Unlocking the Peak: Understanding Max Gear Score in The Division 2

The quest for ultimate power is a cornerstone of The Division 2 experience. Central to this pursuit is understanding the Gear Score system. So, what’s the max gear score in Division 2? The answer depends on whether you own the Warlords of New York expansion.

• Without the Warlords of New York expansion: The maximum gear score you can achieve is 515.
• With the Warlords of New York expansion: Gear Score is replaced by SHD Levels. After reaching level 40, you’ll accumulate SHD Levels instead, offering a different progression path focused on character attributes and resource acquisition.

Diving Deep into Gear Score and Endgame Progression

Let’s break down how Gear Score functions within The Division 2 and what happens when you reach the endgame, both with and without the Warlords of New York expansion.

Gear Score Before Warlords of New York

Before the release of Warlords of New York, Gear Score was the primary indicator of your agent’s overall power. It was an objective, comparable number reflecting the combined power and quality of your equipped gear. Reaching a Gear Score of 515 signified that you had acquired some of the best possible equipment available in the base game.

The power of newly acquired items was determined by your collective power and the power of the source (e.g., the level of the NPC or the World Tier). To hit that coveted 500+ Gear Score, you would typically engage in activities like:

• Invaded Missions & Strongholds: These weekly events offered high-level loot.
• The Dark Zone: A high-risk, high-reward area known for its powerful gear.
• Daily Missions & Strongholds: Consistent sources of valuable loot.
• Level 3 Control Points: Clearing these offered blueprints and potentially high-end gear.
• Reaching World Tier 5: This unlocked the highest tier of gear. Getting there requires achieving a Gear Score of 425 and completing invaded Strongholds like Capitol Building, District Union Arena, and Roosevelt Island.

The SHD Level Shift with Warlords of New York

The Warlords of New York expansion fundamentally changed endgame progression. Instead of endlessly grinding for incremental Gear Score increases, the focus shifted to SHD Levels.

Once you own the expansion and reach level 40, you no longer focus on gear score. SHD Levels replace Gear Score. Experience earned after reaching level 40 contributes towards the new SHD Level system. SHD Levels provide a way to continuously improve your Agent’s attributes, resource rewards, and cosmetic unlocks.

Understanding SHD Levels

To activate SHD Levels, you need to interact with the Keener Watch after completing the Warlords of New York campaign. From there, you will:

• Open your Inventory.
• Click on the padlock icon displayed in your Skills.

SHD level progression is account wide, meaning that if for example you reach SHD level 1000 on one character, the next level 40 character you create and complete the WONY campaign with, will have direct access to those 1000 points gathered on the previous agent, as soon as you also activate the Keener watch on it.

Beyond SHD Levels: Expertise and Proficiency

Even with SHD Levels taking center stage, item progression remains important. The Expertise system allows you to further enhance your gear. You increase your Proficiency Rank with specific items by using them in combat.

When you reach Proficiency Rank 10 with a specific item, you are considered “proficient” with that item. You gain one level of Gear Expertise in a gear type for every item of the same type that you become proficient in. The higher your Gear Expertise, the more you can upgrade the items you are proficient in.

The Enduring Appeal of The Division 2

The shift from Gear Score to SHD Levels and Expertise demonstrates The Division 2’s commitment to evolving and refining its gameplay loop. This is similar to how video games can be used for teaching skills and problem-solving. Consider exploring resources from organizations like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for insights into how games contribute to learning and development. The GamesLearningSociety.org studies many different types of video games and the effects that they have on players.

By embracing new progression systems, The Division 2 continues to offer compelling reasons to keep playing, experimenting with builds, and pushing your agent to their full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Gear Score matter in Division 2?

Yes and no. Before Warlords of New York, Gear Score was crucial. It determined your access to certain activities and indicated your agent’s power. After Warlords of New York, it’s replaced by SHD Levels at level 40. However, even without the expansion, it’s vital for progressing through World Tiers and accessing content. Loot drops are based on your peak available Gear Score.

2. What is the max level on The Division 2?

• Without Warlords of New York: The max level is 30.
• With Warlords of New York: The max level is 40. After level 40, you gain SHD Levels.

3. How do you get level 500 gear in Division 2?

Prior to the Warlords of New York expansion, you can get level 500 gear by:

• Playing in World Tier 5.
• Completing Invaded Missions & Strongholds.
• Venturing into the Dark Zone.
• Finishing Daily Missions & Strongholds.
• Clearing Level 3 Control Points.

4. How do SHD Levels work?

SHD Levels replace Gear Score once you reach level 40 with the Warlords of New York expansion. You earn them by gaining XP. Each SHD Level grants you points to spend on core attributes (like weapon damage and armor), resources, and cosmetic items.

5. What is Division 2 endgame?

The Division 2’s endgame is the content available after completing the main story. This includes:

• World Tiers (before Warlords of New York)
• Invaded Missions & Strongholds
• Specializations
• The Dark Zone
• SHD Levels (after Warlords of New York)
• Expertise and Proficiency
• Legendary Difficulty

6. Can you unlock every skill in Division 2?

Yes, you can eventually unlock all skills in The Division 2 by earning skill points. These are primarily earned by playing through the main story and completing side missions. There is no way to speed up the process of unlocking skill points; players just have to play through the main story and eventually they will have enough skill points to unlock all eight skills in the game.

7. What happens when you reach level 1000 in Division 2?

Reaching SHD Level 1000 is a significant milestone, but the progression doesn’t stop there. You can continue to earn SHD Levels indefinitely, continuously improving your agent’s attributes and earning rewards. SHD level progression is account wide.

8. What is gear rank 10 in Division 2?

Gear Rank 10 refers to reaching Proficiency Rank 10 with a specific item in the Expertise system. This signifies you’re proficient with that item, allowing you to increase your Gear Expertise in that gear type.

9. Is level 30 the max level in Division 2 without DLC?

Yes, level 30 is the max level in The Division 2 if you don’t own the Warlords of New York expansion. After this, you progress through World Tiers and focus on improving your Gear Score.

10. How do you get legendary missions in Division 2?

You unlock Legendary difficulty missions by completing the Warlords of New York expansion and reaching level 40.

11. What is the best skill to unlock first in The Division 2?

The “best” skill depends on your playstyle, but the Turret (Assault) is often recommended, especially for solo players. It provides valuable cover and suppresses enemies.

12. How do you unlock recalibration in Division 2?

You unlock recalibration at the Recalibration Station in the Base of Operations or Haven. This station becomes available after completing the third mission of the Campus settlement.

13. What is the goal of Division 2?

The goal of Division 2 is to rebuild Washington D.C. after a smallpox pandemic, fighting against hostile factions and restoring order. As a Strategic Homeland Division agent, you complete missions, secure settlements, and improve your gear and skills.

14. What perks to unlock in Division 2?

Some essential perks to unlock early include:

• Optics (I)
• Grip (I)
• Loadouts (I and II)
• Signature Weapon Ammo (I)
• Bounties (I and II)
• Restock (I and II)
• Armor Kit (I to III)
• Accolades (I to V)

15. What is the highest level gear in the division?

As of October 2024, the new highest level gear is not measured through a score, but instead, a character’s level combined with SHD level, and expertise with the gear used.