While in the Dark Zone | Hints The Division Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

1. Before you head to the Dark Zone, try to gain some items and experience. You should finish at least few side quests and encounters marked blue on the map. A good way to gain good equipment is to repeat the main quest called Madison Field Hospital on a more difficult level. Try to finish it with friends or by using the automatic player selection.

2. While in the Dark Zone, try to send your items as often as possible. In order to do so, head to the Extraction arena (marked orange), call the helicopter and use the rope given by the pilot. Sending items as often as possible is extremely important because once you die, you are likely to lose all the items from your backpack.

3. The safest thing to do, is to move around the Dark Zone in a group. It is way easier to defeat enemies controlled by artificial intelligence or avoid being attacked by other players. Your companions can also resurrect you and guard your body, to make the process of retrieving your gear safer.

4. Remember that other players will be able to hide from your Pulse ability by selecting a specific mod to their own skill. Even if your Pulse didn't pinpoint the location of an enemy, be on guard, as they could still be nearby.

5. When you order the helicopter to come pick up the equipment you scavenged in the Dark Zone, you will lure all the players in the Dark Zone to your location (as they will be given an information on the map). Prepare for a tough encounter, as some of them will surely come for your stuff.

6. First hours in the Dark Zone should be spent on eliminating the computer-controlled units (NPCs), not on fighting with other players. It is especially important when you are in the Dark Zone on your own, without a trustworthy team.

7. Dark Zone Ranks are more important than items early on. Without them you won't be able to open most valuable containers, and fighting with other players, especially when you are on your won, will quickly be a cause of your death. To quickly level up, focus on fighting the NPCs and help other players deal with rogue players.

8. Never, ever carry a huge amount of Dark Zone Funds with you. Each time you die from the hands of a player you will lose a percentage of that value - it is increased several times when you die as a Rogue player, which is given to someone upon attacking an innocent player.