunt Squad contracts in the game. And pick their Dog Tag from their backpacks on the left side.
Stage 3 – Extract 6 Ashika Island Masks and 1 Original Ashika Island Mask: As the Contraband Stash expansion challenges keep getting harder in DMZ, you’ll need to spend some time on the third level. Here you need to find 6 Ashika Island masks and 1 Original Ashika Island mask. So first things first, head to Ashika Island.
Once deployed, pick HVT contracts one after another to find an item called the “Drifting Supply Bag Key.” When you find this item, go to the location in the image above. Here if you dive deep into the water, you’ll find the Drifting Supply Bag. When you open it, you’re guaranteed to get at least three masks. Pick them, exfil, and redo the drill to complete your objective. And don’t worry about the Original Mask; it’s inside the bag and counts as 1 mask itself.
Stage 4 – Extract 15 Armor Plates, 3 Armor Boxes, and 5 Three-Plate Vests: For the level 4 Contrabans Stash size expansion challenge in DMZ, this one is much easier than the others. All you need to do is to exfil with 15 armor plates that you can buy from Buy Stations. And Armor Boxes that you’ll find as ground loot inside the Strongholds.
Also for the three plate vests, you can raid Strongholds and unlock restricted areas to access them easily. But remember, doing this challenge requires some time, and you might do a few runs until you complete the mission.
Stage 5 – Extract 10 UAVs, 12 Anti-Armor Round Boxes, and 20 Encrypted Hard Drives: The final Contraband Stash size expansion challenge tasks you to find three sets of items. The first is the UAV; something you can easily buy from the Buy Stations in exchange for cash. The second one, however, is a ground loot item which you can also bring in as a field upgrade from the loadout menu yourself.
And for the last objective, you need to find 20 Encrypted Hard Drives, which is a pretty time-consuming task. These drives don’t have a certain spot to be found. But you can loot the restricted areas, airdrops, and Strongholds to find them. Remember to take your time with this challenge; finding 20 Encrypted Hard Drives in a single deployment is an easy task.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2 and MW2 Season 5 Start on August 2, 2023.
