Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Golden Joystick Awards 2026
  • Join our monthly RPG Club
  • G+RLS Podcast
  • Game of the Week
  • Countdown to GTA 6
  • RPG Hub
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Best gaming tech
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. FPS
  3. The Division 2

Division 2 Dark Zone Keys: How to get the best loot in the game

Guides
By Jordan Oloman
Published 2 April 2019

Dark Zone chests have some of the best loot in the game but where are the keys you need to open them?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Division 2 Dark Zone Keys are the... key to success, if you'll pardon the pun. Without them, you'll have to steal the loot in Dark Zone chests which will make you go rogue, other players will try to kill you, and you could easily see all your loot stolen by some other rogue agents. Division 2 Dark Zone Keys unlocks some of the best loot in the game, which you can use all the way through to The Division 2 endgame. Here's everything you need to know about Division 2 Dark Zone Keys.

Division 2 tips | Best Division 2 skills | Best Division 2 perks | Division 2 Hyena Key locations | Division 2 Dark Zone Keys | How to level up fast in The Division 2 | Division 2 masks | Division 2 Ivory Keys | Division 2 Dark Zone guide | How to unlock the Dark Zone in The Division 2 | Division 2 crafting guide | Division 2 specializations | How to unlock specializations in The Division 2 | Division 2 dyes | Division 2 mods | Division 2 map | Division 2 printer filament | Division 2 bounties | Division 2 builds | Division 2 Snitch Cards | Division 2 hidden side missions | Division 2 Exotics | Division 2 endgame | Division 2 exotic holster

You can get Dark Zone keys by killing Elite enemies

It’s not as clear as it should be, but there are a few surefire methods to picking up Dark Zone keys that can be gleaned from the first game. High-level or ‘named’ enemies should be your first port of call. These are the yellow enemies with silly names that crop up and lead a pack of goons from the various factions that inhabit DC. Simply wipe them out and you have a chance of picking up one of these elusive keys. You can usually find them in the compounds where the chests are, but they may also be part of a patrol.

You can get Dark Zone keys by killing other players

Another method to picking up Dark Zone keys is wiping out other players who are holding them. The Dark Zone is PvP-heavy, and if you’ve ever tried to extract any loot from one of the designated zones there, you’ll know that it is staunchly dog eat dog world out there. Other players may work with you to help you out and share a pot, but most of the time you’re going to be dealing with rogues who want nothing more than to kill you and take your hard-earned loot.

Mitigate this issue by wiping them out first, and if you’re lucky, they will have been holding a Dark Zone key on their person, as well as whatever contaminated loot they’ve been scavenging during their adventures. Manhunts are a good option here - you can kill rogue players largely consequence free and there's more chance they'll have something on them from being evil.  

You may like
  • Templar Keys in Black Flag All Templar Key locations in Black Flag Resynced
  • Task Bar Hero act boss chest earned from defeated act 2 boss How to farm chests and loot in Task Bar Hero
  • A stone statue holds a rope on which you can find the Mortal Shell 2 Mushroom Village key. Where to get the Mortal Shell 2 Chapel Key

You can pick locks to unlock a Dark Zone chest without a Dark Zone key

If you can’t find any Dark Zone keys (and we don’t blame you, they’re tricky to find) you can also just use a lock pick to open Dark Zone chests without a key. Beware though, this is Rogue behaviour and will eventually make you visible to other players if you keep it up. Most players are out to kill in the Dark Zone though, so don't worry too much if you have to do it.

The Keymaster perk makes finding Dark Zone keys easier

Dark Zone keys can also be picked up from loot crates as you’re scavenging, but it’s good to note that you can make this much easier by unlocking a Dark Zone Perk via the Dark Zone Officer in your base of operations. Advance to Dark Zone level 25 by rampaging your way through the quarantine and you will be able to pick the ‘Keymaster’ perk, a tier six offering that gives the player a 25% chance to acquire Dark Zone keys from loot crates. This should make your scavenging much easier, though it will take some grinding to get there.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Xbox One PS4 Platforms Xbox PlayStation
Jordan Oloman
Jordan Oloman
Social Links Navigation
Freelance writer

Jordan Oloman has hundreds of bylines across outlets like GamesRadar+, PC Gamer, USA Today, The Guardian, The Verge, The Washington Post, and more. Jordan is an experienced freelance writer who can not only dive deep into the biggest video games out there but explore the way they intersect with culture too. Jordan can also be found working behind-the-scenes here at Future Plc, contributing to the organization and execution of the Future Games Show.

Read more
Templar Keys in Black Flag
Assassin's Creed All Templar Key locations in Black Flag Resynced
 
 
Task Bar Hero act boss chest earned from defeated act 2 boss
RPGs How to farm chests and loot in Task Bar Hero
 
 
A stone statue holds a rope on which you can find the Mortal Shell 2 Mushroom Village key.
RPGs Where to get the Mortal Shell 2 Chapel Key
 
 
Control Resonant
Action RPGs How to get all Clearance Keycards in Control Resonant
 
 
The Division 2: Echoes of Central Park
Third Person Shooters The Division 2 is getting a Central Park-focused expansion - and crossplay, after 7 years of waiting
 
 
Grounded 2 Frostbitten Key
Survival Games How to use the Frostbitten Key in Grounded 2
 
 
Latest in FPS
Quake Champions
FPS Games 4 years after full launch, Quake Champions is a paid game on Steam with no microtransactions
 
 
A screenshot of the upcoming PC game, wardogs
FPS Games Wardogs boss says "games need to cost more" and GTA 6 should've been the game to make the change
 
 
Wardogs soldier running
FPS Games Wardogs boss admits Bulkhead is "failing on getting Infantry servers to you guys"
 
 
Counter-Strike 2 release trailer screenshot showing an old-style white desktop PC running the Counter-Strike menu atop a wooden desk
FPS Games Counter-Strike 2 update adds 3v3 mode, music, and chicken eggs, but fans want "better anti-cheat"
 
 
Halo: Campaign Evolved cinematic trailer screenshot of Master Chief behind soldier with visor
Halo Halo cinematic director "promoted and laid off in the same week" amid sweeping Xbox layoffs
 
 
A man is shot in Wardogs
FPS Games Wardogs price will increase in early access: "If you don't agree with that, please don't buy it"
 
 
Latest in Guides
Control Resonant
Action RPGs How to reroute the Power Lines in Control Resonant
 
 
The MIO Specialist's Robe, one of the rewards available for redeeming Control Resonant codes
Action RPGs Control Resonant codes and how to redeem them for skins and outfits
 
 
A poison ball and a charge ball go head-to-head in Ball vs Ball.
Simulation Games All Ball vs Ball codes (September 2026) and how to redeem them for Coins
 
 
Control Resonant
Action RPGs What to do and where to go first in Control Resonant
 
 
Silent Hill townfall blood puzzle
Silent Hill Silent Hill Townfall blood puzzle solution
 
 
A raven-haired character in a hood is illuminated by a bright yellow light in the intro to Shape of Dreams.
Roguelike Games Shape of Dreams codes (September 2026) and how to redeem them for cosmetics
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. A purple-haired human-like figure looks down lustfully at a blond-haired woman
    1
    Fire Emblem and Hades-inspired RPG flees from Ocarina of Time remake: "Definitely not because Zelda shadowdropped its release date right after we announced ours"
  2. 2
    Resident Evil 2 remake sales nearly double on PS5 after Capcom discount coincides with Zach Cregger's "biggest opening in the 24-year history" of Resident Evil movies, says analyst
  3. 3
    "An Xbox that's only good for launching Steam is like subsidizing Valve's cash register": Ground-zero Xbox veteran says Microsoft needs to pick a lane before Project Helix hits a wall
  4. 4
    Lego Astro Bot officially revealed, and it looks incredible but I'm not sure it's $150 worth of incredible
  5. 5
    Attention music fans - the CRKD Les Paul guitar controller works with Stage Tour, and it just got a record-low discount at Woot

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...