In The Division the PTS Phase 2 for update 1.8 starts today, October 5th, on PC. New content will be activated – here are the patch notes.
Update 5:30 PM: The State of the Game just aired, with few new details.
- There is still no specific date for the console PTS, but the target is still next week.
- Additionally, Global Events 3 and 4 will be playable on the PTS.
- Overall, the developers are very satisfied with the public test servers. The Dark Zone feels like a new game mode due to the new rogue system.
- The most important changes made today to the PTS that Massive discussed today are as follows.
Article from 2:30 PM:
Today, Thursday, the second phase of the public test servers for update 1.8 is initiated. At least on the PC, as the PTS on PS4 and Xbox One will not start until next week – at the earliest.
The console PTS will then be live with the contents of PTS Phase 2. From then on, all platforms will be on the same level.
On the PTS, upcoming content for update 1.8 will be tested, allowing Massive to gather feedback and data prior to the official launch to eliminate as many bugs and balance issues as possible beforehand. In PTS Phase 1, the focus was on the new PvP mode Skirmish – which offers pure PvP without PvE.
Now new content is being added. However, maintenance work will take place beforehand. From 2 PM to approximately 3 PM, the PTS servers will be down.
The most important new features of PTS Phase 2 – Patch Notes
Here are the most important changes coming today to the PC PTS and next week to the console PTS:
- The new Underground will be activated. This introduces new challenges, better loot, hunters as enemies, and fresh directives. All information in the link.
- Resistance will be activated. This is the PvE horde mode where you face endless waves of enemies. All information in the link.
- Big Alejandro, one of the four new exotic weapons, will have reduced damage. The buff only builds up when you shoot near an enemy.
- At the special equipment vendor, you can purchase special exotic containers that contain the new exotics. This is only possible on the PTS.
Further changes:
- The minimum and maximum damage bonuses on assault rifles, LMGs, shotguns, and SMGs for gloves will be increased
- When you disassemble high-end items, exotics, and gear set items, there is a chance they will drop Division Tech.
- Generally, you will receive more Division Tech: In the Dark Zone, from Resistance containers, from West Side Pier alerts, from landmarks, etc.
- The turn speed of agents has been slightly increased – you can now turn around a bit faster.
- If you want to go rogue in the Dark Zone, there is now a standard key combination for it: Shift+R or Shift+U.
- After an optimization at the optimization station, it is no longer possible to share the optimized gear with other players.
- The 6-set bonus of “Way of the Nomad” has changed to: 50% chance that there is no cooldown on the “Way of the Nomad” talent. This talent means that when you take a lethal hit, you regain all health. This is otherwise only possible every 4 minutes. Additionally, you will take 60% less damage for 10 seconds after activating the “Way of the Nomad” talent.
The Firecrest set is being extensively reworked. Here are the new 5-set and 6-set bonuses:
- 5-set bonus of Firecrest: +1 incendiary grenade capacity, +5% flame turret range, +10% flame turret damage
- 6-set bonus of Firecrest: Bullets have a 2% chance to ignite the enemy. Burning targets can explode when killed by bullets. This can happen once every 10 seconds. Additionally, NPC enemies burn 25% longer through the flame turret per 2000 electronics.
You can find the complete patch notes with all fixes in the Ubi forum.
