As with other Tom Clancy titles, The Division 2contains quite an intriguing story. And true to Ubisoft fashion, the game offers an action-packed third-person shooter. So, for newbies out there, just how exactly should they play the game?
Updated on December 15, 2022 by Rhenn Taguiam: With person of interest General Peter Anderson beginning to build a powerbase as next in line for leading the True Sons, his presence in Season 10: Price of Power makes him a large-enough threat that may potentially have the means to take down the Division. Thankfully, new Division 2 players are in no short supply. Despite the rather overwhelming nature of the game’s current story, Division 2 has a seamless-enough process of indoctrinating newcomers into the ranks of Washington’s most elite operatives.
And to those who want more tips on dominating the early game, perhaps they need to realize the value of teaming up with allies, routinely going back to base whenever they level up, and being careful with the weapons and strategies they choose.
20 Practice Teaming Up
Despite Drones, Mines, and Turrets practically allowing players of Division 2 to traverse most levels alone, a lot of the fun and tactical prowess in the game is shown in its multiplayer components. And while the Dark Zone is still a hazardous area to enter for newcomers to the game, there’s still value in Division 2 players practicing their co-op strategies, especially as they progress through their Specializations.
A key component in this multiplayer practice is to either find a collaborative group to play with, use the Matchmaking Station to get paired with other open players, or even look for Agents “Requesting Backup” from ISAC. These options likely pair players with Agents of similar skill levels and gear levels,
19 Go Back To The Base After Every Level
As with other RPGs, leveling up in Division 2 gameplay gives them various methods to improve their stats further. In the case of the game, Agents who level up receive Skill Points and SHD Tech they could use to unlock new abilities and obtain new Perks to personalize their Agents further. Players can only spend these points during their visits to the Quartermaster.
In turn, players may want to consider going back to the White House whenever they level up to immediately spend their points and become as optimally built as possible. While players can do the usual MMO strategy of delaying their upgrades after various levels, enemies may become a tad bit difficult to deal with once players skip enough skill-ups, making encounters unnecessarily more difficult for them.
18 Get Headshot Perk To Train
Unlike other shooters, gameplay in Division 2 allows players access to unique buffs that vastly improve their tactical prowess through Perks. It’s Perks that give players a lot of customization options for their Agent, giving them a means of leaning towards specialties and playstyles that make them apart from other Agents who generally have access to the same tools.
For beginners, ideal Perks to pick are those that give players a lot of room for practice. A priority here would be the Headshot Accolade Perk, which provides extra XP whenever Agents pull off headshot kills. Considering how headshots can make encounters with multiple enemies much more accessible, practicing these early on can become something players can thank themselves for once they reach the game’s stricter endgame levels.
17 Secure Followers To Get Projects Faster
With one of the main goals of Division 2 being the restoration of order in Washington D.C., players are also tasked with establishing key points of “civilization” to pave the way for safe civilian settlements slowly and away from evil entities such as the Hyenas. The gameplay describes these locations as Projects, which will not only give players extra rewards and boost XP gain but also provide new locations to Settlements.
Obtaining Projects can be tricky, however, as they’re generally tied to Followers players acquire in the game. Throughout the game’s main mission, Division 2 eventually tasks players to get Followers to access Projects. And before players get more Followers, they need to upgrade Projects where they come from. This “loop” of players constantly developing areas they slowly access can give them a steady stream of both Projects and Followers, and the management of the collection of these gameplay elements early on can make an Agent’s growth much easier.
16 Skip Crafting Weapons For Now
One of the most exciting components of Division 2 gameplay is its tactical premise in a post-apocalyptic setting. This means while players do get access to various real-life guns, they also have the option of customizing them to meet precisely the functions they need to survive in a chaotic Washington D.C. It’s exactly this crafting option that makes Division 2 all the more personalized for players, especially when they can craft a ton of weapons.
However, newcomers may want to skip out on crafting for now. Eliminating various opponents and clearing multiple objectives early on will give players a wide variety of weapons to use anyway, allowing them to get a grand tour of trying multiple gun types at a time. As players get further into the game’s story, they’ll eventually have a better understanding of which weapons to donate and sell, and which ones they should keep as part of their rotations.
15 Avoid Stressing Over Early Builds
As with any spec-ops team, Division Agents all have Specializations in the field. For players, these served as equivalents of classes that enabled their characters to fulfill special battlefield roles. These include explosive Demolitionists, supportive Survivalists, and deadly Sharpshooters. Naturally, players who want to get a headstart in crafting effective builds would want to stick to a Specialization on the get-go.
Thankfully, this isn’t necessarily the case. In the game, players can freely switch between Specializations provided they’ve unlocked them. That way, they can prepare ideal builds based on their preferred combat roles. This also helps players avoid having to build another character.
14 Cling To Old Gear For Projects
Players progressing through the game will likely gather a ton of loot - particularly gear that can improve their character’s base stats. As with any MMO, loot lovers might find it difficult to separate with even the earliest of loot they uncover. Thankfully, the game does incentive players who periodically let go of unnecessary items.
In the player’s mission to rebuild order in Washington DC, they will be tasked to help the Division recreate critical infrastructure around the region. The game refers to these establishments as Projects, and they need players to trade in their old gear to generate new supplies. Players who complete Projects not only get rewards but also access to safe zones and unique gameplay elements.
13 Upgrade With Weapon Mods
Being specialists in their own right, Division Agents also have the opportunity to customize their gear to fit their combat preferences. In the game, players can customize their weapons with any number of Mods to enhance their performance. Players can slot in mods in the form of Magazines, Muzzles, Optics, and Underbarrels.
Ideal Mods for beginners would help with weapon handling and firing rate. These include the Nimble Link Belt (Magazine, 5-percent Fire rate buff) or even the Omega 5.56 Rifle Suppressor (Muzzle, 20-percent Stability buff). Overall, players should try and find Mods that could help them perform in their ideal playstyle. That way, they can slowly experiment with the kind of builds they may want for their character as they level up.
12 Recalibration Has Its Perks
Given how weapons form a core aspect of the gameplay in The Division 2, they also have extra customization features aside from Mods. By the time players unlock the Recalibration Station in the White House, they can perform Recalibration as well. At its core, Recalibration allows players to transfer one stat or Talent from one weapon to a weapon of the same type. This process can only happen once and destroy the stat or Talent source.
With this in mind, players don’t necessarily have to throw away weapons they started loving particularly because of a particular stat. Moreover, this can allow players to customize their weapons even further and carry their favorite stat or Talent onto newer weapons.
11 Sound Matters In Combat
Being a modern Tom Clancy game, players can expect The Division 2 to play similar to their other military fiction titles, such as Rainbow Six: Siege. More notably, Siege’s remarkable usage of sound technology also carries over to The Division 2. In turn, combat relies not only on how players shoot opponents but on how they position themselves and utilize sound.
Enemies have some degree of acoustic recognition, meaning they can focus fire and try to position where they think the player is located. In turn, players need to make use of their environment to lure enemies to unexpected positions using sound cues. Likewise, they should note how they can sneak into enemy lines undetected and how best they can stealthily eliminate foes when outnumbered.
10 Take Advantage Of Skills
Players in The Division 2 have access to various skills that can aid them and their allies in the game. There are eight skills present in The Division 2, each with its subcategories, advantages, and disadvantages. Players should choose skills appropriate for their role so that they can maximize their contribution to their squad.
For instance, solo players can use the Drone (Striker) or Turret (Assault) to get an extra squad member in their missions. Turrets can be placed on top of covers, giving players additional protection while reloading or fixing their loadout. Meanwhile, a Striker Drone can fly around the battlefield and shoot at mobs while you focus on your objective.
9 Get Your Shots Right
Ubisoft implemented armor plates for both enemies and players in The Division 2, meaning mobs and bosses can get much harder to hit, regardless of whether they’re in New York or Washington D.C. However, this caveat doesn’t make them impossible to kill. Players have to look for possible weaknesses in enemy armor and shoot those spots first to break them. These weak spots usually come in red color, so keep an eye out for these discrepancies.
When players break enemy armor, they become much more vulnerable and easier to kill. If players and their squad find a mob hard to eliminate, they’re probably wearing armor.
8 Use Covers Often And Carefully
Aside from armor plating, Ubisoft implemented a cover system in the game. This element makes shootouts more often and more engaging. Likewise, this feature means staying out in the open will likely kill players immediately. Thankfully, there’s plenty of cover around the city, so players can easily defend themselves from mobs.
However, players should be careful about using the cover mechanic. While covers allow them to plan shots and repair equipment, enemies may be encouraged to flank players or even pin them down. Enemies also use cover, so players should be extra cautious whenever they approach tight spots or use objects as cover.
7 Fix Armor Except Before Completing The Mission
Both players and enemies possess armor, which adds another level of difficulty in combat. When players get hit, their armor also suffers damage and risks getting destroyed. Thankfully, players can repair their armor with armor plates during firefights, especially when they take cover. However, players shouldn’t repair their armor in battle all the time.
This advice might seem counterintuitive, but it makes sense given the rarity of armor plates. In lengthy story battles, players should repair their armor as soon as possible, especially if there are a lot of enemies left. However, in the endgame, they can simply make do with broken armor and finish the mission without wasting armor plates. Players should do this often, as the game refills armor and health after the task anyway.
6 Punch When They Get Too Close
Just because The Division 2 has guns doesn’t mean there’s no opportunity to go melee. Players can press Tab (or the right stick) to punch enemies when they get too close. This move can be helpful when there’s a ton of mobs to deal with, or if you need a quick exit.
Moreover, gamers can practice their melee skills thanks to some challenges that encourage using melee against enemies. Players who know when to use melee combat in the game can help squads decide when to approach enemies and what tactics to use to distract opponents when they’re up close.
5 Consider Getting The Detection Perk
Players who want to get better loot in The Division 2 should consider getting the Detection perk. Unlike other perks that give more armor plates and space for supplies, Detection might seem useless. After all, this perk simply lets players see loot containers around the world after giving supplies to friendly control points.
However, players who want to craft their weapons should get this perk to make the search for crafting materials easier. Moreover, this perk maximizes the player’s chances of finding all the food and water at a supply node.
4 Activate Safehouses, Secure Control Points
Players can explore a huge overworld in The Division 2, filled with different locations and missions. However, gamers who want to take full advantage of this open world should consider focusing on safehouse and control points. New areas contain safehouses that serve as matchmaking and spawn points. Moreover, these safe houses offer quests that lead to boss fights with great EXP rewards.
Meanwhile, control points serve as contested areas in new regions with enemy mobs. Players that clear these areas not only make the control point a safe zone for fast travel and spawning. Instead, these reclaimed control points will now spawn friendly NPCs that patrol the area for added security.
3 Try To Explore The Whole Map
Aside from safehouses and control points, The Division 2 contains a ton of secret missions, secret bosses, and special collectibles and containers. Not only do these items grant players additional EXP, but they may also have rare items and loot.
Whenever players get in a new area, they should check structures and places for unique rooms and contraptions that unlock hidden locations. Underground passages may contain faction keys that open locked chests all over the game map.
2 Complete Projects, Upgrade Settlements
In The Division 2, players can get access to better weapons and gear, not just by fighting bosses. The game introduces settlements or locations that try to rebuild a part of human society. Players can help these settlements build projects that not only change the overall “look” of the settlement but also give EXP. Moreover, these projects can unlock blueprints that enable players to craft new items, mods, and weapons.
As such, players should consider holding on to “useless” items such as armor parts, helmets, and gloves as they can complete some projects by donating these.
1 Don’t Get Into The Expansion Immediately
Players might want to get back into The Division 2 with Warlords of New York. After all, the expansion not only gives a new map but there are tons of original content and a quick boost to Level 30. However, both new and returning players should probably play the game from the start not just to get “the feel” of the game, but to also take advantage of potential loot.
For instance, The Division 2 gives players access to three free “Episodes” that move the plot from the first game. These offer not only new maps but also missions that provide good loot in harder difficulties. Players should complete these missions in order, leaving Episode 3 for last as this directly leads into Warlords of New York.
The Division 2 was released on February 7, 2019, and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Google Stadia.
More: Counter Strike: Mods That Make The Game Way Better
