# CONTENTS - Dark Zone & PvP Update - Modifiers - New Weapons, Gear, and Talents # DARK ZONES & PvP UPDATE Year 8 Season 2 brings a new structure to the Dark Zone, with the three existing maps rotating between different rulesets. Each ruleset is built around a different type of experience: the seasonal PvE loop, a more even PvP environment, or the traditional Dark Zone risk-versus-reward gameplay. ## PVE DARK ZONE **The PvE Dark Zone is a Year 8 Season 2-specific feature** directly connected to the Cleaning up the Streets Global Modifier. This version of the Dark Zone is designed for those who want to experience the space without the same PvP pressure. Rogue protocol is completely deactivated and damage between players is disabled. Agents are deployed into a highly contaminated environment not to fight each other, but to work together as a unified front. Normalization is active, while SHD Watch and Expertise progression remain fully functional to help you deal with the threats inside. It is still a shared area for up to **12 Agents** that is meant to feel tense and unpredictable. This time, that tension comes from the environment and enemies, including Hyenas under the effects of Potent Spice, which makes them even stronger and more lethal. **What to expect:** - **Toxicity** covers the entire zone applying hazardous effects. - You will be able to team up with others while you are there. The official party system is supported, and you can invite other Agents to group up. - This Dark Zone becomes one of the main places to recover **Sample Cannisters**, a new seasonal resource tied to the Hyenas’ activity. They can be found from Landmark chests, material chests, Hyenas, and, at a reduced drop rate, other enemy factions. ### Toxicity Toxicity is a new pressure mechanic that starts building once you enter the area. Certain Hostile Modifiers can also increase it in different ways, so the longer you stay and the more encounters you take on, the more dangerous the area becomes. As Toxicity rises, you will be affected by cumulative debuffs. To reduce it, you can activate a Surged Active Modifier. To clear it fully you can enter the safe house or a check point, or leave the Dark Zone completely. ## NORMALIZED PVP DARK ZONE The Normalized PvP Dark Zone is a new ruleset built for those who want a more competitive PvP experience with fewer progression-based advantages. Normalization is active, while SHD Watch Power and Expertise Power are disabled. Everyone enters on a more even playing field, where your tactical decisions and aim carry more weight. **What to expect:** - High-stakes economy. To make this zone more rewarding for competitive agents, breaking down dropped contaminated items grants a 200% DZ Coin bonus. ## STANDARD DARK ZONE This zone functions as the traditional Dark Zone that Agents already know. It’s the “middle ground” for those who want the traditional risk-versus-reward loop. Normalization remains active here, but SHD Watch and Expertise progression still count toward your power. **What to expect:** - Standard Rogue mechanics and periodic Invasions are active. ## DARK ZONE VENDOR UPDATES Dark Zone vendors have also been updated with new prices and additional utility caches. Each vendor now offers different cache types: - **DZ East:** Recalibration Caches (90 DZC) and Optimization Caches (130 DZC). - **DZ West:** Exotic Component Caches (160 DZC) and Reconstructed Caches (320 DZC). - **DZ South:** Prototype Core Caches (170 DZC) and Prototype Caches (400 DZC) for ascending gear to the new Prototype Tier. ## GENERAL DARK ZONE UPDATES - **Entrance turrets** have been adjusted to better prevent door camping by dealing additional direct Health Damage to hostile Agents within range. - Agents now receive a brief **invulnerability window** when entering the Dark Zone, giving them time to load in and assess their surroundings. This protection ends early if the Agent moves or fires their weapon. ## PVP GEAR, WEAPONS, AND TALENTS BALANCING Year 8 Season 2 also brings a broad PvP balancing pass, starting with a major retuning of weapon and gear talents. This first phase focuses on addressing talents that have had too much impact on PvP balance, reducing some of the biggest power spikes, and giving more builds a chance to compete across Conflict and Dark Zone. This is part of wider, multi-phase effort to improve PvP balance, with future phases planned to look at skills and attributes in PvP. Due to the number of changes included, we’ve listed the full adjustments in a dedicated table. [Click here to view it](https://ubi.li/PTS-PvP-Balancing). # MODIFIERS ## GLOBAL MODIFIER Year 8 Season 2 introduces a new Global Modifier, Cleaning up the Streets, centered around the Hyenas’ latest experiments with Potent Spice. As part of the season, Hyena forces are using the PvE Dark Zone as staging areas to store the chemical compounds needed to produce Potent Spice. These same compounds are also needed by civilians and Agents for humanitarian efforts, creating the core seasonal loop around recovering and using Sample Cannisters. ### Sample Cannisters Sample Cannisters are a new seasonal resource tied to the Hyena faction and the Global Modifier gameplay loop. **They are used in two main ways:** - Contribute Sample Cannisters at the seasonal vendor to increase the Sample Size bar and unlock stronger High Quality Munitions bonuses. - Active Modifiers can automatically consume Sample Cannisters on activation to trigger a more powerful Surge version of their effects. **They can be found from several sources:** - PvE Dark Zone Landmark chests – Guaranteed large amount - PvE Dark Zone material chests – Guaranteed medium amount - Hyena enemies in the PvE Dark Zone - Medium chance to drop - Hyena enemies outside the PvE Dark Zone during missions - Small chance to drop - Other enemy factions – greatly reduced chance to drop Sample Cannisters are sent directly to your inventory and do not need to be extracted. Agents can carry a limited number of Sample Cannisters at once. This capacity can be increased by equipping a specific Passive Modifier. ### Seasonal Vendor The seasonal vendor is located in the Base of Operations, next to the Specialization table. At the vendor, Agents can add Sample Cannisters to the Sample Size bar. Increasing Sample Size unlocks **additional** High-Quality Munitions bonuses throughout the season: - **Starting bonus:** +50% Optimal Range - **Level 1:** Adds +50% Weapon Handling - **Level 2:** Adds +50% Magazine Size - **Level 3:** Adds +50% Damage to Armor - **Level 4:** Adds +50% Rate of Fire These bonuses are cumulative, meaning each new level adds to the bonuses already unlocked. Once a level is reached, that bonus becomes part of the High-Quality Munitions buff. ### High-Quality Munitions High-Quality Munitions is the temporary buff granted after adding Sample Cannisters at the seasonal vendor. - The bonuses included in this buff depend on your current Sample Size progress. - The duration of the buff depends on the number of High-Quality Munitions stacks you receive. - Each Sample Cannister added grants **5 High-Quality Munitions stacks**. - While at least one stack remains, all unlocked High Quality Munitions bonuses are active. Stacks are consumed only by manual or automatic reloads from an empty magazine. Other effects that refresh ammo or reload weapons do not consume stacks. Once all stacks are depleted, the High-Quality Munitions buff ends. ## ACTIVE MODIFIERS Active Modifiers can be empowered through **Surge**. When **activating** an Active Modifier, if you have enough Sample Cannisters in your inventory, **the required amount is automatically consumed** to trigger a stronger version of that modifier. Surged Active Modifiers improve the base effect, add extra bonuses, or reduce certain drawbacks depending on the modifier used. While inside the PvE Dark Zone, activating a Surged Active Modifier also reduces **Toxicity**. Active Modifiers can be upgraded. At higher levels, they gain improved effects such as shorter cooldowns, longer duration, or reduced Surge cost. | ACTIVE MODIFIER | BASE EFFECT | SURGE EFFECTS | UPGRADE EFFECTS | |:---|:---|:---|:---| | **Invincible** | On activation, Invincible fully heals the Agent and repairs their armor. For a limited time, the Agent gains very high damage reduction. Damage taken during this window is stored, then applied back to the Agent when the effect ends.

While active, and while enemies are in front of the Agent, Invincible also grants:

+20% Movement Speed.
+5% Armor on Kill, which converts into Bonus Armor for Invincible's remaining duration.
+25% Damage to Targets Out of Cover.

When Invincible ends, it enters a cooldown period of 180 seconds, and stored damage is applied back to the Agent. Any bonus armor gained through the modifier is removed.

| +10% Armor on Kill.
+50% Damage to Targets Out of Cover.
Reduced stored damage taken when the effect ends.
Remaining bonus armor persists for an additional 20 seconds after the effect ends.
Reduces Toxicity when activated inside the PvE Dark Zone. | **Level 2:** Cooldown is reduced.

**Level 3:** Surge cost is reduced. | | **Pneuma** | While active, Pneuma increases Weapon Swap Speed.

Kills with specific weapon types build different stacking bonuses, but once gained those bonuses apply to all weapons.

All three bonus types can be active at the same time and last until the modifier ends.

**Inhale Bonus:** Kills with MMRs, Rifles, Pistols grant +5% Headshot Damage and +2.5% Accuracy per stack.

**Hold Bonus:** Kills with ARs and LMGs grant +1% Critical Chance and +2.5% Stability per stack.

**Exhale Bonus:** Kills with Shotguns and SMGs grant +2% Critical Damage and +2.5% Reload Speed per stack.

When Pneuma ends, it enters a cooldown period of 180 seconds.

| When Surged, Pneuma allows these bonuses to stack higher. Certain kill conditions can also grant extra stacks:

**Inhale:** Headshot Kills
**Hold:** Kills within 5 seconds after a previous kill
**Exhale:** Close-range kills

Reduces Toxicity when activated inside the PvE Dark Zone. | **Level 2:** Duration is increased.

**Level 3:** Surge cost is reduced | | **Vicarious** | When activated, Vicarious checks how many allies and enemies are within a set radius around the Agent. For the modifier’s duration:

The Agent gains increased **Skill Efficiency**.
Enemies within radius take increased **Skill Damage**.
Allies within radius receive increased **Repairs and Healing**.

The strength of these effects depends on the number of allies and enemies within the radius at the moment Vicarious is activated.

When Vicarious ends, it enters a cooldown period of 180 seconds.

| Skill Efficiency is further increased.

Active skills also extend the modifier’s effect to allies and enemies within a radius around those skills, allowing Vicarious to cover a larger area when skills are placed well.

Reduces Toxicity when activated inside the PvE Dark Zone. | **Level 2:** Effects radius is increased.

**Level 3:** Surge cost is reduced. |
## PASSIVE MODIFIERS There are **9 Passive Modifiers**, split into three categories: Gadgets, Resistances, and Offensive. Together, they support the main seasonal mechanics by improving Sample Cannister management, reducing Surge costs, helping Agents deal with Toxicity and Status Effects, or adding new ways to debuff enemies. ## HOSTILE COUNTERMEASURES Hostile Modifiers in Year 8 Season 2 focus on strengthening enemies, supporting nearby faction members, and applying additional pressure to Agents. Inside the PvE Dark Zone, Hostile Modifiers also interact with Toxicity, increasing the meter in different ways. | HOSTILE MODIFIER | EFFECT | |:---|:---| | **Folie à Deux** | Increases the enemy’s damage over time. If the enemy is not eliminated quickly after first taking damage, the modifier transfers to another nearby enemy on death.

In the PvE Dark Zone, it can also increase Toxicity for nearby agents. | | **Plague Doctor** | Allows the enemy and nearby enemies from the same faction to regenerate health.

In the PvE Dark Zone, agents within its radius gain Toxicity over time. | | **Sopoforic** | Can apply **Lethargy debuff** when damaging the agent. While affected by this debuff, incoming damage has a chance to inflict Disorient Status Effect. Killing a Soporific enemy removes the debuff regardless of its remaining duration.

In the PvE Dark Zone, damage from Soporific enemies also increases Toxicity. |
# NEW WEAPONS, GEAR, AND TALENTS ## NEW EXOTIC WEAPON | | | |:---|:---| | **Caduceus**
Exotic AR | **Talent Caduceus**

Critical hits repair you and your allies for 1.5% of the hit's dealt damage.

**Weapon Stats and Mods**
Optics Slot: 10% Crit Chance
Magazine Slot: 20 Rounds
Underbarrel Slot: 5% Crit Chance
Muzzle Slot: 5% Crit Damage | | **Underboss***
Exotic SMG | **Talent Gangland Hit**

Shooting an enemy with this weapon applies a mark. You can only apply one mark at a time. Shooting another enemy will transfer the mark.

More marks can be applied on the same enemy by other agents using this weapon. Maximum amount of marks that can be applied on an enemy is 4.

This weapon deals +20% Amplified Damage to marked enemies. The bonus is increased by 5% for each extra mark on the enemy other than your own. | **This will be the Climax exclusive reward. It will not feature in the PTS.* ## NEW EXOTIC GEAR | | | |:---|:---| | **Nurse’s Kneepads**
Exotic Kneepads | **Talent Impervious**

Both you and Allies within 10m of you receive +40% Hazard Protection. |
## NEW GEAR | | | |:---|:---| | **Ortiz: Reficere**
Gear Set | **2 Pieces** equipped give 8% Skill Efficiency
**3 Pieces** equipped give 60% Repair Skills
**4 Pieces** equipped unlock a new unique talent.

**Talent “Ortiz Rapid Application Nanite Prototype”**

Healing Skills' Duration and Range are decreased by 75%, but their Healing Efficiency is increased by 100%.

Healing an Ally with a Skill will provide them 30% Hazard Protection for 10s. Cooldown per ally: 10s.

**Chest and Backpack Talents:**

**Chest Bonus - Talent “Overcharged Nanites”**

Increase the Healing Efficiency bonus from 100% to 150%.

**Backpack Bonus – Talent “Improved Dampeners”**

Decrease the Duration and Range reduction from 75% to 25%. | | **Edelweiss GPz**
Brand Set | **1 Piece** equipped gives +18% Repair Skills
**2 Pieces** equipped give +20% Skill Haste
**3 Pieces** equipped +8% Skill Efficiency

**Named Gear Pieces:**

**Named Chest “Benefactor” – Talent “Perfect Empathic Resolve”**

Repairing an ally, increases their total weapon and skill damage by 3-20% for 10s. 1-15% if self. Effectiveness increased by your skill tier.

**Named Backpack “Momma Badger” – Perfect Safeguard**

While at full armor, increases total skill repair by 160%. |
## NEW NAMED WEAPONS & TALENTS | | | |:---|:---| | **Insult to Injury** | **Talent Perfect Head Scratcher**

Deal 35% Amplified Damage to confused enemies. After 3 kills, applies Confuse to the enemy you hit. | | **Brain Break** | **Talent Perfect Head Scratcher**

Deal 35% Amplified Damage to confused enemies. After 3 kills, applies Confuse to the enemy you hit. | | **Talent “Head Scratcher”** | Deal 30% Amplified Damage to confused enemies. After 4 kills, applies Confuse to the enemy you hit. |
# PTS ONLY During the test, all modifiers will be unlocked from the start. **Adam Shipley’s Inventory:** - PTS Cache: Y8S2 Gear - Contains all upcoming Gear, their blueprints, their respective materials, and all other materials used in the Expertise system. - PTS Cache: Materials - Contains Brand and Gear Set materials not included in the Gear cache, Prototype Cores, Escalation Token, and other materials used in the Expertise system. **Dark Zone Rulesets During PTS** - Dark Zone East – PvE - Dark Zone West – Normalized - Dark Zone South – Standard **Known Issues** - Some gear, weapons, and talent visuals are currently a placeholder. - PTS Cache: Blueprints – is available in the PTS build, but it currently reflects its previous state and may not include all newer blueprints. The team is looking into a better solution for a blueprint access in future PTS builds.

Into The Dark PTS Patch Notes