Survivalists among The Division 2's eponymous program specialize in ensuring they stay on top of any dangerous situation. In Ubisoft's The Division series, Survivalists play a vital role given how the Division now has to restore order in post-apocalyptic America after the Dollar Flu outbreak. Interestingly, unlike other Specializations, Survivalists don't necessarily dish out huge firepower or hide from the shadows to secure their kills. Rather, they have a kit specially-designed to outlast most enemies.
In turn, it's not hard to imagine how the Survivalist can seem overwhelming for most first-timers. However, those considering the Survivalist Specialization should definitely give its skill tree a go, as it has some of the most interesting components that not other Specializations necessarily have.
First Things First: Everyone Lives
Unlike other Specializations, the Survivalist has a particular investment in ensuring the team makes it through any engagement. As such, first-time users of this Specialization might feel overwhelmed by the Survivalist's expanding skill tree and its many features. However, it's perhaps important to first understand how to "read" the Survivalist's skill tree to pick the best options for any particular build. Essentially, the Survivalist skill tree focuses on these particular areas:
Explosive-Tipped Crossbow: Unlike other Specializations, the Survivalist has the Explosive-Tipped Crossbow for its Signature Weapon. It explodes upon making contact with an enemy, damaging them and nearby allies in a short AOE.
Increased Protection, Healing: Survivalists specialize in enhancing the protective quality of covers and healing allies get from numerous sources. Moreover, Survivalists can also boost damage to enemies already affected by status effects.
All-Around Range Specialty: The Survivalist tread the fine line between using short-burst shotguns and long-range assault rifles. They also get the Survivalist D50, a special .44 Magnum Revolver with an optical attachment slot. This enables Survivalists to adapt to almost any range that combat demands.
Mender: Survivalists give the gift of healing through Mender, a special seeker mine that can follow them and the party around. It can heal armor, which further adds to the party's overall survivability.
Signature Weapon: Explosive-Tipped Crossbow
Due to its unique nature, the Survivalist receives a Signature Weapon that augments their penchant for party support. In turn, the Explosive-Tipped Crossbow capitalizes on the range of the Sharpshooter and the explosive damage of the Demolitionist. The Explosive-Tipped Crossbow works great against small clusters of enemies - perfect for scouting missions or quick encounters.
Treading The Fine Line
Unlike other Signature Weapons, the Explosive-Tipped Crossbow highlights the nature of Survivalists as a support Specialization. After all, the Explosive-Tipped Crossbow supports the aiming of a sniper rifle, akin to the Sharpshooter's signature TAC-50 C. Meanwhile, its short AOE burst damage is reminiscent of the Demolitionist's M32A1 Grenade Launcher.
However, the Crossbow shines in its sheer versatility. Despite its need to load shots, it does stun enemies for a short while after hitting them. Afterward, the bolt explodes and hits other nearby enemies. This makes the Crossbow perfect against small squads, or even robots. It's also capable of breaking armor, provided it makes a direct hit. Here are its base statistics:
Damage: 844.1k
Rate of Fire: 98
Magazine: 1+5
Range: ~50 Meters
Explosive Bolts (Weapon Talent)
Compared to other crossbows, the Explosive-Tipped Crossbow shines with its unique bolts. Thanks to the Explosive Bolts Talent, the Explosive-Tipped Crossbow enables players to make targetable shots into enemies. When hit, enemies get stunned and, after a short duration, the bolt detonates and damages nearby enemies. As with other Signature Weapons, Explosive Bolts does deal less damage against Named opponents.
Signature Weapon Damage (Passive)
Players can improve the Explosive-Tipped Crossbow's damage courtesy of the Signature Weapon Damage Talent. If they max this out, the weapon will get (Tier 4) 40-percent increased damage.
Skill Modifiers: Mobile Healing
Aside from their Explosive-Tipped Crossbow, Survivalists also obtain a companion geared towards general support-oriented abilities. Their Mender is a seeker mine specifically designed to follow the Survivalist and constantly heal their armor, alongside their allies'. The Survivalist can further augment the Mender with some Talents.
The Mender is one of the most useful Drones in The Division 2, particularly due to its auto-heal nature. having the equivalent of self-repairing armor can be a godsend, especially in prolonged encounters. In turn, the Mender Mine becomes a great addition to other skill combinations in the Survivalist's arsenal.
Mender (Item, Mine)
Unlike other Drones, the Mender seeker mine doesn't offer suppressive fire or extra damage. Instead, the Mender specializes in constantly following the Survivalist and the squad to provide automatic armor healing.
Magnetic Disc (Mod)
The Magnetic Disc Talent reduces the cooldown of the Mender's ability.
Larrea Tridentata Infusion (Mod)
The Larrea Tridentata Infusion Talent increases the potency of the Mender's healing.
General Modifiers: Good Defense Is A Good Offense
There isn't much use to heavy firepower if Agents are already dead before using them. The Survivalist ensures that the squad stays alive long enough to maximize their skillset and loadouts. In turn, Survivalists improve general defenses, healing, and even damage to enemies afflicted by status ailments.
Survivalist Tactical Link (Talent)
Sometimes, people just have to add salt to the wound. For Survivalists, this means capitalizing on weakness to put enemies down as quickly as possible. With the Survivalist Tactical Link Talent, Survivalists endow the entire squad with 10-percent bonus damage to targets afflicted with status ailments.
Based on the terminology of the Talent, this means any enemy with an ongoing status effect receives 10-percent extra damage. It doesn't say anything about players causing the status effect first.
For good measure, Survivalists should always equip themselves with weapons that grant status ailments such as Blind, Burn, or Bleed to ensure this 10-percent increase.
Triage Specialist (Passive)
One of the bread and butter of the Survivalist Specialization, the Triage Specialist Talent enables them to enhance the effects of outgoing healing by 15-percent. At first glance, this healing increase might not seem a lot. However, a 15-percent boost for healing can be quite a lifesaver, especially in high-intensity firefights. This healing boost can give just enough time for the squad to recuperate - which is important, especially when the squad has some members that make the fight difficult by being too trigger-happy.
Vital Protection (Passive)
Survivalists have a knack for getting themselves out of sticky situations. With the Vital Protection Talent, Survivalists can get themselves from the trickiest of firefights, courtesy of a 20-percent reduction chance of critical hits during Conflict.
This effect might seem minuscule at first, but this Talent can essentially turn the tide of battle against difficult bosses in raids. A reduction in receiving critical hits can transform fatal wounds into things the Survivalist can brush off.
Elite Defense (Passive)
In speaking of protection, Survivalists also provide specialized protection against stronger enemies. With the Elite Defense Talent, Survivalists can give their entire squad 20-percent increased defense against Elites. This added 15-percent sounds small, but it can become such a big deal in harder raids, especially in tough firefights. Elites can be pesky to deal with, especially in multiple groups, so the benefits of Elite Defense Talent is always a welcome addition to the Survivalist's arsenal.
Crunch Time (Talent)
Interestingly, Survivalists also ensure that their allies get to tap into their best assets as quickly as possible. With the Crunch Time Talent, Survivalists give their squad members a 10-percent reduction in skill cooldown in cover. As the name suggests, this Talent enhances a team's chance of making a comeback provided they plan their approach carefully.
Crunch Time encourages players to take time to replenish their resources to fight back with a vengeance. This Talent works great with Triage Specialist, as this ensures parties aren't just healed but also fully-equipped.
Weapon Modifiers: Flexibility First
Fans might argue that the Explosive-Tipped Crossbow serves less like a main weapon, and more of a weapon that sets up an opening gambit. After all, its loading time means there won't be any quick second shots after firing the first one. In turn, players better have a reliable alternate primary weapon to take on the heat of combat.
Thankfully, the flexible nature of the Survivalist's skillset allows them to get into any range after launching their Explosive Bolts. Aside from an Incendiary Grenade that deals damage-over-time, Survivalists can get into close range with a shotgun, medium range with an LMG, and semi-long range with the assault rifle.
Despite having access to other weapons, the decent firing rates of the above weapons make it practical for the high-intensity firefights Survivalists most likely have to endure in squads.
Incendiary Grenade (Item, Grenade)
As with other Specializations, the Survivalist gets their own grenade in the form of the Incendiary Grenade. Similar to its FPS counterpart, the Incendiary Grenade is primarily designed not just to explode but to burn everything in the vicinity. The Survivalist's version of the Incendiary grenade inflicts Burn damage to enemies falling within its radius.
Unlike other grenades from Specialists, the Incendiary Grenade's damage-over-time boasts more efficiency compared to the Demolitionist's Frag Grenade, or even the Sharpshooter's Flashbang. At the hands of an expert, the Incendiary Grenade not only brings in damage, it can even force enemies to take cover in disadvantageous positions that leaves them open for flanking.
E.M.I. (Passive, AR)
Sometimes, the first bolt from the Crossbow just won't eliminate a whole enemy squad. In these situations, Survivalists can go to the ever-reliable assault rifle to eliminate foes quickly from a safe distance. With the E.M.I. Talent, Survivalists gain up to a (Tier 3) 15-percent boost in assault rifle damage, perfect for extended incursions.
Infantry 5.56 Mag (Item, Attachment)
Aside from E.M.I., Survivalists can enjoy longer firefights courtesy of the Infantry 5.56 Mag. This Talent essentially increases the AR's optimal range by up to a whopping 30-percent. This might seem a small change for some, but this magazine type effectively allows players to maximize their AR by making them hit many further enemies.
Onslaught (Passive, LMG)
Survivalists who want a decent medium-range solution to firefights can rely on the LMG to be a trusty partner. Thanks to the Onslaught Talent, Survivalists can bring the fight back to the enemy with up to a (Tier 3) 15-percent increase in LMG damage. This is a perfect weapon for Survivalists who often end up providing suppressing fire for their heavy-loaded allies, or who need to support distant Sharpshooters.
Running The Gun (Passive, Shotgun)
Survivalists backed to a corner doesn't necessarily have to surrender. It's in these situations and other close-ranged incursions that the Survivalist can look at the ever-reliable shotgun for massive close quarters damage. With the Running the Gun Talent, Survivalists can enjoy up to a (Tier 3) 15-percent boost in shotgun damage. In turn, this Talent also becomes quite handy especially when securing control points, which often have enemies surprising Agents in every turn.
Survivalist D50 (Item, Sidearm)
Survivalists need to make sure all weapons at their disposal serve some sort of purpose. While the Explosive-Tipped Crossbow sets up combat, the Assault Rifle can handle long-distance foes while the Shotgun can secure short-range incursions. However, in the case of emergencies, Survivalists can trust the Survivalist D50 to do the job. This modified .44 Magnum boasts a 150 Rate of Fire and an 8-round magazine, boasting successive punches in close quarters.
Moreover, the Survivalist D50 has a special optic slot, allowing for further customization. The optic slot can make room for a sidearm-based build that guarantees critical hits or even improved accuracy.
Gunslinger (Passive, Sidearm)
Survivalists who want to land better shots with their sidearm will appreciate the Gunslinger Talent. Thanks to this Perk, Survivalists get a 10-percent boost to sidearm damage, perfect for securing essential hits with pistols. Of course, players might want to make sure they get ammo for their primary weapon or even their Signature Weapon instead, especially since the latter two deal much more damage at better ranges.
Miscellaneous: Securing Repairs, Supplies
Aside from their healing capabilities, the support-oriented Survivalist also has a couple of miscellaneous Talents that focus on repairs and securing supplies for their teammates. This further reinforces their knack for ensuring the team's survival while the rest focus on taking down enemies.
Distributed Repair (Talent)
Perhaps one of the best Talents at the Survivalist's disposal is its Distributed Repair Talent. With this Talent, Armor Kits take five seconds to repair instead of instantly. However, with this drawback comes the benefit of the repair now extending to all squad members within a 20-meter radius.
This has huge tactical ramifications, especially since 20 meters is significantly far when it comes to cover-to-cover distance, or even in high-intensity firefights. Being able to use Armor Kits and extend its benefits to group members instantly can save the team when facing difficult bosses. In turn, the boost in survivability makes this Talent a must-have especially for beginners gunning towards this Specialization.
Group Signature Ammo Supply (Passive)
Survivalists take pride in taking advantage of situations, and their Group Signature Ammo Supply Talent encourages this. Essentially, the Talent allows the entire team to get a chance to obtain Signature Weapon ammunition whenever they kill a target afflicted with a status effect. In turn, teams that focus on damage-over-time status effects such as Burn and Bleed have increased chances of retrieving their Signature Weapon ammo with a Survivalist around.
Explosive Bolt Acquisition (Passive)
Building upon Group Signature Ammo Supply is the Survivalist's very own Explosive Bolt Acquisition Talent. Essentially, this assures Survivalists that killing enemies with status effects have a chance of dropping bolts. This is essential ammo for Survivalists, especially if the team's setup depends on them wreaking havoc within a grouped squad.
Scraping By (Talent)
Survivalists promote safety first, which means relying on cover whenever possible. Thankfully, the Scraping By Talent encourages cover-reliant strategies. This Mod gives five ammo per second for the current weapon to Survivalists, provided they do cover-to-cover in the middle of combat. Interestingly, this Talentguarantees a steady supply of ammunition during battle - an essential aid, given sometimes they come in short supply in high-intensity encounters.
Survivalist Uniform (Item, Outfit)
As with other Specializations, the Division doesn't let its Agents go out of style even in a post-apocalyptic situation. Survivalists can get a Survivalist Uniform that represents their specialization.