In The Division, we present a PvE build around the gear set “D3-FNC”. This is more than just a tank set!
The update 1.5 introduced a new gear set, the “D3-FNC”, also known as the Frontline set. This set specializes in the ballistic shield, making it an interesting option for tanks.
However, the “D3-FNC” set not only makes you tanky but also transforms you into a true DPS machine when you skill your character accordingly. The YouTuber Skill Up demonstrates this build in the following video and explains why D3-FNC is an “incredible, super strong, and super fun gear set”:
How to create the D3-FNC build
First, regarding the gear set: It consists of a total of six armor pieces, of which you must equip four to unlock all bonuses. These are:
- 2-set bonus: +15% protection against elites
- 3-set bonus: +30% ballistic shield HP
- 4-set bonus: Talent – Allows the use of a submachine gun when a ballistic shield is active. The critical hit chance of the SMG is lowered to 0.
However, the Frontline talent also leads to the fact that you cannot switch weapons while the shield is active – not even to the pistol. Without this talent, you can only run around with a pistol when the shield is active.
Interesting: You can circumvent the downside of the 0% critical hit chance in several ways: with the Impulsor, with Wild Gloves, or the Precision talent.
The choice of skills
For this build, you first need the appropriate ballistic shield. This is the “Assault Shield” mod. This shield has about 20% fewer hit points than the standard shield (which is compensated by the 3-set bonus of D3-FNC), but it offers enormous advantages. Therefore, choose these skills:
- Ballistic Shield (Assault Shield Mod): This shield deflects bullets for you and grants bonuses to damage resistance, reload speed, precision, stability, stagger chance, increased threat, and gives a weapon damage bonus of 20%! Originally, these hefty bonuses were designed for pistols. Now, your submachine gun can benefit from this as well.
- Impulsor with Tactical Scanner
These are the armor pieces
- Mask: D3-FNC with increased firearm damage, with bonuses to skill power and enemy armor damage.
- Chest piece: Either high-end with the Reckless talent to increase damage by 8% but also increases incoming damage by 10%. As your shield absorbs damage for you in this build, this talent is excellent. Otherwise, Barret’s Bulletproof Vest is recommended. Since you always have the shield active, the damage increases by 5%. Good bonuses on the chest piece are armor and ammo capacity.
- Kneepads: D3-FNC with increased stamina, bonuses to armor and enemy armor damage.
- Gloves: D3-FNC – If you have another item with D3-FNC (e.g., the backpack), choose high-end gloves with the Wild talent, which increases critical hit chance against targets out of cover by 7%.
- Backpack: High-end with the Specialized talent, which gives you 200% of firearms and stamina to skill power. Otherwise, the Resourceful talent is top, which makes every healing additionally affect the active skill. Thus, the shield is also “healed”. Pay attention to bonuses for armor and ammo capacity.
- Holster: D3-FNC with a bonus to armor.
For armor mods, focus on firearms (to unlock all weapon talents) and on bonuses that increase toughness. If you’re flanked, you also need high toughness values – just the shield is not enough here.
Choose these weapons
No big surprise: You need a submachine gun with strong talents.
- Skill Up has a Navy MP5 N with the talents Brutal (increased headshot damage by 12%), Receptive (damage increased by 10% when closer than 10m to the target) and Roguish (killing an enemy regenerates 35% health over 20 seconds). Otherwise, Destructive is also strong.
For weapon mods, you do not need bonuses for critical hit chance, as the 3-set bonus of D3-FNC destroys these. Instead, fully focus on headshot damage – with the shield, you are close to the enemy and can easily aim for their heads. Also, increase optimal range, as you are slow with the shield in hand and can only cover larger distances leisurely. To ensure the SMG is effective at range, look for optimal range in mods.
- Additionally, choose a Light Machine Gun. If your shield breaks, take cover and hold the enemies off. This weapon type is also strong at range.
The character talents
Choose these character talents:
- One is None: Headshot hits have a 50% chance not to be consumed.
- Precision: Headshots transfer the Impulsor effect to a target – allowing you to deal critical hits and more damage to it.
- On the Move: Kill a target while moving to reduce incoming damage by 30% for 10 seconds.
- Emergency Medicine: Use a medkit when health is low to increase damage resistance by 40% for 10 seconds.
Conclusion: With this build, you gain a powerful ballistic shield along with a submachine gun, outstanding toughness, high weapon damage, increased precision, stability, range, reload speed, bonus stagger, critical hits, and bonus ammunition.
This makes it possible to rush solo through the most challenging PvE activities and deal a lot of damage as a tank. Possibly the best character setup for solo agents that is currently possible.
Over the Christmas holidays, you might want to try recreating this. What do you think of this build?
Do you prefer to play as a healer in a team? Here is a powerful healer build since 1.5.
