Pimp my gear set........

[Big Grumper]

Ok, I've got a confession to make: up until recently I've had no idea what you mean when you guys talk about gear characteristics and the such like. Armour this, ammo that, skill mods and regenerating health has often passed me by.

My usual criterion for choosing gear and weapons is quite simple: 1) Can I afford it / Am I the necessary rank? 2) Does it look cool? 3) Does it do loads of damage or afford me protection?

There's a reason for this. I'm not a RPG fan. Not at all. These games that require thought and planning often leave me with either a headache or a form of gaming inadequacy. I just don't "get" them. Back in the late 80s/early 90s I was still playing Mario, Sonic and Strets of Rage whilst others sank hours into Zelda and Final Fantasy. I've never been a fan of wizards, weird creatures and all that sci-fi nonsense. And that's why I love The Division so much: it's "normal", in a dystopian kinda way.  

Anyway, back on topic. I want to properly enjoy the game and maximise the effectiveness of loadout. That's where you guys come in. I need help. I'll put some piccies on later. In the meantime m basic stats are as follows:

- 195Gs

- 120k DPS

- 115k Toughness - Primary weapon is a Liberator (182). Secondary is usually the Tenebrae (182). 

In terms of playing style I'm that guy in the squad who holds back, picks his shots and revives the others. 

 

[quinch1199]

You might want to start by looking at the talents your weapons have (primary & secondary). Are you getting the required skill values (firearms, stamina, electronics) to activate them?

Some of these skills, for example a 24% increased chance of critical hit damage, can make a huge difference in combat but don't show really on the normal DPS numbers. 

Next you can look at talents in your gear, do you have any Gear Set pieces and do they add other "buffs" to your performance (plus damage to particular weapons, more health, damage resistance etc) and do you have enough pieces to activate them. Do they have mod slots and can adding mods help boost anything that then has a knock on effect to activate any talents?

Unfortunately for you sometimes all this moving stuff around and trying out gear, sets, weapons etc takes time. Its not a matter of just grabbing the gear with the best DPS/armour value etc. 

Side note I'm at about 187GS over all, I have some 201 pieces of gear but my best weapon for DPS is still the Liberator as I'm hitting the same raw DPS output as you are but with the added gear I can carry almost 1,600 rounds of ammunition for it and my LMG (which is about 110k DPM) + 25% crit change + passive buffs. 

 

[Big Grumper]

This is the "before" picture. I'm now running with 2/2 Lone Star/Striker. 

 

[DeadSockPuppet]

Here's the first thing I noticed, of the 6 weapon talents you could have active, only two are "lit up" or active, with 1 active on your SCAR and 1 active on your sidearm.  I looked up the talents on the Liberator and the articles I read basically said the Liberator is a good weapon for a higher electronics build.  

According to the article (https://pwner.net/the-division/liberator), to unlock the Competent talent you need 1417 firearms and 1889 electronics and to unlock the Dominant talent you need 1889 firearms and 1889 electronics.  Looking at your build you're fine with firearms but almost 200 electronics shy.  

That being said, you say you like to sit back, pick your shots, and heal people, so a skill and electronics build wouldn't be bad for you.  I'd suggest looking at gear that is firearms and electronics based for their boosts use either electronics or stamina gear mods to help build your electronics and health a little.  

To piggyback on what @quinch1199 said, look at the perks the gear offers.  If you like the AR, look for gear that offers crit chance and crit damage bonus to help hit harder when you connect.  Also, figure out what skills you like to use (pulse, healing station, sticky bomb, etc.) and look for gear that buffs those skills and offers bonuses to them.  

Another thing to remember is that the Liberator is basically a Lightweight M4.  If you like the way the weapon handles and everything, hunt for a LWM4 blueprint and then start crafting them until you get better talents.  The Liberator talents aren't complete crap, but if you're not focusing on lots of electronics and using a ton of skills, you should find a weapon (or craft an LWM4) with talents that you can use.  Some talents I like are fierce, self-preserved, stable, destructive, balanced, ferocious, brutal and deadly (http://thedivision.wiki.fextralife.com/Weapon+Talents).  

I keep trying to find a time when our schedules will match up so we can roll together and possibly hit the firing range, but that 5 hr time difference makes it difficult.  However, I check here multiple times a day so feel free to post up any other questions you have and I'll try to offer some advice or others can too.  

One final suggestion is to check out Discord and join up with the Rogue Agent Radio (RAR), Dark Zone Report (DZR) and The Division servers.  You can chat real-time with people there and they'll probably be more than willing to help.  RAR and DZR also have weekly podcasts (as well as Bombshell Jackets) that discuss all things The Division.  I usually have one of these playing at all times when I'm working at my desk at work.  It's even worth listening to all the older podcasts because all three groups discuss everything from all the skills, to build types, and how to maximize playtime if you're a "filthy casual" like me.  

There's a lot to consider, so I'll leave it at that. 

 

[Big Grumper]

I've had a great morning of gaming! I was up at 06:30 and did a solid 6 hours straight, some of it with @Dnesully1. To cut a long story short I'm now running a 4/2 combo of Striker/Lonestar or vice-versa. My GS is now 209. ?

In terms of weapons I've lost the will to live with the Liberator. In fact I've gone back to SMGs and am using a Vector. It's doing the job. My secondary is either a shotty (204) or another sniper (204). 

It's been a good day. ?

 

[DeadSockPuppet]

The Vector will be a solid choice for a DPS build.  Put a lot of crit chance and crit damage mods on it and you'll melt things that get in your path. 

 

[Big Grumper]

The Vector will be a solid choice for a DPS build.  Put a lot of crit chance and crit damage mods on it and you'll melt things that get in your path. 

Erm........how do I do that? Is it simply a case of getting some high-end mods (magazine, scope etc)?

 

[DeadSockPuppet]

Erm........how do I do that? Is it simply a case of getting some high-end mods (magazine, scope etc)?

Yup, just look for mods that have crit chance or crit damage, either from drop or from making them.  SMGs already have a base crit chance bonus but you can mod them up really easily. 

 

[Big Grumper]

Gotcha. 

 

[Big Grumper]

@DeadSockPuppet - You got a help me, buddy. My stats suck. DPS is 140k, Toughness about the same. The other is between 18 - 20k. 

 

[DeadSockPuppet]

@DeadSockPuppet - You got a help me, buddy. My stats suck. DPS is 140k, Toughness about the same. The other is between 18 - 20k. 

I'm out of town for work during the week, but I should be on Fri and Sat night 10pm-2am EST.  My wife works all day Sat so I might be on then too.  I was going to work on my alt, but if I'm on I can see what I can do. 

 

[Big Grumper]

I'm out of town for work during the week, but I should be on Fri and Sat night 10pm-2am EST.  My wife works all day Sat so I might be on then too.  I was going to work on my alt, but if I'm on I can see what I can do. 

I don't see it as mutually exclusive. We can do both. 

 

[DeadSockPuppet]

I don't see it as mutually exclusive. We can do both. 

I was thinking the same thing.