In The Division 2, the release date for Title Update 5 and Episode 1 has been announced. They will arrive in July for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. They bring free content and many improvements to the game.
The US site GameSpot has revealed details and the release date for when players can expect Episode 1 in The Division 2. At the same time, Massive announced this information during a live stream, the State of the Game.
Release Date for Episode 1 in The Division 2
When will the content be available? There are two dates:
- For Year Pass holders, Episode 1 starts on July 23, which is a Tuesday. Year Pass holders can then play 2 missions and the 1st wing of the expeditions.
- For everyone else, Episode 1 starts on July 30. Then everyone can play the two missions and already the first 2 wings of the expedition.
On July 23, Update 5 will also be released with improvements to The Division 2 for everyone, which we reported on in the last few weeks on MeinMMO.
The DLC is free. However, Year Pass holders can play the new content a week earlier than everyone else.
The release is simultaneous on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Expeditions larger than normal missions
What’s included in Episode 1: Episode 1 is the first major content addition that The Division 2 receives since release. It was promised prior that several hours of gameplay would be available, as the missions are supposed to belong to the endgame.
- Two new story missions are coming, which are supposed to be “fully-fledged” – just like the missions in the main game
- the new activity “Expeditions”: This is a puzzle activity, but there will also be shooting and looting. The expedition consists of three wings. The wings are supposed to open weekly. One wing opens on July 23 – the second on July 30. The expeditions are supposed to be “somewhat larger” than the normal missions.
- Additionally, there will be “Secret Assignments” for Year 1 Pass holders in “Central Aquarium” and “NSA Site B13”
What about new rewards?
Where are the Exotics? This is still not entirely clear.
The Exotics, according to the US site GameSpot, are tied to the Expeditions. Completing all three wings will grant new rewards. They are said to be locked in a secret treasure room:
- The exotic weapon Diamondback Rifle
- The exotic gear BTSU Datagloves
- and the two new weapons Stoner LMG and Carbine 7
In Ubisoft’s State of the Game, this part is not elaborated further. It only states that some backpack trophies and “secrets” are expected when completing the Expeditions.
Completing all three wings will grant “premium rewards.” However, Massive doesn’t specify in the State of the Game how to get the Exotics or the two new weapons.
The question is whether GameSpot revealed more than they should have or if they are mistaken.
What’s included in Update 5: Update 5 will also be released on July 23 and will change The Division 2 for everyone:
- The raid “Dark Hours” will have a new difficulty level “Discovery,” which players can also utilize matchmaking for. However, there are currently neither Eagle Bearer nor gear sets available. But that is not final: The exact loot table is still to be presented.
- Additionally, crafting will go up to level 500
- Exotics will drop with maximum values
- And there will be numerous changes to the skills, which should also make other builds in The Division 2 interesting besides pure weapon DPS builds
“Skills are coming!”
What is still unclear? Where exactly the two new Exotics and the two new weapons are located seems currently not entirely clear.
Although the US site GameSpot states that all 4 new items are in the treasure room after completing the three wings of the expeditions. But that seems quite strange.
The “Mastery” system for the expeditions has not yet been completed and will not be active until Massive has finished it.
Regarding the balancing of the skills, Massive is still unsure. In the new version, they are somewhat too deadly – they are still considering making adjustments. The skills are supposed to be powerful, but evidently, they may have overdone it a bit.
