Best DMZ Traits in Modern Warfare 4

The best Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 DMZ traits can turn your operator into a real menace across Hajin, since several of the options are outrageously powerful. One caveat: each skill tree has only six fixed traits, shown with the larger icons. We’ll call these the major traits. The smaller, minor traits appear in a different random order for every operator, although each one stays within its own tree.

Because of that randomness, no one can promise you’ll land a particular trait every run. When one of the traits below does show up, though, take it without hesitating. Here are the standout traits in Modern Warfare 4’s DMZ mode.

Possum (Warfighter)

Possum is so powerful in Modern Warfare 4 that it’s a prime candidate for a nerf in a future patch. It’s a major trait on the last row of the Warfighter path, and it lets you effectively bring yourself back from the dead. That goes beyond simply standing up after being downed.

Even if an enemy completely finishes you off, you can wait for the right moment and trigger Possum. It returns you to the downed state, also known as last stand. From there, a healing item lets you patch yourself up and get moving again. If someone has already looted your body, you’ll be fighting with next to nothing. If they haven’t, you can catch a lot of unsuspecting players off guard. Nobody expects an enemy they’ve just killed to rise again.

Plate Speed (Scout)

Plate Speed is a minor trait, so whether it appears in your Scout tree is down to chance. If it does, pick it up. Applying armor plates in the middle of a firefight is clumsy and slow. This upgrade speeds up the animation considerably, so you can reinforce your armor on the fly.

Fast Learner (Warfighter)

Fast Learner is another minor trait, and it gives a modest boost to the experience your operator earns. The exact bonus isn’t known. Since leveling up and unlocking more traits matters so much in DMZ, it’s an easy choice.

Overwatch (Scout)

Overwatch is a major trait on the final row of the Scout tree. It stops any UAV tower you activate in Hajin from ever expiring. The practical benefit is obvious: you get a permanent UAV at that tower, which keeps enemy positions showing on your minimap. It also gives you a psychological edge over your opponents.

An active UAV tower normally means someone is close by, since it must have been switched on recently, and that’s usually true. Anyone who spots your tower running will assume you’re still in the area, even if you left long ago. It may seem pointless to send an enemy searching a place you’ve already abandoned. But this trait is all about mind games.

Expedited Extraction (Survivalist)

When you call for an exfil, the pilot claims to be 30 seconds out. In practice the wait is closer to a minute. The flare has to burn first, and then the pilot takes his time lowering the helicopter to the ground. After you board, a further five-second countdown begins. Then comes the climb out, during which you can, in theory, still be shot down.

Expedited Extraction is a minor trait in the Survivalist tree, and it makes extractions arrive much sooner. Time is money, after all.

Impact Smokes (Survivalist)

You will get downed while playing DMZ. Impact Smokes probably won’t save you in a straight one-on-one duel with nothing else going on. It becomes valuable when you’re playing with friends, or when your rival is also being attacked by PvE enemies. This major Survivalist trait automatically throws a smoke grenade the moment you go down.

The cover lets you crawl away while your opponent is distracted. You can head toward a teammate who can revive you, or apply a tourniquet, get back up, and heal before the enemy works out where you went.

Quick Knife (Survivalist)

DMZ often calls for stealth, and Quick Knife, a minor trait, is a great ally in those moments. With it, a melee attack uses your knife instead of striking with the butt of your weapon. You skip the delay of drawing the knife, and you avoid being exposed when you have to switch back mid-fight. The PvE enemies in DMZ are painfully good at noticing you, so that matters.

Equipment Professional (Warfighter)

Do you have a favorite tactical and lethal item? Equipment Professional sits on the first row of major traits in the Warfighter category. It automatically restocks your grenade slots after each use. That cuts down on inventory juggling during fights, and you no longer have to hope you find more of the same gear while deployed.

Source: Polygon