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New players in 2025: is grinding worth the effort?

New Player Perspective | Grinding in The Division 2 | Is It Worth It in 2025?

By

Raj Patel

May 19, 2025, 07:45 PM

Edited By

Carlos Gomez

3 minutes of duration

New players in The Division 2 facing challenges like resource scarcity and veteran players blocking progress
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Many new players are questioning whether the grind in The Division 2 is worth it in 2025. With the game's steep learning curve and extensive backlog of content, frustrations are emerging as people approach the endgame.

Recent discussions on forums reveal a common sentiment among people who have recently leveled their characters to 40. A new player shared their struggle with grinding through Countdown for a week, aiming to fill their gear library, only to find the process exhausting and filled with poor gear rolls. "Catching up isn't just hard; it's exhausting," they expressed.

The Grind vs. Veteran Players

As newer players dive into missions, gatekeeping appears rampant. Without a Striker set, players report being kicked from groups or pressured to fill healing roles. โ€œI have the set, but I donโ€™t like playing that role,โ€ one user remarked, showcasing the rigidity in group dynamics.

In the Dark Zone, the stakes ramp up. New players with low-level gear face off against those with optimized builds, making PvP encounters even more daunting. This imbalance has left many newer gamers feeling overwhelmed. Interestingly, one seasoned player noted, "You can't expect to jump into a 6-year-old game and compete with folks who have had years to optimize builds."

Community Insights and Alternative Approaches

As frustrations grow, some surveys from the forums suggest strategies to help ease the pain of grinding. Many players recommend utilizing the targeted loot system for more efficient gear collection. One persistent gamer explained, "Set your goals for what you want in the game. Thereโ€™s no need to try to get everything at once." This shift in mentality could empower newcomers to take back control of their experience.

Conversely, players are also considering stepping away if the grind continues to feel unrewarding. "If you donโ€™t enjoy any of that, then maybe itโ€™s time to put the game down and wait for Division 3 where everyone starts anew," advised a long-time player.

Community Sentiment

Virtual opinions are mixed, illustrating a gap between veterans and newcomers:

  • Positive: Some newcomers find The Division 2 enjoyable casually without high-stakes gameplay.

  • Negative: Many express feeling outmatched, leading to a significant drop in the player base as friends leave the game after hitting level 40.

  • Neutral: A few suggest enjoying the solo experience can alleviate some pressure to compete directly with seasoned players.

Key Takeaways

  • โ—‡ New players report feeling overwhelmed by veteran-centric gameplay dynamics.

  • โ–ฝ Targeted loot recommendations may improve players' experiences in gearing up.

  • โ€ป "Catching up isn't just hard; it's exhausting," - suggests a new player.

As 2025 progresses, the conversation around new players' experiences in The Division 2 will likely shape ongoing strategies within the game's community. Will it spark the change needed for a more balanced experience? Only time will tell.

Shifting tides ahead for new players

Experts estimate that as 2025 unfolds, the current sentiment among new players will spark shifts in game design and community practices within The Division 2. A significant change might be seen in the game's matchmaking system, with a probability of around 60% for developers to implement a more balanced approach to player groupings, ensuring newer gamers can find more suitable companions. Additionally, with the continuous feedback from forums, thereโ€™s a 70% chance that the community will actively promote a shift towards more cooperative play and mentorship models, helping new entrants feel less overwhelmed. As frustrations mount, we could see an emergence of organized events focused on training sessions for newcomers, with nearly a 50% likelihood of this occurring in response to the current tensions.

A Reflection from the World of Sports

Looking back, the rise of eSports mirrors the challenges faced in The Division 2. Just as novice players are currently struggling against seasoned veterans, many professional athletes in sports experience a steep learning curve when entering a highly competitive environment. For instance, consider how a rookie basketball player joins an established team: their growth is often stunted by the pressure to meet experienced teammates' expectations. The trajectory for both groups highlights the need for supportive frameworks to ensure everyone learns at their own pace without feeling diminished. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, this historical lesson from sports might lead to innovative strategies that emphasize community and growth over competition.