If you’ve been grinding The Division 2 for a while, you already know the Black Tusk are no joke. Now, with the arrival of Year 8 Season 1: Rise Up, they’re crashing into the Retaliation mode — and bringing some of the most coveted loot in the game with them. Here’s everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
What Is Black Tusk Retaliation?
Black Tusk Retaliation is introduced alongside The Division 2 Y8S1, letting players go up against one of the most challenging enemy types in the game. Ubisoft has packed this Retaliation with top-tier loot, including exclusive rewards from Climax missions, Raids, and Dungeons.
For the first time, Black Tusk can now take over Control Points in the open world — but only if a Retaliation is lost. Unlike other factions, they won’t expand further through convoys. Ubisoft
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Full Black Tusk Retaliation Gear Rewards
| Reward Source | Gear / Exotic Blueprints |
|---|---|
| Activity Completion | Eagle Bearer, The Bighorn, Sheriff, Provocator, Ouroboros |
| Regular Kill Squad | Capacitor, Vindicator + rare Raid/DZ Exotics |
| Elite Kill Squad (BTSU Team 9) | Climax Exclusives — Tinkerer, Birdie’s Quickfix |
| Drop Material | DIAMOND Transceivers (for Retaliation blueprints) |
| Control Point Bonus | Extra time via Black Tusk Maneuver objectives |
Climax gear pieces like Tinkerer and Birdie’s Quickfix are obtained exclusively from defeating Black Tusk Elite squads, while Raid Exotics like Eagle Bearer and The Bighorn drop from activity completions.
The Elite Kill Squad — BTSU Team 9
There are two types of Black Tusk Kill Squads: Regular and Elite. The Elite squad, known as BTSU Team 9, is rarer, more coordinated, and significantly more dangerous — and can even show up during other factions’ Retaliations. Ubisoft
The Elite Kill Squad is a temporary feature exclusive to Y8S1 — but the Black Tusk faction in Retaliation will remain in the game permanently.
Key QoL Changes in Y8S1 Retaliation
Agitation meters can now stack up to three, letting agents play Retaliation back-to-back. The activation timer now pauses when you log off, so you can play at your leisure.
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FAQs
Q: Will Black Tusk Retaliation rewards carry over after Y8S1 ends?
A: Yes! The loot you earn persists even after the season ends; only the Elite Kill Squad system is time-limited to Y8S1.
Q: Where does Black Tusk Retaliation take place?
A: Black Tusk Retaliations can occur across both Washington D.C. and Warlords of New York maps.
