How Many Teams are in DMZ
DMZ only allows for teams of 3 players in its standard battle royale-inspired extraction mode. But is a trio the ideal squad size or should developer Infinity Ward consider expanding to quads or more in future updates? As a passionate Call of Duty gamer myself, I wanted to provide an in-depth look at the squad dynamics in DMZ.
The Basics: 3-Player Squads are Standard
DMZ matches are optimized for 3 player squads. When you queue into a match, you‘ll be placed with 2 other teammates by default. According to Infinity Ward‘s official site, DMZ is "a trio-based mode" at launch.
This 3-player setup allows you to work tactically as a tight-knit unit. Having less squadmates than a traditional 4-player Warzone quad promotes more coordinated gameplay where everyone feels impactful.
On the largest DMZ map of Al Mazrah, there can be up to 22 of these 3-player squads in a match, bringing the total playercount up to 66. The smaller Ashika Island map only has room for 18 players across 6 squads.
So in all current DMZ variations, 3 is the magic number for your team. But could more players bring an even better experience?
Squad Assimilation Allows Bigger Teams
While 3 may be standard, you aren‘t strictly limited to trios in DMZ thanks to a feature called squad assimilation. This lets you combine two squads together to form a bigger team.
By approaching another squad in your match and using the in-game menu, you can send them an invite to assimilate. If they accept, your two 3-player teams will merge into a single squad of up to 6 players.
Streamer NickMercs took advantage of this feature during one of his first DMZ matches, assimilating with Dr Disrespect‘s squad to dominate as a 6-man gang.
So with some coordination, you can experience DMZ with a squad beyond just 3 players. Assimilation opens the door for bigger strategic play.
Key Stats on Squad Sizes
Here are some key statistics on the DMZ squad sizes, maps, and playercounts:
| DMZ Map | Max Squads | Squad Size | Max Players |
| Al Mazrah | 22 | 3 | 66 |
| Ashika Island | 6 | 3 | 18 |
As you can see, 3-player squads are consistent across all DMZ maps so far. Even on the smaller Ashika Island locale designed for just 18 players, trios are standard.
Playing Solo? Duos Work Too
If you don‘t want to fill your squad or just want to play with 1 other friend, DMZ offers both solo and duo options.
When matchmaking, you can disable squad fill which will put you alone or with just your 1 teammate into a match against organized trios. Popular CoD content creator IceManIsaac has played DMZ extensively as a solo player.
Running DMZ with only 1 or 2 squad members definitely gives you a disadvantage against teams of 3. But as Isaac has shown, it‘s viable once you unlock better equipment and grow your skills. The option is there if you prefer less squadmates or don‘t have a full trio to play with.
Community Calls for Larger Squads
While DMZ launched with a 3-player standard, many in the Call of Duty community have voiced desires for larger squad sizes. Specifically, fans have requested traditional 4-player “quads” similar to the base Warzone mode.
Popular Warzone streamer SuperEvan brought the appeal of quads to developers, asking on Twitter if bigger squads might come in the future. His tweet received huge engagement, with players agreeing they want options beyond just trios.
enabling 4-player teams could allow for new squad compositions, like running 2 separate duos together. It may also improve the experience for groups of friends who are used to playing in quads together already.
With DMZ‘s squad assimilation supporting up to 6 players currently, expanding to official 4-player teams seems feasible. But Infinity Ward hasn’t hinted yet if quads might ever be added. For now, 3 remains the limit unless you assimilate multiple groups.
Evaluating Larger Teams from a Design Perspective
As an experienced Call of Duty player myself, I can understand the appeal of bigger squads in DMZ. But when analyzing from a gameplay design lens, I think 3 players per team actually strikes a great balance.
Here‘s my perspective on how squad sizes impact the DMZ experience:
Trios Promote Coordination: With only 2 others relying on you, there‘s more pressure to work together and focus on tight team play. Quads may encourage splitting into smaller groups.
Strategic Assimilation: Having the option to build bigger teams mid-match adds a fun strategic element that wouldn‘t exist if quads were standard.
Class Roles Matter: In trios, every player‘s equipment choice and role is amplified. Playing medic or sniper feels more impactful as 33% of the squad than 25% in quads.
Map Control: Even on the biggest DMZ map, 22 teams of 3 is still highly competitive for space and objectives. Adding more players per team could make the current maps feel too chaotic.
Based on these factors, I think 3-player squads really excel at promoting DMZ‘s core survival gameplay. But I‘d still be eager to test 4-player teams if Infinity Ward ever provides the option.
The Future of Squad Sizes
While 3-player teams are standard for now, expansion to larger squad sizes seems plausible further into DMZ‘s life cycle. Along with loud community requests for quads, certain limited-time modes may experiment with bigger team counts.
If quads and other squad compostions get added later, I expect them to be as optional alternatives, rather than removing trios entirely. 3-player squads really are the ideal starting point to build out this new extraction shooter experience within Call of Duty.
DMZ delivers an exceptional modern military survival game that stands out from traditional Call of Duty multiplayer and Warzone. The co-op focused action really shines with its standard 3-player squad system. But as DMZ continues evolving, we may see even more squad flexibility added post-launch.
For now, I highly recommend squad assimilation as a way to experience the thrill of coordinating with more than 3 players if you want to go bigger. Form two separate trios and combine your might into one 6-player wrecking crew.
As a CoD fanatic myself, DMZ has become my new obsession thanks to its fresh take on tactical squad play. Whether running a focused 3-man team or rolling with an assimilated gang of 6, this is the most fun I‘ve had in the franchise in years. The future looks bright for DMZ!
