The Division has just gotten a little tougher for multiplayer. Released on the 22nd for Xbox and PC, Survival and subsequent patch notes are upping the game for users. This new paid expansion introduces “Survival Game Mode”, allowing up to 24 players to fight for survival against other players, and the harsh conditions of a modified version of Manhattan featured in the game.

The launch is hitting XBox One and PC first, but regardless of the division PlayStation 4 users don’t have to be distraught for too long. The expansion Survival will be available on PS4 December 20th, just in time to stuff those digital stockings! PC players may have already been enjoying the DLC through the public test server for The Division for the last few weeks however.

Along with the the release of the DLC is a major update from Ubisoft, dubbed 1.5, available now on Xbox One and PC. The release date is “To Be Determined” as of yet for the PS4 and no information has been given on when it can be expected. The patch includes a number of new features and bug fixes that are sure to make players happy!

Aside from the release of Survival Game Mode the patch includes:

Game changes

• Added World Tier 5 bracket (224+ GS)
  • Enemy NPCs are level 34.
  • Maximum Gear Score raised to 256.
  • Heroic Incursions are now available in Tier 5 only.

Loot, rewards, and vendors

• Season Pass Open World Supply Drops will now scale with World Tier. Opening a supply drop in World Tier 1 will reward with Gear Score 163, 182 in World Tier 2, etc.
• Modified rewards from completing weekly assignments:
  • Moved 30 Phoenix Credits from the weekly assignment reward to put them inside the weekly assignment cache (the total amount is still the same)
  • Added one extra High-End Mod inside the weekly assignment cache

Weapons

• Talents
  • Swift: Reload Speed bonus has been increased from 15% to 25%.
  • Provident: This talent has been removed from World Tier 5 and will not roll or be available in recalibration for Gear Score 256 weapons.
  • Hurried, Focused and Disciplined are no longer exclusive to PP19, G36 and SVDs.
• All Weapon types
  • Hip fire now has stronger recoil than aiming down sights. The strength of this effect varies between weapon types. From most impacted to least impacted: Marksman Rifles, LMGs, Assault Rifles, SMGs, Shotguns, Pistols.

Gear Sets

• FrontLine has been added
  • 2 pieces: +15% Protection from Elites
  • 3 pieces: +30% Ballistic Shield Health
  • 4 pieces: Allows using anSMG if one is equipped when Ballistic Shield is deployed. SMG Crit Chance is reduced to 0%

Skill changes

• Pulse
  • All Mods (except Recon Pack): Decreased lifetime by 20% from 25 seconds to 20 seconds.
  • Recon Pack:
    • Increased lifetime by 14.3% from 17.5 seconds to 20 seconds.
    • Decreased cooldown by 25% from 60 seconds to 45 seconds.
  • Tactical Scanner:
    • Increased cooldown by 10% from 60 seconds to 66 seconds.
• First Aid
  • Defibrillator:
    • Increased Ally Heal by 10% from 1500 to 1650.
  • Overdose:
    • Decreased Self Heal by 10% from 1500 to 1350.
    • Increased cooldown by 10% from 60 seconds to 66 seconds.

The patch includes a lot more, including some PC only patches as well. The list of bug fixes is also quite extensive, but includes correcting the temporary invincibility after the use of Survivor Link, and several instances of client crash.  If you want to read it you can find the whole list of patches and fixes here.

After the release of “Survival” Ubisoft expects to unleash the last expansion for The Division, aptly titled “Last Stand”, in early 2017. Ubisoft has been enjoying a record-breaking release since March, and the new update is only going to strengthen that as the developer continues to focus on improving the overall game play experience for its users. The extensive list of additions with Survivor is bound to keep players busy until the final expansion drops, so until then, play nice!

Have you had a chance to play Survivor yet? What do you think of the updates? Sound off in the comments below!