The 1.8 update for The Division is coming soon! Here are the main new features that agents can look forward to.
The 1.8 update is not far off. An official release date is still pending, but Massive is expected to announce it soon – perhaps during the “State of the Game” stream on November 9.
However, it will definitely be a few days until the next content delivery hits the live servers. It’s time to get an overview of what 1.8 actually brings!
10 New Features of 1.8 You Should Know About
Several weeks ago, the developers stated that the main goal of update 1.8 is to finally give players what they have long wanted in The Division.
And the best part: All content of 1.8 is completely free. You do not have to spend any additional money for it.
1. Map Expansion of the Open World
The 1.8 update brings the first map expansion of the PvE area of The Division after more than a year and a half. The playable area expands to the northwest towards the West Side Pier.
The West Side Pier is divided into two zones (North and South). The area is expansive – you won’t be fighting on narrow streets between high-rises, but on wide plains.
Compared to other areas in the open world, the enemies in the West Side Pier have a dynamically spawning behavior. They don’t just stand around on the street aimlessly; they appear randomly and surprisingly. A dynamic AI generator is supposed to ensure that no visit is like the previous one.
Some of the “sights” at the West Side Pier include a nightclub, a car wash, a park, and the large aircraft carrier USS Intrepid. Additionally, this area features the Camp Clinton, which serves as a new social hub.
While update 1.8 does not include new story missions, it does bring new narrative content. This comes in the form of audio logs, which can be found in the West Side Pier.
In 1.8, enemy factions unite against the Division agents. They attack in mixed groups, which can create “nasty synergies.” You will discover how this happens in the audio logs, which reveal the backstory.
3. New PvE Endless Mode “Resistance”
“Resistance” is the new game mode that the 1.8 update is named after. It is the first PvE endless mode in The Division, which you can tackle in four-player groups.
In Resistance, you will face endless waves of enemies. The mode only ends when you die. There is no “final objective.” Every five waves, there is a boss wave – these can be viewed as “milestones.” There are no checkpoints.
Here’s the deal: The difficulty depends on progression. The first waves are quite easy. The further you get, the harder the waves become. Every 10 waves should yield better rewards. You will receive crates that have progressively better loot pools.
The 1.8 update introduces not only one new game mode but two! The second is called Skirmish and is a pure PvP mode. No NPCs. No huge maps where the fighting drags on. Instead: Intense PvP action.
The game mode is a simple team deathmatch: The team that first achieves a certain number of kills or has the most kills within a certain time wins. It’s played in 4v4. The normalization from “Last Stand” is also active here.
Skirmish is played on three PvP-focused maps, all located in the West Side Pier. They are significantly smaller than the maps in “Last Stand” to enable more intense battles. “Less running, more shooting” is the motto.
With update 1.8, not only new activities are coming but also new items:
Secret gear sets: Global Event 3 likely brings secret set pieces from Way of the Nomad, D3-FNC, AlphaBridge, and Banshee. Global Event 4 brings FireCrest, Hunter’s Faith, Predator’s Mark, and Tactician’s Authority.
Moreover, there will be more opportunities to obtain exotics and classified gear (secret gear sets).
7. Higher Gear Score
While update 1.8 does not provide a new world tier, it does introduce a higher maximum gear score. Currently, the maximum is 256, which will now be raised to 286. In World Tier 5, items will now drop between 256 and 286.
According to the developers, gear score will be calculated differently in 1.8 than before. Gear optimization will be key.
8. Optimization Station and Division Tech
There will be an optimization station where you can optimize your weapons and armor pieces. This means you can push their stats and attributes to the maximum afterward.
The further you optimize your items, the higher your gear score rises. Only with fully optimized gear can you achieve a gear score of 286.
To optimize your gear, you will need division tech. This resource will finally have a purpose again. In 1.8, there will be new ways to collect division tech.
9. Rogue 2.0
With 1.8, it will again be worthwhile to go rogue in the Dark Zone and hunt down rogues. The rogue system will be fundamentally revised:
You can no longer accidentally go rogue. Friendly fire is no longer possible. You now must declare your intention beforehand. Other agents can prepare themselves that you will attack them.
You must deactivate your manhunt status at a random location in the Dark Zone. Then there will be reward crates. These can contain exotics and secret gear sets.
Rogue 2.0 was a controversial topic on the PTS. The developers want to closely monitor how it performs on the live servers and will respond accordingly.
Tom Clancy's The Division is an MMO shooter by Ubisoft. Players find themselves in a wintry New York, where people are fighting for their very survival. A virus...
