With Title Update 5 and the “Episode 1 – D.C. Outskirts: Expeditions” DLC, The Division 2 received some new content in July 2019. What’s inside? And how does the first of three planned DLCs for Year 1 fare? We reveal for whom the new content is now worthwhile.
What are the DLCs about? For the first year of The Division 2, 3 DLCs are planned, which will be released in an episodic format and will continuously provide new content for the tactical shooter.
These DLCs are available for free to all players—except for some secret missions—even without the Year 1 Pass. Owners of the pass get 7 days of early access to these new contents.
On July 23rd, “Episode 1” became available for Year Pass holders, while all other agents have been able to play this first DLC since July 30th on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
What’s inside Episode 1 – The Contents
The “Episode 1” DLC is called D.C. Outskirts: Expeditions, and as the name suggests, it takes agents to the wooded outskirts of Washington D.C.. There, players can discover new missions and a new PvE activity.
These are the new contents:
Two new story missions: Players can now undertake two new main missions outside Washington D.C.:
- Manning National Zoo
- and Camp White Oak.
These are full-fledged missions that can easily match in length and presentation with other main missions in the game.
In the zoo, agents need to hunt down and eliminate the Outcast leader Emeline Shaw, who has recovered from her defeat on Roosevelt Island and has now barricaded herself with her followers in the zoo.
In Camp White Oak, you need to attack the Black Tusk and capture one of their leaders. This elite mercenary group has taken over an estate deep in the forests near Washington, which you must now cleanse.
A new PvE activity – Expeditions: This is a kind of puzzle activity on the wooded edge of Washington.
The Expeditions take you to the grounds of Kenly College, where you must complete different tasks in three different sections to find friendly survivors and uncover the fate of a lost military convoy. During this, you can demonstrate your exploration, puzzle, and combat skills.
The Expeditions are somewhat larger than the regular story missions in the game.
New secret missions: Owners of the Year 1 Pass can also look forward to two new secret missions called Classified Assignments.
These are somewhat shorter missions that delve deeper into various events surrounding the fall of Washington D.C. These secret missions place a strong focus on the story. For example, you learn more about the civilian population or some factions in the game.
The two new Classified Assignments are called “Central Aquarium” and “NSA Site B13.” They take you to an aquarium complex where you need to rescue civilians being besieged by the Hyenas, and to a secret NSA base that you need to cleanse of the Black Tusk.
More about this can be found here: Finally, we know what to expect in the 2 new secret missions
New Exotics: With Title Update 5, two new exotic items came into the game. However, even though they were declared as part of the update, they can only be obtained through the new content of Episode 1.
- The exotic gloves BTSU-Gloves can be obtained as a random drop from the end boss of the new main mission Camp White Oak
- The exotic rifle Diamondback is obtained when you master all 3 sections of the new Expeditions.
New weapons: Also with Title Update 5, 2 new firearms have been introduced to the game. While these can drop randomly everywhere, you will certainly receive these weapons from the two new story missions of Episode 1.
- The Stoner LMG can be obtained during the initial playthrough of Camp White Oak
- The Carbine 7 assault rifle is obtained after mastering Manning National Zoo for the first time.
What these new weapons can do, you can find out here: How strong are the new weapons Stoner LMG and Carbine 7
New cosmetic collectibles: There are also new contents for collectors. In addition to numerous new mobile phones and recordings, there are also 5 new backpack charms. All of them can be found in the Expeditions or the new secret missions of Episode 1.
More about this can be found in our detailed Backpack Trophy Guide: How to get all the new backpack trophies from Title Update 5
What else has changed with Title Update 5: The first DLC was released hand in hand with the major Title Update 5. This included numerous changes and improvements to the game. Included were among other things:
- Discovery Mode – a new difficulty level for the raid
- Changes to crafting
- Adjustments to exotic drops
- Extensive overhaul of skills and their mods
- A proper flashlight as a pistol mod
- Shepherd System: Progress system and exclusive rewards for helpful agents who assist players in need
- New Apparel Event “Heatwave”
More about this can be found here: The Division 2 aims to make a turnaround with Title Update 5 – Here’s what’s in the big patch
How is Episode 1 received?
The fans have mixed feelings about the new content.
Pro: The numerous changes that came into the game with Title Update 5 are especially highlighted positively. The overhaul of the skills has been particularly well-received – finally skill builds like the Bomber Drone are genuinely useful.
Both of the new Exotics are strong and are well-received by the fans. Furthermore, the two new story missions from Episode 1 are praised. The missions are exciting and interesting, and the new environment is simply great. Many agents wish for more like this.
Contra: What is being criticized, however, is precisely the core of the new DLC – the Expeditions to the outskirts of Washington. Many players simply hoped for more here.
Many agents see no reason to engage in this activity permanently after having mastered all three sections once and secured the new weapon exotic and possibly the collectibles there.
Overall, the content volume is considered too small by some fans. Once you have played the two new missions, as well as the Kenly College and the 2 small secret missions as a season pass holder, you’ve essentially seen everything new. Had the expedition sections not been staggered in release, many would have already completed it all on the first day, according to some players’ criticism.
Whether the numerous changes from Title Update 5 and the two new Exotics with their respective new build possibilities can keep the fans entertained until the next content drop in the upcoming fall remains doubtful for many players.
Who is it worth it for?
Anyone who still enjoys The Division 2 and has stayed engaged despite the lack of new content will have plenty of reasons to continue doing so, especially due to the many changes from Title Update 5.
Especially with the changes to the skills and the two new Exotics, there are now numerous new build possibilities that want to be tested. The new missions and the Expeditions are essentially a nice addition that further expands the world of The Division 2.
However, those hoping for substantial content that can keep them engaged for the long term will likely be disappointed.
Also, anyone who has taken a break and wanted to check back in with the new DLC won’t be able to benefit from the new content for long.
The Expeditions offer little replay value after a single playthrough, while the new story missions are designed quite well but ultimately offer nothing really different from the rest of the game. At least they bring a bit of variety. But even the secret missions are unlikely to be played again by many.
In short, the new contents are quite limited and quickly consumed. After that, The Division is essentially the same game regarding truly relevant long-term content as it was before the “Episode 1” DLC:
- So anyone who was not really happy with the volume and activities in the game before the DLC will not be satisfied with it after its release – at least not in the long run.
- However, those who had fun playing The Division 2 before are likely to continue to enjoy it with the DLC and the update.
Conclusion: It can be confidently recommended to anyone who already enjoys The Division 2 to log in and at least run through the new missions and Expeditions once. They are definitely fun!
Those who want more will continue to play anyway. The rest had at least a few hours of something new to see in The Division 2.
What do you think so far about Title Update 5 and the “Episode 1” DLC? Let us know in the comments.
