Call of Duty: Warzone isn’t so much a new Call of Duty game as it is a new set of game modes. Unlike the rest of Modern Warfare, however, Warzone is a completely free-to-play experience. That has made it incredibly popular, pulling in more than 50 million players within its first month of release.
All Warzone players have two options when it comes to content — they can dive into the typical battle royale experience, or they can opt for a unique new mode called Plunder. It’s a cool twist on the battle royale formula, where the action still plays out on a massive battlefield, but players respawn when they die, and the goal is to simply be the first team to accrue $1 million. There’s a lot of strategy that goes into the new game mode, but follow these tips and you’ll be at the top of the Plunder leaderboard in no time.
Further Reading
- Call of Duty: Warzone console players blocking crossplay
- Call of Duty: Warzone review
- The best Call of Duty games, ranked
What is Plunder?
Before covering the nitty-gritty, it’s important to make sure you understand the basics of Plunder. Unlike a typical battle royale match — where you’re just trying to eliminate everyone in your path and be the last one standing — Plunder is a bit more nuanced. For example, it’s possible to go an entire round without getting a single kill and still come in first place.
That’s because Plunder rewards players for a variety of tasks. As we’ve already covered, the goal of Plunder is to earn $1 million before any other squad. Money can be earned in a variety of ways — killing other players, completing contracts, or simply finding it lying around Verdansk.
Another important aspect of Plunder is teamwork. While a lone wolf might be able to pull off a win in a typical battle royale match, it’s much harder to do so in Plunder. Teamwork is critical — make sure you’re communicating with your crew as often as possible and stick together when making risky plays.
That’s Plunder in a nutshell — a heavily team-oriented game mode where you channel your inner pirate and try to steal as much cash as you can. But in order to win, you’ll have to do more than just play as a team. Here are a few points to keep in mind during your play session.
Dropping into a hot zone isn’t necessary
It might be tempting to pick a landing spot that’s right in the heart of the action, but that could be a costly mistake. While it’s true that piles of cash will be there, so too will dozens of enemies. Instead, try picking a drop location just outside the zone. You’ll still be able to find plenty of cash, and if you’re lucky you can rack up some kills as weakened players flee the battlefield.
Loot everyone you shoot
When you eliminate a player, they’ll be able to respawn, but they’ll also drop cash. Once you’re sure the coast is clear, head over and pick up everything they’ve dropped. It’s a simple thing to do, but you’d be surprised how many people forget to do it. Looting enemies is an incredible way to pad your bank account and quickly reach $1 million. The same applies to your teammates. When one goes down, be sure to pick up their money so your enemy can’t.
Earn cash from contracts
While you can certainly win a round just by hunting enemies, it’s much easier if you’re willing to take on some contracts. These come in three flavors — Recon, Bounty, and Scavenger. Recon will have you attempting to take control of a capture point as if it’s a King of the Hill match. Bounty is straightforward enough, too — simply kill the selected player within a set amount of time. Scavenger contracts will force you to visit several locations across the map that have Supply Boxes for you to interact with.
When you successfully complete a contract, you’ll earn cash and experience. If you’re given a Bounty contract, remember to loot the body when you’re done! Contracts are an excellent way to earn more money in Plunder and should be completed whenever possible.
Deposit your money before doing anything dangerous
Once you’ve accrued a large sum of cash, it’s time to make a deposit. It’s important to do this before you plan on doing anything risky; otherwise, you’ll lose it when you die. Deposits can be made at either a Helipad or by using a Cash Deposit Balloon. Helipads allow you to dump large amounts of cash in one quick interaction, whereas Cash Deposit Balloons are a bit slower and don’t let you deposit as much. However, Helipads are prime locations for an ambush. Many other players are probably heading to the same location as you, and losing everything right before making a deposit is a terrible feeling.
If you’re going to use a Helipad it’s imperative that you do so as a team. This way you’ll have someone to help if things go south — or someone to pick up all your cash when things go completely off-script. As for Cash Deposit Balloons, these can be purchased for $30,000 and allow you to deposit your earnings pretty much anywhere across Verdansk. They aren’t foolproof — and can be shot down by other players — but it’s a much safer alternative to frequenting the Helipad.
Stay undercover and monitor your opponents
Although Plunder isn’t your typical battle royale, it still shares two key characteristics. First, you’ll want to remain undetected as long as possible, allowing you to get the jump on your enemy. Second, you’ll want to gather as much information about your enemy as possible for engaging in combat. For these reasons, most players prefer to run with Heartbeat Sensors and Dead Silence.
Dead Silence allows you to sneak around your environment without alerting enemies. This could also mean sneaking right under a powerful enemy’s nose to grab some cash without them noticing. The Heartbeat Sensor, on the other hand, helps alert you to your opponents’ location. If you’re tempted to rush into a building, but your Sensor indicates lots of bodies up ahead, maybe it’s time to rethink that strategy. Regardless, knowing your opponents’ location is always an advantage, and it’s even more important if you’re carrying around hundreds of thousands in cash.
Be wary of banks
Verdansk is home to several banks, all of which are flush with cash. If you’re confident in your abilities, you can make a killing by visiting these locations. However, banks are equipped with alarm systems that will alert others of your presence — devious players could always stake out a bank and wait for someone else to plunder it. Then, as they make their escape, shoot them down and loot all the money.
Winning requires variety
Plunder gives gamers a variety of ways to earn cash — taking advantage of all these methods is the key to victory. While there’s certainly something to be said for downing dozens of opponents and stealing their loot, it’s not always the most viable option. Contracts are readily available for the taking and handsomely reward participates with both cash and experience. And remember to keep your eyes peeled as you traverse the map. Cash is lying around everywhere, ripe for the taking.
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