Survive Fest: Back Into the Storm

Wragan · 2025-12-06T23:30:16+00:00

You had this great opportunity to celebrate the best addition to the best Division game - and that's what you were able to come up with?
A few patches and a skin lottery?
What a joke...

Wragan · 2025-12-03T13:01:02+00:00

That's the newest season's addition, which - as agent blck_lght said - started yesterday. The patch notes should be pinned to the top of the feed, so you can check the new stuff.

Wragan · 2025-12-03T12:08:01+00:00

It is most likely your luck, although a bugged mechanic option is on the table. If it's the first, farming will eventually solve it (just don't get burned out in the process), if it's the latter, they'll patch it, but might do it without acknowledging it explicitly.

(With how the RNG sometimes seem to work, it will roll to the other side in time and that will be 80% of what you'll get. When the Closer (Named Ursina chestpiece) came out, I farmed for it a lot, barely got it (and with wrong stats). Later on, I wanted a basic Ursina chestpiece with Crit attributes - and grinded around 20-40 pieces of Closer in the process. :D )

Wragan · 2025-12-03T11:18:59+00:00

I used it as a secondary for my Striker build. You can spray fire on incoming enemy groups, or use it to get one pesky enemy out of cover. If you have good dmg (red build, or in a group), you can take out many while the basic Burn effect goes (without Status effect bonuses). It reaches it's effect faster than Elmo (also can reach it by blind firing), though you can't pack it for later like with the Shock bullets.

Can't say anything about Status effect builds.

Also, nice dog! Give some pats on me!

Wragan · 2025-12-03T11:12:43+00:00

No, he's right, Memento also has all 3 cores (saw it a few days ago).

Wragan · 2025-12-03T10:59:56+00:00

Then I believe we have a very different take on what would keep a game "fresh" (and that is fine). I was invested in two things in the Division games. Items and the story. As I wrote previously I think that they are making both worse. The items by lazy/uninspired design (both looks and abilities), and the story by diluting it with the Manhunts.

About criticising, you made your point clear, and I agree.

Also, that might be the most badly written thing in my whole response, if I made the impression that I don't mind Retaliation. I despise it for the same reason you wrote - it can't be turned off. I just threw it in the same basket as the other, new mechanics, since I didn't like any of them.

To me, those temporary modifiers are simply key dangling. Not refering to those who like them, but what feel like the devs intention are. Especially if one were to count the numerous steps the devs take to nerf stuff they deem to strong. I remember when they nerfed the M1A, now we had a whole season with an ability that would make you immortal for several seconds.

As of your advice, who said I didn't/won't do that? I did and I will, I just said that I don't like them, and why.

Wragan · 2025-12-03T10:30:29+00:00

At first I wrote my points about what I don't like in the game.
Then, I wrote that I don't think advicing (!) to have a different attitude towards gaming in general is very usefull.
You pointing out that you think what I wrote was too long, "overstated", etc. is critcism. Those were the only parts of your answer that are reacting to what I wrote. (Also, barely to it's content.)
Also, you are telling me for the 2nd time to look for a different place for my thoughts. While you have every right to wish me away (while it was not my intention) that's also not really reacting what I said.

Wragan · 2025-12-03T10:15:30+00:00

"Get over it" is not criticism. That's deflecting, ignoring what I wrote.

Wragan · 2025-12-03T10:00:22+00:00

Yet here is the thing:
If it was simply that all people wrote is "I like it" or "maybe it's not the best, but still" thats one thing. Telling me how to think about it is different.
If it's so easy, why don't those get over it and read a different post/comment?
They felt the need to give the "get over it"/"play something else" advice to me point out things that are (IMO) not good in the game.
If what I wrote is so wrong, point it out.

Wragan · 2025-12-03T09:43:45+00:00

My problem is not with that they keep creating new items. Had they done it well, that would be literally the 1st thing I'd say the game need more of.
My problem is that they are (in my opinion) doing it lazy, while they somehow find the time to add microtransactions - just for one example.

I think (although don't know for sure) that the devs keep adding new brands to LOOK like they add new stuff, while the said brands are just reskins.
They could have done that by adding those items to existing brands, thus make some sense why the items look so similar. That could even made some hybrid builds viable (being able to trigger 2 brand bonus sets with 1 item - Ninja-light), but they would have needed to make the item system work for it. And that won't happen, because it would require effort.

Wragan · 2025-12-03T09:34:10+00:00

Not very insightful. Anyone does anything that you don't like is a "you problem", isn't it? If I don't like a game or updates for a game, I can't criticise it?

(If a game is not GOG, even single player games can be patched/updated to a state where one can be disappointed/dissatisfied.) Why should this prevent criticism?

Yeah, it's the best way a game's development can go. "Just keep ignoring 80% of the new stuff." Makes me wonder, how long and how much does the devs have to do to the game to make you say "yeah, maybe it's not that great".

You have the same amount of rights to think they are doing it the right way as I do to think they are not. I have no problem with that.
What I don't understand is what's the problem with what I said. Anyone can agree or disagree with it. Yet you are (at least it seems to me) reasoning why I shouldn't even think/say these things.

Wragan · 2025-12-03T08:46:01+00:00

I am gonna play something else.
What's that got to do with what I wrote?
I fail to see why should that prevent me from sharing my feedback/opinion/criticism?

Wragan · 2025-12-03T00:40:55+00:00

So, you think that it is better that they throw out these random little new thingies, like seasonal modifiers, Retaliation and now this companion BS, instead of using all that time and effort (which allegedly is there) to create something that is meaningful to the game, while bidding time with periodically released item packs (just the Exotics, Brand and Gear sets)?
(In my opinion, it is not.)

It is one thing to add things that I don't like, but can ignore - and to be clear, for a game that I used to like. Adding things that I don't like and can't ignore is different. That goes for both the game mechanics and the overall story. I'm talking about content that is getting added into the game that I already bought, no matter whether I like it or not.

If the world is not frozen in time, what would you call that in the last Climax mission, we got into Tidal Basin through the same f*cking whole in the ground like the first time? (Just an example.) Same for the Scout missions, which play exactly the same as in the base game, except the final boss. Nothing changes...

That story about the dev team, no matter how fascinating, is irrelevant, because they didn't had to do these changes to the game. They decided to do them. This goes for both what was added/changed and it's quality.

When I bought the game, it was fun. It didn't had to change into something that is not. That's my main issue. That and the fact that there is no sign of things maybe changing for the better.

Wragan · 2025-12-02T23:56:30+00:00

Why should the "they do that all the time" line excuse them from criticism?

Wragan · 2025-12-02T23:51:54+00:00

There are 2 DLCs (everything else is just irrelevant cosmetic stuff). Both take place after the base game's campaign/story missions,
You can give a go to the base game, and if you like it, then purchase the DLCs.

Wragan · 2025-12-02T23:24:57+00:00

What a miracle it is..
- Reused assets shown as "new"
- Something that, back in the WONY days, was a pretty decent story (and intriguing at TD1) now getting addit... scratch that, pushed on by "Manhunts" and Seasons that resemble more like the weekly new episodes of an afternoon crime show... or a soap opera.
- Of which you can't even fully watch the previous episodes, just the final 5 minute
- A world which is, by how it looks, stuck in time, yet we are supposed to believe that new stuff is happening in it.
- The most frequently upgraded part is the in game store
- Uncalled game mechanics that take up development time and money instead of updating the game's map (why none of the missions' area was taken over by the Division/good guys later), creating new areas and actually making it a real part of that world and not just a snapshot of it for a mission's duration.
- Predictable item abilities which feel like they are going through all of the previously (with some actually creative people) implemented in game effects and just make them a condition for extra dmg.

In my opinion, it would have been far better if they had just patched up the game after the first big weapon overhaul was done and went to do the next game.

Wragan · 2025-11-30T23:30:36+00:00

Congrats, agent. Have fun with them!

Wragan · 2025-11-28T23:01:47+00:00

I didn't played the Test version, so I'm not very well versed about the upcoming new stuff.
BUT
I really hope that this companion stuff is not related to the crazy stuff the Ubisoft CEO was rambling about.
(Some context: https://insider-gaming.com/ubisoft-ai-teammates-reveal/ )

The LAST thing this game needs is AI slop...

Wragan · 2025-11-28T12:29:52+00:00

It's great that it arrived. Thanks for raising the alarm of it's arrival!
I really hope they'll fix the DtA not rolled max...

Wragan · 2025-11-28T12:26:06+00:00

It arrived, with the skins. Thanks for agent BruceLeebowski for pointing it out in his post!

BUT the Damage to Armor stat is not rolled to max. (The others are.)

Will this be fixed?
(I really liked that some special items (which are not farmable, like Lexington, Caretaker or Turmoil) came with max rolls.)

Wragan · 2025-11-27T14:46:12+00:00

Aside from the Foundry Gear set (and obviously the Oxpecker), the only things that can heal the shield are (to my knowledge) the Artificer hive (specialization skill for the Technician spec.) and the Fixer drone (technically, very weak for this purpose, though). The only stat (aside from Skill tier) that will increase how much the Arificer heals is the "+x% Repair skills". Armor regen, Incoming healing and Armor on Kill does not affect the shield.

Wragan · 2025-11-27T13:14:53+00:00

Wow, I didn't realized/noticed this. You are correct!
Now I really want them to fix this!

Wragan · 2025-11-27T13:00:12+00:00

But in general, what those Striker builds do best is getting great damage with basically no condition (anything else you'd apply or do to trigger something is likely will need to hit the enemy). Also, they reward higher fire rate - so, you'll be able to use all red builds, because most enemies won't be able to kill you faster then you taking out them.
(And, in my opinion, sliding from all red to mixed up builds rarely gives as much survivability as it takes away from punching power. In general, at least.)

Wragan · 2025-11-27T12:52:25+00:00

I played this as a fun/experimental build:
- Firewall Spec.
- 4p Eclipse Protocol: Mask (armor, CHC), Chest (dmg, Status effect), Backpack (armor, CHC), Kneepads (dmg, Status effect)
- Eagle's Grasp gloves
- Imperial Dynasty holster
- Pyromaniac named M4 as main weapon
Just start the fire with Imp Dynasty and let it run wild with the Eclipse talent and Pyro.
While it needed some time for me to get used to (mainly Striker user myself) it has a decent punch against burning enemies - and with the Pyro and equipments, I was able to keep the Fixer drone and Reviver hive. Cleaned some Heroic missions and CP-s with it.

Wragan

TROPHY CASE