Does Gear Score Matter in The Division? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, Gear Score absolutely matters in The Division and The Division 2, though its importance and function evolve across the games. In the original The Division, Gear Score directly reflects the item’s power and dictates access to certain activities. In The Division 2, while it still gatekeeps content and influences loot drops, its impact on actual item stats is more nuanced, emphasizing build diversity and player agency. Understanding how Gear Score works is crucial for progression and optimizing your agent’s capabilities. Let’s break down the specifics.
Understanding Gear Score: A Deeper Dive
Gear Score in The Division (The Original)
In the first installment, The Division, Gear Score is primarily tied to an item’s level and, consequently, its effectiveness. Higher Gear Score meant better stats, making it a straightforward indicator of power. Activities and their associated loot were heavily influenced by your Gear Score. The game ensured you progressed at a reasonable pace, providing a consistent challenge as you tackled tougher content.
Gear Score in The Division 2: A More Complex System
The Division 2 refines the Gear Score system. It still determines access to certain Stronghold missions and influences the quality of loot drops, but its direct impact on item stats is lessened. Your “peak available” Gear Score, calculated from the highest Gear Score items in your inventory and stash, determines loot drops, irrespective of your currently equipped loadout. This encourages collecting and experimenting with different gear pieces. This shift allows players to focus more on build synergy and preferred playstyles rather than solely chasing the highest number.
Gear Score vs. Build Optimization: Finding the Balance
While chasing a high Gear Score is essential for unlocking content and influencing loot, remember that it doesn’t guarantee an optimal build. In The Division 2, the effectiveness of your agent hinges on a combination of factors:
- Gear Score: Unlocks content and influences loot.
- Attributes: Weapon Damage, Armor, Skill Power, etc.
- Talents: Unique bonuses on gear pieces.
- Mods: Modifications that enhance gear attributes.
- Specialization: Unique skill trees and weapons.
A well-optimized build with lower Gear Score can often outperform a haphazardly assembled loadout with a higher Gear Score. Experimentation and understanding of game mechanics are key to maximizing your agent’s potential. Understanding the relationships between gear score, stats, and perks is a key skill developed by players. You can learn more about the role of games in education by visiting the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Gear Score
1. How much does gear score matter?
Gear Score matters because it unlocks activities, affects loot drop quality, and provides a general indication of item power. However, it’s not the sole determinant of effectiveness. A well-optimized build with synergistic attributes and talents can outweigh a higher Gear Score with mismatched components.
2. Gear score has no effect on the actual stats of an item, it’s just added to make it easier to compare items. Is it true?
This statement is partially true for The Division 2. While Gear Score doesn’t directly dictate every stat on an item, it still correlates to its overall potential. Higher Gear Score items generally have higher stat ranges, allowing for more powerful builds. It is a simplified way to compare items but can be misleading without looking at underlying bonuses
3. Is higher gear score better?
Generally, yes. A higher Gear Score signifies an item with greater potential for higher base stats. However, the specific attributes and talents on the gear piece are equally important. Consider how well the item synergizes with your overall build before prioritizing Gear Score alone.
4. How do stars beside an item influence gear score?
Stars indicate buffs to the armor or weapon, effectively increasing the item’s Gear Score. Two armor pieces might have a different gear score if one has one star and the other has no stars.
5. How do you get gear score 291 in the division?
Reaching Gear Score 291 in the original The Division required obtaining Classified gear for all equipment slots (max 293, except for Holsters at 295) and equipping WT5 (World Tier 5) weapons (max 286). To reach Gear Score 291 you will need to optimize all of the above, even your PISTOL.
6. What is the highest level gear in the division?
In The Division 2 with the Warlords of New York expansion, the maximum Gear Score is 515.
7. What gear score is Tier 5 Division 2?
To reach World Tier 5 in The Division 2 you need a Gear Score of 425. Then complete the invaded Strongholds (Capitol Building, District Union Arena, Roosevelt Island, and Tidal Basin).
8. What is gear rank 10 in Division 2?
Proficiency Rank 10 signifies you are “proficient” with that item in The Division 2. This contributes to your Gear Expertise, allowing you to upgrade items of that type further.
9. How to get level 500 gear division 2?
You can obtain Gear Score 500 items by participating in various activities in The Division 2: Invaded Missions & Strongholds, Dark Zone, Daily Missions & Strongholds, and Level 3 Control Points.
10. What is the gear score in the Division 1?
The Gear Score of an item in The Division is determined by the level of the NPC.
- Level 30: Gear Score 163.
- Level 31: Gear Score 182.
- Level 32: Gear Score 204.
11. Does gear score affect damage?
Yes, Gear Score affects damage. In The Division 2, damage dealt to enemies is modified by the difference between the player’s Gear Level and the enemy’s Unit Level. A higher Gear Level compared to the enemy’s level results in increased damage output.
12. What is the highest gear score in rising?
The maximum Gear Score in V Rising is 80.
13. What is max level Division 2?
The max level in The Division 2 is level 30 for base game owners and level 40 for Warlords of New York expansion owners.
14. Can you lose gear in Division 2?
You cannot lose non-contaminated items in The Division 2. Only Dark Zone keys, DZ money, DZ XP, and contaminated items can be lost upon death in the Dark Zone.
15. What are the best gear sets in Division 2?
Some of the best gear sets in The Division 2 include:
- Heartbreaker Set: Ideal for assault rifle and LMG DPS builds.
- Hunter’s Fury Set: Best for SMG builds.
- Foundry Bulwark Set: Tailored for tank builds.
- Future Initiative Set: Exclusively for healer builds.
- Eclipse Protocol Set: Excels in status effect builds.
- Rigger Set: Perfect for skill builds.