The Division 2 [TUY8S2.2] Dust Storm Event, Creator (20th July 2026)
New York is about to get a lot harder to see. The Division 2's Dust Storm Event transforms the map with dynamic weather, enemy ambushes, and boss fights that reward Storm Keys for exclusive loot.

New York is about to get a lot harder to see. The Dust Storm Event runs from July 21 to August 11, transforming the map with dynamic weather that obscures sightlines and spawns relentless enemy squads. The event introduces two storm states: a Calm Dust Storm that lasts up to 18 minutes, and a Raging variant that limits visibility further whilst spawning up to 48 enemies in rapid succession if you stay mobile enough to trigger them.
The real draw is the loot economy tied to Storm Keys. Defeating Dust Devil kill squads, two simultaneous bosses named Pall and Black Lung, or a roaming threat called the Scoured Hunter all drop keys you can spend at the Event Vendor for apparel and gear caches. The apparel track includes 43 items with no duplicates, and completing the full set unlocks a new Black Blizzard Scanner Pulse skill visual effect. Gear caches offer a shot at the new Rabid D50 event weapon, which applies Ensnare to enemies after headshots and amplifies damage against them by 25%.
Warlords of New York access is free for the entire event duration, and all players who log in receive the Parched Mask. A cross-platform Community Challenge also runs throughout, with milestones unlocking exclusive Dust Storm-themed apparel rewards. The full list, including difficulty-scaled key requirements and all 43 apparel items, is below.
Full Patch Notes
▲ Buff▼ Nerf✓ Fix◆ TweakCONTENTS
- Dust Storm Event
- Classified Assignment
- Realism Mode
- Creator Collaboration
- Paradise Lost Update
- Stats And Resources Multiplier Events
- Changes and Fixes
DUST STORM EVENT
Summer is in full swing, and it’s time to experience New York as you have never seen it before.
From July 21 to August 11, defeat powerful enemies, collect exclusive loot and navigate hazardous weather conditions in the Dust Storm Event. All players who log in to the game during the event period will be granted the Parched Mask as a free reward.
As part of the celebrations, access to the Warlords of New York expansion will be free for all players for the duration of the event.
Event participation will require a character level of 40 and completion of the Warlords of New York campaign.
DUST STORMS
New York is experiencing turbulent dust storms, obscuring target visibility and ramping up the tension, heightening the risk of hidden enemies. There are two variations of the storm effects:
Calm Dust Storm
- The default weather system upon loading into the New York map, obscuring sightlines and keeping you on your toes. The Calm Dust Storm will last up to 18 minutes before intensifying. Note that this timer will restart upon each login.
Raging Dust Storm
- The Raging Dust Storm kicks things up a notch, further limiting visibility and buffeting agents with intense wind noise to disorientate you for a tense 8-minute window. This provides the perfect cover for constant ambushes from squads of enemy Dust Devils.
After the Raging Dust Storm has passed, the weather may return to either a Calm Storm state, or a brief respite of clear, sunny weather to allow you to get your bearings and prepare for the next fight.
DUST DEVILS
Dust Devils are group of Rikers that saw the perfect opportunity to seize on the chaos of the storm and use it for their own gains.
Dust Devil Kill Squads spawn on a 6-minute timer in groups of 4 named enemies, that will actively hunt you down. The Dust Devils are using the storm to their advantage with multiple modifiers, so be sure to close the gap:
Status Resistance Modifier
- 0% Status Resistance if Agents are between 0-25 meters
- 80% Status Resistance if Agents are further than 26 meters
Decrease Damage Dealt
- Reduces damage by 20% to Agents between 5-25 meters
- Reduces damage by 50% to Agents further than 26 meters
Increase Damage Taken
- Takes 50% more damage from Agents between 0-10 meters
- Takes 20% more damage from Agents between 11-25 meters
Plan your attack carefully and make use of positioning to maximize the effectiveness of your close-range tools.
During the Raging Dust Storm enemies spawn continuously on a short cooldown until the Raging Dust Storm subsides. Up to 6 enemies can be active at any one time- kill them fast enough and you can defeat up to 48 enemies in a single Raging Dust Storm.
Make sure to keep moving, as spawns will not trigger if you are stationary.
BACKUP ARRIVES
Cause enough trouble for the Dust Devils, and they’ll call in the big guns. Once you defeat enough enemies and near the threshold of 50 kills for a boss spawn, you will receive a prompt to Call for Backup. Make your preparations, as the event bosses are on their way:
- Pall hides in the storm as a sniper using Sniper Turret and Decoy tech, while being invisible to Pulse scanning.
- Black Lung acts as a tank, using an LMG to lay down heavy fire and is supported by an Artillery Turret.
Both bosses will spawn simultaneously, for groups and solo players. Pall and Black Lung can spawn in any weather condition, so long as the Dust Devils Named Enemies kill threshold of 50 Named Enemies is reached.
Upon being defeated, each boss will drop a Storm Key, as well as a unique mask on first defeat.
EXPLORATION
It isn’t just the weather that has seen a change; the storm has brought new environmental decorations, and some intriguing caches.
Throughout the New York map you will encounter 20 hidden caches of loot, split amongst the decorated areas- destroy them to be rewarded with the same gear found within the Event Vendor Gear Caches. The Dust Devils will repair these caches, allowing them to be interacted with again after each daily reset.
Keep your ears open- the limited visibility in the storm can make visual identification tricky, so be sure to pay attention for the distinct audio cue played by the caches.
The Dust Devils aren’t ones to forgive your interfering with their loot, however: interacting with a cache prompts a group of Named Enemies to prepare to ambush you.
THE SCOURED HUNTER
Rumors have reached SHD that the dust storms hide an even greater threat, attacking sporadically once a Raging Dust Storm has subsided, preying on weakened Agents. Reports say that they can be identified by their distinctive mask, and are in possession of Storm Keys.
EVENT VENDOR AND CACHES
After amassing your stock of keys, it’s time to head to the Haven settlement. Residents of Haven have updated their decor to combat the dusty conditions, and the Event Vendor has been given a refresh.
The Event Vendor will be your main hub for redeeming keys.
You can get Storm Keys by:
- Defeating Dust Devil Kill Squads
- Defeating Dust Devil Bosses
- Defeating The Scoured Hunter.
Keys are guaranteed scaling with difficulty:
- Normal: 14 Kills
- Hard: 14 Kills
- Challenging: 12 Kills
- Heroic: 10 Kills
In addition to this is the Daily Boost: every day, the first 150 kills will have the requirements for a key reduced by half.
APPAREL CACHES
Apparel Caches contain only vanity items, with no duplicates, so every key spent gets you closer to completing the full collection:
- Wired Outfit (headgear, shirt, pants, shoes)
- Vagabond Outfit (glasses, shirt, pants, boots)
- Parched Outfit (headgear, shirt, gloves, pants, shoes)
- Breathless Outfit (headgear, shirt, gloves, pants, boots)
- Breathless (Grey) Outfit (headgear, shirts, gloves, pants, boots)
- Yield Outfit (headgear, shirt, pants, shoes)
- Parched Headgear (Black/Red, Green and Orange variants)
- Black Lung Headgear (Black/Red, Green and Orange variants)
There are 43 items in total, and collecting the full set will reward you with the new Black Blizzard Scanner Pulse Skill VFX. Apparel Keys can also be purchased with Premium Credits.
GEAR CACHES
Gear Caches bring a mix of returning and event-specific loot, including Named items, Exotics, and a rare chance to obtain Prototype gear.
Alongside this comes a new event weapon:
| Rabid D50
Named D50 | Talent: Foam at the Mouth
After killing an enemy with a headshot, applies Ensnare to the next enemy you hit. Amplifies Weapon Damage by 25% against Ensnared enemies. |
|---|
Gear Caches also contain:
Prototype Rabid D50 Event Weapon- 1%
Prototype Gear Set- 0.5%
Prototype Seasonal Named Weapons- 0.5%
Rabid D50 Event Weapon- 10%
Special Named Items- 20%
- Stack Broker
- Lexington
- Turmoil
- Caretaker
- Shield Splinterer
- Huntsman
- Hunter-Killer
- Handbasket
Seasonal Named Items- 10%
- The Harvest
- Chill Out
- Sleigher
- Slingshot
- Oh Carol
- First Sight
- Quickstep
- Festive Delivery
- Snow Machine
- Bell Ringer
- First Bloom
Exotic Items- 15%
- Exotic Cache drops
- Caduceus
- Nurse’s Kneepads
- Tinkerer
- Tempest
- Blacklisters
- Sheriff
- Provocator
- Birdie’s Quick Fix
Gear Mods- 16.5%
Skill Mods- 16.5%
COMMUNITY CHALLENGE
During the Dust Storm Event, all Agents contribute to a shared, cross-platform Community Challenge.
Progress unlocks exclusive Dust Storm-themed rewards:
- 1M Keys- Pall Jacket
- 5M Keys- Pall Boots
- 10M Keys- Pall Pants
Even if you join late, contributing is enough to qualify for rewards once milestones are reached.
There are also a series of Personal Milestones to be earned as you contribute to the wider Community Challenge:
- 10 Keys- Scorpion Arm Patch
- 20 Keys- St Elmo’s Engine Exotic Weapon
- 40 Keys- Howl Arm Patch
- 60 Keys- Lexington Named Weapon
- 80 Keys- Cactus Arm Patch
- 100 Keys- Prototype Event Weapon
- 125 Keys- Rattler Arm Patch
- 150 Keys- Scarab Lexington Skin
- 175 Keys- Howdy Arm Patch
- 200 Keys- St Elmo’s Engine Red Alert Weapon Skin
CLASSIFIED ASSIGNMENTS
MCMILLAN RESERVOIR ASSAULT
Our newest Classified Assignment, McMillan Reservoir Assault, launches on July 21. Respond to a distress signal from a fellow Agent and navigate a faction war between the True Sons and Hyenas.
This content is available to those who bought the Into The Dark Bundle and the Into The Dark Supply Drop, or available for 500 Premium Credits as a separate purchase.
FREE ROTATION
To celebrate the new release, we are also beginning a rotation of free access to classic Classified Assignments. Each week, a different Classified assignment will be able to play for everybody:
- July 21-28: National Bond Armory
- July 28-August 4: Embassy Crash Site
- August 4- 11: Marina Supply Route
- August 11-18: Nightclub Infiltration
- August 18-25: NSA Security Alert
- August 25th- September 1: Nelson Theatre Hostage
REALISM MODE COMEBACK
Realism Mode returns, running for the duration of the Dust Storm Event.
For those that missed it the first time around, Realism Mode is a limited time experience that lets you enter New York and see what it means to operate as a Division Agent in a more grounded and unforgiving way, where every decision matters.
It’s a separate character journey that takes place throughout the Warlords of New York campaign. Warlords of New York is accessible to everybody throughout the Dust Storm Event, giving everyone the chance to step into Realism Mode during the celebration.
At its core, it’s about immersion and tension. Fights are faster and more lethal for both agents and enemies. Mistakes carry weight, but victories feel even more satisfying.
You’ll notice the interface has been reduced, placing more emphasis on reading the world around you. Ammo is recovered directly from defeated enemies, and while skills remain powerful, their longer cooldowns and added risk make them tools best saved for critical moments.
Gear and weapon bonuses reflect the physical nature of what you wear, with heavier pieces providing increased protection at the cost of mobility, while lighter gear favors speed and flexibility at the cost of survivability.
This refresh brings new rewards, too: players who complete the Liberty Island mission will be rewarded with the Salt Flat MK46 LMG Skin, while those that are brave enough to complete it with a Hardcore Character will also be awarded the Kill Count skin, also for the MK46.
Alongside this, the earlier Realism Mode rewards return too: Arid Forest Camo for the KSG Shotgun and the Concrete Camo for the Police M4 should you complete it with a Hardcore Character.
Previous Realism Mode characters have been removed, with all players starting the experience from the beginning.
CREATOR COLLABORATION: NGN, CHARLES AND FILIPERAAAMOS
We’re also launching a new Creator Collaboration with NGN, Charles, and FilipeRaaamos, with their own activities and rewards from July 21 until August 11.
HOW IT WORKS
Each creator introduces their own Project Chain, taking you across different areas of New York, and asking you to complete activities in specific Named Zones.
New steps unlock daily, with each project building on the last. You can progress at your own pace, once a project becomes available, it remains accessible until the event ends.
You can focus on a single creator or work through all three, depending on how you want to approach it.
REWARDS
As you progress through the chains, you’ll earn:
- Named Item Caches
- Exotic Components
- Recalibration Caches
- Optimization Caches
Completing all 6 projects in a chain unlocks the final reward:
- An exclusive backpack themed after that creator.
There are also rewards to find outside of the Project Chains. You may also come across creator-themed apparel, like caps, shirts, and hoodies hidden in containers as you explore.
Each creator will also be sharing codes for exclusive arm patches through their own channels, so if you’re following them, you won’t want to miss it!
PARADISE LOST UPDATE
The Paradise Lost Incursion is getting a refresh on July 21, with a new Exotic Weapon. The Incursion will also now allow the Ambush and Assault Global Events to be active in the Incursion. This is with the aim of allowing those that have yet to engage with Incursions to have a helping hand when tackling the content for the first time and give them a fighting chance in securing the new Exotic weapon.
Check out the new Exotic, Prima Donna, below:
| Prima Donna
Exotic Marksman Rifle | Talent:
You can look… When out of combat, receive 10 stacks (PvP: 5 stacks). This weapon deals +12.5% Amplified Damage (PvP: +12% Amplified Damage) per stack. …but you can’t touch. 1 stack is automatically consumed to fully repair one instance of damage you receive. 1 stack replenishes every 3s (PvP: 8s). |
|---|
Alongside its talent, Prima Donna has notably different stats from a regular Mk20:
- Damage (Level 40): 417.7K
- Rate-of-Fire: 55
- Magazine Size: 7
Prima Donna will not be replacing Ouroboros. Instead, both Exotics will drop in the same way: with a higher chance from the final chest of the Incursion, and a low chance from completion of the Wright, Martinez and Johnson Named Boss encounters.
STATS AND RESOURCES MULTIPLIER EVENTS
We have a packed schedule of smaller events, too:
Kenly College
- July 21-28
- The Kenly College Expedition is open to all and grants the Diamondback Exotic Rifle upon completion.
Optimization Surge – Resource Multiplier Event
- July 21-24
- Now is the best time to fine-tune your build with double Optimization Materials drop quantity from all sources available throughout the event.
Prototype Surge – Resource Multiplier Event
- August 4-7
- The best time to push your tech beyond its limits with double Escalation Tokens and Prototype Cores quantity from all sources available throughout the event.
Vanguard Overdrive – Stat Multiplier Event
- July 31- August 4
- Lead the charge with the following active bonuses for the duration of the event:
- +50% Reload Speed
- +50% Swap Speed
- +40% Hazard Protection
- +20% Movement Speed
- +15% Armor on Kill
Assault – Stat Multiplier Event
- July 28- August 4
- Assault favors aggressive play, granting increased damage against nearby enemies with a multiplier of up to 200%.
Tech Overdrive – Stat Multiplier Event
- August 7-11
- Unleash the full power of your SHD tech with the following active bonuses for the duration of the event:
- +3 Skill Tiers
- +50% Skill Damage
- +50% Skill Duration
- +25% Skill Health
- +25% Skill Haste
Ambush – Stat Multiplier Event
- August 4-11
- Ambush rewards patience and positioning, building towards a damage multiplier that can reach up to 200% while you stay still and gradually dropping as you move.
CHANGES AND FIXES
CHANGES
ESCALATION
The available Mutators in Escalation have been adjusted, with new additions.
- Replaced Hotfoot with the new Mutator ISAC Says:
- Players receive one of three random debuffs. Debuffs can be removed by completing certain actions. Successfully removing a debuff grants +30% Rate of Fire.
| Color | Debuff | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Red | -25% Weapon Damage | Destroy a weakpoint |
| Blue | -30% Weapon Handling | Kill/Assist kill 3 enemies |
| Green | +30% Skill Cooldowns | Kill enemy with sidearm |
- Replaced Suppressor with the new Mutator One-For-All:
- Enemies affected by One-For-All grant 50% damage resistance to allies within 20m. Damaging One-For-All marked enemies will propagate that damage to all of their allies within that range.
FIXES
- Fixed an issue where Aaron Keener wouldn’t come out of the house and fight during the Liberty Island mission. (TCTD-175)
- Fixed an issue where the Tinkerer Exotic Mask could stack multiple talents simultaneously.
- Fixed an issue where the DZ West vendor was not selling Reconstructed caches. (TCTD-5473)
- Fixed an issue where the “Capitol Globe Anomaly” Classified Assignment was showing 6/5 collectibles. (TCTD-4758)
- Fixed a texture gap above wall in West End. (TCTD-3654)
- Fixed the inconsistent usage of Descent symbol designs on Mega Map. (TCTD-127)
- Fixed an issue where deconstructing Imperial Dynasty Holster was not granting Exotic Components to players.
- Fixed an issue in which buying the Agent Garzia jacket with textiles could result in payment processing error.
- Fixed several localization issues in multiple languages.
KNOWN ISSUES
- Players cannot change the displayed difficulty on Kenly College leaderboard.
- Bronze mastery timer is not displayed properly on Kenly missions.
We’ll see you out there, Agents. If you encounter any issues you’d like to report, please use our Bug Reporter.
We appreciate the community’s contributions, reports and voting help us prioritize issues, and you can expect more of the top reported bugs to be addressed in future updates.
/The Division 2 Team
Sources
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Written by
Nathan LeesGaming journalist and founder of XP Gained. Covering patch notes, breaking news, and updates across 160+ games.
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