Understanding Gear Score After Level 40 in The Division 2

The question of gear score after level 40 in The Division 2 is a common one, and it’s crucial for understanding the game’s endgame progression. The short answer is: gear score is no longer directly used after you reach level 40. Instead, it is replaced by the SHD Level system. Once you hit level 40 and complete the Warlords of New York expansion campaign, you gain access to the Keener’s Watch and its associated SHD Level system. This transition marks a significant shift in how you power up your Agent and engage with the endgame content.

The Transition from Gear Score to SHD Levels

Prior to reaching level 40, gear score plays a vital role in determining the power and quality of your equipment. Gear score was a numerical representation of the strength of your gear, with a maximum of 515 at World Tier 5 before the Warlords of New York expansion. However, once you reach level 40 and complete the Warlords of New York campaign, the gear score system becomes obsolete. It is then replaced with the SHD Level system, which allows for continuous progression beyond a fixed gear score cap.

What are SHD Levels?

SHD Levels are an infinite progression system, meaning there is no maximum SHD Level. Instead of boosting the power of your gear with a specific numerical value, SHD Levels offer incremental improvements to your Agent’s attributes and resource rewards. These levels contribute to core stats, and allow you to collect valuable resources in the game. For each SHD Level you gain, you earn points that can be allocated across the four categories within your Keener’s Watch.

How Does SHD Level Progression Work?

The SHD Level progression system is account-wide, ensuring consistency across all your characters. Any SHD Levels earned on one character become accessible to any other level 40 character you have created once they activate the Keener’s Watch. This eliminates the need to start over with each new agent and provides a seamless transition into the endgame experience.

SHD Levels are earned through gaining experience (XP) after reaching level 40, in the same way you earned levels before then. You accumulate experience by completing activities in the game, such as missions, control points, bounties, and dark zone encounters. The more experience you gain, the more SHD levels you accumulate, which translates to more points to allocate to increase your Agent’s power.

Allocating SHD Level Points

With each SHD Level earned, you gain a point that can be allocated to one of the four core categories of stats: Offensive, Defensive, Utility, and Scavenging.

• Offensive: This category enhances your damage output with bonuses to weapon damage and critical hit chance.

• Defensive: Allocating points here improves your survivability by increasing your armor and health.

• Utility: This increases your effectiveness in the field with bonuses to skill power and skill haste.

• Scavenging: This boosts your resource gathering capabilities, increasing the amount and quality of materials and resources dropped.

SHD Levels vs Gear Score

Understanding the difference between Gear Score and SHD Levels is essential for navigating The Division 2 endgame.

• Gear Score was a finite number that represented the combined power and quality of your equipped items. It had a fixed cap and became irrelevant after you reached level 40 and completed the Warlords of New York Campaign.

• SHD Levels are an infinite progression system that replaces gear score after level 40. It enhances your Agent’s attributes and allows for continuous improvement, and there is no set cap for the SHD levels you can obtain.

The main distinction is that Gear Score is tied to your gear and is capped, while SHD Levels are tied to your account, never stop rising, and provide character improvements rather than gear improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further clarity on the gear score transition after level 40 and the SHD level system in The Division 2:

1. What is the maximum gear score in The Division 2 before level 40?

The maximum gear score before level 40, at World Tier 5, was 515. This was the cap before the Warlords of New York expansion was introduced.

2. What happens to my gear score when I reach level 40?

Your gear score is replaced with SHD Levels when you reach level 40 and complete the Warlords of New York expansion campaign. Your existing gear score becomes irrelevant, and progression shifts to earning SHD Levels and continually improving your stats through this new system.

3. How do I unlock SHD Levels?

You unlock the SHD Level system by reaching level 40 and completing the Warlords of New York campaign. Once you complete this you will receive the Keener’s Watch which allows for SHD Level progress.

4. How do I earn SHD Levels?

SHD Levels are earned by gaining experience (XP) after reaching level 40. You can do this by completing various activities such as missions, control points, bounties, and Dark Zone encounters. The more experience you gain, the more SHD levels you will achieve.

5. Is there a maximum SHD Level?

No, there is no maximum SHD Level in The Division 2. This allows for continuous progression and the chance to endlessly increase your agent’s power.

6. Are SHD Levels account-wide?

Yes, SHD Levels are account-wide. Any level 40 character you create after unlocking the system will have access to the SHD Levels earned on your other level 40 characters, as soon as they unlock the Keener’s Watch on them.

7. What do I get from SHD Levels?

Each SHD Level earned grants you a point that can be allocated to improve one of four core categories: Offensive, Defensive, Utility, and Scavenging.

8. What are the best SHD Level upgrades to focus on?

The best SHD Level upgrades will depend on your playstyle. Players often prioritize Offensive stats for damage output, but optimizing upgrades to fit your build and preferred approach to combat.

9. Does my gear still matter after level 40?

Yes, your gear is still important after level 40. While gear score is no longer a factor, your build remains critical and you will still need to obtain high-quality gear with the stats and perks you need to create powerful builds.

10. How do I get the best gear after level 40?

You can get better gear by completing challenging activities in the game, such as missions, Strongholds, control points at high difficulty, and the Dark Zone. Gear quality is affected by the game’s difficulty, so play at a higher difficulty for the best chance at higher quality loot.

11. What is Proficiency Rank in The Division 2?

Proficiency Rank is a system to help you improve your gear by repeated use. When you reach Proficiency Rank 10 with an item, you become proficient with it. Being proficient with enough items of the same type will increase your Gear Expertise.

12. What is Gear Expertise in The Division 2?

Gear Expertise allows you to improve proficient gear even further. The higher your Gear Expertise the more you can upgrade the items you are proficient with, making it crucial for maxing out your builds.

13. Can I reach level 40 quickly?

Yes, there are methods for leveling to 40 quickly. The fastest way is to play with friends in a group, complete main missions at the recommended levels, and make sure to complete Ubisoft Club Challenges for additional XP. You can also purchase a level boost to skip directly to level 30.

14. What is the end-game content in The Division 2?

The endgame in The Division 2 involves completing high-level missions, control points, strongholds, incursions, and the Dark Zone. Players work to optimize their build to complete these difficult endgame activities.

15. What are Specializations and how do they affect my Agent?

Specializations offer unique weapons and skills that can change your Agent’s playstyle. After reaching level 30, you can choose one of several available Specializations, which add an extra layer of strategy and personalization to your gameplay experience. You can change your specialization at any time.

Conclusion

In summary, after you reach level 40 in The Division 2, gear score is replaced by SHD Levels, initiating an infinite progression system focused on incremental improvements to your agent’s attributes. The SHD Level system provides a new way to enhance your agent, allowing you to continuously increase your characters effectiveness and combat potential beyond a finite numerical value. By understanding this transition, players can better navigate the endgame and create powerful builds that enable them to conquer even the toughest challenges.