In The Division, the threat system is finally being revamped with Update 1.4.
The threat, or aggro, system determines which player in your squad enemies will focus on in multiplayer games. If you present a significant threat, enemies will concentrate their fire on you. There are several ways to generate or reduce threat. This mechanic exists in The Division as well, but it has never functioned as desired until now.
In week 3 of the PTS phase, the revamped aggro system can be tested. The YouTuber Arekkz Gaming took a close look at “threat” and shares his insights.
Increase and Reduce Threat with Skills
With Update 1.4, you can specifically dictate the threat and thus redirect the enemies’ concentration on you. A working aggro mechanic is essential for a tank build so that it can fully embody its role in the team.
Arekkz and his buddy used builds that were very similar for the following tests. They completely refrained from mods that could influence threat. Instead, the skills regarding aggro were tested.
Generate Threat:
- Ballistic Shield (all mods).
- Mobile Cover with the extension mod.
Reduce Threat:
-
- Installation with the concealment mod.
- Impulse Generator with the disruptor mod.
- Mobile Cover with the countermeasures mod.
The Mobile Cover can therefore be used to generate and reduce threat.
In the first test, one agent activated the Ballistic Shield and shot wildly around, while the second agent used the installation. And indeed: This works really well on the PTS. In a smooth transition, the second agent generates the Ballistic Shield and the first agent goes into the installation, and the enemies focus their attention on the second agent – as intended. It is now possible for one agent to draw all or most of the fire while the remaining squad members take little or no damage.
In the second test, the two mods of the Mobile Cover are tried: both agents set up the respective cover side by side, with the one with the extension mod attracting the enemies’ focus. During the fight, the agents switch cover. The conclusion: Yes, the threat mechanic now works in The Division.
However, it should be noted that the enemies’ intelligence means that they will not just mindlessly shoot at the agent with the highest threat. If they flank your squad or the aggro agent is too far away, they will also attack the next best agent. The other agents therefore do not have 100% protection.
The agent with the highest threat can also use this to lure the enemies away from the other agents. This enables more diverse playstyles and tanking. Whether an aggro tank is actually necessary and makes sense in practice remains to be seen.
Have you been waiting for a functioning aggro mechanic since the release of The Division?
