Origins of the Strategic Homeland Division (SHD)

Discover the origins of the Strategic Homeland Division (SHD) in The Division: Resurgence. Learn about the Green Poison outbreak, the first wave agents, and the early days of the SHD.

The Strategic Homeland Division (SHD), often referred to as The Division, is a clandestine unit of highly trained agents. These agents are activated in response to catastrophic events that overwhelm civilian authorities. In Tom Clancy's The Division Resurgence, players are introduced to the early days of the SHD during the Green Poison outbreak in New York City.

The story of Resurgence takes place in Manhattan during the initial stages of the Green Poison pandemic. It runs parallel to the events of the original The Division game, following a new agent who is part of the first wave. This agent operates in familiar yet updated areas of the city, such as Midtown East. The game expands upon the established lore by introducing new missions, distinct factions, and offering a fresh perspective on the societal collapse that occurred.

Players are activated as a first-wave Division agent following the widespread contamination caused by the Green Poison, a smallpox-based disease that spread through U.S. currency. The initial mission involves escorting local community leaders to safety as New York descends into chaos. After successfully securing the leaders, agents discover that Joint Task Force members have been overrun, and their heavy weaponry has been seized by assailants who then attack Trinity Hospital.

Navigating through locations like the New York Stock Exchange, agents reach the hospital to find civilians held hostage by gang members and taken to Liberty Island. After securing the remaining hospital occupants, the mission shifts to Liberty Island's cargo yard. Here, a companion agent, Sarah Kelly, is injured, forcing the player to proceed alone. Onboard a docked ferry, the player confronts and defeats the gang leader, Jax, but must escape the vessel when Jax detonates explosives.

The agent awakens at the Base of Operations in Midtown. It is revealed that many first-wave Division agents have perished or gone rogue, leaving the player as one of the few survivors. While a subsequent wave of agents has managed to contain most emerging threats, the player's assistance is still required for remaining dangers.