Year 5 Season 3 Vanguard has arrived in The Division 2, and the narrative has taken a dramatic turn, bringing us back to the familiar streets of New York City. This season’s Manhunt is unlike any other, as we find ourselves pursuing a long-standing ally, Agent Alani Kelso. Forget chasing down rogue agents in predictable patterns; this time, the hunt is deeply personal and location-centric as we attempt to uncover Kelso’s whereabouts and motivations.
Hunting Kelso: A Different Kind of Manhunt in Division 2 Season 3
This Vanguard season Manhunt shifts the focus to exploration and unraveling a mystery. (Image credit: Ubisoft)
The core theme of Season 3 Vanguard is “trust,” a concept immediately challenged as we are tasked with hunting Kelso. Why Kelso? For players who might have missed previous seasons, here’s a quick recap to set the stage for this intriguing manhunt:
- Post-Season 11 Developments: Following the events of Season 11, Kelso returned to Haven in NYC to ensure its stability after the White House assault.
- Vanishing Act: Since her return to Haven, communication with Kelso has ceased, and she has seemingly vanished without a trace.
- Whispers of Doubt: The Season 2 finale introduced Vik, a Castle settlement civilian, who planted seeds of suspicion, suggesting Kelso might have turned into a Hunter, similar to the revelation about Agent Johnson in Season 2.
What secrets is Kelso hiding in New York City? (Image credit: Ubisoft)
This season’s Manhunt diverges from the typical target elimination format. Instead of directly confronting individuals, agents will be retracing Kelso’s journey across New York City, piecing together clues to understand her disappearance. Despite Manny Ortega’s unwavering faith in Kelso, the unsettling truth that Hunters can infiltrate Division ranks casts a shadow of doubt over her actions.
The season’s title, “Vanguard,” subtly hints at a potential connection to Aaron Keener’s legacy, given that Vanguard was his call sign. Could Keener’s influence or remnants of his plans be intertwined with Kelso’s current situation? This season promises a narrative rich in suspense and intrigue.
Arm Yourself: New Exotics and Gear in Season 3 Vanguard
The Mosquito exotic pistol and Rugged Gauntlets are among the new gear coming in Season 3. (Image credit: Ubisoft)
Beyond the captivating Manhunt story, Season 3 Vanguard introduces a fresh arsenal of exotic weaponry and gear to enhance your agent’s capabilities. As is customary with new seasons, players can expect two new exotics, a pistol and gloves, alongside other additions:
- Mosquito Exotic Pistol: Featuring the “Mosquito Song” talent. Each shot applies a stack to an enemy, shared across players. At 10 stacks, the affected enemy will aggressively target the agent who applied the last stack for 5 seconds. Stacks decay every 5 seconds, and triggering the effect on one enemy clears stacks from others. This exotic encourages coordinated fire and tactical target prioritization.
- Rugged Gauntlets Exotic Gloves: Equipped with the “Iron Grip” talent. These gloves impose a 50% Recoil Penalty when hip-firing but conversely reduce Recoil Penalty by 50% when blind-firing from cover. These gloves offer a unique trade-off, potentially rewarding players who utilize cover effectively in close-quarters combat.
Additionally, Descent mode enthusiasts can look forward to the Vindicator, a new exotic rifle exclusive to this game mode. Season 3 also brings a new gear set, a new brand set, and three new named weapons, expanding build diversity and customization options.
Project Resolve is also a significant component of Year 5 Season 3, aiming to refine core gameplay mechanics, weapon balance, and loot distribution. For a comprehensive overview of all the changes and additions, players are encouraged to watch the official reveal stream or refer to the detailed blog post for in-depth information.
In conclusion, The Division 2 Season 3 Vanguard’s Kelso Manhunt presents a compelling narrative shift, urging players to delve into a mystery involving a trusted ally. Coupled with exciting new exotics and gear, this season offers a rich and engaging experience for both veteran and new agents alike. Prepare to return to New York City, Agents, and uncover the truth behind Kelso’s disappearance.
