Warzone Nuke Guide: Champion’s Quest Steps & All Rewards

Trying to launch a Warzone Nuke is hard because getting the contract is only the beginning. Most squads fail by wasting the contract, missing a step, or getting stopped during the escort and final defense.

This guide explains how to unlock Champion’s Quest, how every objective works, how enemy teams can disrupt your run, and what rewards you get for each successful completion.

Warzone Champion’s Quest at a Glance

• Unlock Champion’s Quest: Win 5 Core Battle Royale matches in a row, earn 30 Core Battle Royale wins during one season, or complete the Extract Elements Public Event.
• Start the quest: Secure the Champion’s Contract briefcase in an eligible match.
• Main objectives: Find the isotope, recover the hard drive, access the bunker, deploy and escort the missile launcher, then arm the Nuke.
• Final objective: Defend the armed Nuke for 30 seconds until it detonates.
• Enemy interference: Other squads can contest objectives and steal key Champion’s Quest items.
• Final reward: 10 successful completions unlock the Axia’s Wrath Omega Animated Weapon Camo.

How to Unlock Champion’s Quest

There are three ways to unlock a Champion’s Quest Contract. Once you unlock it, you still need to enter an eligible match and secure the contract briefcase before the quest begins.

1. Win 5 Core Battle Royale Matches in a Row

This is the fastest way to unlock Champion’s Quest. If your squad wins five straight Core Battle Royale matches, the contract becomes available in your next eligible game.

If you lose before reaching five wins, the streak resets.

2. Win 30 Core Battle Royale Matches in One Season

If a 5-win streak is not realistic, you can also unlock Champion’s Quest by earning 30 total Core Battle Royale wins during a single season.

These wins do not need to be consecutive, but this progress is seasonal. When a new season begins, you have to build it again.

3. Complete the Extract Elements Public Event

There is also a public event path. During a match, an incoming element airdrop can trigger the Extract Elements event.

The first player to interact with the dropped goods starts a special mission for their squad. If your team completes the steps before the match ends, the whole squad earns a Champion’s Quest Contract.

Important Warning About Backing Out

If you repeatedly leave prematches while your squad has active Win Streak or Champion’s Quest progress, that progress can now reset to 0.

The game gives a warning before penalties apply. Finishing a full match resets the backout tracking, so do not keep leaving prematch lobbies when your Champion’s Quest progress matters.

How to Start Champion’s Quest

After unlocking Champion’s Quest, queue into the next eligible match and look for the Champion’s Contract briefcase. Your quest does not start automatically just because you unlocked it.

You need to secure the briefcase first. Once your squad picks it up, the full objective chain begins and the rest of the lobby gets clear chances to stop you.

How to Complete Champion’s Quest and Launch the Warzone Nuke

The current Champion’s Quest is a full multi-step mission. The contract is only the start, and every stage puts your squad under more pressure.

1. Secure the Champion’s Contract Briefcase

This is the trigger for the entire mission. If another squad beats you to the briefcase, your run is over before it even begins.

Land with a clear plan, loot quickly, and be ready to fight for control of the contract area.

2. Search the Crash Sites and Find the Radioactive Isotope

After the contract begins, you need to search the crash sites and recover the radioactive isotope. This is one of the most dangerous parts of the run because it can force your team into exposed rotations.

The isotope carrier becomes a priority target, so the rest of the squad should protect the area around them rather than stacking directly on top of the carrier.

3. Shoot Down the Marked Chopper

A marked helicopter appears as part of the quest. Your squad has to bring it down to continue the mission.

Do not waste too much time here. The longer you stay in one place making noise, the easier it is for other teams to collapse on you.

4. Loot the Care Package and Recover the Hard Drive

After the helicopter goes down, it reveals a Care Package containing the Hard Drive. Secure it quickly and expect nearby teams to push your position.

At this stage, your squad should already be thinking about the next circle and where you need to rotate next.

5. Find the Hidden Bunker

Around the third circle, the Hidden Bunker becomes part of the objective chain. This is where the hard drive step develops into the final half of the Champion’s Quest.

If your squad rotates too late, you can get trapped between the gas and enemy teams trying to intercept you.

6. Decode the Hard Drive and Deploy the Missile Launcher

Take the hard drive into the bunker and use the terminal to decode it. Then use the same terminal to deploy the missile launcher.

Once the launcher is deployed, the quest becomes even more obvious to the rest of the lobby, so expect more pressure from nearby squads.

7. Insert the Isotope Into the Missile Launcher

After the launcher is active, bring the isotope to it and insert it. This starts the setup for the escort phase.

If your team has already burned too many armor plates, self-revives, killstreaks, or other resources, this is usually where the run becomes much harder.

8. Escort the Missile Transport Vehicle

This is the hardest objective for most squads. You need to keep at least one member of your team near the missile transport vehicle so the escort progress continues.

Enemy teams can attack from several directions, and the vehicle path can create awkward fights. Strong squads usually keep one or two players close to the vehicle while the others watch flanks, clear high ground, and stop enemy pushes before they reach the escort.

9. Arm the Nuke

Once escort progress reaches 100%, your squad can arm the Nuke. The match does not end immediately.

Arming the Nuke starts the final defense phase. Enemy teams still have one last opportunity to wipe your squad or defuse the bomb.

10. Defend the Nuke for 30 Seconds

The final step is simple to understand and difficult to survive. After arming the Nuke, your squad needs to defend it for 30 seconds.

This is not the time to chase eliminations. Hold useful angles, trade kills, stay close enough to support each other, and force enemies to push into your positions. If the countdown reaches zero, the Nuke detonates and your squad wins the match.

How Enemy Squads Can Stop Your Nuke

Champion’s Quest is designed to involve the entire lobby. Once your run starts, other squads have several reasons to pressure you and try to steal your progress.

Enemy players can contest objectives, intercept carriers, and steal key Champion’s Quest items. If they successfully extract a stolen key item at a designated helipad, their squad receives a Champion’s Quest Token for a future match.

There is also a Golden Ticket public event system that creates rare alternative opportunities to make progress toward a Champion’s Quest Token.

For the team actually attempting the Nuke, the important part is simple: even squads that were not originally involved in your mission have a reason to hunt you.

Common Ways Enemy Teams Ruin a Nuke Run

• Waiting for your squad around an important objective.
• Collapsing on the isotope or hard drive carrier during a rotation.
• Third-partying the helicopter or bunker step.
• Taking strong positions along the missile transport route.
• Saving killstreaks and utility for the final Nuke defense.

Because of this, successful Champion’s Quest teams play for control and survival, not just eliminations.

Best Champion’s Quest Strategies

Champion’s Quest rewards good decision-making as much as raw aim. A mechanically strong squad with no structure can easily lose to a team that rotates earlier and protects its objective carriers better.

Best Tips for Winning Champion’s Quest

• Use a full squad with voice communication. Fast callouts become extremely important once the lobby starts hunting you.
• Loot quickly and rotate early. Late rotations make every objective harder.
• Assign basic roles. Protect your carrier while other players watch flanks and power positions.
• Do not take every fight. Your objective is the Nuke, not the highest elimination count.
• Save useful resources for the escort. Plates, self-revives, killstreaks, and utility matter most late in the quest.
• Stay close enough to trade. Splitting the squad too far apart makes carriers easy targets.
• Start the contract early. More remaining match time gives you room to recover if something goes wrong.

Most Common Champion’s Quest Mistakes

• Starting the quest too late.
• Burning too many resources before the escort phase.
• Leaving the isotope or hard drive carrier isolated.
• Ignoring the circle while chasing kills.
• Leaving the missile transport vehicle exposed.
• Splitting the squad during the final stages.
• Overextending during the 30-second Nuke defense.

Champion’s Quest Rewards

Champion’s Quest rewards are one of the biggest reasons players grind for the Nuke. Your first successful completion already gives two major cosmetics, while additional wins unlock higher-tier rewards all the way up to the final 10-completion camo.

First Champion’s Quest Completion Rewards

Your first successful Warzone Nuke unlocks both the Containment Crew Alpha Weapon Camo and the Grimm “Axia” Animated Operator Skin.

All Champion’s Quest Rewards

Higher-Tier Champion’s Quest Rewards

Reaching five successful Champion’s Quest completions upgrades the Containment Crew camo to its Omega version. The biggest reward comes at 10 completions with the Axia’s Wrath Omega Animated Weapon Camo.

Nuke Defuse Reward

Launching a Nuke is not the only way to earn an exclusive Champion’s Quest cosmetic. Players who successfully defuse an armed enemy Nuke unlock the exclusive Going Critical Animated Calling Card.

The opportunity is extremely rare because another squad first has to unlock Champion’s Quest, complete the objectives, escort the missile launcher, and successfully arm the Nuke before you can attempt the defuse.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you unlock Champion’s Quest in Warzone?

You can unlock Champion’s Quest by winning 5 Core Battle Royale matches in a row, winning 30 Core Battle Royale matches in one season, or completing the Extract Elements Public Event.

Do you have to pick up a contract after unlocking Champion’s Quest?

Yes. Unlocking Champion’s Quest only makes your squad eligible. In an eligible match, you still need to secure the Champion’s Contract briefcase to begin the quest.

Can you lose Champion’s Quest?

Yes. If your squad fails an objective or another team stops your Nuke attempt, you can lose the contract and need to earn another Champion’s Quest opportunity.

Can backing out of lobbies reset Champion’s Quest progress?

Yes. Repeatedly leaving prematches while you or a party member has active Win Streak or Champion’s Quest progress can reset that progress to 0. The game warns players before the penalty applies.

Can enemy teams steal Champion’s Quest items?

Yes. Enemy squads can intercept carriers and steal key Champion’s Quest items. Successfully extracting a stolen key item at the designated helipad can reward that squad with a Champion’s Quest Token for a future match.

What is the hardest Champion’s Quest step?

For most squads, the missile transport vehicle escort is one of the hardest stages because it forces the team to keep moving while protecting the objective from several attack angles.

How long do you have to defend the Nuke?

After arming the Nuke, your squad needs to defend it for 30 seconds until detonation.

Do you need a new contract after completing Champion’s Quest?

Yes. Successfully completing Champion’s Quest removes eligibility from the squad until another contract is earned.

What do you get for 10 Champion’s Quest wins?

Your 10th successful Champion’s Quest completion unlocks the Axia’s Wrath Omega Animated Weapon Camo.

What reward do you get for defusing a Warzone Nuke?

Players who successfully defuse an armed enemy Nuke unlock the Going Critical Animated Calling Card for stopping the Champion’s Quest attempt.

Final Thoughts

Champion’s Quest is one of the hardest challenges in Warzone. Unlocking the contract takes time, but completing it requires good rotations, teamwork, resource management, and smart decisions through every stage of the mission.

Protect your isotope and hard drive carriers, avoid unnecessary fights, save resources for the missile escort, and stay disciplined during the final 30-second defense. Those decisions give your squad the best chance of successfully launching the Warzone Nuke.