Alexis Kestler
Trading with the mysterious Shopkeeper is one of the most exciting new mechanics introduced in Call of Duty: Warzone 2‘s DMZ mode. By locating and delivering requested items, players can unlock access to the special Secure Buy Station and purchase exclusive rewards. However, the specifics of this process are still shrouded in mystery for many Operators.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll break down everything you need to know about trading with the Shopkeeper, from finding his requested items to purchasing your loot. You‘ll learn efficient strategies and tips straight from a DMZ expert to master the Shopkeeper system. Let‘s dive in!
Overview of the Shopkeeper Trading Process
For those unfamiliar, here‘s a quick rundown of how the Shopkeeper trading system works in DMZ:
- The Shopkeeper is an NPC vendor that spawns randomly at fixed locations each match.
- He will request 2 specific items, selected randomly from a pool of potential options.
- Delivering these 2 requested items unlocks access to the Secure Buy Station.
- You can then purchase 1 exclusive reward item from the Secure Buy Station per match.
- The Shopkeeper‘s requests and Buy Station inventory rotate every match.
It‘s a simple process of locating items, trading them, and buying rewards. But optimizing this system requires knowledge of item locations, trade strategies, and ideal purchases.
How To Systematically Find the Shopkeeper‘s Requested Items
Let‘s start from the beginning – finding what items the Shopkeeper wants for that match. There are 5 potential requests he might make:
- Chlorine or other chemicals: Found in the flooded basement under the bridge in Al Mazrah City.
- Scientist‘s note or lab note: Inside the Chemical Plant bunker‘s External Ops room.
- Server tape (orange): In the server room, accessed by opening the Alpha Cluster bunker with car battery/jumper cables.
- Beta board or lab coat book: In the Information Extraction bunker room at the Chemical Plant outskirts.
- ID badge: Located in office buildings and labs throughout the complex.
The most reliable way to find these items is to first locate the Shopkeeper and see his requests for the match. You can then systematically check the nearby locations connected to his wants.
For example, if the Shopkeeper is at the Sawah Village and requests chlorine and a lab note, quickly loot the basement under the nearby Al Mazrah City bridge, then push to the Chemical Plant bunker. This targeted searching is far more efficient than wandering the full map.
I suggest memorizing all the potential item locations over time so you can mentally connect spots to Shopkeeper requests. Here are some examples of where to find his commonly requested items:
**Chlorine in Al Mazrah City basement**:
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Scientist‘s Note in Chemical Plant:
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Server Tape in Alpha Cluster:
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Using your Tac Map is also hugely helpful for locating these areas in relation to the Shopkeeper.
Efficiently Trading the Items to Unlock the Buy Station
Once you‘ve acquired both of the Shopkeeper‘s requested items for that match, it‘s time to trade them and unlock the Secure Buy Station.
The Shopkeeper spawns randomly at a selection of fixed locations each game, including:
- On the road southeast of the Chemical Plant
- Inside various buildings at Sawah Village
- Next to parked trucks north of the Oasis
- At the bus stop east of the Foothills
I recommend hunting for the Shopkeeper as you search for his items. This allows trading the items immediately once both are acquired, minimizing risk.
Approach the Shopkeeper and press the prompted button to place the 2 items in the Dead Drop. This will unlock the Secure Buy Station! It will display as an icon on your Tac Map.
If you die before trading the items, they will be lost. So I suggest prioritizing the trade as soon as you loot both.
Purchasing Rewards from the Secure Buy Station
Now for the fun part – buying your exclusive loot from the Secure Buy Station!
Once unlocked, head over and interact with the Buy Station. This will bring up a menu showing your 1 purchase option for that match, selected randomly from potential rewards including:
- Armor Bundle – Full armor set
- Killstreak Bundle – Multiple killstreaks
- Special Weapon Bundle – Legendary weapon blueprint + ammo
- Large Backpack – Additional inventory space
- Rare Weapon Blueprint – Powerful variant blueprint
The items cost between $3,000 – $15,000 Cash depending on rarity. Make sure to loot plenty of cash early in the match before trading! Some of my recommended buys:
- Armor Bundle: Strong defensive buff, crucial for exfiltration.
- Rare Blueprint: Obtain an elite weapon variant.
- Large Backpack: Greatly increased carrying capacity.
The possibilities are random every game, so part of the fun is seeing what powerful item you can purchase through the Shopkeeper‘s black market connections!
Advanced Tips and Strategies for Shopkeeper Trading
Through extensive DMZ matches, I‘ve identified some key tips and strategies for mastering the Shopkeeper trading mechanics:
- Loot first, buy last: Focus on collecting Cash before trading so you can afford purchases.
- Share intel with squad: Call out item locations to teammates to trade faster.
- Purchase Armor late: Wait until ready to exfil before buying Armor Bundle to maximize usage.
- Memorize locations: Knowing all item spots makes finding them easier over time.
- Hit bunkers early: Beat other teams to bunker areas to grab Scientist‘s Notes, Server Tapes, etc.
- Buy Station first: Prioritize trading with Shopkeeper over other objectives. Rare loot is match-exclusive!
Follow these tips, and you‘ll be extracting with elite black market gear in no time.
Conclusion
That covers everything you need to know about successfully trading with the Shopkeeper and purchasing rewards from the Secure Buy Station in DMZ.
To recap:
- Learn the potential requested items and memorize their locations.
- Find the Shopkeeper to see his wants for that match.
- Systematically search connected areas to acquire both items efficiently.
- Trade the items as soon as possible to unlock the Buy Station.
- Visit the Buy Station to purchase exclusive legendary loot!
Mastering these steps will set you apart on the DMZ battlefield. You‘ll unlock powerful weapons, backpacks, killstreaks, and armor to dominate missions.
I hope this guide has provided valuable strategies to utilize the Shopkeeper trading mechanics to their full potential. Let me know if you have any other questions! Happy hunting out there.
