In the four years of Warzone, we’ve competed in battle royale matches across nine maps, but which is the best, and which would we rather forget? I’ve ranked every Warzone battle royale map from worst to best.
For this Warzone map tier list, we’ve included the larger battle royale maps and the smaller ones generally used for Resurgence modes. Of course, the bigger maps do play a little differently than their more compact companions, but Warzone is Warzone, and I feel you can accurately compare them based on map design and overall fun.
So, strap in for a trip down memory lane as I take you through every map in the battle royale’s history.
9. Caldera – Warzone‘s worst map
Whenever I write a list like this, I sometimes feel bad placing something as the “worst.” Sometimes, the thing isn’t that bad, but the things above them are just so good that they end up in that spot.
This is not one of those occasions. Caldera is, without question, the low point of Warzone and is universally despised by players. The map is far too big to begin with, and a severe lack of buildings and settlements across the island compounds this issue. Sometimes, it felt like you were playing a hiking simulator rather than a battle royale, and the openness of Caldera meant you were constantly getting sniped.
Visibility on this map was poor and there wasn’t enough cover, but perhaps worst of all was the fact that it replaced Warzone‘s best map (more on that later.) Perhaps it never stood a chance when it was following the King of Warzone, but it certainly wasn’t what fans wanted, and it is not looked back on fondly.
8. Area 99
Despite Area 99 being the most recent map added to the Warzone collection, it didn’t quite hit the mark amongst the community. The map feels a tad too small compared to behemoths like Al Mazrah and Urzikstan, making it all the more difficult to move around. Though one could say that Rebirth Island is just as small, Area 99 somehow feels a lot more congested.
Rebirth Island just has way more advantages with hiding spots, while Area 99 doesn’t really have any POIS where you can sit and take a breather. I always end up getting shot at no matter where I go in Area 99, even when I’m simply landing in. The center point of the Reactor POI can often be struggling to get through, too, if you aren’t prepared enough. It’s probably not the most player-friendly Warzone map because of it, so you may want to steer clear of this one if you’re a newcomer to the title.
Given that Area 99 is the newest entry in Warzone, it still has the potential to be something great with more updates. It wouldn’t be the first time a map has been improved upon, with the likes of the enhanced Verdansk ’84. Plus, Area 99 has a lot of history that could be further explored. It’s a map that delves into the origins of Call of Duty’s most famous map, Nuketown, and if it dives deeper into this lore, it could turn out to be a much better map.
7. Fortune’s Keep
Now, this one does feel a little harsh, as I don’t dislike Fortune’s Keep. Unfortunately, though, I couldn’t rank it any higher, as for me, it just crosses that threshold of being a little too small. I always felt that it was too hectic, and the nature of the layout drove people to land at the Keep POI, which meant the start of matches was always manic.
Its original run was just five months between June and Nov. 2022, although it returned in Feb. 2024. I just find Fortune’s Keep a little forgettable, and while it’s generally not bad, and I don’t mind many of the POIs, it just doesn’t have enough to rank any higher on my list.
However, when it comes to visuals, Fortune’s Keep stands out with its unique and captivating design. The Keep itself resembles a fortress from a charming folk tale, and the surrounding scenery only serves to enhance its allure.
6. Ashika Island
Ashika Island is one of the best Resurgence maps in Warzone and is visually completely different from everything else. Set somewhere in the Pacific Asia region, the island is full of ancient-looking buildings, while the POIs are varied and nicely spread apart.
The only thing that keeps Ashika Island from being near the business end of this list is the fact that it’s so dark and gloomy compared to other maps on this list. It does give it a unique aesthetic, but it also can make it harder to see enemies dressed in greys and blacks, and with the level of competition in this list, that’s enough to send you down the rankings.
Due to its smaller size and harder-to-see landscape, Ashika Island is one of the most challenging Warzone maps. I remember jumping into it during the good ‘ole DMZ days, and there was almost always a fight at every corner. Maybe one day, we can hopefully see the return of Ashika Island to experience the thrill once again.
5. Urzikstan
This was a hard one, and I almost had it at number four on this list, but I’ve always found that when I’m dropping into Urzikstan I find it hard to differentiate some of the locations, and generally find the layout to be a little perplexing. Considering that Urzikstan is one of the largest Warzone maps, it totally makes sense why it can be so confusing. There are so many POIs, and most times, it can be challenging to remember them all, including Hadiqa Farms, Zaravan City, and Seaport District.
Since there are fewer opportunities to run into players with its tremendous size, it is one of the best Warzone maps for beginners. There’s plenty of coverage to hide in and enough loot to make it worthwhile. Sure, the POIs could have been a little more interesting, especially the east of the map, but it’s still pretty great for newcomers who prefer a less intense environment.
I also found a newfound love for Urzikstan with Modern Warfare 3’s Zombies iteration. I enjoyed the dynamic of having an open-world Zombies match, where a whole mess of players work together. So, if you’re looking for a refreshing new take on it, the undead Urzikstan mode can switch up the pace.
4. Al Mazrah
Al Mazrah is Warzone‘s largest map, but the developers did a great job of not making it feel that way. Instead, Al Mazrah feels like a really well-balanced offering, with a mixture of new and interesting POIs such as Tarq Village dotted alongside classic Modern Warfare 2 locations like Quarry.
Some areas feel sparse and could do with a few more buildings or POIs, especially the west side which becomes quite empty once you get past the Caves. Having the Observatory sitting high on a hill in the middle of the map is nice, and Al Mazrah City is a fun hot-drop if you fancied immediate action.
Unfortunately, Al Mazrah was removed in Dec. 2023, and we don’t know when we’ll see it again.
3. Rebirth Island
Put your pitchforks down for a second—I still think Rebirth Island is really good. It’s one of Warzone‘s most popular maps ever for a reason, and I have so many fond memories of playing on it during the first two years of the battle royale’s lifespan.
After a two-year absence, it returned in April 2024, and if it wasn’t for its reappearance, it actually might be higher on my list. While I still really like Rebirth Island, I do now accept that I had been looking back on it with rose-tinted glasses, and when you play now, it feels a little cramped. The layout doesn’t really lend itself to different kinds of combat either; it’s just close-quarters gunfights all the time.
On the other hand, Rebirth Island should be right up your alley for those who love up-close and personal showdowns. It’s likely the best Warzone map for close-quarters combat, perfect for SMG and Shotgun enthusiasts.
2. Vondel
For me, Vondel is the best of Warzone‘s small maps. Based on Amsterdam, it’s unlike anything else in the game, with canals flowing through the area and incredible POIs. University, Castle, and Stadium are three of my absolute favorites on this map, but there really isn’t a bad location, and the built-up nature of the city mixed with long roads and open canals creates the perfect mix of short and long-range action.
DMZ mode made it even better, highlighting each area with a demanding quest. I’m a sucker for objective-based content, and earning the rewards from these missions made it feel gratifying. Nevertheless, I will say DMZ’s Vondel iteration can be utterly brutal, primarily with the threat of both enemy players and elite AI soldiers.
All in all, it’s the most fun you can have playing Warzone, and if you haven’t tried it yet, I beg you to give it a go. You won’t regret it.
1. Verdansk – Warzone‘s best map
The original and the best. Years after it first appeared in Warzone, Verdansk still sits at the top of the mountain and deserves every drop of praise it gets. It came during a period of time where we all truly needed it, and captured our hearts. Who doesn’t have awesome memories of dropping Superstore with their buddies or taking on an enemy squad in Storage Town?
You may accuse me of looking at Verdansk with rose-tinted glasses, the same way I did with Rebirth Island, but I don’t believe I am. The flow of matches on Verdansk felt so nice, and the layout created opportunities for all different kinds of combat. Rotations were easy, the layout was simple, and the buildings were interesting. Even more so, it was further improved with Verdansk ’84, which is basically the same map but with a more retro feel.
It truly is the best that Warzone has ever seen, and fortunately, it’s going to make another comeback in Black Ops 6. While we don’t have an official release date, the Call of Duty Twitter/X confirms that it will return in 2025. It’ll likely continue on its success as the best Warzone map, with a few new features we have yet to uncover.
