How to Get a Raid Key in Modern Warfare 2

With the launch of Season 1 Reloaded in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, the game's first Special Ops Raid is set to make its debut.

As teased by Infinity Ward since before the release of Modern Warfare 2, Raids are said to be a whole new experience for the franchise — a three-player cooperative engagement requiring teamwork and strategic, puzzle-solving thinking in-between bouts of intense combat that also continues the story of the MW2 Campaign.

Perhaps unforeseen, however, is that there is one mandatory requirement players must fulfill in order to gain Raid access — possession of a Raid Key. Here's a breakdown of how to get a Raid Key in Modern Warfare 2.

How to Get a Raid Key in Modern Warfare 2

Accessing a Raid in Modern Warfare 2 requires a Raid Key, which can be earned by completing at least one of the following methods:

• Complete a specific Daily Challenge either in Multiplayer or Special Ops.
• Place within the top 20 in any Warzone 2.0 Battle Royale Playlist.
• In DMZ, use the final extract helicopter with at least $30,000 in Cash.

Once a Raid Key is earned, that player — and whatever squadmates they choose to bring in — can access the Raid for a full week.

Although this is the lone requirement to access Raids, Infinity Ward does recommend players to also try their hand at some Special Ops Missions before diving in since it can help you warm for the PvE action, as well as tier up your Kit. Because Raids are part of Special Ops, it uses the Kit system. Having a high-Tier Kit means accessing those additional passive and active benefits during a Raid, increasing your options for survival and progression through it.

As for Raid Episode 1: Atomgrad itself, the engagement is said to follow Price, Farah and Gaz as they make a "grim" discovery in an underground bunker while on the trail of their missing team.

Those who successfully complete this Raid will unlock Gaz as an Operator and his "Convoy" Skin for use in Multiplayer and Special Ops, as well as in Warzone 2. It will also unlock a harder-difficulty Playlist.

For more on Call of Duty, be sure to check out our top five lists:

• Top 5 Call of Duty Games of All Time
• Top 5 Call of Duty Guns of All Time
• Top 5 Call of Duty Maps of All Time
• Top 5 Warzone Moments of All Time
• Top 5 Warzone Seasons of All Time

Additionally, feel free to check out our timeline on the history of the Call of Duty franchise!