Can You Unlock the M13B without Playing DMZ?

The straight answer is no, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 includes the M13B assault rifle as a signature reward for completing a specific in-game challenge in the new DMZ extraction mode. This guide dives into all the details including workarounds from the player community.

As a passionate CoD specialist myself, I’ve compiled everything you need to know about earning this top-tier meta rifle.

Why Unlock the M13B Assault Rifle?

The M13B stands above the crowd as one of the most lethal fully-automatic weapons introduced in Modern Warfare II, featuring:

• Top-tier fire rate – 836 RPM puts it near the top
• Low recoil – Easily controllable for ranged engagements
• Quick time-to-kill – Insane DPS up close and mid-range

Based on my experience grinding camo challenges, the M13B’s TTK outclasses most SMGs up close. It’s like a hybrid AR/SMG bringing lightning ADS speed with assault rifle damage range versatility.

While the Kastov 762 or M4 remain potent mid-long options, none match the M13B’s sheer killing power across virtually all combat distances in 6v6 face-offs or Warzone 2 team fights.

M13B Performance Stats

Digging into the hard data comparing it to the M4 and Kastov 762:

Adding attachments like the VLK Lazer and XRK-13 Sport Barrel further boost its natural strengths for an unstoppable M13B loadout.

Based on pick rates tracked by WZRanked, the M13B boasts a 12% usage in Warzone 2 meta loadouts, on par with RAAL MG and FTAC Recon battle rifles.

Unlocking In-Game: Defeating DMZ’s Chemist

As of Season 2, officially acquiring the M13B for yourself requires completing a specific in-game challenge:

Defeat DMZ’s Chemist boss in the Radiation Zone and extract his M13B weapon blueprint as a reward.

Here are the steps to unlock it by playing DMZ:

1. Enter a DMZ map with your squad
2. Locate the Chemist in the deadly Radiation Zone (shows on tac map when spawned)
3. Eliminate the Chemist and pick up the M13B weapon blueprint reward he drops
4. Successfully exfiltrate from DMZ with the blueprint in inventory

Note: Only the player carrying the special M13B contraband when extracting will unlock the rifle for MW2 multiplayer and Warzone 2 loadouts.

Based on community data tracking of rare item spawns, the Chemist appears in roughly 18% of Radiation Zone instances. Bring a full squad and load up on UAVs/Radar Drones when attempting this challenge!

Workarounds: Unlocking Without Battling DMZ

While besting the formidable Chemist boss in DMZ’s irradiated wasteland is the official route, Call of Duty experts have uncovered workaround methods as well:

Reloadout Weapon Sharing

If someone in your squad already has the rifle unlocked, they can bring it as a reloadout weapon, drop it, then you pick it up and exfil together to unlock it.

Step-By-Step Process:

1. Player with M13B equips it as reloadout weapon
2. Load into DMZ map together
3. Have friend drop the M13B
4. You pick up the dropped M13B weapon
5. Exfil successfully with M13B in inventory

This gives the M13B access without confronting DMZ’s toughest enemies!

Buy the Luck Draw Bundle

Dataminers have leaked an upcoming “Luck Draw” cosmetic bundle that includes the base M13 assault rifle blueprint along with weapon camos, charms and player skins.

While these bundles run $20+, purchasing it would instantly grant access to the M13 platform to level up and build loadouts. I’ll update if more details emerge on this pack’s release timing/contents.

Outside of these two community-sourced methods, playing and conquering DMZ mode itself remains the only direct path to attaining this elite meta rifle.

Quick DMZ Explainer

For those less familiar with CoD: MW2’s new three-player extraction mode, here’s a quick overview:

DMZ Overview

• PvE only, raid Al Mazrah fighting AI combatants
• Complete mission objectives, take on side contracts
• Loot for weapons, gear and rare items
• Loadouts persist between matches
• Exfiltrate safely to keep newly acquired weapons/equipment
• Permadeath enabled for extra realism!

It innovates the Call of Duty formula with sandbox gameplay similar to escape from Tarkov or Hunt: Showdown. Instead of competing directly against other players, the challenge shifts to overcoming merciless AI factions occupying the Warzone 2 map.

Teamwork becomes critical to strategically clearing compounds, maneuvering gunfights and covering angles of approach. Callouts and squad tactics bring this cooperative experience to the next level when playing with friends.

While DMZ faced criticism at launch for weapon balancing and technical glitches, it has seen constant improvement through updates like:

• Squad Respawn – Chance to revive KO’d teammates
• New Exfil Extractions – Multiple extraction points requiring keys/activation instead of defending a single helicopter site
• Expanded PvE Roster – Additional elite enemies and bosses beyond the veteran AI combatants

I expect the positive momentum to continue evolving DMZ into a standout experience going forward. The M13B alone provides compelling motivation to squad up and test your skills extracting from Al Mazrah!

The M13B: Call of Duty’s Next Top Rifle

In closing, while DMZ execution brings the highest risk, necessary tactics and teamwork can overcome the Chemist boss fight to earn this mighty weapon.

The M13B should claim its place among fan-favorite assault rifles like the M4A1 and Grau 5.56 as a mainstay top-tier selection based on sheer lethality.

I’ll continue providing updates here on the best M13B builds, DMZ strategies and any changes in unlock requirements for Modern Warfare 2’s new signature meta rifle as Season 2 unfolds.

Stay frosty and see you in Al Mazrah! The M13B awaits…