Why Is Building 21 Locked for Me? A Comprehensive Guide to DMZ’s Most Enigmatic Location
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You’ve geared up, secured your DRC Building 21 Access Card, and are ready to delve into the chaotic depths of Building 21 in Call of Duty: Warzone 2 DMZ. But when you arrive, the doors are locked, and your access card seems useless. Frustrating, right? You’re not alone. The reason Building 21 is locked for you likely falls into a few specific categories, and we’re here to break it all down.
The primary reason Building 21 is inaccessible at any given time is due to its unique design and limited-time availability. Unlike the regular DMZ map, Building 21 is not constantly open. It operates on a schedule, essentially making it a weekend-only location. If you’re attempting to enter during the week, you’ll find it firmly locked, no matter how many access cards you possess.
Additionally, there are times when Building 21 is intentionally disabled by the developers, Infinity Ward, usually for maintenance, bug fixes, or in response to in-game events. These closures are sometimes sudden and can last anywhere from hours to a few days. You may have your access card ready but still be unable to enter the facility during these periods.
So, in short, the doors to Building 21 are likely shut for you because either:
- It’s not currently the weekend; Building 21 is only available from Friday afternoon until Monday afternoon.
- The developers have temporarily closed Building 21 due to significant infiltration, water damage, or other unexpected issues.
Understanding this nuanced system is crucial to planning your DMZ runs. Now let’s get into some more specifics with Frequently Asked Questions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Building 21
To provide a deeper understanding of Building 21 and its sometimes unpredictable availability, here’s a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. What is Building 21 and why is it so popular?
Building 21 is a unique, multi-floored location within the Warzone 2 DMZ mode, renowned for its intense close-quarters combat, plentiful loot, and challenging AI enemies. It draws players looking for a high-stakes experience and valuable rewards, especially since many faction missions require you to explore within. The lore of Building 21 is based upon MIT’s Building 20, and is intended to have the same chaotic nature of the real life building.
2. Why can’t I access Building 21 at any time?
Building 21 is not always accessible. It is designed to be a weekend-exclusive location, open from Friday afternoon until Monday afternoon. During the rest of the week, it is locked and unavailable to players. This controlled access keeps the area fresh and ensures a high level of player activity when it is open.
3. How do I get a DRC Building 21 Access Card?
Building 21 Access Cards are obtained as random loot found within the DMZ mode. You have a chance of finding them in:
- Rare orange loot chests.
- Public supply drop events.
- Supply drops obtained from completing SAM Site Contracts.
- Supply crates dropped by helicopter commanders.
These cards are essential for entering Building 21 during its operational hours.
4. Why is my Building 21 access card not working even when it is the weekend?
Even if it is the weekend, there may be several reasons your access card is not working:
- Building 21 may be temporarily disabled: As previously noted, Infinity Ward sometimes temporarily shuts down the location for maintenance or other unexpected circumstances.
- You might not be using the correct card: There are different keys for different zones. Be sure that you are in the zone that your specific key card is for.
5. Is Building 21 free to play?
Access to Building 21 is free for all players who have access to the DMZ mode, which is a free-to-play mode in Warzone 2. However, it is not accessible without the full Modern Warfare 2 game.
6. Do I need to purchase a specific DLC to access Building 21?
While the DMZ mode is free to play, you must own the full version of Modern Warfare 2 to access Building 21. If you only play the free-to-play Warzone 2 experience, you will not be able to enter this location. This was a point of contention for some players when it was first released.
7. How do I know when Building 21 is open?
The game does not have an in-game countdown timer indicating when Building 21 is available. Players will have to keep track of the weekend on their own. Infinity Ward sometimes provides in-game announcements when Building 21 is about to shut down or reopen after a scheduled maintenance. Community forums and social media channels are also good places to check for updated information.
8. Is Building 21 located in Verdansk?
While the location has some ties to Verdansk lore, it is not technically located in the current DMZ map Al Mazrah. Rather it exists in its own location that can be accessed during the correct hours. The lore explanation is that Building 21 is located in the same area as the old downtown of Verdansk, either above it or in an underground crater formed after the nuke that destroyed Verdansk.
9. How many players are in Building 21 at a time?
Players enter Building 21 in squads of three, but they have the option of adding a fourth squad member using proximity chat. This means multiple teams can be present simultaneously, creating a dynamic and potentially chaotic experience.
10. What type of combat should I expect in Building 21?
Expect intense, fast-paced close-quarters combat. The multi-story structure provides numerous angles and opportunities for ambushes, requiring players to maintain awareness and constantly adapt their strategies. The close nature of this zone is similar to some of the maps in the Gunfight mode.
11. Why is Building 21 closed due to “significant infiltration” or “water damage?”
Infinity Ward will sometimes lock down Building 21 due to in-game or game-related issues. These are usually implemented to resolve technical issues or to combat hackers using the location for their exploits.
12. Was Building 21 previously available on a different schedule?
Yes, the schedule has varied throughout its life. In its initial release, it was not consistently available on the weekends. This has led to the current scheduled opening on weekends, after a period of time in which players voiced their frustrations.
13. What is the significance of the name “Building 21”?
The name Building 21 is an homage to MIT’s Building 20, a temporary wartime structure known for its chaotic and unpredictable environment that inspired a lot of innovation. The developers chose the name as it aligned with the chaotic nature they wanted for the location. The “21” was intended to reference the 21st century.
14. Is Building 21 considered a close quarters map?
Yes, the various rooms and floors are filled with tight corners and narrow hallways. Players must be prepared for aggressive, close-quarters combat where reaction time is key. It is not the same as a traditional open map in Verdansk or Al Mazrah.
15. Is there anything specific I should know before entering Building 21?
Before entering Building 21, it’s recommended to:
- Team up: Going in solo is extremely dangerous due to the high number of AI enemies and other player squads.
- Prepare for close-quarters combat: Equip yourself with weapons suitable for close-range engagements (shotguns, SMGs, etc.)
- Be aware of your surroundings: The multi-story layout provides numerous opportunities for ambushes, so stay vigilant.
- Understand faction missions: Many faction missions require exploration of Building 21, so plan accordingly.
Understanding the access restrictions of Building 21 is critical for optimizing your DMZ experience. Whether it’s waiting for the weekend or staying informed about any scheduled closures, keeping abreast of these details will allow you to make the most of this exciting, high-stakes location. Hopefully, this guide has clarified why Building 21 might be locked for you and provided the necessary information to plan your next excursion. Happy looting!