How to "Acquire a Stronghold Keycard" in Warzone 2 DMZ – An Expert‘s Followchain Guide

Friend, are you looking to join the ranks of DMZ‘s fiercest operators by raiding one of the formidable strongholds? Then you‘ll need to get your hands on the valuable Stronghold Keycards, which grant access to these highly contested compounds across Al Mazrah.

Consider this your comprehensive guide to acquiring a Stronghold Keycard, dominating the enemy forces within the stronghold, and completing the "Followchain" mission in Call of Duty: Warzone 2‘s intense DMZ mode.

What is a Stronghold Keycard?

First, let‘s discuss what exactly these mystical Stronghold Keycards are.

The strongholds are essentially heavily fortified military bases occupied by the various factions vying for control in Al Mazrah. They contain top-tier loot and technology, making them prime targets for infiltration.

However, the exterior and interior of the compounds are guarded by dozens of ruthless NPC enemies ready to defend their turf. And the fortified structures have limited entries, with most access points locked down tight.

This is where the Stronghold Keycards come in. These special single-use keys provide access through the gates and doors into the stronghold interiors. Without one, you‘d have to blast or cut your way inside – alerting all guards in the process.

So acquiring a keycard is essential for a more stealthy and surgical type of assault. The keys allow operators to quietly infiltrate deeper into the bases to take out targets and secure the valuable intel and loot within.

Now let‘s get into how you actually acquire one of these precious keys for yourself.

Step 1: Making Money to Purchase the Stronghold Keycard

Stronghold Keycards don‘t come cheap in Al Mazrah. You‘ll need to pony up $5,000 at one of the weapon shops in the city to purchase one. That means you need to build up your bankroll first.

Here are the best methods for earning cash quickly in DMZ:

• Looting buildings – Search desks, shelves, and open crates to collect various items to sell at the shops. Looting a full POI can net $3,000-$5,000 worth of valuables.

• Eliminating AI enemies – Defeating the various NPC forces will cause them to drop armor plates, weapons, and ammo types to pawn. Stores pay handsomely for LMGs, sniper rifles, and rocket launchers.

• Completing contracts – Taking on faction contracts pays out cash rewards upon completion. The multi-stage missions also grant XP.

• Extracting with looted guns – Any weapons you extract the map with are retained in your DMZ inventory for future matches. Disassembling them earns big bucks.

• Selling contraband items – Illegal items like radioactive fuel, uranium, and chemical agents sell for upwards of $3,000-$4,000 each at the faction shops.

Based on community data tracking DMZ cash sources, you can expect to earn around $8,000 – $12,000 in a solid 15-20 minute looting run. I‘d recommend stockpiling $10,000 before buying your Stronghold Keycard to ensure you have extra cash leftover for weapons, equipment, and armor for the mission.

Step 2: Purchasing the Stronghold Keycard

Once your bank account is flush with cash, head to the marked Weapons Shop located right in the heart of Al Mazrah City. It‘s recognizable as a building with green window shutters along the street.

Interact with the shop vendor inside and you‘ll see the option to purchase the Stronghold Keycard for $5,000. Go ahead and buy it, but don‘t leave just yet.

This single-use keycard will disappear if you die before extracting it, so I advise gearing up fully before heading out. Spend your surplus cash to buy any weapons, lethal/tactical equipment, armor plates, and perks that will help you defeat the forces guarding the stronghold.

Here are some ideal purchases for stronghold assaults:

• Long range suppressed sniper rifle (SP-R 208, Victus XMR)
• CQB silenced SMG (FSS Hurricane, Vel 46)
• Lethals like C4, Claymores, or Drill Charges
• Extra armor plates for sustaining damage
• Deployable cover for flanking maneuvers
• UAVs and Portable Radars to track enemy locations

With your dream loudout equipped, it‘s time to insert into Al Mazrah and begin the "Followchain" mission.

Step 3: Clearing Out the Stronghold Forces

There are multiple stronghold compounds spread across the DMZ map, but Sawah Village is recommended for completing the "Followchain" mission and contains solid loot.

The exterior courtyard will be guarded by armored transport trucks and up to a dozen heavily armed NPCs including snipers, shotgunners, and assault units.

I suggest starting stealthily and using your suppressed sniper rifle to quietly take down exterior guards from a distance without alerting others. Position yourself on an overlooking cliff or tower outside the stronghold walls.

Once your sniper shots give away your position, switch to your silenced SMG and sweep through the courtyard, using cover to avoid return fire. Toss C4 or grenades to damage clustered groups of enemies.

After clearing the exterior area, interact with the keycard terminal to gain access to the interior. Continue working methodically through the multi-floor stronghold, using your lethal equipment and flashbangs to safely clear rooms crowded with foes.

Heads up – you‘ll face tougher enemies the deeper you go:

• Juggernauts act as minibosses with heavy armor and high damage LMGs. Focus fire their headshots and use lethals when they reload.

• Heavy gunners have devastating RPMs. Use deployable cover to control engagements.

• Netrunners employ auto-turrets and disruptor abilities. Take them out before they can activate powers.

After eliminating the final waves of elite guards, an armored enemy will drop the prized White Lotus Intel briefcase. Pick this up – it‘s required for finishing the mission!

Step 4: Extracting from the Exfil Point

You‘ve cleared the stronghold and secured the intel – now it‘s time to safely extract from Al Mazrah.

Check your Tac Map for the nearest extraction point, which will be marked by a helicopter icon. Make your way carefully to the exfil avoiding or dispatching any roaming enemy patrols.

Once inside the extraction chopper, you‘ll complete the "Followchain" mission and unlock the next tier of challenges! Just be warned, if you die before extracting the intel, you‘ll fail the mission and have to start over. So play cautiously on your exit.

Additional Tips for Conquering Strongholds

Here are some extra tactics and analysis from my experience raiding compounds to help you overcome the stronghold forces:

• Pack smoke grenades – Popping smoke obscures enemy line of sight and allows you to reposition freely.

• Listen for audio cues – Enemies will call out your actions allowing you to monitor their alert status.

• Headglitch – Abuse cover that just exposes your head. It protects your body while still allowing you to fire on targets.

• Hit the flanks – Use suppressed pistols and melee while maneuvering outside the enemy‘s cone of vision.

• Focus elites – Take out snipers and heavy gunners first to reduce incoming DPS.

• Watch levels above/below – Enemies can shoot through some floors and ceilings. Don‘t let your guard down.

• Have an exit plan – Save a lethal equipment charge specifically for covering your extraction escape.

With this expanded guide, you now have expert insights on acquiring those valuable Stronghold Keycards, dominating the enemies within compounds, extracting high-tier loot, and completing the "Followchain" mission. Get out in Al Mazrah and start your own stronghold raids now!

Let me know if you have any other questions. I‘m happy to provide additional tips to help you become the ultimate DMZ operative. Stay frosty out there!