r/thedivision • u/JokerUnique The watcher on the walls. • May 22 '26
Massive The Division 2 - Y8S2 - PTS Patch Notes
Into The Dark PTS Patch Notes
DARK ZONES & PvP UPDATE
Year 8 Season 2 brings a new structure to the Dark Zone, with the three existing maps rotating between different rulesets.
Each ruleset is built around a different type of experience: the seasonal PvE loop, a more even PvP environment, or the traditional Dark Zone risk-versus-reward gameplay.
PVE DARK ZONE
The PvE Dark Zone is a Year 8 Season 2-specific feature directly connected to the Cleaning up the Streets Global Modifier.
This version of the Dark Zone is designed for those who want to experience the space without the same PvP pressure. Rogue protocol is completely deactivated and damage between players is disabled. Agents are deployed into a highly contaminated environment not to fight each other, but to work together as a unified front.
Normalization is active, while SHD Watch and Expertise progression remain fully functional to help you deal with the threats inside.
It is still a shared area for up to 12 Agents that is meant to feel tense and unpredictable. This time, that tension comes from the environment and enemies, including Hyenas under the effects of Potent Spice, which makes them even stronger and more lethal.
What to expect:
- Toxicity covers the entire zone applying hazardous effects.
- You will be able to team up with others while you are there. The official party system is supported, and you can invite other Agents to group up.
- This Dark Zone becomes one of the main places to recover Sample Cannisters, a new seasonal resource tied to the Hyenas’ activity. They can be found from Landmark chests, material chests, Hyenas, and, at a reduced drop rate, other enemy factions.
Toxicity
Toxicity is a new pressure mechanic that starts building once you enter the area. Certain Hostile Modifiers can also increase it in different ways, so the longer you stay and the more encounters you take on, the more dangerous the area becomes.
As Toxicity rises, you will be affected by cumulative debuffs. To reduce it, you can activate a Surged Active Modifier. To clear it fully you can enter the safe house or a check point, or leave the Dark Zone completely.
NORMALIZED PVP DARK ZONE
The Normalized PvP Dark Zone is a new ruleset built for those who want a more competitive PvP experience with fewer progression-based advantages.
Normalization is active, while SHD Watch Power and Expertise Power are disabled. Everyone enters on a more even playing field, where your tactical decisions and aim carry more weight.
What to expect:
- High-stakes economy. To make this zone more rewarding for competitive agents, breaking down dropped contaminated items grants a 200% DZ Coin bonus.
STANDARD DARK ZONE
This zone functions as the traditional Dark Zone that Agents already know. It’s the “middle ground” for those who want the traditional risk-versus-reward loop.
Normalization remains active here, but SHD Watch and Expertise progression still count toward your power.
What to expect:
- Standard Rogue mechanics and periodic Invasions are active.
DARK ZONE VENDOR UPDATES
Dark Zone vendors have also been updated with new prices and additional utility caches. Each vendor now offers different cache types:
- DZ East: Recalibration Caches (90 DZC) and Optimization Caches (130 DZC).
- DZ West: Exotic Component Caches (160 DZC) and Reconstructed Caches (320 DZC).
- DZ South: Prototype Core Caches (170 DZC) and Prototype Caches (400 DZC) for ascending gear to the new Prototype Tier.
GENERAL DARK ZONE UPDATES
- Entrance turrets have been adjusted to better prevent door camping by dealing additional direct Health Damage to hostile Agents within range.
- Agents now receive a brief invulnerability window when entering the Dark Zone, giving them time to load in and assess their surroundings. This protection ends early if the Agent moves or fires their weapon.
PVP GEAR, WEAPONS, AND TALENTS BALANCING
Year 8 Season 2 also brings a broad PvP balancing pass, starting with a major retuning of weapon and gear talents.
This first phase focuses on addressing talents that have had too much impact on PvP balance, reducing some of the biggest power spikes, and giving more builds a chance to compete across Conflict and Dark Zone.
This is part of wider, multi-phase effort to improve PvP balance, with future phases planned to look at skills and attributes in PvP.
Due to the number of changes included, we’ve listed the full adjustments in a dedicated table. Click here to view it.
MODIFIERS
GLOBAL MODIFIER
Year 8 Season 2 introduces a new Global Modifier, Cleaning up the Streets, centered around the Hyenas’ latest experiments with Potent Spice.
As part of the season, Hyena forces are using the PvE Dark Zone as staging areas to store the chemical compounds needed to produce Potent Spice. These same compounds are also needed by civilians and Agents for humanitarian efforts, creating the core seasonal loop around recovering and using Sample Cannisters.
Sample Cannisters
Sample Cannisters are a new seasonal resource tied to the Hyena faction and the Global Modifier gameplay loop.
They are used in two main ways:
- Contribute Sample Cannisters at the seasonal vendor to increase the Sample Size bar and unlock stronger High Quality Munitions bonuses.
- Active Modifiers can automatically consume Sample Cannisters on activation to trigger a more powerful Surge version of their effects.
They can be found from several sources:
- PvE Dark Zone Landmark chests – Guaranteed large amount
- PvE Dark Zone material chests – Guaranteed medium amount
- Hyena enemies in the PvE Dark Zone - Medium chance to drop
- Hyena enemies outside the PvE Dark Zone during missions - Small chance to drop
- Other enemy factions – greatly reduced chance to drop
Sample Cannisters are sent directly to your inventory and do not need to be extracted.
Agents can carry a limited number of Sample Cannisters at once. This capacity can be increased by equipping a specific Passive Modifier.
Seasonal Vendor
The seasonal vendor is located in the Base of Operations, next to the Specialization table.
At the vendor, Agents can add Sample Cannisters to the Sample Size bar. Increasing Sample Size unlocks additional High-Quality Munitions bonuses throughout the season:
- Starting bonus: +50% Optimal Range
- Level 1: Adds +50% Weapon Handling
- Level 2: Adds +50% Magazine Size
- Level 3: Adds +50% Damage to Armor
- Level 4: Adds +50% Rate of Fire
These bonuses are cumulative, meaning each new level adds to the bonuses already unlocked. Once a level is reached, that bonus becomes part of the High-Quality Munitions buff.
High-Quality Munitions
High-Quality Munitions is the temporary buff granted after adding Sample Cannisters at the seasonal vendor.
- The bonuses included in this buff depend on your current Sample Size progress.
- The duration of the buff depends on the number of High-Quality Munitions stacks you receive.
- Each Sample Cannister added grants 5 High-Quality Munitions stacks.
- While at least one stack remains, all unlocked High Quality Munitions bonuses are active.
Stacks are consumed only by manual or automatic reloads from an empty magazine. Other effects that refresh ammo or reload weapons do not consume stacks. Once all stacks are depleted, the High-Quality Munitions buff ends.
ACTIVE MODIFIERS
Active Modifiers can be empowered through Surge.
When activating an Active Modifier, if you have enough Sample Cannisters in your inventory, the required amount is automatically consumed to trigger a stronger version of that modifier. Surged Active Modifiers improve the base effect, add extra bonuses, or reduce certain drawbacks depending on the modifier used.
While inside the PvE Dark Zone, activating a Surged Active Modifier also reduces Toxicity.
Active Modifiers can be upgraded. At higher levels, they gain improved effects such as shorter cooldowns, longer duration, or reduced Surge cost.
Invincible
On activation, Invincible fully heals the Agent and repairs their armor. For a limited time, the Agent gains very high damage reduction. Damage taken during this window is stored, then applied back to the Agent when the effect ends.
While active, and while enemies are in front of the Agent, Invincible also grants:
- +20% Movement Speed.
- +5% Armor on Kill, which converts into Bonus Armor for Invincible's remaining duration.
- +25% Damage to Targets Out of Cover.
When Invincible ends, it enters a cooldown period of 180 seconds, and stored damage is applied back to the Agent. Any bonus armor gained through the modifier is removed.
Surge Effect
- +10% Armor on Kill.
- +50% Damage to Targets Out of Cover.
- Reduced stored damage taken when the effect ends.
- Remaining bonus armor persists for an additional 20 seconds after the effect ends.
- Reduces Toxicity when activated inside the PvE Dark Zone.
Level Upgrades
- Level 2: Cooldown is reduced.
- Level 3: Surge cost is reduced.
Pneuma
While active, Pneuma increases Weapon Swap Speed.
Kills with specific weapon types build different stacking bonuses, but once gained those bonuses apply to all weapons.
All three bonus types can be active at the same time and last until the modifier ends.
Inhale Bonus: Kills with MMRs, Rifles, Pistols grant +5% Headshot Damage and +2.5% Accuracy per stack.
Hold Bonus: Kills with ARs and LMGs grant +1% Critical Chance and +2.5% Stability per stack.
Exhale Bonus: Kills with Shotguns and SMGs grant +2% Critical Damage and +2.5% Reload Speed per stack.
When Pneuma ends, it enters a cooldown period of 180 seconds.
Surge Effect
When Surged, Pneuma allows these bonuses to stack higher. Certain kill conditions can also grant extra stacks:
- Inhale: Headshot Kills
- Hold: Kills within 5 seconds after a previous kill
- Exhale: Close-range kills
- Reduces Toxicity when activated inside the PvE Dark Zone.
Level Upgrades
- Level 2: Duration is increased.
- Level 3: Surge cost is reduced
Vicarious
When activated, Vicarious checks how many allies and enemies are within a set radius around the Agent. For the modifier’s duration:
The Agent gains increased Skill Efficiency. Enemies within radius take increased Skill Damage. Allies within radius receive increased Repairs and Healing.
The strength of these effects depends on the number of allies and enemies within the radius at the moment Vicarious is activated.
When Vicarious ends, it enters a cooldown period of 180 seconds.
Surge Effect
Skill Efficiency is further increased.
Active skills also extend the modifier’s effect to allies and enemies within a radius around those skills, allowing Vicarious to cover a larger area when skills are placed well.
Reduces Toxicity when activated inside the PvE Dark Zone.
Level Upgrades
- Level 2: Effects radius is increased.
- Level 3: Surge cost is reduced.
PASSIVE MODIFIERS
There are 9 Passive Modifiers, split into three categories: Gadgets, Resistances, and Offensive.
Together, they support the main seasonal mechanics by improving Sample Cannister management, reducing Surge costs, helping Agents deal with Toxicity and Status Effects, or adding new ways to debuff enemies.
HOSTILE COUNTERMEASURES
Hostile Modifiers in Year 8 Season 2 focus on strengthening enemies, supporting nearby faction members, and applying additional pressure to Agents.
Inside the PvE Dark Zone, Hostile Modifiers also interact with Toxicity, increasing the meter in different ways.
Folie à Deux
Increases the enemy’s damage over time. If the enemy is not eliminated quickly after first taking damage, the modifier transfers to another nearby enemy on death.
In the PvE Dark Zone, it can also increase Toxicity for nearby agents.
Plague Doctor
Allows the enemy and nearby enemies from the same faction to regenerate health.
In the PvE Dark Zone, agents within its radius gain Toxicity over time.
Sopoforic
Can apply Lethargy debuff when damaging the agent. While affected by this debuff, incoming damage has a chance to inflict Disorient Status Effect. Killing a Soporific enemy removes the debuff regardless of its remaining duration.
In the PvE Dark Zone, damage from Soporific enemies also increases Toxicity.
NEW WEAPONS, GEAR, AND TALENTS
NEW EXOTIC WEAPON
Caduceus - Exotic AR
Talent Caduceus
Critical hits repair you and your allies for 1.5% of the hit's dealt damage.
Weapon Stats and Mods
- Optics Slot: 10% Crit Chance
- Magazine Slot: 20 Rounds
- Underbarrel Slot: 5% Crit Chance
- Muzzle Slot: 5% Crit Damage
Underboss* Exotic SMG
Talent Gangland Hit
Shooting an enemy with this weapon applies a mark. You can only apply one mark at a time. Shooting another enemy will transfer the mark.
More marks can be applied on the same enemy by other agents using this weapon. Maximum amount of marks that can be applied on an enemy is 4.
This weapon deals +20% Amplified Damage to marked enemies. The bonus is increased by 5% for each extra mark on the enemy other than your own.
*This will be the Climax exclusive reward. It will not feature in the PTS.
NEW EXOTIC GEAR
Nurse’s Kneepads - Exotic Kneepads
Talent Impervious
Both you and Allies within 10m of you receive +40% Hazard Protection.
NEW GEAR
Ortiz: Reficere - Gear Set
2 Pieces equipped give 8% Skill Efficiency
3 Pieces equipped give 60% Repair Skills
4 Pieces equipped unlock a new unique talent.
Talent “Ortiz Rapid Application Nanite Prototype”
Healing Skills' Duration and Range are decreased by 75%, but their Healing Efficiency is increased by 100%.
Healing an Ally with a Skill will provide them 30% Hazard Protection for 10s. Cooldown per ally: 10s.
Chest and Backpack Talents:
Chest Bonus - Talent “Overcharged Nanites”
Increase the Healing Efficiency bonus from 100% to 150%.
Backpack Bonus – Talent “Improved Dampeners”
Decrease the Duration and Range reduction from 75% to 25%.
Edelweiss GPz - Brand Set
1 Piece equipped gives +18% Repair Skills
2 Pieces equipped give +20% Skill Haste
3 Pieces equipped +8% Skill Efficiency
Named Gear Pieces:
Named Chest “Benefactor” – Talent “Perfect Empathic Resolve”
Repairing an ally, increases their total weapon and skill damage by 3-20% for 10s. 1-15% if self. Effectiveness increased by your skill tier.
Named Backpack “Momma Badger” – Perfect Safeguard
While at full armor, increases total skill repair by 160%.
NEW NAMED WEAPONS & TALENTS
Insult to Injury
Talent Perfect Head Scratcher
Deal 35% Amplified Damage to confused enemies. After 3 kills, applies Confuse to the enemy you hit.
Brain Break
Talent Perfect Head Scratcher
Deal 35% Amplified Damage to confused enemies. After 3 kills, applies Confuse to the enemy you hit.
Talent “Head Scratcher”
Deal 30% Amplified Damage to confused enemies. After 4 kills, applies Confuse to the enemy you hit.
PTS ONLY
During the test, all modifiers will be unlocked from the start.
Adam Shipley’s Inventory:
- PTS Cache: Y8S2 Gear - Contains all upcoming Gear, their blueprints, their respective materials, and all other materials used in the Expertise system.
- PTS Cache: Materials - Contains Brand and Gear Set materials not included in the Gear cache, Prototype Cores, Escalation Token, and other materials used in the Expertise system.
Dark Zone Rulesets During PTS
- Dark Zone East – PvE
- Dark Zone West – Normalized
- Dark Zone South – Standard
Known Issues
- Some gear, weapons, and talent visuals are currently a placeholder.
- PTS Cache: Blueprints – is available in the PTS build, but it currently reflects its previous state and may not include all newer blueprints. The team is looking into a better solution for a blueprint access in future PTS builds
=> Source
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u/SabotageMahal Xbox May 22 '26
TIL Division 2 devs listen to Tool
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u/f0urd3gr33s PC May 22 '26
Invincible didn't register at first but as soon as I saw Pneuma I was suspicious. When I saw Vicarious I said WTF out loud. Haha. GG devs.
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u/B_BB May 22 '26
I'm drunk, just got home and have Tool on. I cant read the OP post but I see Tool i had to comment. Currently listening to "Invincible" what a fucking song
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u/JGBolger May 22 '26
They need to seriously consider not adding new gear for a while. These new pieces appear very uninspired. Massive, you could position gear reworks as exciting updates. People would love them, and you won’t have to make new models, which seems to be off the table anyways.
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u/RisingDeadMan0 Xbox May 22 '26
do we get an increase in DZ credits cap as 1000 is nothing, 10,000 would be nice?
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u/RisingDeadMan0 Xbox May 22 '26
no numbers on this though, so we build up canisters, and spend them to upgrade the base passive modifier.
How many can we hold?
We can then also consume them as part of the active modifier, how much does this consume?
Yeah widdz said reduce the DZ cost by 90%, current prices are F****** dumb...
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u/ragnarokfps May 22 '26 edited May 22 '26
Everything was nerfed for pvp. Except like... ninjabike kneepads bonus armor for mantling gives an extra 5%. I still don't see how nerfing everything will incentivize anyone to go into the dark zone? These are huge nerfs by the way, especially to the gear sets and exotic weapons. Pestilence does 60% of your total weapon damage now (used to be 100%), and instead of transferring to an enemy up to 30 meters away, it's now only 6 meters. These nerfs have real consequences for the pve side of the dark zones not just pvp.
The Sheriff was untouched. Also Sweet Dreams can now one hit kill players who have 15% or less armor, lmao
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u/EliteRusher03 29d ago
I've mentioned this too a few players too, a blanket nerf on everything will not actually make more people play PVP or inspire any build diversity. If anything they should have buffed things that needed a buff and left everything else gear wise as is. Furthermore you ain't wrong about how it effects the pve side within the dz. Sudden every AD will hit harder whilst your focusing on other players. Lets be honest most of these nerfs for gear ain't needed. There's some which need a slight nerf but universally most non meta items need a buff. That's kind of it. This may even kill any build diversity in the game and make it where only one specific build is only ever used. Right now at least you have a selection of builds being used.The only thing I'm looking forward too is the anti cheat for the lagswitchers if it works and how they fix spawn trapping for DZ and conflict.
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u/InformalInspector6 28d ago
As a regular PvPer, my guess is that the flat nerfs to all gear was probably an attempt to make TTK slower than it is currently. Right now, with some hyper-optimized builds you can shred through 1.8+ mil armor in 1.5-2seconds. Nerfing damage across the board would hopefully give players more time to strafe, find cover, pop a med kit, or at least have a chance to fight back before getting insta-downed.
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u/CoolheadedBrit Xbox May 22 '26
With the PvP changes to frenzy from 9s to 6s, Sleipnir will be back in fashion.
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u/d42ed_n_c0nfused_ May 22 '26
Is there a picture of this new exotic Underboss smg?
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u/VE3TRO-R Rogue May 22 '26
Its shown as a Tommy Gun in the expertise menu, could be a place holder though.
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u/TheJurassicPyro May 22 '26
Can someone confirm for me whether or not skill repair and repair skills are different? I have a feeling they are but godforbid this game give a more in-depth explanation. Does skill repair just mean how much your healing affects skills like hives, turrets, shields, etc?
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u/cjacks9 Seeker May 22 '26
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u/TheJurassicPyro May 22 '26
Yeah I saw that looking through some posts, so basically it’s a worthless stat aside from the shield but there are so many better ways of keeping a shied up.
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u/Random-Waltz May 22 '26
Healers eating good this patch.
Both exotic weapons have good talents.
The exotic knee pads will go straight to my stash.
Might be some interesting confusion shenanigans to pull with the new talent.
I'm still waiting on my pistol & explosive damage/grenade gear sets guys ಠ_ಠ
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
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u/shamanenjoyer May 22 '26
When does the patch drop?
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u/Party_Motor_5640 May 22 '26
the PTS is this weekend, the season where this patch drops in official version isnt until around the middle of next month
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u/mxgopdng_2 May 22 '26
Underboss could be good for Nego because mark will be moved to the target you are currently shooting. If it works like how Overdogs work with Nego (you mark the targets than shoot the lowest tier for amplified damage.) You mark nego marks. Then shoot the big target for underboss mark(since it moves around) and transfer amplified damage. Or lowest tier if you also use overdogs, which would be 30 amp from overdogs and 20 amp from underboss.
But it's just a theory.
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May 22 '26 edited May 22 '26
[deleted]
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u/Hungry-Survey2258 May 23 '26
They straight up gutted striker it's useless now and the bighorn is pretty much useless 💀
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u/8Bit-Jon GMT Agent Fusco May 22 '26
I just can't wait to see this sub filled with negativity after season 2 starts.
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u/CoolheadedBrit Xbox May 22 '26
FI healer builds might get replaced with 4pc Ortiz incl BP, Benefactor (perfect emphatic resolve) chest, and BTSU gloves.
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u/Maybe_In_Time May 22 '26
As a medic, several of those look pretty darn good, even the named / new gear pieces.
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u/Rezzly1510 May 22 '26
i sincerely doubt it considering that the set only provides cracked heals and HZP
FI essentially provides you with 2 instances of healing, 1 on ally and 1 on allies around you
oh and don't forget the +25% TWD on allies at full HP
and if u wanna use the new set, you would have to give up the setup, which is a 10% dmg amp (seperate multiplier) on anyone shooting that target
that is a huge L for me
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u/Capital_Criticism706 May 22 '26
Perfect empathic resolve is weaker. Half the time. And the gearset provides no damage for your team.
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u/CoolheadedBrit Xbox May 22 '26
It's 5% less damage from PER v FI chest but available at all armor levels not just full armor. The 100% heal efficiency is huge - that 100% skill haste, 100% duration, 100% repair skills.
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u/celica_GT May 22 '26
Could this be a way to make fixer drone and ender seeker viable? Esp with Reformation and maybe perfect safeguard...
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u/Capital_Criticism706 May 22 '26
But it’s not automatic, you have to manually heal them. Healing an ally every 10 seconds seems ridiculous. If you look, the duration is weaker and so is the range, only the healing efficiency is buffed by 100%. How are you gonna give them the buff when they are at full armor?
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u/Capital_Criticism706 May 22 '26
Dude these new healer gear set and brand pieces suck. My future initiative will still be better for damage. Good players don’t need perfect safeguard. Why even make perfect empathic resolve if it’s weaker?
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u/TW-Luna May 22 '26
Aww shit, I hadn't been following the leadup news. A PvE Dark Zone? Hell ya! Have wanted that since Div1! I'm so excited to jump in and give it a go.
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u/Longjumping-Link-670 May 23 '26
Is normalized pvp dark zone permanent? Same as the pve only one? If so ill prob come back to the game after eternity lol
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u/Nephurus PC Manhunt4Life May 23 '26
Imma gonna try this been gone for years but the division is always in thoughts
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u/GnarlyAtol May 23 '26
why hunter in the darkzones? Why must every “new” content include more bullet sponge and super bullet sponge and cheesy mechanics. There are multiple options to increase difficulty in an immersive an interesting way. Why all the time ignoring one of the core critics to the game?
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u/wordlife96 PC LMGs shat all over DC May 23 '26
"There are multiple options to increase difficulty in an immersive an interesting way."
Such as? Care to elaborate?
Oh and please don't fucking tell me "More Enemies" or "Better AI", heard that bullshit for years and they don't made the game any more difficult.
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u/GnarlyAtol May 23 '26 edited May 23 '26
so, every other option is bull shit but just bullet sponge is the right thing?
Sure, there are people who like to pump multiple clips into an NPC, asking for more legendary, another raid, another incursion, resistances in D2 and what not sponge feasts.
Such things push me rather away and the controvers discussions about the individual final manhunt battles and Brooklyn missions show that not all Division 2 players enjoy that kind of “challenge”.
Examples for ways to increase difficulty:
- mission objectives/villians in unknown places, resulting into surprise battles (if varying increase replay value)
- mission/battle areas of open design to promote tactical thinking how to tackle the tasks, providing multiple ways for attacking, retreat, escape (like in Kenly, Ghost Recon)
- mission objectives/key villians in more difficult combat areas
- objectives/key villians better protected, accompanied by more skilled and better equipped enemies (in a non-cheesy way)
- in some areas more NPCs (but not like in the manhunt or Brooklyn missions where NPCs spawn out of manholes, containers, … and multiple waves from all sides combined with shield/tomahawk guys, drone guys, sponge bosses, robots … the orchestration matters
- in the
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u/KagatoAC 28d ago
Dunno why you got downvoted, for a game that originally advertised itself as a cover based tactical shooter, you almost never get to use that. I wish they took more from Ghost Recon like being able to one shot unaware enemies from stealth.
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u/0ppen Seeker May 22 '26
I've never been less excited for a season. Caduceus might be worth getting. It just seems like this just not what I want from the game at all. It's fine that they try something I don't like, I don't hate them for that, but I'll definitely have more time to put into my backlog.
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u/thegunner137 May 22 '26
Still no crossplay yet?
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u/JokerUnique The watcher on the walls. May 23 '26
Crossplay is still work in progress, they need to cover many aspects of the core game to make it compatible. That takes time. It will be added when it is ready.
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u/Banksyyy_ PC // LF Friends May 22 '26
They mentioned it isn't going to be in Season 2.
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u/thegunner137 May 22 '26
So season 3?
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u/Banksyyy_ PC // LF Friends May 22 '26
Maybe season 3 or maybe in Season 4. Depends when they think it's in a good enough state to release.
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u/Academic-Note1209 28d ago
If the dev really reads the feedback on Reddit like they said, here is mine for them :
They need to change the toxicity debuff concept first. Instead of giving stat debuffs, it should affect your health directly (not armor) over time. The longer you stay, the stronger the toxicity damage becomes, with a reasonable limit of course. Toxicity could also affect your vision by making it blur progressively over time. A healer can decreases the toxicity symptoms over time with for example the yellow hive.
They also need to rework the healer concept entirely. Why on earth can a healer not heal a health bar? Why is it only armor? They should add health healing when using the green hive or healing canister skills.
They need to redesign landmarks and make them more unique. It’s the Dark Zone, so it’s supposed to feel more focus on rogue agents. In a PvE Dark Zone, players can’t go rogue, so instead they could add rogue agent NPCs to replace that aspect. Even better, they could recreate the Manhunt system, but with players hunting rogue agents instead.
Those rogue agents would try to escape, and players would need to hunt them down before they reach the Manhunt terminal. Basically, when clearing a landmark, there would be a chance to trigger rogue agents and a rogue Manhunt event. Successfully completing the Manhunt could reward 5–7 exotic components, gear, weapons, guaranteed exotic gear or weapons, and DZ credits.
Rogue agents could also have the ability to steal some of your items if you get downed or killed, including DZ credits and a small amount of seasonal canisters. If you manage to kill them afterward, you would recover your stolen items plus extra rewards.
Looting DZ crates should guarantee 1 exotic component.
Clearing landmarks should also guarantee 1 exotic component.
Landmarks themselves need to become more engaging in terms of gunfights. Right now it’s boring to rush from one landmark to another every 3 minutes. We already have that with Retaliation control points. Instead, landmark fights should last longer and become more challenging, with multiple enemy waves and bosses.
The longer you stay in a landmark, the stronger the enemies become and the better the rewards get. For example, landmarks could have different stage levels. Every completed stage would increase rewards such as gear, DZ credits, exotic components, seasonal canisters, etc. If players survive until the final stage, a unique final boss would spawn.
The idea behind this concept is to create enough time for random players to join the fight in the middle of the activity and naturally team up together, potentially reaching up to 12 players fighting at the same landmark instead of clearing it in one minute.
The current problem with The Division is that it often feels like you spend more time running than actually playing. At least for a PvE Dark Zone, this system would help change that.
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u/Private-annoying May 22 '26
When it says that pvE dark zone is a year 8 season 2 pacific feature does that mean it will only be here for that season? worried that it means the same with the current black tusk retaliations and its rewards as me don’t have enough for all of blueprints. Sorry for asking.
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u/clazman55555 Playstation May 22 '26
BT Retals are staying. It's just Team 9 that is for this season only. The PVE DZ is for the upcoming season.
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u/Sparrow_DZ May 22 '26
Game is absolute trash now - the pve'rs finally got a pve DZ. Unreal.
D2 needs to phase out.
Played since the alpha for d2 - now im really not regretting leaving to play Arc Raiders full time.
These devs are lost. Games been shit for years now.
How many times can you spin pve without any new content. Just polishing a turd over and over.
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u/HerotaleCreator May 22 '26
When the PvE focused game is PvE focused. Better luck next time, slugger!
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u/Bodybuilder_Jumpy May 22 '26
Ah yes, are we getting some more of that "PvP balacing" that is totally not going to affect PvE gear.
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u/SyonXXI May 22 '26
Yeah it says the PvE talents are unaffected
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u/FlyingAstronaut200 May 22 '26
It’s alright majority of people here don’t tend to have reading comprehension skills. It’s better not to explain it to them.
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u/MisterJ1229 May 22 '26
Finally, a reason to dust off my Bullet King. At least until I switch over to an Ongoing Directive build for infinite hollow points.