With the Warlords expansion, a new mechanic in the form of SHD levels was introduced to The Division 2. This allows you to specifically improve your character in many areas after reaching the new maximum level. We explain how the new system works.
This is what the new mechanic is about: In addition to an increase in the maximum level to 40, a new RPG component now complements the leveling system of The Division 2 with the so-called SHD levels as part of Warlords of New York. These essentially work like the Paragon levels in Diablo 3. Certain attributes of your character can be pumped up. And this is how the new mechanic works:
The new SHD level system from Warlords – Here’s how it continues after level 40
Who has access to this new level system? Only owners of the new expansion “Warlords of New York” can benefit from the additional SHD levels.
Without Warlords, you will miss out on this and many other features: What does The Division 2 offer if you don’t buy the Warlords expansion?
When can you use this feature? The SHD levels are not activated immediately. You must first reach the new maximum level 40 and complete the Warlords campaign. Only then do the SHD levels come into play as another element of the endgame.
This is how the SHD levels work: Once you reach the new level cap and complete the story, you will continue to earn XP by engaging in in-game activities.
After a certain amount of experience points, the XP bar fills completely and you “level up”. The process of collecting XP starts over again, allowing you to “level up” repeatedly.
However, instead of simply receiving a field expertise container with random loot for each of these additional level-ups, you will have the opportunity to invest a SHD point in a specific attribute of your character after leveling up. After each level-up, the main category in which you can invest rotates.
This allows you to permanently improve the attributes. This improvement is independent of equipment and is never lost.
The previous field expertise system is replaced by the new SHD levels. By the way, the SHD levels apply account-wide. All your characters that have reached level 40 and completed the campaign benefit from it.
What exactly can I improve with the SHD levels? You can invest your points in a special menu displayed on your wristwatch after each level-up. The further you progress in the SHD levels, the cooler the visual effect of the watch should look.
There are 5 different categories, with 4 of them splitting into 4 further subcategories, where you will find the individual core attributes. They are divided as follows:
Offensive:
- Weapon damage
- Headshot damage
- Critical hit damage
- Critical hit chance
Defensive:
- Armor
- Health points
- Explosion resistance
- Hazard protection
Utility:
- Skill damage
- Skill speed
- Skill duration
- Skill repair
Handling:
- Precision
- Stability
- Reload speed
- Magazine capacity
Scavenging: This category gives you additional materials and money — essentially everything you need for crafting:
- Credits
- Steel
- Ceramics
- Polycarbonate
- Carbon fiber
- Electronics
- Titanium
- Printer filament
You will be able to select the resource you need most urgently.
The scavenging category can be increased indefinitely. There is no cap here. In the other 4 main categories, you can invest a maximum of 200 points each — 50 per subcategory.
Will this not make you overpowered eventually? With each invested point, there will only be a slight boost to the respective attribute each time.
You will not turn into a complete demigod over time who can almost kill everything and everyone with just a glance. But you should definitely feel a difference the further you progress in the SHD levels.
What do you think about this additional level system for the endgame? By the way, more endgame elements will soon come into play with the seasons:
