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.