Modern Warfare 4: DMZ's 'Possum' Trait Lets You Revive After Full Death

DMZ in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 has only been playable for a day, and an Operator Trait is already sparking discussions: "Possum." The community is calling it overpowered. We explain what it does and how to arm yourself against it.

How Does the Possum Trait Work in DMZ?

Possum belongs to the Warfighter Skilltree. It only activates after a full death: you lie on the ground as a normal, lootable corpse and then stand up again later. This is different from self-revive in the DBNO (down but not out) state, which every player can use from Level 1.

You don't need to unlock it for long. According to PC Gamer, anyone who heads straight for it in the skill tree can have it in a handful of matches. However, a few things slow the trait down:

• The self-revive process is not fast.
• Afterward, you still need a tourniquet to get back up from the DBNO state.
• In both phases, you are vulnerable if someone is paying attention.

The trait is probably intended as an insurance policy: you play dead, wait until your corpse has been looted and the enemies are gone, then make off with your Operator. You lose equipment in the process, but you save the Operator, who is expensive to replace. Call of Duty YouTuber JGOD demonstrated exactly this: wait about three minutes until the enemies have left, then collect loot and extract. You can find more about Traits, MIA, and Prestige in our DMZ Operator Guide.

Why Is the Community Calling Possum Broken?

The trigger was a clip from player xFleXy_ on X on October 20th. He kills an enemy, turns to face other foes, and the supposedly dead opponent gets up and shoots him in the back. The player directly questioned Infinity Ward and Call of Duty about it.

This is probably not how the trait was intended: not as a comeback in the middle of a fight, but as a quiet wait. There has been no reaction from Infinity Ward yet.

How Do You Counter Possum in DMZ?

Based on what's been said, a few basic rules emerge:

• Don't blindly turn your back on a freshly eliminated corpse as long as other enemies are nearby.
• Pay attention to your surroundings. The self-revive takes time, and afterward, the enemy still needs a tourniquet. During this time, you can eliminate them again.
• Stay close if you suspect the enemy is using the trait, and observe the corpse.

If you're playing Possum yourself, you should do what JGOD did: wait until the enemies are truly gone, then get up.

What Does PC Gamer Suggest to Mitigate It?

Author Morgan Park fundamentally considers Possum a good idea in DMZ because the mode is intended to be less punishing than other extraction shooters. The problem, he argues, is the implementation. His suggestions: more noise when getting up, a long wait time of five to ten minutes, or the ability to burn corpses. The latter is familiar from Hunt: Showdown, where the Necromancer trait works similarly and enemies can set bodies on fire. This is the author's opinion, not an announcement.

From our perspective, a counter like in Hunt: Showdown would be the fairest approach. The killer gets a tool, and the trait remains as a risk-mitigation. Whether Infinity Ward changes anything remains to be seen. Until then: keep an eye on every corpse. You can find out how to get started in DMZ in our overview, what DMZ costs and who has access. Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23, 2026, but DMZ is already playable.

Source: PC Gamer

Have you tried Possum yet, or have you been caught by a "dead" enemy? Share your thoughts in the comments!