Patch 1.8.1 for The Division has a release date. On April 12th, changes to the drop rates, two new legendary missions, and the Xbox One X patch will come. Shortly thereafter, the new global event, Blackout, is expected to follow.
The State of the Game just happened on March 29th, and Massive had an announcement ready. Agents can look forward to April 12th, the day Patch 1.8.1 goes live.
This patch brings
- higher drop rates for classified gear,
- more Division Tech, and
- 2 new legendary missions.
- Shortly after the patch release, the new global event Blackout will also launch.
- Additionally, Xbox One X owners can look forward to 4K rendering and other improvements.
The (preliminary) patch notes for 1.8.1
So far, the final patch notes have not been announced. However, it is likely that they will be identical to the PTS version.
Revised chances for classified gear
- Open world bosses: 6% drop chance (doubled)
- Legendary missions: 20% chance upon completion
- Special classified containers during upcoming global events: Each available secret set will receive a special container that guarantees a part of that set
- Special container for classified gear: This costs 2500 Phoenix Credits and contains a secret set piece. You can buy these from the special equipment vendor.
- Supply drops for season pass owners: They now have a 10% chance for classified gear.
- Exotic weapons: The Exotics sold by the vendors will be removed from the normal loot pool. They are only available from the vendors now.
Additional new features
- The missions “Amherst’s Apartment” and “Grand Central Station” will receive the legendary difficulty level
- Supply drops for season pass owners give 100 Div Tech
- In the future, daily assignments will yield 25 Division Tech and weekly assignments 100 Division Tech.
- Open world bosses can drop all Exotics
- Resistance bosses will soon reward 100 GE Credits during global events.
- Xbox One X update with 4K rendering and other improvements
- Players of the secret FireCrest set will receive immunity to their own fire damage.
- More bug fixes
New global event: Blackout
Blackout will be the first of two new global events and is expected to launch shortly after the release of Patch 1.8.1.
The modifiers for Blackout:
- Blackout (always active): Players receive shock ammunition, which allows you to stun your opponents. By running or shooting, you fill a charge indicator. You deal more damage the higher the charge is.
- Extreme Blackout (in addition to Blackout): Enemies can be killed by overloading in close combat. If you miss the opponent, or your charge exceeds 100%, players and allies will be stunned.
- Total Blackout (in addition to Blackout and Extreme Blackout): Your charge indicator depletes faster when close to group members.
In total, 40 new commendations will be introduced with Blackout and Onslaught.
Note: Rewards and gear sets for both events are still not known.
You can find a complete list of the patch notes with all bug fixes here
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