Warzone 2 introduced new features into the Call of Duty universe that add threats beyond the other players on the map. The Al-Qatala (AQ) terrorist organization has taken over Al Mazrah, and they guard locations with valuable loot worth fighting for. This guide will explain AQ soldier kills, the types of AQ soldiers you might encounter, and how to get more AQ soldier kills in Warzone 2.
Quick take
AQ soldiers are AI enemy bots that control Strongholds and Black Sites in Warzone 2. AQ soldier kills can be seen on the scoreboard and are separate from operator kills. There are four types of AQ soldiers in Al Mazrah, each with varying armor levels and weapons.
Table of Contents
What are AQ soldier kills?
AQ soldiers are the Al-Qatala terrorist militants that inhabit Warzone 2. The AQ soldiers in Al Mazrah are AI-controlled bots opposing the player-controlled operators. While other players are still the main obstacle to victory in Warzone 2, the AQ soldiers present new challenges and can aid your efforts if conquered.
During or after a match of Warzone 2, players can check the scoreboard to see each player in the squad, their score, operator kills, AQ soldier kills, damage done, and objectives. AQ soldier kills are the amount of Al-Qatala militants you eliminate during each match, and these kills are separate from any operators you may eliminate. Players will receive a bonus score for each AQ they eliminate, which will translate to XP at the end of the match.
Where are the AQ soldiers in Al Mazrah?
The AQ soldiers in Al Mazrah guard Strongholds and Black Sites. AQ can be found around the perimeter and barricaded inside Strongholds and Black Sites. You might also encounter AQ soldiers being transported in vehicles around the map.
Strongholds and Black Sites contain some of the best loot in Warzone 2, but you’ll have to deal with the AQ first. Securing a Stronghold grants custom loadouts, killstreaks, gear, and a Black Site key for the first squad to clear it.
When clearing a Stronghold, several AQ will usually be inside, waiting in ambush. Once those AQ soldiers are taken care of, expect reinforcements to show up in helicopters or armored vehicles. Black Sites feature a similar threat, but the AQ you encounter will be better equipped and more heavily armored.
Pro tip
Clearing a Stronghold is one of the best ways to get a loadout and equip Warzone 2 Perks.
Types of AQ soldiers in Warzone 2
Not all AQ soldiers are created equal – some are little more than a minor annoyance, while others require more tactics and coordination to eliminate. Here are the types of AQ soldiers you will encounter in Al Mazrah:
AQ Grunts
The AQ Grunts are the most common force deployed by Al-Qatala. They are usually found in groups of 3-4 and carry a variety of basic weapons, from pistols to LMGs. Grunts have no armor and shouldn’t pose too much of a threat to the well-equipped operator – a single headshot or a few to the chest will easily dispatch them.
Armored AQ
The Armored AQ enemies are the beefy version of the AQ Grunts, distinguishable by their helmets and armor. These fearsome enemies have about as much health + armor as a player-operator wearing a 3-plate armor vest, meaning they won’t go down from a single headshot – even from a sniper rifle.
Riot Shield AQ
The Riot Shield AQ enemies are usually found within Strongholds and can be quite a nuisance if not dealt with properly. Their shield makes them impervious to bullets from the front, so flanking from a different angle or throwing a Semtex grenade is usually your best bet. Although the Riot Shield AQ soldiers move slowly, be careful not to get too close; a couple of quick melee hits will down you faster than you can say, “devs plz.”
Juggernauts
The Juggernaut is the best-equipped and most heavily-armored soldier deployed by AQ. These behemoths are slow-moving but wear thick armor and carry a powerful mini-gun. The Juggernaut is the final boss that guards a Black Site, so you’ll have to learn to defeat them if you want the valuable Black Site rewards.
The best tools for defeating a Juggernaut are high-DPS weapons like assault rifles or LMGs; Low-caliber SMGs and pistols have trouble penetrating the Jugg’s armor. Check out our list of the best Warzone 2 loadouts to find the best weapon for defeating a juggernaut.
Pro tip
If your squad is low on ammo or you’re playing solo, try setting a trap for the Juggernaut. Claymores and C4 explosives deal considerable damage and can be triggered from a safe distance.
How to get more AQ soldier kills in Warzone 2
Here are some tips and tricks for killing AQ enemies in Warzone 2 so you can quickly defeat Strongholds and secure a loadout.
Use cover and maintain your distance
The AI bots in Warzone 2, like AI in most games, aggro based on distance and line of sight. This means that if you’re within a certain distance and the AQ see you, they will start shooting after a brief period.
There are two ways we can abuse this mechanic. The first is keeping distance from the AQ so they don’t return fire when engaged. Using a sniper rifle with a high-zoom optic can make picking off AQ from a distance easy. Learn how to level up guns fast to unlock the best optics for Warzone 2.
Since the AI bots only fire after receiving line-of-sight, popping in and out of cover while shooting is a safe way to engage without taking damage. Most players get in trouble while fighting the AQ when they get greedy and maintain line-of-sight for too long.
Fight on your terms
As the Spartans did against the Persians in the Battle of Thermopylae, find an area for fighting that takes away the AQ soldiers’ number advantage. Funnel the AQ enemies through a doorway or other choke-point so that you only have to fight one enemy at a time and can line up easy headshots. This strategy would make King Leonidas proud.
Look for opportunities to kill multiple AQ at once
The AQ soldiers will often arrive in an armored vehicle or helicopter and are most vulnerable right before jumping out. A well-placed throwable like a Frag Grenade, Thermite, Semtex, Drill Charge, Molotov Cocktail, or C4 can destroy a squad of AQ enemies before they exit the vehicle. Use this to your advantage to end the fight before it even starts.
