What Do I Do With SHD Tech in The Division 2?
In The Division 2, SHD Tech is a crucial, finite resource that fuels your agent’s progression. It’s not just another collectible; it’s the key to unlocking a wide array of perks, skills, and weapon specializations, essentially shaping how you play the game. In short, SHD Tech allows you to fine-tune your agent’s abilities to match your preferred playstyle, making it an essential part of your Division 2 journey.
How to Use SHD Tech
The primary use of SHD Tech is to unlock and upgrade perks and skill variations at The White House or, later, other operation bases. Here’s a breakdown:
- Access the Quartermaster: You’ll meet the Quartermaster early in the game, who resides at The White House. This is your go-to NPC for anything related to SHD Tech.
- Navigate the Skills Menu: Interact with the Quartermaster and navigate to the “Perks” or “Skills” menu. Here, you’ll see various categories including:
- Agent Perks: These offer passive bonuses that improve your character’s overall capabilities, such as increased weapon stability, inventory space, or ammunition capacity.
- Skill Variations: Each base skill has several variations, which change its behavior or offer unique benefits. For example, the seeker mine could have a healing or a damaging variant.
- Spend SHD Tech: Select the perk or skill variation you wish to unlock, and use your accumulated SHD Tech to unlock them. Each unlock has a specific SHD Tech cost.
- Strategic Choices: Because SHD Tech is finite, you need to think strategically about which perks and skills you unlock first. Choose those that complement your playstyle and preferred weapon builds.
- Progression: As you progress through the game, the skills and their variations are unlocked and available for purchase with SHD Tech.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About SHD Tech
1. How Do I Get SHD Tech?
SHD Tech is acquired through various in-game activities. The primary sources include:
* Completing Main Missions: Story missions often reward SHD Tech.
* Completing Side Missions: Many side missions offer SHD Tech upon successful completion.
* Finding SHD Tech Caches: Scattered across the open world are hidden SHD Tech caches. These are typically marked on your map when you get near them. They often require some exploration or puzzle-solving to access.
2. What are SHD Tech Caches?
SHD Tech Caches are containers that hold SHD Tech. They are hidden throughout the game world and require finding and unlocking. Some are in plain sight, others are concealed behind locked doors, requiring you to shoot the lock or navigate to a different entrance. These caches are an important source of SHD Tech, especially in the early game.
3. How do I track down SHD Tech caches?
- Map Exploration: As you explore the game map, you’ll often find SHD Tech caches marked with a unique icon when you are nearby.
- Scanning: Use your agent’s scanner to reveal nearby interactable items, including SHD Tech caches.
- Community Maps: Online resources and community guides can provide locations for hard-to-find caches.
4. Can I Farm SHD Tech?
While SHD Tech is technically a finite resource, certain activities can be repeatedly completed to amass it faster. These methods are mostly related to finding and accessing more caches, which are finite in a given map. Efficient exploration is key to maximize finding these.
5. Can I Buy SHD Tech?
Officially, there’s no in-game method to purchase SHD Tech with real money or other forms of in-game currency. However, some third-party services might offer account boosts (as cited in the original text). However, this is generally not recommended due to risks associated with account sharing and the potential for penalties.
6. How Many Perks Can I Unlock?
You can unlock all perks and skill variations in the game given enough SHD Tech by exploring the map and completing game content. This means that with enough gameplay you will fully power your agent.
7. What is the Importance of the Quartermaster?
The Quartermaster is your designated point of contact for spending SHD Tech. They manage your perk tree and skill unlocks. They are stationed at the White House (and later at other settlements), and talking to them is the only way to spend SHD Tech
8. How Does SHD Tech Relate to Skills?
SHD Tech is crucial for unlocking and modifying your skills. You cannot unlock base skills with SHD Tech but rather the variations of those skills. For example, you can use it to equip your turret with a flamethrower instead of the standard machine gun mode.
9. What Does SHD Stand For?
SHD stands for Strategic Homeland Division. They are the central organization of the game. It’s a secret task force that is activated in times of crisis.
10. How Does SHD Tech Differ from Gear Score/SHD Level?
- Gear Score: Initially, your character’s strength is measured by Gear Score (up to level 30).
- SHD Levels: Once you reach Level 40, Gear Score is replaced by SHD Levels. These levels are gained through gaining experience after level 40 and they give you watch points that are spendable to gain attribute bonuses.
- SHD Tech: SHD Tech is a resource used to specifically unlock perks and skill variations. It is separate from your Gear Score or SHD Level.
11. What Are Some Must-Have Perks to Unlock First?
- Muzzle: Reduces weapon noise, helping you be stealthier and attract less attention.
- Magazine: Increases magazine capacity for sustained fire.
- Optics: Improves accuracy, especially for aiming down sights.
- Grip: Reduces recoil, improving stability for more consistent hits.
- Loadouts: Allows you to save and switch between gear loadouts quickly.
- Restock: Allows for easier restock of skills
12. Can I Recalibrate a Skill Tree I’ve Already Unlocked?
No, once you spend SHD Tech to unlock a perk or skill variation, you cannot reallocate it. Choose carefully and plan your build before spending your SHD Tech. However, you can respec your specializations for a nominal in-game credit cost.
13. How Does SHD Tech Relate to Weapon Upgrades?
SHD Tech itself does not directly upgrade weapons. However, having access to the right skill and build due to the perks unlocked by SHD Tech directly influence how a weapon works and performs in your hand. It is a critical component to effective combat and your ability to progress.
14. Can I Unlock All Skills and Perks?
Yes, eventually, by exploring the open world and completing the content available to the game you will accumulate enough SHD Tech to unlock all of them.
15. What is the best way to find SHD Tech near the Food Bank?
To locate the SHD Tech Cache near the Food Bank in the Financial District, look for the Burger Bar, and go down the adjacent alley and shoot the padlock on the door. Go up both sets of stairs and go through the door on the left to find the cache.
Conclusion
SHD Tech is the backbone of character progression in The Division 2. It’s not just a collectible; it’s the currency that powers your agent’s capabilities. Understanding how to acquire and effectively utilize SHD Tech is essential for every player, from newcomers to veterans, as it is one of the main pillars of player power and progression throughout the game. By strategically unlocking perks and skills, you can tailor your gameplay experience and take on any challenge that the game throws your way. Remember, each SHD Tech decision counts, so plan wisely!