MW4 Warzone Beta: Zodiac Map, Quads, POIs & How to Play

The MW4 Warzone Beta is live now. Players can drop into the new Zodiac Resurgence map during the free Open Beta, with 44-player Resurgence Quads, 10 named POIs, Default Loadouts, ground loot, and several new Warzone gameplay systems.

The Open Beta runs from August 28 to September 1, 2026. This guide covers the Zodiac map, every POI, playlists, loadouts, new mechanics, platforms, access, progression, rewards, and everything you need to know before dropping in.

Is Warzone in the MW4 Beta?

Yes. Call of Duty: Warzone is live now in the Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta.

Warzone joined the Beta for Weekend 2 on August 28 with the brand-new Zodiac Resurgence map. Zodiac supports 44 players, with Resurgence Quads available as the main playlist.

Activision will also rotate Casual Resurgence Quads into the Beta during Weekend 2. This is the first time Call of Duty has included Warzone gameplay as part of a Call of Duty Beta.

Read more: Modern Warfare 4 Beta: Dates, Early Access, Rewards & Everything We Know

MW4 Warzone Beta Dates & Times

The MW4 Warzone Beta is live now and remains available until September 1 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 7 PM CEST.

Zodiac was not available during Weekend 1. Warzone was added when the free Open Beta began on August 28.
Weekend 2 is completely free, so you do not need a pre-order, Beta code, or Early Access entitlement to play Zodiac.

What Is the Zodiac Warzone Map?

Zodiac is a compact 44-player Resurgence map located in South Korea within the wider Modern Warfare 4 setting. The map takes place around a weapons manufacturing complex where weapons are built and shipped around the world.

The main facility belongs to DRC Advanced Systems and includes offices, manufacturing buildings, rooftops, trains, tunnels, shipping areas, roads, and surrounding shoreline.

One major route runs from the Admin building through and beneath the central double Trackline, which contains multiple trains, before continuing toward the R&D facility and shipping docks.

Zodiac also uses more dynamic environmental elements than the earlier overview revealed. Players can encounter moving solar panels, furnace conveyor belts, warning signs for approaching trains, multi-level fights, and the burning Admin Tower.

Activision says Zodiac was built by the team behind Rebirth Island and Vondel, giving it a strong Resurgence focus built around quick rotations, varied elevation, and frequent combat.

The map also includes an underground network for moving beneath parts of the facility. Activision has teased an explosive tank battle, legendary loot, combat on the ground and in the air, and other surprises around Zodiac.

All Zodiac Map POIs

The official Zodiac Tac Map contains 10 named Points of Interest spread across the facility and surrounding areas.

The confirmed Zodiac POIs are:

• Old Mines
• Solar
• Admin
• Dispatch
• Trackline
• Depot
• R&D
• Furnace
• Sentinel
• Cooling

The map is built around several connected combat zones rather than one dominant central POI. Trackline cuts through an important central area, while Admin, R&D, Depot, Furnace, Cooling, and the other facilities give squads several landing and rotation options.

Players can move both above and below Trackline. Trains, tunnels, elevated positions, rooftops, and indoor routes create several ways to move between areas without relying only on exposed surface roads.

With the Beta now live, the strongest landing locations should become clearer as players learn loot density, Buy Station locations, Contract spawns, rotations, and which POIs attract the most squads.

How Many Players Are on the Zodiac Map?

Zodiac supports 44 players during the MW4 Open Beta.

The primary playlist is Resurgence Quads, meaning squads of up to four players fight across the compact map.

The smaller player count and Resurgence redeploy system are designed to create faster matches than traditional large-scale Battle Royale. Eliminated players can return while their squad remains alive, keeping more teams active throughout much of the match.

How Does Resurgence Work on Zodiac?

Zodiac uses the familiar Warzone Resurgence format. Your squad needs to keep at least one teammate alive while eliminated players wait to redeploy.

Eliminating enemies and completing Contracts can shorten teammate return timers. The match continues until one squad remains.

The confirmed Zodiac Beta gameplay includes:

• 44 players per match
• Resurgence Quads
• Casual Resurgence Quads rotating into the Beta
• Teammate redeployment while squad members remain alive
• Enemy eliminations that shorten redeploy timers
• Contracts that can shorten teammate return timers
• Default Warzone loadouts
• Curated MW4 ground loot
• Underground tunnels and sewers for rotations
• Rooftops and elevated windows for longer-range fights
• Moving trains and other environmental elements
• An explosive tank encounter
• Legendary loot
• Combat across both the ground and air

The Beta is therefore focused on Resurgence rather than traditional Battle Royale.

New Warzone Gameplay Features on Zodiac

The MW4 Beta is also being used to test several gameplay changes built specifically for the next version of Warzone.

Movement in Zodiac is closely aligned with Modern Warfare 4 Multiplayer, with a more grounded and deliberate feel while still keeping the momentum needed to move around a larger Warzone environment.

Several Warzone-specific systems are also being tested:

• Warzone-specific weapon tuning: Damage ranges, bullet velocity, ADS speed, sprint-to-fire speed, and mobility have separate tuning from Multiplayer.
• Warzone TTK: Weapon time-to-kill is designed to feel closer to the current live Warzone experience.
• Fuel barrels: Interactive fuel barrels create another environmental threat and can punish players using dangerous cover.
• Expanded Killstreak selection: Zodiac includes more Killstreaks from Multiplayer, while the strongest streaks remain intentionally rare.
• SAM Turret Field Upgrade: The SAM Turret can be used to counter aerial threats.
• Insight Killstreak: Recon Contracts now reward a single-use Insight Killstreak, allowing players to activate their earned Circle Peek when they choose.
• Updated Supply Run Contracts: Supply Runs provide a one-time discount and upgrade Buy Stations with exclusive items.

Not every planned Warzone system is available during the Beta. Daily Challenges and some Killstreaks, Tactical Equipment, and Field Upgrades are being held back for the full Warzone integration later this year.

What Loadouts Can You Use on Zodiac?

The MW4 Warzone Beta does not allow Custom Loadouts. Instead, Zodiac uses pre-built Default Loadouts and hand-picked ground loot from the Modern Warfare 4 weapon pool.

The four main Default Loadout types are:

• AR Loadout
• SMG Loadout
• LMG Loadout
• Sniper Loadout

Each class suits different parts of Zodiac. SMGs are useful around buildings, tunnels, and tighter sections of the manufacturing complex, while ARs, LMGs, and Snipers can take advantage of rooftops, windows, and longer sightlines.

You can also replace your starting weapons with curated MW4 ground loot found during the match.

Weapons on Zodiac do not necessarily perform exactly like their Multiplayer versions. Activision has separately tuned several weapon properties for Warzone, including damage range, bullet velocity, ADS speed, sprint-to-fire speed, and mobility.

Is Zodiac Available During MW4 Early Access?

No. Zodiac was not part of MW4 Beta Weekend 1.

Early Access ran from August 21 until August 25 and focused on Multiplayer, the Entrenched Campaign mission, Kill Block, progression, weapons, and other Beta content.

Warzone joined when the free Open Beta went live on August 28. Buying Early Access therefore did not provide any additional days on Zodiac.

How to Download and Play the MW4 Warzone Beta

The Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta is available to download and play now on supported platforms.

The Beta is a separate download available through each platform's digital storefront. Players who already installed the Beta during Weekend 1 can update their existing installation and continue into Weekend 2.

To play Zodiac:

• Download or update the Modern Warfare 4 Beta
• Sign in with your Activision account
• Launch the Beta
• Open the Warzone portion of the Beta
• Select Zodiac Resurgence - Quads

Casual Resurgence Quads will also rotate into the Beta during Weekend 2.

Do You Need to Pre-Order MW4 to Play Zodiac?

No. You do not need to pre-order Modern Warfare 4 to play Zodiac.

Weekend 2 is a free Open Beta for all players on supported platforms. No pre-order or Beta code is required.

You need an Activision account and internet connection. An online multiplayer subscription may also be required depending on your platform.

Which Platforms Can Play the MW4 Warzone Beta?

The Zodiac Warzone Beta is available on every platform participating in MW4 Open Beta Weekend 2.

Supported platforms are:

• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X|S
• Xbox on PC
• Battle.net
• Steam
• Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2 did not participate in Weekend 1 but joined the Beta for Weekend 2. Cross-platform play allows players on supported systems to squad up across the wider Call of Duty community.

What Warzone Modes Are in the MW4 Beta?

The main MW4 Warzone Beta playlist is 44-player Resurgence Quads on Zodiac.

Activision has also confirmed that Casual Resurgence Quads will rotate into the Open Beta during Weekend 2.

The confirmed Warzone playlists are therefore:

• Zodiac Resurgence Quads
• Casual Resurgence Quads - rotating during the Open Beta

Traditional Battle Royale, Plunder, and Boot Camp have not been announced as playable MW4 Beta modes.

What Happens to Zodiac After the MW4 Beta?

Zodiac is not just a temporary Beta map. The map will return to Call of Duty: Warzone during Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 as a new Resurgence experience.

Season 1 will also introduce Hajin to Warzone. Hajin is the major map built for MW4's returning DMZ mode and will also become a new Battle Royale map.

This gives Warzone two major new map experiences during Season 1:

• Zodiac - the smaller Resurgence map currently playable in the MW4 Beta
• Hajin - the larger map coming to Battle Royale and serving as the MW4 DMZ setting

Playing the Beta gives players an early opportunity to learn Zodiac's POIs, tunnels, trains, rooftops, vertical routes, and rotations before the map returns with Season 1.

Can You Level MW4 Weapons in the Warzone Beta?

Activision has not explicitly confirmed whether Weapon XP earned on Zodiac contributes to the MW4 Beta weapon progression used in Multiplayer.

The Multiplayer side of the Beta includes weapon leveling, attachments, Create-a-Class progression, and the wider MW4 weapon pool. Zodiac, however, uses Default Loadouts and curated ground loot rather than Custom Loadouts.

Activision's detailed Warzone Beta notes do not state that Zodiac shares Weapon XP with Multiplayer. Until this is officially confirmed, we recommend treating Warzone weapon XP sharing as TBA.

Read more: All MW4 Beta Weapons & How to Unlock Them

Does Zodiac Count Toward Your MW4 Beta Level?

Activision has not explicitly confirmed whether XP earned in Zodiac counts toward the normal MW4 Beta Player Level.

The official progression guide describes the Player Level system under Multiplayer progression and explains that Multiplayer matches increase your Player Level. Weekend 2 raises the maximum Player Level to 30.

The detailed Zodiac notes do not state that Warzone matches contribute to the same Player Level. Until shared progression is confirmed, we would not rely on Zodiac as a way to reach Level 30.

Are There MW4 Warzone Beta Rewards?

The MW4 Beta has an official eight-reward progression track, but there is currently no separate Zodiac or Warzone-specific reward track.

Weekend 2 raises the Beta Player Level cap to Level 30, making every main level-based Beta reward available.

The final Beta reward is the "Beta Forged" ISO Nightshade SMG Weapon Blueprint at Level 30.

Eligible cosmetic Beta rewards remain tied to your Activision account and become available in the full game when Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23.

Player Level, weapon unlocks, and other normal Beta gameplay progression reset when the Beta ends.

There is currently no confirmed cosmetic reward that requires you to specifically play Zodiac.

Read more: MW4 Beta Rewards: All Rewards, Levels & How to Unlock Them

MW4 Warzone Beta FAQ

Is the MW4 Warzone Beta live?

Yes. Warzone Resurgence on Zodiac is live now as part of Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta Weekend 2.

How many players are on Zodiac?

Zodiac supports 44 players during the Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta.

Is Zodiac Quads?

Yes. The main Beta playlist is Zodiac Resurgence Quads.

Is Casual Resurgence in the MW4 Beta?

Yes. Activision has confirmed that Casual Resurgence Quads will rotate into the Beta during Weekend 2.

When did the MW4 Warzone Beta start?

The Warzone Beta went live on August 28, 2026 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 7 PM CEST.

When does the MW4 Warzone Beta end?

The Open Beta ends on September 1 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 7 PM CEST.

What map is in the MW4 Warzone Beta?

The confirmed map is Zodiac, a compact 44-player Resurgence map based around a weapons manufacturing facility in South Korea.

Where is Zodiac located?

Zodiac is set in South Korea within the wider Modern Warfare 4 setting.

How many POIs are on Zodiac?

The official Zodiac Tac Map shows 10 named POIs.

What are all Zodiac POIs?

The 10 locations are Old Mines, Solar, Admin, Dispatch, Trackline, Depot, R&D, Furnace, Sentinel, and Cooling.

Does Zodiac have underground tunnels?

Yes. Zodiac has an underground tunnel network that squads can use to rotate, flank enemies, and move beneath parts of the facility.

Are there moving trains on Zodiac?

Yes. Trackline contains trains, and the map includes dynamic signage that warns players about approaching trains.

Are there vehicles on Zodiac?

Activision has teased an explosive tank battle and action across both the ground and air. More details on the full vehicle lineup may become clearer during the Beta.

Can you use Custom Loadouts on Zodiac?

No. Custom Loadouts are disabled during the MW4 Warzone Beta. Players use Default Loadouts and curated ground loot instead.

What Default Loadouts are available on Zodiac?

Activision has confirmed AR, SMG, LMG, and Sniper Default Loadouts.

Does Warzone use the same weapon tuning as MW4 Multiplayer?

Not exactly. Zodiac uses separate tuning for damage ranges, bullet velocity, ADS speed, sprint-to-fire speed, and mobility to better fit Warzone gameplay.

What does the SAM Turret do?

The SAM Turret Field Upgrade gives players a way to counter aerial threats on Zodiac.

What does the Recon Contract give you?

Recon Contracts can reward a single-use Insight Killstreak, letting you choose when to activate the earned Circle Peek.

How has the Supply Run Contract changed?

Supply Run Contracts now provide a one-time discount and upgrade Buy Stations with exclusive items.

Is Zodiac a Battle Royale map?

Zodiac is primarily a Resurgence map. Traditional Battle Royale is not part of the confirmed MW4 Beta playlist.

How does Zodiac Resurgence work?

Keep at least one squad member alive while eliminated teammates wait to redeploy. Enemy eliminations and Contracts can reduce their return timers, and the final surviving squad wins.

Is the MW4 Warzone Beta free?

Yes. Weekend 2 is a free Open Beta and does not require a Modern Warfare 4 pre-order.

Do I need to pre-order MW4 to play Zodiac?

No. Anyone on a supported platform can download the Open Beta and play the available Warzone content.

Can you play Zodiac on Nintendo Switch 2?

Yes. Nintendo Switch 2 joined the MW4 Open Beta for Weekend 2 and can play Warzone Resurgence on Zodiac.

What happens to Zodiac after the MW4 Beta?

Zodiac returns to Warzone during Modern Warfare 4 Season 1. Season 1 will also add Hajin to Battle Royale.

Does Zodiac give MW4 Beta Player XP?

Activision has not explicitly confirmed whether Zodiac matches contribute to the Player Level progression used in Multiplayer.

Can you level MW4 weapons in Zodiac?

Activision has not yet explicitly confirmed whether Zodiac shares Weapon XP with the Multiplayer portion of the Beta.

Are there rewards for playing the Warzone Beta?

There is an overall MW4 Beta reward track, but no separate Zodiac-specific or Warzone-specific reward has been announced.

More MW4 Beta Guides

Zodiac is only one part of Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta Weekend 2. Players can also access Multiplayer, the Entrenched Campaign mission, Kill Block, Ground War: Combat Outpost, the Level 30 progression cap, additional weapons, Beta rewards, and more.

For the complete schedule, progression details, maps, modes, weapons, rewards, platforms, and access requirements, see our Modern Warfare 4 Beta: Dates, Early Access, Rewards & Everything We Know guide.