The Division 2 has two full eight-player raids: Operation Dark Hours and Operation Iron Horse. Both are Level 40 endgame activities, but they test different things. Dark Hours is the cleaner first raid for most new groups, while Iron Horse puts more pressure on role assignments, puzzle execution, survivability and communication.
If you are returning after a long break, ignore old guides that still tell you to reach World Tier 5, Gear Score 490 or buy Warlords of New York before raiding. The One Endgame update removed World Tiers and Gear Score from progression. In 2026, the important baseline is simple: reach Level 40, bring a functional PvE build and join a coordinated raid group.
Dark Hours vs Iron Horse At A Glance
| Raid | Best For | Main Challenge | Key Reward Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operation Dark Hours | First-time raiders, DPS-focused groups | Fast target swaps, add control, boss mechanics and synchronized damage | Eagle Bearer, raid gear and commendations |
| Operation Iron Horse | Experienced groups, role-heavy teams | Mechanics, timing, environmental systems, specialized roles and longer execution chains | Ravenous, Regulus project progress and raid gear |
For most players learning raids for the first time, Dark Hours is the better starting point. It still demands coordination, but its structure is easier to understand around a strong DPS baseline. Iron Horse is more likely to punish a group that does not know who is handling each mechanic.
Choose The Raid Route That Fits Your Goal
Once you know which raid and reward path you want, choose the route that removes the biggest bottleneck for your group.
Division 2 Raid Requirements In 2026
You need a Level 40 character to access the current endgame raid versions. You do not need Warlords of New York just to reach Level 40 or enter raids anymore. World Tiers and Gear Score requirements are also obsolete.
- Character level: Level 40.
- Group size: raids are designed and balanced for eight players.
- Warlords of New York: not required for Level 40 endgame raid access.
- SHD level: there is no universal SHD gate that replaces the old Gear Score requirement.
- Expertise: useful for stronger gear, but not an entry requirement.
- Build quality: not a menu requirement, but a weak or incoherent build can make Normal raid mechanics much harder.
If you just reached Level 40 and are still sorting out SHD, Expertise, builds and endgame systems, start with our Division 2 Returning Player Guide before joining a serious raid group.
Normal vs Discovery Mode
Both raids have a lower-pressure Discovery version intended to introduce the activity. Discovery supports open matchmaking and is useful for seeing the environment and a simplified form of the encounters.
However, Discovery is not a substitute for learning the full Normal raid. Mechanics are tuned down, experienced raid groups generally organize outside matchmaking, and the major raid-specific Exotic reward routes are tied to the full raid rather than Discovery.
| Mode | Use It For | Matchmaking | Major Raid Exotic Routes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery | Layout, basic encounter orientation, low-pressure practice | Yes | No Eagle Bearer, Ravenous or Regulus route |
| Normal | Full mechanics, progression, raid rewards, commendations | Organized group recommended | Yes |
A first-time player can use Discovery to reduce the shock of entering a raid, but do not assume it teaches every responsibility you will have on Normal.
Operation Dark Hours Overview
Operation Dark Hours takes place at Washington National Airport and was the first eight-player raid in The Division franchise. It is built around four major boss encounters:
- Max “Boomer” Bailey
- Oliver “Weasel” Gordon
- Buddy and Lucy
- DDP-52 Razorback
The raid rewards clean communication, fast add control and strong damage. Most new players are easiest to place on straightforward DPS duties while experienced players handle encounter-specific interactions. That is one reason Dark Hours is usually the better first full raid.
Dark Hours Rewards
The permanent reason many players return to Dark Hours is the Eagle Bearer route, alongside raid gear, commendations, cosmetics and weekly boss rewards. Eagle Bearer is no longer best described as absolutely raid-exclusive in 2026 because Ubisoft has introduced alternative systems over the years, including Dark Zone availability and temporary reward loops. Dark Hours remains its classic, direct raid farm.
The raid also has long-term completion goals such as the Blueberry the Bear merit and other commendations, giving completionists a reason to return even after they already own the weapon.
Operation Iron Horse Overview
Operation Iron Horse is the second eight-player raid and takes place at the United Ironworks foundry. It is usually more demanding for a new group because several encounters depend on assigned jobs, environmental systems and precise timing instead of pure damage.
The major encounters revolve around:
- Lieutenant Gray
- Captain Fieser
- Major Williams
- Colonel Morozova and the Iron Horse war engine
A good Iron Horse team normally has players who understand damage roles, healing or support, add control and the specific mechanic jobs for each encounter. A group with high damage but no role discipline can still wipe repeatedly.
Iron Horse Rewards
Iron Horse is the canonical raid route for The Ravenous Exotic Rifle and the multi-step Regulus crafting project. Regulus is different from a normal random Exotic farm: the raid progression feeds a project that is designed to award the weapon after its required steps are completed.
Ravenous, like Eagle Bearer, has received alternative availability outside its original raid over the years, including Dark Zone-related systems and limited reward loops. That does not make Iron Horse irrelevant. It remains the activity directly associated with the weapon and the place where its raid reward path was built.
Which Raid Should You Do First?
Start with Dark Hours unless your group already has an experienced Iron Horse leader. A first clear is much easier when most of the team can focus on shooting, positioning and a small number of clear mechanics.
Choose Iron Horse first only when:
- your group already has several experienced raid players;
- you specifically want Ravenous or Regulus progress;
- you are comfortable learning assigned mechanical roles;
- your team has a reliable healer/support setup and clear voice communication.
If your only goal is “I want to complete one Division 2 raid,” Dark Hours is the simpler first milestone. If your goal is the deeper raid challenge or the Iron Horse reward path, go straight to the foundry with a prepared team.
What Build Do You Need For Division 2 Raids?
There is no single mandatory raid build, but a first-time raider should not arrive with a random open-world setup and expect the group to solve everything around it.
A practical baseline is:
- a reliable single-target PvE DPS loadout;
- good weapon handling and survivability without sacrificing most of your damage;
- skills that support your assigned job rather than a solo-only gimmick;
- a second loadout if the raid leader asks you to swap for healing, support or a mechanic role.
Dark Hours is especially friendly to players who can deliver consistent weapon damage. Iron Horse rewards broader team composition because some mechanics put much more value on specialized roles.
If your loadout is the weak point, a current Best PvE Build is more useful than trying to compensate with extra SHD or Expertise alone.
Do You Need A Microphone?
For Normal raids, voice communication is strongly recommended. Some experienced groups can execute parts of Dark Hours with minimal calls, but first-time clears become much easier when the raid leader can assign jobs and warn the team about mechanic changes in real time.
Iron Horse benefits even more from clear communication because players often need to relay codes, timing, environmental states or boss transitions. A mic is not a menu requirement, but joining a learning group without any way to hear or respond to calls makes the activity harder for everyone.
How To Find A Raid Group In 2026
Normal raids are still active, but they are not activities where you should depend on random matchmaking. The most reliable routes are:
- an active clan that schedules raid nights;
- Division 2 LFG or community Discord servers;
- experienced teaching or Sherpa groups;
- friends who already raid and can place you in a simple first-clear role.
Recent community activity still shows regular Dark Hours and Iron Horse groups, including teaching runs. The bigger obstacle for a new player is usually finding seven coordinated people at the same time, not the raids being “dead.”
Crossplay is also rolling out around the Echoes of Central Park period. If platform grouping is your main concern, see our Division 2 Crossplay Guide for the current rollout state instead of assuming every platform is already merged.
Weekly Raid Rewards And Repeated Clears
Raid reward systems use weekly lockouts for important boss loot, so the weekly reset still matters when you are chasing raid-specific rewards. You can keep running raids for practice, helping other players, commendations and group farming, but the highest-value personal reward attempts are shaped by the weekly cycle.
This is also why experienced raid groups often bring players who can share eligible drops. A coordinated eight-player team creates far more useful loot opportunities than a single player waiting for one personal roll.
Raids vs Incursions
Do not confuse raids with Incursions. The Division 2 raids are eight-player activities. Paradise Lost and Broken Rain are four-player Incursions.
Incursions can still be mechanically demanding, but they require half the group size and have different reward structures. If assembling eight players is your main blocker, an Incursion may be a better first coordinated endgame activity.
Common Raid Mistakes
- Using old requirement guides. World Tier 5, Gear Score 490 and mandatory Warlords of New York are outdated requirements.
- Treating Discovery as the full raid. It is useful practice, but it does not reproduce the complete Normal reward path.
- Joining Iron Horse with no assigned roles. Good damage does not replace mechanic ownership.
- Ignoring the weekly reward cycle. Plan serious Exotic farming around your meaningful reward attempts.
- Calling Eagle Bearer or Ravenous absolutely raid-exclusive. Their raids remain canonical farms, but Ubisoft has added alternative sources over time.
- Assuming SHD or Expertise replaces build quality. A coherent raid build and correct execution matter more than a large profile number.
Division 2 Raid FAQ
How Many Raids Are In The Division 2?
There are two full eight-player raids: Operation Dark Hours and Operation Iron Horse.
Do You Need Warlords Of New York To Raid?
No. Since One Endgame, all owners of The Division 2 can reach Level 40 and access Level 40 raids without owning Warlords of New York.
What Level Do You Need For Division 2 Raids?
Plan to raid at Level 40. Old World Tier and Gear Score requirements no longer apply to the current endgame.
Can You Matchmake For Division 2 Raids?
Discovery mode supports matchmaking. For the full Normal raid experience, organize an eight-player group through a clan, friends, LFG community or raid team.
Which Division 2 Raid Is Easier?
Dark Hours is usually the easier first raid to learn. Iron Horse has more role-heavy mechanics and is less forgiving when the group does not know its assignments.
Can Eagle Bearer Drop Outside Dark Hours?
Yes. Ubisoft has added alternative sources over the years, including Dark Zone systems and limited reward loops. Dark Hours remains the weapon’s classic permanent raid route.
Can Ravenous Drop Outside Iron Horse?
Yes. Ravenous has also appeared through alternative systems outside its original raid. Iron Horse remains its canonical raid farm and the activity tied to the weapon’s original reward path.
How Do You Get Regulus?
Regulus is tied to a multi-step crafting project associated with Operation Iron Horse. Treat it as a project progression reward rather than a normal random boss drop.
Final Raid Checklist
- Reach Level 40.
- Ignore obsolete World Tier and Gear Score requirements.
- Choose Dark Hours for the cleaner first raid or Iron Horse for the more mechanic-heavy challenge.
- Bring a real PvE build instead of a random open-world loadout.
- Use voice communication for learning runs.
- Find an organized eight-player group for Normal.
- Use Discovery only as orientation, not as the full reward route.
- Plan major reward attempts around the weekly raid cycle.
- Use Dark Hours for the canonical Eagle Bearer raid route.
- Use Iron Horse for Ravenous and Regulus progression.
Both raids are still worth learning in 2026. Dark Hours is the better entry point, while Iron Horse is the stronger test of a coordinated team. Pick the reward and challenge you actually want, prepare one dependable role, and join a group that communicates before the first pull.
