The Ultimate DMZ Solo Guide: How to Infil, Loot, and Exfil Alone

Venturing into the DMZ alone is the ultimate test of survival. While the mode is designed for squads of three, playing solo offers a unique thrill and, surprisingly, a key advantage: you attract far less attention than a full team . However, the risks are immense. There is no one to watch your back, revive you, or cover a reload. If you go down without a Self-Revive, your run is over .

This guide will teach you how to shift from a aggressive squad player to a stealthy, tactical lone wolf. We'll cover the best loadouts, where to land, which contracts to take, how to avoid (or win) fights, and the safest ways to extract with your hard-earned loot.

The Solo Mindset: Patience Over Aggression

Before we dive into tactics, you must adopt the right mindset. As a solo player, your core philosophy should be "controlled risk and efficient resource conversion" . You are not there to wipe the map; you are there to get in, achieve a specific goal, and get out alive.

• Time is your enemy: The longer you stay in a hot zone, the higher the chance a squad rolls in on you.
• Every bullet reveals your position: Unsilenced shots are a dinner bell for other operators .
• Greed kills: Knowing when to walk away from one last loot crate is the difference between exfil and a visit to the lobby.

Preparing for Infil: The Solo Loadout

Your equipment choices are critical. You need tools for stealth, escape, and the occasional unavoidable fight.

Best Equipment for Solo Play

Slot	Recommended Item	Why It's Essential for Solo
Tactical	Stim	AI and players hit hard. A Stim provides instant health regeneration, saving you in a pinch when you can't afford to plate up in the open .
Lethal	Throwing Knife	Silent, retrievable, and one-hit kills on standard AI. Allows you to clear a path without alerting the entire zone with gunfire .
Field Upgrade 1	Dead Silence	The ultimate stealth tool. Use it to move between cover or behind enemy lines without making a sound .
Field Upgrade 2	Recon Drone	Your eyes in the sky. Use it to scout exfil points, check rooms for campers, and tag enemies from complete safety .

 

Loadout Priority

1. Primary Weapon: A silenced, versatile Assault Rifle like the M4 is the gold standard. It handles AI and players well at mid-range . A silenced SMG like the MP5 is a great backup for close-quarters clearing .
2. Backpack & Vest: Your absolute first in-game priority should be finding at least a Medium Backpack and a 2-Plate Vest. These are non-negotiable for survival and loot capacity .
3. Self-Revive: This is your "get out of jail free" card. Do not engage in any risky behavior without one. If you find a second one, stash it .

Map Selection and Landing Strategy

Not all maps are created equal for solo players.

Best Maps for Solo

• Snake Island / Coastal Maps: These often feature more open terrain and lower overall player density compared to the main city hubs .
• Ashika Island: While smaller, its complex verticality can be a solo player's friend if you stick to the shadows and use buildings for cover .

The "Edge" Landing Strategy

Never drop hot into the center of the map. Follow the Golden Rule of Edge Drops :

1. Choose a Peripheral Zone: Look for functional areas on the outskirts of the map, like port parking lots, radar stations, or isolated compounds. These have decent loot but are not primary mission destinations for squads.
2. Loot with Purpose: Your landing priority is: Armor Vest → Backpack → Cash. Get kitted up for the basics before you even think about moving toward a contract.
3. Use Terrain: Immediately move into natural cover like forests, trenches, or building interiors to break line of sight from where other players might have spawned near you .

Smart Contracts: The "Do" and "Do Not" List

Contracts are your best source of cash and rewards, but some are suicide for a solo player. Stick to the ones you can control .

SOLO-FRIENDLY CONTRACTS (Do These)

• Destroy Supplies: Easy, quick, and quiet. Plant the bombs and leave. You can often do this without alerting a single AI .
• Secure Intel: Involves grabbing data and uploading it. Minimal resistance at the final point, and you can scope it out before committing .
• Raiding Weapon Stash: The AI is tough but manageable. The fight is localized to one building, allowing you to control the engagement .

HIGH-RISK CONTRACTS (Avoid at All Costs)

• Hunt Squad: You are the prey. Do not voluntarily go looking for a three-man team .
• Cargo Delivery: The armored truck is slow, loud, and attracts an attack chopper. As a solo, you have no one to shoot the chopper while you drive, making you an easy target .
• Rescue Hostage: Doable, but incredibly difficult. It requires clearing a building swarming with armored AI under a strict time limit. Only attempt if you are fully geared and confident .

Combat and Evasion Tactics

As a solo, avoiding a fight is winning the fight. But when conflict finds you, you must react correctly.

Encountering a Squad

If you see a squad and they haven't seen you, do not engage. Slowly back away, using cover. If you have a Recon Drone, use it to track their movement and plan a route around them .

If You Are Spotted and Pursued

1. Don't Run in a Straight Line: Break their camera by using buildings and terrain.
2. Use "Tactical Pursuit": Run inside a building, immediately use a Stim, and hold an angle on the door. Often the first player chasing you will run in blind, giving you a chance for a one-shot elim.
3. Break Line of Sight: Throw a Smoke Grenade at your feet and change direction. This is the best way to disengage .

Dealing with AI Swarms

• Prioritize Threats: Always kill the Elite AI (RPG guys and Shotgun guys) first. They are the biggest danger .
• Controlled Bursts: Do not spray and pray. Use your silenced weapon for controlled headshots to conserve ammo and minimize noise.
• The 3-Minute Rule: Never stay in a high-value area (like a Stronghold) for more than three minutes. Loot and leave. Squads are likely rotating toward the sound of gunfire .

Extraction: The Final Test

Getting to the exfil is often the hardest part. This is where the campers lurk and the AI swarms.

Safe Exfil Strategies

• Move Early or Move Late: Try to exfil within the first 10-12 minutes of the match, or wait until the very end. Mid-game exfils are where you find other teams rotating out .
• Don't Wait in the Open: When you call the chopper, immediately run to the nearest building or hard cover . Watch the helicopter's approach from cover. Other operators will be drawn to the flare, so you want the advantage of being inside looking out.
• Sweep with a Drone: Before running to the helicopter, use your Recon Drone to do a full 360-degree sweep of the area to check for approaching vehicles or players hiding in nearby buildings .

The Hostage Rescue Exfil

This is the solo player's best friend. If you are near a Hostage Rescue contract late in the game, grab it .

• The Benefit: Completing the contract calls a private exfil helicopter just for you. It is not marked on the map for other players, making it the safest way to leave by far .

If You Are Exfil Camped

• Do not push. If you arrive at an exfil and it feels wrong, it probably is.
• Wait for a New Exfil: Keep an eye on your Tac-Map. If the current exfil is hot, wait for a new one to pop up elsewhere, or wait for the final exfil at the very end of the match .

The "Last Chance" Exfil

Interestingly, many solo players find the final exfil to be the safest. By the time the radiation is spreading, most squads have already left or died trying. If you have gas masks and a steady nerve, this can be a surprisingly clear path out .

Mastering solo DMZ is about intelligence, patience, and precision. You are the ghost of the operation. Stick to the shadows, pick your battles wisely, and always have an exit strategy. Good luck out there, lone wolf.