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Our 5 tips to master The Division 2's best skills
The Division 2 boasts a new skill system, and here's how to get the most out of all the high-tech gadgetry you can use in the game.
There's quite a lot to wrap your head around with the new Division 2 skill system. So many options are available to you from the off that it might not be clear which are the best skills to go for. We've been braving the post-pandemic streets of Washington D.C. for a few days now, fighting against the Hyenas, True Sons, and other enemies who are trying to stake their claim in the city. We've tried out all the new toys to bring you all the tips and tricks you'll need in this Division 2 skills guide.
1. Start with an offensive and defensive option
When you first enter the base of operations in the White House, and are greeted by an overeager Quartermaster ready to gobble up your single skill point for one of eight potential options, it's easy to feel a little overwhelmed. Which one of these eight fancy-sounding pieces of tech do you want to start stomping around with in DC? Surely not the Shield, right? That's ever so dull when you can wield a Chem Launcher, or Seeker Mine. The choice only becomes more difficult when you find a whole host of variables within those eight skills, too.
For starters, we'd suggest you pick up one defensive support skill and one offensive skill. A basic, but very effective, pairing is the Assault Turret and the Fixer Drone. The former adds a healthy barrage of extra damage in gunfights, while the latter can keep your armour in shape during tougher encounters without spending armour kits. These two also make for good choices in the early stages of The Division 2 if you're more likely to be playing solo. That extra attack power and survivability comes in very handy.
2. Remember, you can eventually unlock everything
Return to The White House often to spend your skill points
© Ubisoft
Even if you feel you've picked a skill that hasn't quite turned out to be as effective or suitable as you expected it to be, don't worry too much about the choice you've made. You're never locked down to a single skill path, or restricted by earlier choices, and you can absolutely unlock every skill in the game – eventually.
Extra skills points are consistently thrown at you throughout the story campaign, as rewards for completing main missions, so you'll just have to trek a little further through a dilapidated D.C. in order to try out something new. As a ballpark figure, by the time you reach Level 20 – or after around 12–15 hours of play time – you should be at the point where every skill can be unlocked from the points you've gathered.
With that in mind, you should feel more motivated to try out some of the more interesting sounding skills, even if their implementation seems odd. Go for the Riot Foam Chem Launcher with Stinger Hive and watch the hilarity ensue as opponents are rooted in place while being aggravated by killer electronic bees. Cleaning up this city is a serious job, trust us.
3. Experiment with the different skill variants
Don't forget that simply unlocking one version of each skill is just the start of what you can do with it. Each one has at least three different variants that can be unlocked using SHD Tech Cache points, and they will fundamentally change how each one functions, even moving some skills from offensive to defensive, or vice-versa.
Take the Hive, for example, which has to be one of the game's most versatile skills. Sure, it can send out the above technobees to distract opponents, but you can also adapt those microdrones to seek out your allies and repair their armour.
Some skills can help you scan the environment to detect enemies
© Ubisoft
We also like using the Hive in Booster mode to increase the combat effectiveness of nearby allies, which adds more tactical options. We're sure at least one player will be encouraged to bring this with them in late game activities. The Reviver version also sounds like it should have value, but can only really be of use in very specific scenarios that you'll be trying to avoid falling into anyway.
Essentially, it's worth trying out each skill in its various forms, as you may uncover new techniques or strategies. Perhaps a skill didn't really click with you when you tried it initially? Well, these alternative versions might offer something that suits your playstyle more.
4. Adapt your loadout to the situation
Even after hours of tinkering, there's a good chance you'll settle on a pair of skills you like, and find it very easy to get attached to your favourite loadout. And while you may find that having a Seeker Mine and Incinerator Turret works well when patrolling the city streets cleaning up control points, that duo may not be as useful in a group activity, or skulking through the Dark Zone. It's important to consider switching skills in or out depending on the task ahead of you.
In the late game, or in group play when more enemies come wrapped in armour, you might want to consider bringing the Oxidizer Chem Launcher to disintegrate that defensive barrier faster, and the Jammer Pulse to disable their electronics. Often, it's best to discuss with your squad before beginning a mission to ensure you have enough bases covered, so you can tackle any threats.
5. Don't forget about your perks
A bold player using the shield
© Ubisoft
Though perks are really a secondary system to skills, there are a few sensible choices you can make here that will give you an edge. Once again, you’ll need to take a trip to the Quartermaster at The White House, where you can unlock them using the SHD Tech Cache points you've collected on your patrols. The Division 2 is quite generous at handing these out, so be sure to return often to spend what you have available.
When you first arrive at the Base of Operations with points in hand, though, you'll want to go straight for the series of four Accolade perks. These begin with the Headshot Accolade, which grants you bonus experience whenever you kill an enemy with a headshot. Further down that tree are more perks that grant bonus experience for performing other combat feats, many of which you'll be doing without even trying to achieve them. Without these perks, that's countless free experience you're missing out on to help the levelling grind go quicker. Nab them.
Others we'd recommend going for next are the armor kit and grenade restock perks, as getting both of these refilled in safe spaces saves you scrounging dead bodies and loot cases for them. Elsewhere, both Deconstruction perks are vital if you're going heavy into crafting, as the bonus materials will give you lots to work with, while an increased inventory capacity means you'll have to tidy up your bags less often.
Lastly, make sure you have some points spare for when you hit Level 30 for the Signature Weapon Ammo and Field Proficiency Cache perks. These are extremely useful for keeping your iconic weapon full of bullets, and increasing your chance of getting bonus loot in the late game.
