Those who respond to calls for help from other agents in The Division 2 and assist them will soon be particularly recognized. This will be ensured by the so-called Shepherd system, which is set to be introduced with Title Update 5.
What is the purpose of helping? Pretty much every agent has likely heard the radio message “An agent is requesting support” by now. The so-called Call for Backup is a feature that allows lonely agents to call other random players for help when they can no longer proceed or are dead.
While some players are annoyed by this feature and turn it off, many agents are also helpful and support their comrades in distress. To encourage this help, Title Update 5 will introduce further incentives – in the form of the new Shepherd system.
This is how the new Shepherd system works: Massive has recently introduced this feature in the State of the Game on July 17. Here is what we know so far:
- The system is designed to encourage players to help each other and reward helpfulness.
- When a call for help comes in, you can respond as usual and accept it. If you help the needy player for a while by filling a XP bar through playing together, they can rate the helper. Simply jumping in and out won’t work.
- If there’s a thumbs up, the helper receives Shepherd experience and can thus increase their Shepherd level – Level 99 is the maximum.
- There is a timer after the support ends (on the large map view). Once it runs out, there will be a reward if you have increased your Shepherd level.
These are the rewards: To create more incentives for potential helpers, special rewards will be introduced.
- Shepherd title: If you help enough players, you will receive a special icon next to your player name. This way, everyone in the game can see that you are a seasoned Shepherd.
- If you level up within the Shepherd system, you will be able to unlock special accolades and patches.
- Additionally, there are plans to reward helpers with cosmetics (such as clothing) when leveling up.
When is Title Update 5 coming? The next major update and thus the Shepherd feature will be released on Tuesday, July 23 – for all players on all platforms. Agents won’t have to wait much longer.
At the same time, the new content of Episode 1 will also be released, at least for Year 1 Pass holders. All other players will have to wait until July 30, a week longer.
By the way, today, July 18, the weekly maintenance for The Division 2 has been canceled. It will be rescheduled for July 23, when Title Update 5 will be released. So you can play today without interruption.
What do you think of this Shepherd system? Is it enough of an incentive for you to support other unknown players more often or at all? Or are you already a diligent helper without this feature?
