Call of Duty Warzone Gameplay: How a Match Works

Call of Duty Warzone gameplay is built around one pressure: the map keeps shrinking, and everyone still alive gets pushed together.

The core loop

• Drop in, loot weapons, armour and cash from the ground or supply boxes.
• The gas circle closes on a timer, forcing fights in a shrinking safe zone.
• Buy stations let you spend cash on plates, killstreaks and, once you have enough, your own custom loadout.
• Contracts — bounties, recon, escort jobs — pay cash and intel for taking on optional objectives instead of just looting.

Dying is not always final

Most modes give you a second chance the first time you die, usually a fight against another eliminated player for the right to redeploy. Exactly how that works — and whether it is available at all — depends on the mode and can change between seasons, so check the mode's rules before you drop.

Squad play

Warzone is built around squads. A downed teammate can be revived, and reviving is faster and safer than reviving solo — which is most of why voice comms matter more here than in a lot of shooters.