Posted in: Games, The Division 2, Ubisoft, Video Games | Tagged: the division 2, ubisoft

The Division 2 Has Launched Year 8, Season 1: Rise Up

The Black Tusk has returned to the city in The Division 2, along with new and returning content as Year 8, Season 1: Rise Up has launched

Ubisoft has launched the first piece of content for the latest season of The Division 2, as players can dive into Year 8, Season 1: Rise Up. This season will throw players for an exciting loop as the Black Tusk kill squad returns with surprise strikes, as you'll end up responding to a lot of the chaos they bring to the city. The team has also upped the endgame difficulty for gluttons for punishment, while introducing new gear and items to help you out. The season also sees the return of Classified Assignments to keep you on your toes. We have a few snippets of info from their latest blog post for you here, along with the latest trailer, as the content is now live on PC and consoles.

Year 8 of The Division 2 Erupts As Players Will Have The Chance to Rise Up

Black Tusk Joins Retaliation

The Black Tusk is now a faction that can be encountered in the Retaliation system. Not only are its members unleashing chaos in relentless waves in Washington DC and Manhattan, but this season also introduces new elements to Retaliation to make it even more challenging for players, including:

• An Elite Kill Squad
• Agitation meter to trigger a Retaliation can now be filled to 200% and 300%, triggering back-to-back Retaliations
• Fighting other factions will also load the Black Tusk agitation meter

The Elite Kill Squad, called BTSU 9, is made up of unique top operative Black Tusk units, is far more powerful than regular Kill Squads, and have their own backstories and outfits. They appear during Retaliations, and have a chance to spawn in other faction Retaliations. Their presence greatly increases the challenge of a Retaliation, but also increases the chance for players to get rare Exotic Crafting Blueprints. Some of their unique outfits will be available in the Season Pass. While Black Tusk Retaliations will be a permanent fixture in the game, the Elite Kill Squad will only be available during Rise Up.

New Difficulty: Escalation

A new, permanent difficulty, Escalation allows high-level players to enjoy their favorite existing content with new challenges and rewards. Escalation's difficulty reaches higher than anything else in The Division 2 through scaling and new gameplay modifiers on enemies, and the available missions and strongholds will rotate weekly. It also introduces a new in-game currency, Tokens, which are used to gain access to Escalation runs. Players need to spend Tokens to unlock Escalation runs, and will gain or lose them depending on the outcome. The higher the tier, the more Tokens it will take – but the rewards will be greater. There are no checkpoints in Escalation, so if Agents don't complete their run, they lose all their wagered Tokens. Escalation is playable in singleplayer, in a group, and public matchmaking.

New Gear Rarity: Prototype

A new rarity level for existing gear, Prototype brings significant stat improvements and additional features for selected existing gear. Prototype gear is a possible world drop in Escalation, or existing High End, Gear Set, and Named items can be upgraded to Prototype. To be eligible for an upgrade, they must be level 40 with maxed expertise and optimized attributes.

Prototype gear offers higher Attribute stats and Augments, a new special effect feature that can enhance gear even farther, such as longer crowd control duration or buffing other stats. Augments have their own progression system up to level 10, and can be rerolled. Players can level up an Augment by playing with the item the Augment is equipped on. Rerolling comes with a cost; when rerolling, players can choose to keep the old Augment.

Classified Assignments Are Back

Rise Up sees the return of Classified Assignments! Kicking off with the mystery of Lost Agents, players will track anomalies on the SHD network to find these MIA colleagues. There are two Classified Assignments available this season, available for purchase individually or as part of the Season Pass Bundle, each bringing players closer to the truth – and netting exclusive rewards.

The first is the Library of Congress Retrieval, starting April 2, where players will find themselves protecting the nation's history from the True Sons' threat. The second Classified Assignment, the Capitol Globe Anomaly, starts May 12, and will see players infiltrate the office of the Capitol Globe and discover a deadly Outcast operation.

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