In The Division, we take a closer look at the Exotics. Update 1.6 transforms Named into Exotic.
The named weapons in Ubisoft’s MMO shooter have been controversial since launch: they were merely high-end weapons with names restricted to fixed talents. They did not represent anything special. On the contrary: the standard high-end guns were better, as they could come with powerful perk combinations.
In the latest updates, Massive tinkered a bit with the “Named Weapons”, but the changes were not satisfactory. Update 1.6 now provides a overhaul: the named items (weapons and armor parts) will become exotic items.
This is what makes the Exotics in The Division special
If you now think: “I already know Exotics from another MMO shooter?”, you are absolutely right. Exotics also refer to items of the highest quality level in Destiny. And the Exotics in The Division will be similar to those in Destiny.
The named items no longer belong to the high-end quality and will receive their own quality level. Starting with update 1.6, they will be called Exotics. The exotic items will have a new quality color, allowing you to recognize them directly when an enemy drops an Exotic or when you search for them in your inventory. Each Exotic will also receive a flavor text that contains a brief description/lore.
The exotic items come with unique talents. Some of the named objects already have special talents, like all named armor pieces. Weapons that do not have a unique talent will receive one with 1.6. The other two talents of the weapon will be randomly rolled.
Important: The unique talents cannot be transferred with AlphaBridge.
This is part of Massive’s goal to give the named weapons more personality and bring more variety to the game. Additionally, it should be fun to play with these unique weapons.
Talents and exotic weapon sets
Not all exotic weapon talents are known yet, but we already know three examples:
- Hungry Hog comes with the talent “Glutton”: When you kill an enemy, damage increases by 20%. This buff lasts as long as you keep the trigger pressed. When you stop shooting, the damage bonus ends.
- Tenebrae comes with the talent “Lights Out”: When you destroy an enemy’s weak point, your skill cooldowns and those of nearby allies are reset.
- Exotic weapon sets: For “exotic weapon sets”, you must equip two exotic weapons for the talent to activate. The Valkyria is mentioned as an example. It is split into “Hildr” and “Eir”, whose talents become active and provide synergy effects when both are equipped.
Some Exotics also come with new stats. The update 1.6 will adjust the weapon balance. More detailed information will follow in the near future.
All changes are retroactive: this means that even the named weapons in your current inventory will be transformed into Exotics.
Furthermore, update 1.6 introduces “Exotic Caches”, which are exotic containers. They guarantee an exotic item. Exotic containers are weekly rewards from missions on the new difficulty level “Legendary”.
Read about the upcoming ingame store and microtransactions here.
