Call of Duty: Warzone
Call of Duty: Warzone

Supply Runs & Scavenging

Master supply runs and scavenging in Call of Duty: Warzone. Secure essential gear and cash for quicker loadouts and improved survival on Verdansk.

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Supply Runs & Scavenging

Mastering the art of supply runs and efficient scavenging is paramount to survival and success in the treacherous landscapes of Warzone. From securing essential gear to accumulating enough cash for crucial purchases, understanding where and how to loot effectively can turn the tide of any engagement.

Initial Drop & Early Game Scavenging

Your first few minutes in Verdansk or Caldera are critical. Prioritize securing a weapon, armor plates, and some cash. Avoid high-traffic areas if you're looking for a quieter start, but remember that better loot often correlates with higher risk.

  • Weapon Acquisition: Your immediate goal is to find any weapon. Even a common rarity pistol like the X16 or a basic MP5 can be enough to defend yourself. Look inside buildings, on tabletops, and in open crates.
  • Armor Plates: These are your lifeline. Always aim to have a full stack (3 plates) and carry extras. They are found as ground loot, in supply boxes, and from defeated enemies.
  • Cash: Essential for Buy Station purchases. Loot cash piles found on the ground, inside buildings, and from supply boxes. Completing contracts is also a significant source of income.
  • Supply Boxes: These come in various forms:
    • Standard Supply Boxes (Blue): Common, contain cash, ammo, armor plates, and sometimes a low-rarity weapon.
    • Legendary Supply Boxes (Orange): Less common, offer significantly better loot including higher rarity weapons, killstreaks, and more cash. Often found in more contested areas or specific locations like bunkers.
    • Resurgence Supply Boxes (Red, Rebirth Island/Fortune's Keep): Unique to Resurgence modes, these boxes respawn after a short period, encouraging continuous looting in hot zones.

Optimizing Your Loot Path

Efficient looting isn't just about finding items; it's about finding them quickly and safely. Develop a mental map of high-density loot areas and plan your route accordingly.

  1. Designate a Drop Zone: Choose a location with a good balance of loot and relative safety. For example, the smaller buildings around Superstore or the outskirts of Airport can offer decent starting loot without immediate high-intensity engagements.
  2. Prioritize Buildings: Buildings generally contain more loot than open areas. Clear one building thoroughly before moving to the next.
  3. Check Corners and Shelves: Don't just run through; look under desks, on shelves, and in bathroom stalls for hidden cash or items.
  4. Use Your Tac Map: Pay attention to the white squares indicating open doors on your minimap – these often signify that a building has already been looted, or at least entered.
  5. Listen for Supply Box Cues: Supply boxes emit a distinct humming sound when you are nearby. Use this audio cue to locate them, especially in cluttered environments.

Mid-Game Supply Runs & Contracts

As the game progresses, your focus shifts from basic survival to acquiring better gear, killstreaks, and loadouts. Contracts become a vital part of this process.

Contracts for Supply Runs:

  • Scavenger Contracts: These are ideal for early to mid-game supply runs. They mark three special supply boxes on your map. Completing all three guarantees a high-tier item, significant cash, and often a self-revive kit. Prioritize these if you need to gear up quickly.
  • Supply Run Contracts: These contracts are purely focused on cash and discounts. Upon activation, a Buy Station is marked on your map. Reach it within the time limit to receive a substantial cash bonus and temporary discounts on all items at that Buy Station. This is excellent for quickly affording a Loadout Drop or multiple killstreaks.
  • Recon Contracts: While not directly a supply run, completing Recon contracts reveals future gas circles, allowing you to plan your looting path more effectively and avoid being caught in the gas. This indirect benefit can lead to safer and more efficient scavenging.

Buy Station Strategy:

Accumulated cash should be spent wisely at Buy Stations. Key purchases include:

  • Loadout Drop: The ultimate goal for most players, allowing access to custom weapons and perks. Costs $10,000.
  • Armor Plate Bundle: Always keep your armor stocked. A bundle costs $1,500.
  • Self-Revive Kit: Crucial for solo players or when your team is under pressure. Costs $4,000.
  • UAV: Provides vital enemy intel, especially useful before pushing a new area or during a supply run. Costs $4,000.
  • Munitions Box: Replenishes ammo and tactical/lethal equipment for your entire squad. Costs $5,000.

Advanced Scavenging Tips

  • Backpack Management: In modes with backpacks (e.g., DMZ, certain Warzone events), learn to prioritize what you carry. Extra armor plates, self-revives, and specific field upgrades like a Munitions Box or Armor Box are often more valuable than multiple redundant items.
  • Vehicle Usage: Vehicles like the ATV or Tac Rover can significantly speed up supply runs, especially for Scavenger contracts or reaching distant Buy Stations. Be aware that vehicles make noise and can attract unwanted attention.
  • Looting Dead Players: Don't underestimate the loot from defeated enemies. They often carry high-rarity weapons, killstreaks, and a good amount of cash. However, be cautious as their teammates might be nearby.
  • Gas Mask Management: A Gas Mask is invaluable for late-game rotations or retrieving loot from the gas. Always try to have one, especially as the circles shrink.

By integrating these supply run and scavenging strategies into your gameplay, you'll consistently find yourself better equipped, richer, and more prepared to face the challenges of Warzone.