While die-hard fans of Tom Clancy's third-person shooter franchise have already had plenty of playing time in the game with all the alpha and beta prerelease, the rest of us beginners are finally getting a chance to play The Division.
The Division plays like any other third-person shooter but has many RPG-like elements incorporated into its gameplay, even sharing similarities with Destiny. As such, we recommend the following basic tips and tricks to get your trigger fingers warmed up nice and good to have a better shot of success playing the game.
Security, Medical Or Tech?
First things first, of course, players need to figure out what kind of agent they want to end up being in the game. There are three to unlock: Security, Medical and Tech. Security focuses on defensive skills, Medical on healing powers and Tech on crafting and using abilities. This is where the game plays out quite like an RPG.
Now that we've got our life plans figured out in The Division, the next part of the mission is to help rebuild New York City. We'll need some very RPG-like experience (XP) points to do that, however, not in the way you'd think. XP points are earned not by battling and leveling up. Rather, they are obtained by upgrading and expanding your Base of Operations.
Upgrade Yourself
Taking out enemies, of course, is still important and will get you those XP points. Just as effective as taking out enemies for more XP is lending a helping hand. Players will come across survivors who will be needing assistance. In exchange for your help, they'll give you a random item plus a chunk of extra XP.
Besides killing and helping, side missions also offer another way of taking your character to the next level. Even if they are just side missions, they can help players squeeze out even more juice to get upgrades for their bases. Just remember: "leveling up" in The Division isn't about XP points. Rather, it's about building up your Base of Operations.
Master Unlocker
Throughout New York City, players will come across locked doors. That's a good thing. More often than not, better loot can be found behind locked doors so it's important to become a master unlocker.
After taking out an enemy, make sure to look around for dropped lock picks. Loot satchels around the city also contain lock picks, too. You'll need as many as you can find to unlock as many doors as possible. You can see if you're running low on lock picks in the Pouches tab of your Inventory.
A word of caution, however, when unlocking the door in the contaminated area in MSG: You'll probably die racing to unlock the door to reach a chest at the far end of the area. It can be done, but be ready to make a sacrifice or two to get to it before your life runs out.
In And Out Of The Dark Zone
The best loot in the game, though, can be found in the Dark Zone. But it's not going to be easy to get to them. They don't call it the Dark Zone for nothing since it's packed with smarter than average AI foes, along with other human players also trying to get to the treasured chests in the area.
It's best to enter the Dark Zone with friends. Going in it alone is dangerous, but fortunately, this area is broken up by player levels so you'll find yourself running around with players of similar levels. Nonetheless, the AI enemies here are tough so it's best to get in and get out once you attain something of high value. Pop open a flare, find a good hiding spot, and wait for the chopper at an extraction point to break out of there.
Choose Your Weapons Well
Naturally, as a shooter-type game, weapons are par for the course, but choosing the right ones for a specific playing style is key to success. There are assault rifles, uzis, pistols, shotguns and many more in the game. Depending on your style of shooting, a sniper rifle may do you better than an assault rifle that'll require your character to get closer to enemies.
Duck And Cover
Getting shot isn't fun, and it certainly isn't so in The Division. Duck and cover is the name of the game. The Division isn't a run and gun 'em type of shooter, so not making yourself an easy target will keep you alive. Moving from cover to cover, making use of abilities and shooting when necessary will keep your head on your shoulder.
Overall, besides all of the above, The Division plays much more easier and much more fun when it's played with friends. Even if a player decides to go as a lone wolf, it's still possible to team up with other players online and join their squad. In fact, The Division makes making friends even easier in the game with a matchmaking option to help you join an open squad. Make use of it and have even more fun playing the game.
