Division 1: The Ultimate Guide For New Players

Hey guys! So you're diving into the gritty, post-apocalyptic world of Tom Clancy's The Division? Awesome! You've picked a fantastic game, full of intense action, strategic gameplay, and a compelling story. But, let's be real, the game can seem a bit overwhelming at first. Don't worry, though; this guide is here to get you started on the right foot, ensuring you survive the harsh streets of New York City and become a top-tier agent. We'll cover everything from the basics to some more advanced tips and tricks. Whether you're a complete newcomer or just need a refresher, this guide will help you understand Division 1 better.

Getting Started in Division 1: Your First Steps

Alright, first things first: let's talk about the initial setup and what you should focus on when you first jump into Division 1. The game drops you right into a ravaged New York City, a city crippled by a deadly virus. As a Division agent, your mission is to restore order and rebuild society. This involves tackling various missions, battling enemy factions, and upgrading your character. Understanding the game's core mechanics early on is crucial for enjoying and progressing through it.

Character Creation and Customization

At the start, you'll create your agent. While the customization options aren't as extensive as some other RPGs, they provide enough variety to make your agent feel unique. Choose your appearance, and get ready to gear up. Remember that your appearance doesn't directly affect your stats or gameplay; it's purely cosmetic. So, focus on creating an agent that you like the look of because you'll be spending a lot of time with them.

Understanding the Gameplay Basics

Division 1 is a third-person shooter with RPG elements. This means you'll be shooting, taking cover, and managing your gear and stats. Here's a quick rundown of the basics:

• Movement and Cover: Utilize cover strategically. The game’s cover mechanics are essential for survival. Learn to move between cover points during firefights to avoid taking too much damage.
• Shooting: Aim down sights for better accuracy. Headshots do significantly more damage, so practice your aim.
• Abilities: Your agent has access to skills, such as healing stations, turrets, and pulse abilities that reveal enemies. Experiment with different skills to find what suits your play style and team composition.
• Loot: Loot is everywhere! Enemies drop weapons, gear, and crafting materials. Constantly check your inventory and compare items to improve your build.

Initial Missions and Progression

Start by following the main story missions. These missions are designed to introduce you to the game's mechanics and the world. As you complete missions, you'll level up, unlock new skills, and gain access to more challenging content. Don’t rush through the early game; take your time to explore the city and learn the game’s mechanics. Side missions and encounters are also great sources of experience and loot, so don't ignore them.

Mastering the Combat in Division 1

Combat in Division 1 is tactical and engaging. Success in firefights depends on your ability to use cover, choose the right skills, and manage your weapons effectively. Let's delve deeper into the combat mechanics to give you a serious edge.

Cover Mechanics: Your Best Friend

Cover is the cornerstone of Division 1’s combat. Using cover effectively can be the difference between life and death. Here's what you need to know:

• Types of Cover: Different types of cover offer varying levels of protection. Use low walls, cars, and other objects to shield yourself from enemy fire.
• Movement Between Cover: Quickly move from cover to cover to avoid being flanked. Remember to use the roll mechanic to get out of dangerous situations.
• Blind Fire: You can blind-fire from behind cover, but it reduces your accuracy. Use this in emergencies or to suppress enemies.

Choosing Your Weapons Wisely

Your choice of weapons significantly impacts your combat effectiveness. Understanding weapon types and their strengths is essential:

• Weapon Types: Assault rifles, SMGs, shotguns, marksman rifles, and light machine guns. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, Assault rifles are great all-rounders, while SMGs excel at close-range combat.
• Weapon Talents: Weapons have talents that provide various buffs, like increased headshot damage or faster reload speed. Look for weapons with talents that complement your play style.
• Mods: Attach weapon mods (scopes, magazines, etc.) to enhance your weapons further. Mods can improve accuracy, stability, and magazine size.

Skills and Abilities: Your Combat Arsenal

Skills provide tactical advantages in combat. They can be used to heal, deal damage, or support your team. Here’s a breakdown:

• Skill Types: Medical, offensive, and defensive skills.
• Skill Builds: Experiment with different skill combinations to find what works best for you. Some popular combinations include a healing station with a pulse for team support, or a turret with a seeker mine for aggressive builds.
• Skill Power: Skill Power determines the effectiveness of your skills. Increasing Skill Power can make your heals more potent, your turrets deal more damage, and your pulses reveal enemies for longer.

Gear and Stats: Building Your Agent

Building your agent is all about optimizing your gear and stats to create a powerful and effective character. You'll spend a lot of time managing your inventory and making decisions about what to keep, what to sell, and what to deconstruct. Let’s break down the key elements of gear and stats.

Understanding Gear Sets and Stats

Gear sets are powerful sets of items that provide bonuses when you equip multiple pieces from the same set. Stats are what determine the core attributes of your character. Let's look at the two more closely.

• Gear Sets: As you progress, you'll find gear sets that provide significant advantages. Each set offers specific bonuses, like increased weapon damage or better survivability. Try to build around the strengths of specific sets.
• Gear Stats: Gear has several main stats, which affect your character's overall effectiveness:
  • Firearms: Increases weapon damage.
  • Stamina: Boosts your health and toughness.
  • Electronics: Enhances the power of your skills.

Optimizing Your Build

To build a strong agent, you need to balance your stats and gear to match your play style. Here's how to optimize your build:

• Identify Your Play Style: Do you prefer dealing damage, supporting your team, or a balance of both? Choose gear and stats that support your preferred play style.
• Prioritize Stats: Decide which stats are most important for your build. If you want to deal more damage, focus on Firearms. If you want to survive longer, prioritize Stamina.
• Gear Mods: Use gear mods (like weapon damage or skill haste) to further customize your build.

The Importance of Inventory Management

Your inventory will fill up quickly, so efficient management is crucial:

• Deconstruction: Deconstruct gear you don't need to get crafting materials.
• Selling: Sell unwanted gear to vendors for credits.
• Storage: Use the stash to store gear you might need later.

Exploring the Dark Zone in Division 1

The Dark Zone (DZ) is a unique and dangerous PvPvE area in Division 1. This is where you can find some of the best loot, but you must be prepared for intense player-versus-player (PvP) combat and challenging enemy encounters. The Dark Zone offers a thrilling mix of risk and reward.

Entering the Dark Zone: What to Expect

When you enter the Dark Zone, you'll encounter a lawless area where players can fight each other. You need to be aware of the following elements:

• Contamination: The Dark Zone is contaminated, so you'll need a special mask to survive. Higher-level masks give you more protection.
• Extraction: Extracting loot is a risky process. You must call for a helicopter to pick up your contaminated gear. Other players can attack you while you wait.
• Rogues: Players who kill other players become