With the launch of its first expansion, Warlords of New York, The Division 2 is going through something of a soft reset. It's a whole new map with its own content, level system, and narrative, and Ubisoft really wants new players to try it.
As such, there's now a level 30 boost in the game that allows anyone to create a max level character without the need to grind all the existing content. Existing, long-serving players with high-level characters are already in a place to start the expansion, but if you're looking to go in as a brand-new player, move to another platform, or just go to New York with a new character, there's an easy way to do it.
Why you need a level 30 character
The current level cap is 30, which most will have reached by the time the campaign is completed. After this, you're into the endgame portion, where levels are replaced by the world tier system and an associated gear score. The top of the pile is World Tier V and a gear score of 500.
The episodic content released throughout year one already requires you to be in World Tier V, so it's natural that the new Warlords of New York expansion would at least be kicking off from level 30. As the world tier and gear score systems don't apply in the expansion, anyone who simply reached level 30 can play.
How to get and use the level 30 boost
The level 30 boost is available to all players, but it's not free to anyone. If you buy the Warlords of New York expansion, or if you've pre-ordered it before launch, you will be given one boost to use as part of that package. Outside of this, you can buy one in the in-game store but it's pretty expensive at 2000 premium credits.
If you haven't yet played The Division 2 and you're not getting the expansion, there's really no reason to use it. Besides bumping you to level 30 and gear score 500, the boost also cuts all the campaign, endgame campaign and side missions out of the game. It just completes them for you, and while you can always replay main missions, side missions are gone for good. So if you're just going to play the base game, play it as it was intended — it's the best way.
But before you boost you have to do a couple of things. If you haven't played The Division 2 before or you're starting a brand new character, you first have to complete the prologue. It isn't difficult and only takes a few minutes, but you need to complete the opening mission, get to The White House and speak to Manny. Then, go to the Quartermaster, equip your first skill, and you're all set.
To use the boost.
- Open the in-game menu.
- Go to the Store.
- Go across to the Addons tab.
- Find the Level 30 boost, currently located just after the Year One Pass.
If you own Warlords of New York, you should see "owned". There was a bug at first where players were both buying the boost and the expansion, but this should now be resolved and affected players were able to claim a refund.
All you need to do is select and accept the boost, you'll get a loading screen, a short cutscene to catch you up on the story, then you'll be spawned back in at The White House at world tier V and gear score 500.
What you get with the level 30 boost
You aren't just boosted and left to it, you're given gear all at 500 to get started with. We're unsure if it's the same for everyone, but I was given both an assault rifle, a marksman rifle, a pistol, and a single piece of armor at 500 in each class from a range of brands.
It's not much, but it's something to get out into the world with. It doesn't take long to get more gear, from the Dark Zone and its potential PvP encounters, all the way to the Raid.
All of the map is opened up for you to explore, all main missions and strongholds are replayable, as are bounties, activities and control points. This includes the additional missions brought with episodes one, two and three, though Manning National Zoo is a stronghold over a regular mission.
And like your gear, your crafting bench will also be upgraded to 500 so you can immediately begin building weapons at max gear score when you find blueprints.
One tip worth mentioning, too, is that if you're awarded any gear caches at the start of the game, don't open them. Wait until you've run the level 30 boost because then all of your caches will also be upgraded to 500. Nobody wants a level one cache. Nobody.
Warlords of New York due out on March 3
The Division 2 Warlords of New York expansion is due to launch on March 3 on Xbox, PC, and PS4. Early pre-orders will get a bonus level 40 weapon and some in-game apparel as well as a free level 30 boost to use on an in-game character.
As we get closer to launch hopefully we'll start to get some of the finer details ironed out on what to expect.
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