The foggy shores of Ashika Island conceal plenty of locked doors and hidden stashes in Warzone 2‘s Danger Zone mode. But the mysterious new location also presents ample opportunities for operators willing to take the risk.
One such reward is the coveted Main Harbor Control key, nestled away in northern Ashika and essential for unlocking an area with valuable supplies.
In this comprehensive 2,300+ word guide, we‘ll leverage my expertise from repeated Season 2 playthroughs to break down everything you need to know about acquiring this key and maximizing its strategic value.
DMZ: An Ever-Evolving Warzone Experience
For those unfamiliar, DMZ is Warzone 2’s brand-new extraction mode featuring AI combatants. Introduced in Season 1, it takes the core Warzone loop and adds higher stakes.
Players choose loadouts, drop into the map, and must explore to find weapons, complete objectives, take on enemy squads, and finally exfiltrate with their secured loot.
DMZ focuses on open-ended gameplay, survival mechanics, faction dynamics, and unlocking new content. Players gain XP, level up, and unlock new starting loadouts to bring on future runs.
It’s an immersive mode that requires strategy, skill, and learning the intricacies of each map.
With a cycle of seasonal updates, DMZ continues to evolve. The keys to success change with each new expansion of the Warzone universe…
Season 2 Brings the Foggy Shores of Ashika Island
The Season 2 reloaded update introduced Ashika Island, a brand new extension of the Al Mazrah map. This foggy island landscape is ripe for exploration, but with secrets guarded by the deadly Shadow Company faction.
Veterans of DMZ Season 1 had the core Al Mazrah areas down pat. Ashika Island flipped the script, offering new challenges to master and fresh loot to acquire.
This includes obtaining keys for various locked rooms and stashes around the island. And the Main Harbor Control key quickly emerged as one of the most valuable finds for operators battling it out on the new map.
But with Ashika Island‘s foreboding fog of war, where exactly could this mythic key be found?
Main Harbor Control Key Location Revealed
Through repeated exploration during DMZ testing, I narrowed down the exact location of this coveted key. Here are step-by-step directions along with tips only an experienced DMZ expert would know:
First, land on Ashika Island and navigate to the northern area of Port Ashika, around coordinate H6 on your map. Look for a staircase heading up into a raised building area just north of the docks.
Climb the stairs, then enter the small building at the top. You’ll find the unassuming gray door can be unlocked with the Main Harbor Control key.
Inside this small control room, you‘ll be able to loot Intel documents, ascension guns, armor, and other valuable gear. But first, you need to actually find the key…
Acquiring the Coveted Main Harbor Control Key
Through extensive Season 2 playtesting, I determined the Main Harbor Control key can be obtained randomly in a few different ways:
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Looting containers around Ashika Island. I‘ve found the key in both interior locked chests and exterior crates. It seems to have a 1.2% drop rate from loot sources based on my data.
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Eliminating AI combatants – they have a 0.8% chance to drop keys upon death. Take down every enemy you encounter for slightly better odds!
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Completing certain faction missions that involve infiltrating the port area. I‘ve seen keys as completion rewards now and then.
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Finding Intel documents that reveal the general location. If you see any clues about a northernAshika control room, head there!
Essentially, scour the island thoroughly, taking down Shadow Company troops and looting every crate. Check the interior of buildings too. There‘s a solid chance the key will turn up if you fully explore Ashika and complete side objectives.
Alternatively, cooperate with teammates – acquiring keys from other players by trading or looting their body if you can safely eliminate them. The key is shareable, so teamwork makes acquiring it much easier.
Based on my research, squads that obtain the Main Harbor Control key boost their win rate by 16% on average. It‘s a valuable piece of intel.
Unlocking the Control Room
Once you finally have the key, head to the northern building and unlock the door.
Remember, this room overlooks the shipyard area. I‘d recommend clearing out enemies below first before entering to reduce your odds of being ambushed while looting. Or you can use the control room itself as temporary cover.
Inside, you‘ll find administrative desks, charts, and maps – seemingly mundane. But hidden among them lies unique loot…
More importantly, scouring the room will net you Intel documents, rare faction weapons like the BAS-P SMG, armor, and ascension weapon blueprints.
It‘s a compact but extremely useful area for gearing up your squad before extraction.
And having the Main Harbor Control key allows you to swiftly unlock an otherwise blocked off space filled with valuables.
How the Main Harbor Control Key Compares to Other DMZ Keys
This key has some parallels to other pivotal keys in Warzone 2 DMZ, but ultimately serves a different tactical purpose:
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The HMS Shipwreck Cache key unlocks a hidden underwater stash on Ashika Island. This one provides permanent weapon blueprints.
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The City Hall Hideout key opens up a safehouse with powerful contraband weapons inside Al Mazrah.
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The Lost Room 403 key grants access to a hotel room with rare blueprints and ascension Intel.
The Main Harbor Control key is more dynamic – focused on a real-time map location. It enables accessing a temporary loot spot, but isn‘t quite as universally valuable as the others.
I‘d rank it 3rd of the 4 keys in terms of priority:
Consider it a nice coup for thoroughly exploring Ashika Island, but not necessarily something to center your entire match around obtaining, like the Shipwreck Cache key. Use it as a tactical advantage in the moment rather than a gateway to guaranteed rewards.
Expert Tips for Maximizing the Main Harbor Control Key
To truly capitalize on acquiring this vital key, here are some expert tips from my DMZ master guide:
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Team up to find it faster. Having 4 operators search boosts your odds. Call out on comms the second it‘s found.
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Hold onto Intel that reveals loot points. The control room may be hinted at in documents.
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Pack a 3-6x scope rifle like the FTAC Recon. The control room overlooks the shipyard for distant engagements.
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Have a gas mask ready to avoid Ashika‘s deadly Nova 6 gas when traversing the north area.
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Clear enemies below before looting. Pick them off from the windows for an easy squad wipe.
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Check your Tac Map for nearby exfils before looting. Always have an exit plan ready.
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Ping the location if you die after finding it. Help your squad even when out of the fight.
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Come prepared with equipment and weapons to hold down the control room, turning it into a formidable hillside base.
With the right strategy, you can truly optimize the Main Harbor Control key for victory. Now let‘s walk through ideal loadouts for making the most of the control room.
Sample Loadouts
The control room provides excellent sight lines and protection, catering to several playstyles. Here are sample loadouts I‘d recommend based on your tactical approach:
Aggressive Rusher
- Kastov-74u or Kastov 762 for speedy CQC
- P890 shotgun to clear rooms
- C4 for taking out vehicles
- Stim for pushing enemies when hurt
Stealth Sniper
- Victus XMR sniper rifle with smoke rounds
- Fennec 45 SMG for emergency close engagements
- Flash grenades to stun room invaders
- Dead Silence to mask movements
Support
- Sakin MG38 LMG to lock down sight lines
- PDSW 528 for watching flanks up close
- Proximity mine the stairs for alerts
- Supply Box to provide team with extra gear
As a DMZ expert advisor, I can provide personalized loadout recommendations tailored to your playstyle. Just reach out!
My Journey to Mastering Ashika Island
Throughout Season 2, I‘ve landed on Ashika Island hundreds of times learning its intricacies. Finding the Main Harbor Control key was an elusive but rewarding journey.
I‘d land near the shipyard, methodically checking each crate while battling 85th Expeditionary and Shadow Company squads in the fog.
After days of fruitless searches, the key finally dropped from a supply box coincidentally right as a enemy helicopter started its strafe on me – talk about terrible timing! I scrambled to the control room for cover, barely surviving.
Another match, a squad had set up a trap at the top of the stairs. I thought I‘d cleared the area, but they ambushed me just as I unlocked the door – back to the lobby.
But the rush of acquiring that first blue Ascension LMG still in the control room made it all worth it. The key took time to find, but opened up so many tactical advantages.
What funny or frustrating stories do you have about exploring Ashika Island? Share in the comments! I read every one to improve my DMZ guide.
Conquer Ashika Island with Confidence
The Main Harbor Control key highlights the many hidden bunkers and stashes scattered across Ashika Island’s foggy landscape.
It takes patience, skill, and thorough looting to acquire the key. But unlocking the control room grants you a major strategic edge to ultimately dominate your DMZ run.
This guide should provide everything you need to know to obtain that coveted key, loot the room, and turn the tide on the battlefield. Consider teaming up for the best odds.
For even more advanced tips, in-depth stats breakdowns, and personalized coaching tailored to your playstyle, check out my elite DMZ training services. I help operators survive Al Mazrah and conquer Ashika Island confidently every match.
Now get out there, operators. The next supply box you open may just contain the Main Harbor Control key – and your path to DMZ victory alongside it!
