You've probably heard the horror stories by now. You're geared up, feeling confident, and then you step into the At the Mounds of Madness Gray Zone mission area and everything goes sideways in about four seconds. It's one of those tasks in Gray Zone Warfare (GZW) that acts as a gatekeeper. Handed out by Handshake, it sounds simple enough on paper—just go to the mounds, find the gear, and get out. But the reality is a jagged pill to swallow.
The AI here doesn't play fair. Honestly, it feels like they’re cracked out on something. If you’re expecting a casual stroll through some dirt piles, you’re going to end up staring at a "Death Screen" before you even see a muzzle flash.
What’s Actually Happening At the Mounds of Madness?
Basically, you are heading to a series of archaeological excavation sites. These aren't just holes in the ground; they are complex layers of verticality and concealment that the local Lamang militias love to exploit. The mission requires you to locate a specific set of tactical equipment left behind by a previous team that, frankly, did a worse job than you're hoping to do.
The "Mounds" are located specifically in the Lao Lan Region. If you look at your map, you're targeting coordinates roughly around 142 121. It’s a desolate spot. No cover. No mercy.
Success here isn't about being a better shot. It’s about not being a target in the first place. Most players fail because they treat GZW like a standard arcade shooter, sprinting toward the objective marker. In this zone, that’s suicide. The tall grass and the uneven terrain mean the AI can see your forehead while you’re staring at a wall of green.
The Gear You Actually Need
Don't go in light. This isn't the place for a "naked run" with a Makarov.
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You need glass. A 4x optic is the bare minimum because the engagement distances across the excavation pits are deceptively long. If you're trying to use iron sights against a bot tucked under a camo net 80 meters away, you've already lost. Bring an M4A1 or an AK-74 provided you have decent ammo. Speaking of ammo—don't use the cheap stuff. Use PRS or better. The NPCs here often wear basic soft armor, and watching your bullets bounce off a scavenger's chest is a tilting experience.
Navigating the Death Traps
The excavation site is split into several "pits." The equipment you’re looking for—the Tactical Gear—is usually tucked away in the more recessed areas or near the makeshift wooden structures.
One thing people get wrong is the approach. Everyone approaches from the south because it feels "safe." It isn't. The northern ridge offers a much better vantage point, allowing you to pick off the perimeter guards before you ever set foot in the mud. There are usually about 6 to 8 hostiles patrolling the immediate vicinity of the mounds. They wander. They flank. If you hear a shout in a language you don't understand, move. Immediately.
The AI in Gray Zone Warfare uses a "last known position" system. If they see you, they will suppress that spot while their buddies move to your left or right. If you stay behind the same rock for more than thirty seconds, you're getting flanked.
Finding the Gear
Once the area is "quiet"—and I use that term loosely because it’s never truly quiet—you need to find the specific crate.
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- Look for the wooden scaffolding.
- Check the "B" pit area.
- The crate is a small, dark tactical box. It doesn't glow. There’s no giant golden beam of light pointing to it.
You have to actually use your eyes. It’s usually tucked near some barrels or under a lean-to. Once you grab it, the mission isn't over. You have to extract. And the extraction points (LZs) near the mounds are notorious for "LZ campers," both AI and players from rival factions.
Why Everyone Struggles With This Mission
It’s the bushes. Seriously.
The "At the Mounds of Madness" area has some of the most frustrating foliage in the game. In the current build of Gray Zone Warfare, the AI occasionally has "X-ray vision" through certain types of grass. You’ll be prone, thinking you’re invisible, and a bot will headshot you from 100 yards with a rusty SKS.
To counter this, you have to use the "slow is smooth" approach. Use your lean keys (Q and E). Never peak the same corner twice. If you get shot at and don't know where it came from, don't try to find them. Run. Break line of sight, circle around, and come back from a different angle.
Another tip: bring more water than you think. The Lamang heat is a mechanic, not just flavor text. If you’re pinned down in a hole for ten minutes fighting off a wave of scavengers, your hydration will bottom out. A dehydrated PMC is a slow PMC. A slow PMC is a dead PMC.
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Advanced Tactics for the Solo Player
If you aren't running with a squad, the At the Mounds of Madness Gray Zone task is significantly harder. You don't have anyone to watch your back while you're looting the crate.
Here is the pro move: Use grenades. Not for killing, but for locating. If you think a bot is hiding in a bush near the excavation, toss a frag. Even if it doesn't kill them, they will yell or move, giving away their position. It's a "loud" recon tool, but it works when the visual clutter is too high.
Also, check your fire mode. Keep it on semi-auto for the approach. Full auto is for when things have gone catastrophically wrong and you're clearing a trench. At the mounds, accuracy is king. Every missed shot is a flare telling every enemy in the hex exactly where you are sitting.
Dealing with the "Mounds" Bug
Sometimes, the gear doesn't spawn. It’s rare, but it happens. If you’ve cleared the entire area and the crate isn't where it’s supposed to be, don't hang around. Exit the area, head to a different LZ, or even swap servers. It sucks, but wasting thirty minutes looking for a glitched item is worse.
Most of the time, though, it’s just hidden behind a physics object or tucked under a piece of trash you didn't think was searchable. Be thorough. Check every nook of those wooden platforms.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Raid
To actually clear this and move on to the next tier of Handshake's missions, follow this specific sequence:
- Insurance is Mandatory: Insure your kit. You are going to die at least once learning the patrol patterns of this area.
- The "Ridge" Strategy: Approach from the high ground to the North/Northwest. Spend five minutes just watching through your scope. Identify the "pacing" guards.
- Suppressors are Life: If you have access to suppressors, use them. It prevents the entire camp from swarming you at once.
- The Loot Loop: Grab the gear and do not head to the closest LZ. The closest one is usually a death trap. Walk the extra 300 meters to a secondary LZ. It’s worth the hike to ensure you actually keep your progress.
- Post-Mission Cleanup: Once you extract, don't forget to actually "Hand In" the item to Handshake in the vendor menu. If you go back into a raid with the mission item in your bag and die, you have to do the whole thing over again.
The At the Mounds of Madness Gray Zone mission is a test of patience. It’s designed to punish players who rush and reward those who treat the environment with respect. Keep your head down, watch the ridgelines, and for the love of everything, don't trust the bushes. Get in, get the gear, and get out before the local militia realizes they're being hunted.