Guide How To Play Descent Mode in Division 2
Welcome to our comprehensive article about the Descent game mode in The Division 2, Agent!
In this guide, we'll provide all the essential information you need to dominate the Descent activity like a true professional. We'll cover the basics of this challenging PvE game mode, from how to access it and what challenges to expect, to advanced strategies for success. Plus, we’ll showcase the best talents, builds, and tactics for smoother and more efficient runs.
Whether you're a seasoned Division 2 player looking for a fresh challenge or a newcomer seeking a thrilling experience, the Descent mode has something exciting for everyone, especially with the new updates of 2024. Ready to dive in? Let's get started!
Table of Contents
Before we jump into the details, here’s a quick overview of what we’ll cover in this Descent guide for Division 2:
- What is Descent Game Mode
- How to access Descent in Division 2
- Descent Mode Difficulty
- Descent Mode Rewards
- How to Play Descent (Pro Tips & Tricks)
- What to Buy with NSA Tech
- Final Thoughts
What is Descent in Division 2?
Descent is a rogue-lite game mode, entirely separate from the standard Division 2 progression system. Introduced in Year 5 Season 1, this mode strips your character of all gear and builds, starting you with a clean slate. The objective is to clear a series of increasingly difficult rooms, collect talents, perks, and weapons, and ultimately defeat a powerful Nemesis at the end of your run.
Why should you play Descent game mode?
Descent is not just a fun and challenging mode; it also offers a unique opportunity to mix and match talents from different weapons, which is something you can’t do in the regular game. This creative freedom allows for inventive builds and strategies. Additionally, there are exclusive rewards that can be earned using the Descent-specific currency, NSA Tech, such as:
- Reconstructed Caches (contain unique blueprints for named items)
- The Vindicator Exotic Rifle (a Descent-exclusive weapon)
- Cosmetic items: Descent Uniforms
- Permanent buffs for your future Descent runs
Who can play Descent?
The Descent game mode is available to all players, whether or not they own the Warlords of New York expansion. This makes it accessible to all agents who are looking for a fresh challenge.
Can you play Descent Solo in Division 2?
Yes, you can take on Descent either solo or in a group of up to 4 players. However, make sure to assemble your group before entering the activity, as no one can join once the session has started. Even if a player disconnects during the run, they won’t be able to rejoin.
How to access Descent in Division 2
To start playing the Descent game mode, simply open your map and look for the Descent entrance located near other activities like Countdown and Summit. Alternatively, you can begin the activity from the NSA Stations near the White House or Castle.
Descent Mode Difficulty
Descent comes with its own set of challenges. It is designed to test your skills and adaptability as you build your character from scratch, taking on progressively harder rooms. Since it strips away your existing gear and loadouts, success in Descent relies on smart decisions, adaptability, and understanding of talents and perks.
Descent Mode Rewards
Completing the Descent mode comes with a variety of rewards, with NSA Tech being the most important currency. NSA Tech can be used to purchase powerful items and upgrades exclusive to Descent, including:
- Reconstructed Caches (blueprints for high-end or named gear)
- The Vindicator Exotic Rifle, an exclusive reward from Descent
- Descent-themed cosmetics such as unique uniforms
- Permanent buffs that carry over to future Descent runs
These rewards not only enhance your future Descent sessions but can also give you bragging rights in the larger Division 2 community.
How to Play Descent (Pro Tips & Tricks)
Here are a few tips to help you succeed in Descent:
-
Focus on Talents Early: Talents are critical in Descent, as they determine your overall build. Try to prioritize talents that align with your playstyle, such as weapon damage or survival boosts.
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Adapt to Your Situation: Descent forces you to play with whatever you pick up along the way, so be adaptable. You may need to change tactics as you collect new talents and weapons.
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Group Composition Matters: If playing in a group, ensure you have a good balance between damage dealers, support, and tanky players to handle the varied challenges.
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Utilize Perks: Don’t forget to take advantage of perks, which can give you a significant edge in combat and make certain rooms much easier to clear.
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Be Cautious with Nemesis: The final boss is no joke. Make sure your group is prepared with balanced builds and adequate healing options before taking on this formidable opponent.
What to Buy with NSA Tech
When it comes to spending your hard-earned NSA Tech, prioritize items that will help you in future Descent runs. Here are a few key purchases:
- Reconstructed Caches: These caches are essential for unlocking blueprints that can be used to craft high-end gear for your main character.
- Vindicator Exotic Rifle: This exclusive weapon can be a game-changer, particularly for specific builds and encounters.
- Cosmetic Items: If you’re into fashion, the Descent uniforms offer a unique way to show off your Descent achievements.
- Permanent Buffs: These can significantly enhance your future runs, making you stronger and more capable of tackling the most difficult rooms and bosses.
Final Thoughts
The Descent game mode brings a new level of strategy, challenge, and fun to The Division 2. By forcing players to leave their pre-built characters behind, it offers a refreshing experience that emphasizes adaptability and resourcefulness. With the added incentive of unique rewards and a fresh gameplay loop, Descent is a must-play mode for any Division 2 enthusiast.
Now that you’ve got the knowledge to succeed, it’s time to jump into Descent and prove your skills, Agent!
Descent Mode Difficulty
Let’s dive into the difficulty level of the Descent activity and see what you need to know.
Is Descent game mode hard to complete?
Not exactly, the activity itself isn't particularly difficult, but you should keep in mind that you only have one life—if you die, you’ll have to restart from the very beginning. To succeed in the Descent mode, you'll need to stay focused and develop a solid strategy to create an optimal build with the right talents.
Does difficulty matter in Descent game mode?
The difficulty in Descent varies depending on your preference and playstyle. There are four types of rooms you can encounter: easy, medium, hard, and boss rooms, and you can choose which ones to take on.
The more challenging rooms, however, offer better rewards, including more Descent currency and NSA Credits (especially in boss rooms). After completing a room, depending on its difficulty, you’ll be rewarded with a certain amount of credits and progress towards facing your Nemesis.
Here’s a comparison between an easy, medium, and hard room:
How Long is Descent in Division 2
The duration of a Descent run depends entirely on your abilities and how well you handle the enemies inside. Once you face and defeat your Agent's simulation, also known as the Nemesis, you can choose to end the run or continue to test your limits. In short, you control the length of your Descent run.
Defeating the Nemesis
The Nemesis is the final boss in Descent mode, and it will have the same build you've managed to create throughout your run.
On the top-right corner of your screen, you can monitor the Nemesis Heat Gauge. To face the Nemesis, you need to fill this gauge to 100%. Each cleared room contributes a specific percentage towards filling the gauge, so you’ll need to complete multiple rooms consecutively to reach the final encounter.
The time it takes to face and defeat the Nemesis can vary depending on the rooms you choose, ranging from 40 to 120 minutes. After defeating the Nemesis, you can either continue to push your leaderboard ranking or restart for a fresh run.
Descent Rewards
What kind of rewards can you get from Descent?
Playing the Descent mode in Division 2 offers various types of rewards, including:
- Descent credits (currency)
- NSA Tech credits (currency)
- XP and various Caches
1. Descent Credits (Currency)
Descent credits are a temporary currency only usable during your current run. You can't extract them or carry them outside the session. The amount of credits you receive depends on the difficulty of the room you clear: the harder the room, the more currency you earn.
What to do with Descent currency?
Descent currency can be used in the following ways:
- Buy resources like armor kits, grenades, and special ammo (explosive or incendiary rounds) from Supply Shops located in certain rooms.
- Purchase talent slots, capacity upgrades (e.g., medkit or grenade capacity), and other enhancements (extra weapon or skill choices) from the shop at the entrance.
- Re-roll talent options after clearing a room for 250 credits.
2. NSA Tech Currency
NSA Tech is a unique currency earned after clearing boss rooms in Descent mode. The amount you gain increases as you progress further into the run. NSA Tech can be used at the NSA Station to purchase permanent buffs that help in future Descent runs. Some of the buffs available include:
- Extra talent choice – 320 NSA Tech credits
- Random starting talent – 95 NSA Tech credits
- Descent currency gain +5% – 250 NSA Tech credits
- Various offensive perks – 25 NSA Tech credits
- Defensive improvements – 25 NSA Tech credits
- Utility improvements – 25 NSA Tech credits
Where is the Descent vendor in Division 2?
The Descent vendor, also known as the NSA station, can be found in two specific locations within the game:
- The first NSA Station is located just outside the Base of Operations, slightly to the east. You can easily spot it on your map. If you're having trouble finding it, you can refer to the provided screenshots for guidance.
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The second NSA Station is located in the Castle Settlement (Wally NPC)
To unlock access to the second NSA Station, which is situated in the Castle Settlement, you'll need to interact with Wally, an NPC who acts as the NSA Station Vendor in that region. However, access to this vendor isn't immediately available. First, you must complete the Descent Project from your "Projects" tab. After finishing this project, Wally will officially become the NSA Station Vendor, allowing you to purchase Descent-related upgrades and items in the Castle region.
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XP & Caches
Based on your character level and how many loops (levels) you complete during your Descent run, you will be rewarded with XP alongside different types of caches:
- Proficiency Caches
- Crafting Materials Caches
- Exotic Caches
- Simulation Caches
- Reconstructed Caches
How to play Descent game mode
- Choose a Weapon and a Skill
- Complete Rooms for their rewards
- Earn Talents and work on your build
- Purchase Upgrades from the Buy/Sell Supply and Lobby Shops
- Fight the Arena Boss
- Move on to the next Loop
- Defeat your Nemesis
- Keep pushing the leaderboards or restart the run
- When done, spend your NSA credits at the NSA station
1. Choose a Weapon and a Skill
How many Weapons and Skills can you equip in Descent?
When you enter the Descent game mode for the first time, you can select one weapon and one skill from the console on your right. You'll be given a choice between three random types of weapons and three random skills.
You can interact with this console every time you complete an arena room, but from then on, you'll only be able to pick either a weapon or a skill, not both like the first time. The maximum number of weapons you can have equipped at the same time is three, while the maximum number of skills is two.
2. Complete Rooms for their Rewards
Types of Rooms (By color: Red, Blue, Yellow)
Each room you enter has a talent console that unlocks after you defeat all enemies inside. The rooms are categorized by color: red for offensive talents, blue for defensive talents, and yellow for utility talents.
Example:
If you choose to enter a triple-red room, it means that after completing the room, you'll have the opportunity to select one of three random offensive talents.
Rooms difficulty (Easy, Medium, Hard)
In addition to the color coding, each room in Descent has a difficulty level for the opponents you face: easy, medium, and hard.
Room rewards per difficulty (Choices, Currency, Heat Gauge %)
Before entering a room, you can check how much Descent currency you will earn and what percentage of the Heat Gauge will be filled toward facing the Nemesis. These details are displayed at the entrance of the room.
Best Types of Rooms to complete before the Nemesis fight
Now that you understand the types of rooms, it's essential to know that easy rooms grant you a higher percentage of progress toward the Nemesis, while medium and hard rooms give less percentage. Your strategy should dictate which rooms to complete and when to take on the final boss.
Here are two popular methods players use to reach the Nemesis fight:
A. Complete Easy Rooms for faster progress and an earlier but more difficult Nemesis fight
Some players opt for the quickest method, filling the Nemesis progress bar by focusing on easy rooms. While this method allows you to reach the Nemesis quickly, it leaves you with weaker gear, making the final fight against the Nemesis more challenging.
Important Note: You have only one life and one chance to defeat your Nemesis. If you fail, the Descent run ends, and you must start all over again!
B. Complete Medium-Hard Rooms for slower progress but better preparation for the Nemesis fight
The more popular strategy is to take your time by completing medium and hard rooms. This approach allows you to gather better gear and upgrade more talents, making your Agent much stronger for the final Nemesis battle.
3. Earn Talents and work on your build
Use the Talent Consoles after clearing out all the enemies in any room
Once you clear a room, you'll need to locate the talent console, which will offer you three random talents to choose from. Select one to improve your Agent's build:
Types of Talents
In the Descent game mode, you can play with the following four types of talents:
- Offensive talents – obtained after you clear a red room
- Defensive talents – obtained after you clear a blue room
- Utility talents – obtained after you clear a yellow room
- Exotic talents – obtained after you complete an arena room
Improving your Talents (Adding & Upgrading Tiers)
Once you choose a talent, it can be upgraded if you're fortunate enough to get the same talent at the console after completing another room. By upgrading a talent, its bonuses increase significantly, making your build much more powerful.
Add New Talents if You Have Spare Spots
Talents play a crucial role in the Descent game mode, providing unique advantages for your character. Always prioritize adding as many talents as possible if you have open spots. Unlock additional talent slots to further enhance your build, ensuring you're equipped with the best possible setup for your run.
Reroll Talents for Alternative Options
If the available talents don’t fit your current strategy, you can reroll them by pressing "R." Each reroll costs 250 Descent credits, and it will offer you three new random talent choices. You can reroll talents as many times as needed, but keep in mind that the cost increases each time you do so.
Skip the Choice and Receive Credits
If you don't find any of the talents helpful, you have the option to skip the choice and gain 250 Descent credits instead. This allows you to focus on saving for other key upgrades or talents later.
What is the Max Number of Talents You Can Get in Descent?
Initially, you have 3 slots each for offensive, defensive, and utility talents, along with 1 exotic talent slot. As you progress through Descent, you can unlock additional talent slots by purchasing them with Descent credits. The maximum number of slots available is 21: 6 for offensive, 6 for defensive, 6 for utility, and 3 for exotic talents.
What is the Highest Tier a Talent Can Reach in Descent?
Each talent can be upgraded up to Tier 10, significantly boosting its effects and making your build far more powerful.
Best Talents in Descent Game Mode
The strongest talents in Descent include a mix of exotic and standard talents. Here's a breakdown of the best ones for each category:
Best Exotic Talents:
- Plague of the Outcasts
- Bullet Hell
- Breathe Free
- Regicide
- Agonizing Bite
Best Offensive Talents:
- Surgical
- Allegro
- Precise
- Critical
- Unhinged
- Obliterate
- Strained
- Intimidate
Best Defensive Talents:
- Bloodsucker
- Adrenaline Rush
- Preservation
- Efficient
- Clutch
- Insulated
- Entrench
Best Utility Talents:
- Extra
- Optimized
- Steady Handed
- Vindictive
- In Sync
- Trauma
- Surge
- Capacitive
Best Build for Descent in Division 2
The optimal build for Descent depends on your playstyle—whether you prefer an aggressive, defensive, or balanced approach. However, a powerful build typically includes:
- Exotic Talents: Bullet Hell, Plague of the Outcasts, Breathe Free
- Offensive Talents: Surgical, Unhinged, Allegro, Precise, Critical, Vigilance
- Defensive Talents: Bloodsucker, Preservation, Adrenaline Rush
- Utility Talents: Optimized, Extra
Note: With the introduction of Season 3 and Title Update 20, the talent pool for Descent rotates every 3 days, limiting your choices to talents available during that rotation.
4. Use the In-game "Buy/Sell Supply Shop" and Purchase Upgrades
After completing an entire level, you can interact with the "Buy/Sell" supply shop, which offers the following upgrades to enhance your Descent run:
- Purchase additional talent slots (offensive, defensive, utility)
- Increase capacity (ammo, medkits, grenades)
- Buy Descent Upgrades (Extra Weapon Choices, Extra Skill Choices)
5. Use the In-game "Buy/Sell Lobby Shop" when available and purchase additional upgrades
Some rooms in the Descent game mode feature a Supply Shop that players can interact with. You’ll be able to see which rooms have a shop at their entrance. The Supply Shop offers useful perks that can be purchased using Descent credits earned during the activity. These perks include:
- Purchase additional resources such as armor kits and grenades.
- Purchase ammo refills for your weapons.
- Purchase Special Ammo types like Explosive, High Velocity, Incendiary, Taser, and Hollow Point Rounds.
6. Fight the Arena Boss and complete the First Loop (Level)
After successfully clearing all the standard rooms in a particular loop (level), you will need to enter the arena room, which serves as the final challenge for that level. The arena room works similarly to regular rooms where you must defeat all waves of enemies, but in this case, you will also have to face a powerful arena boss (a named enemy) at the end.
Get the Exotic Talent
Every time you finish an arena room, you will be rewarded with an exotic talent. You can choose from 3 random exotic talents provided at the console. Unlike regular talents, these exotic talents cannot be re-rolled, so make your choice wisely.
Choose your Stat Upgrade (Offensive, Defensive, Utility)
At the end of every arena fight, you will have the opportunity to choose one stat upgrade from the following options:
- Offensive Stat – Increases your weapon damage by +10%
- Defensive Stat – Boosts your armor by +15%
- Utility Stat – Adds +1 skill tier (up to a maximum of 6 skill tiers)
Best Stats Upgrades to Get
Choosing the best stat upgrades depends on your playstyle, survivability, and the strength of your build. It’s important to strike a balance between offensive and defensive stats to keep your agent effective in combat.
- Survivability: If you're having trouble staying alive, focus on upgrading your defensive stats. This will give you more durability in tough encounters.
- Damage Output: If you find it hard to defeat enemies, your DPS (damage per second) is likely too low. In this case, focus on upgrading offensive stats to increase your damage output and eliminate enemies faster.
Move on to the Next Loop
Once you’ve completed a loop (level), you’ll be taken back to the main lobby where you started, allowing you to prepare for the next set of battles.
Choose an Additional Weapon or Skill
This time, when you return to the console, you can only choose between one of three random weapons or one of three random skills. Unlike the first time when you could select both, you must now decide whether you need another weapon or a new skill to assist in the upcoming fights.
Refill Your Ammo, Medkits, and Grenades for Free
Before exiting the lobby, you’ll notice three supply caches near the exit. You can loot these for free to refill your ammo, medkits, and grenades and be fully stocked for the next loop of combat.
Check out the Buy/Sell Shop in the Main Room and Purchase Upgrades Using Your Descent Currency
Before heading into the next set of challenges, make sure to visit the Buy/Sell shop in the main room. Here, you can purchase necessary upgrades using your Descent currency. These upgrades will enhance your gear, making it easier to handle the upcoming enemies and rooms.
Clear Rooms Until the Nemesis Heat Gauge Reaches 100%
Once you’ve gathered the necessary upgrades, continue clearing rooms to fill the Nemesis Heat Gauge to 100%. With each room completed, your build becomes more powerful, preparing you for the final confrontation.
Defeat the Nemesis
Who is the Nemesis in Descent?
The Nemesis is the ultimate boss in the Descent game mode, and it will match the build, stats, and talents you’ve collected up to the point of the fight.
How Many Nemesis Bosses Can You Encounter?
The number of Nemesis bosses you face scales based on the number of players in your party. If you’re solo, you’ll face one Nemesis. In a group of two, there will be two Nemesis bosses, and this increases with more players.
Note: You will only encounter the Nemesis fight once per Descent run. After defeating it, if you continue your run, you will no longer fill the Nemesis Heat Gauge, and there will be no additional Nemesis fights.
How to Unlock the Nemesis Fight
To unlock the Nemesis fight, you need to fill the Nemesis Heat Gauge to 100%. However, even after reaching this milestone, you must complete the entire level, including the arena room, before facing the Nemesis.
Nemesis Encounter Room
The Nemesis battle takes place in a unique room, unlike any other you’ve encountered in Descent.
Nemesis Difficulty
The difficulty of the Nemesis varies depending on your group size. Solo players will face a single Nemesis in a simpler fight, while groups will face multiple Nemesis bosses, making the battle much harder. Keep in mind that if you have rushed through easy rooms to unlock the Nemesis faster, your build may be underpowered, making the boss fight significantly more challenging.
What to Do After You Defeat the Nemesis
After defeating the Nemesis, you have two options:
Option A: Restart and Begin Another Run
You can choose to end the run, collect your rewards, and return to Washington DC to enjoy them.
Option B: Continue Your Run for an Infinite Challenge
If you want to test your limits, you can continue your run. However, keep in mind that the difficulty will increase significantly, making each new loop much more challenging.
Spend Your NSA Currency at the NSA Station
Once you finish your Descent run, it’s time to visit the NSA Station and spend the NSA Tech credits you’ve earned.
What to Buy with NSA Tech Credits
With the release of Season 3 and Title Update 20, new rewards are available for purchase at the NSA Station. Players can now buy a variety of rewards, including:
- Reconstructed Caches
- Exotic Caches
- Named Item Caches
- Descent Uniforms
- Vindicator Exotic Rifle
- Permanent Buffs for future Descent runs
Below is a list of new items added to the NSA Store along with their costs:
Reconstructed Caches
Reconstructed Caches are among the most desirable rewards in the Descent game mode. These caches are special because they are the only source to acquire blueprints for named items that you can’t get anywhere else, including The Gift, Contractor's Gloves, Dark Winter, and more.
The Vindicator Exotic Rifle
The Vindicator Exotic Rifle is a newly introduced weapon in the game, obtainable exclusively by spending 350 NSA Tech Credits at the NSA store. Its unique exotic talent makes it highly valuable and worth the investment!
Permanent Descent Perks and Boosts
Here is a complete table of the permanent buffs you can unlock using NSA Tech currency:
| NSA Tech Upgrades | Offensive Perks | Defensive Perks | Utility Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Talent Choice | Accuracy | Armor on Kill | Skill Damage |
| Random Starting Talent | Critical Hit Chance | Protection from Elites | Skill Haste |
| Currency Gain | Headshot Damage | Hazard Protection | Skill Repair |
| Stability | Health on Kill | Status Effects |
Best Perks to Get with NSA Tech in Descent
The best perks to unlock depend on your personal playstyle and how you want to prioritize these permanent upgrades.
Note: For instance, if you prefer a more aggressive approach, it might be beneficial to focus on offensive perks before utility and defensive ones. Eventually, you’ll unlock all of them, but it’s smart to start with the ones that fit your current strategy.
Here are our top recommendations for perks you should prioritize:
- Extra Talent Choice
- Critical Hit Chance
- Armor on Kill
- Protection from Elites
- Skill Damage
- Status Effects
Descent Game Mode - F.A.Q.
1. What is the Descent game mode?
Descent is a new rogue-lite mode in Division 2, separate from the usual progression, where you can create unique builds that aren’t available in the standard game.
2. How to access the Descent game mode in Division 2?
You can start a Descent run by opening your map and selecting its entrance near the Summit and Countdown activities.
3. Can you play Descent mode Solo?
Yes, Descent can be played solo or with a team of up to four players.
4. How long is Descent in Division 2?
The length of a Descent run depends on how far you want to go. Typically, it takes about 1-2 hours to reach and fight your Nemesis.
5. Is Division 2 Descent mode hard to beat?
No, Descent is not particularly hard, but it requires careful attention to enemy attacks since you only have one life.
6. What rewards do you get from Descent mode?
During a Descent run, you can earn XP and various types of Caches, depending on your level.
Final Thoughts
This concludes our guide to the new Descent game mode in Division 2. Hopefully, you now have a clearer understanding of how to play Descent and what to focus on, such as talent choices and effective strategies for a smoother experience.
If you need help selecting the ideal build for your character, don’t forget to check out our Division 2 Best Builds Guide, where we detail the top loadouts in the game.
Related Guides
Check out these other helpful guides for Division 2:
- Division 2 Builds Guide
- Division 2 Exotics Guide
- Division 2 Best Gear Sets and Brand Sets
- Division 2 Best Weapons Guide
- Paradise Lost Incursion Guide
About Dving
Thank you for reading our guide on the Descent game mode in Division 2. Did you know that at Dving, we don’t just write guides and articles? We also offer boosting services to help you enjoy the game without any hassle. Take a look at our Division 2 Boosting Services and let us handle the hard work so you can focus on the fun!