When it was first shown, The Division didn't look like much more than a standard open-world shooter - but, as Ubisoft detailed more and more of the game, it became clear that players wouldn't be limited solely to firearms and chest-high cover. A number of different abilities, including everything from turrets to homing bombs to portable shields, would all be available to players when the game finally launched. It wasn't necessarily class-based, but players knew that The Division would let them shape their Agents as they saw fit.

Now that the game has finally hit consoles, the only question that remains is: which Skills are actually worth using?

The answer really depends on how you're playing. If you're playing alone, some Skills are almost mandatory - but they might not mean much if you're playing with a group of friends. After spending a few dozen hours with all of the different Skills and their respective mods, we've narrowed it down to a few distinct choices based on both single- and multiplayer modes: if you've been wondering what to unlock and upgrade first, look no further.

For Single-Player

First Aid
Mod: Overdose

If there's any one Skill you should focus on unlocking first, it's First Aid. Not only does the instant health boost negate the need for Med Packs in most situations, it scales with your character as the game goes on. It's easily one of the most important abilities your player can equip, and chances are it'll save your life more than a few times as you fight through New York City.

Once unlocked, the 'Overdose' mod beefs up First Aid even more. The added healing bonus is great, and the potential to 'overheal' and gain a bit of temporary extra health is the icing on the cake. If you want a bit of a damage boost instead of the extra health, try 'Booster Shot' mod instead - but, from our experience, Overdose is the way to go.

Alternate Pick:
Pulse w/Tactical Scanner

Since First Aid does take a little while to unlock, players should stick with Pulse for the game's first few missions. The boost to your critical damage isn't worth much, but just knowing where your enemies are can be enough to tip the odds in your favor. Adding the 'Tactical Scanner' mod to Pulse does make it a bit more useful, as it brings in a bit of extra damage to all identified targets - it might not sound like much, but it can help turn the tables when a fight starts going south.

Turret
Mod: Active Sensor

Much like the First Aid skill, Turret will quickly become the player's best friend. Its damage isn't all that much at first, but the tiny automated cannon is great at providing both covering and suppressing fire, or simply wiping out the last few stragglers. More importantly, bosses tend to focus on the turret first and players second - in certain situations, sacrificing a turret to distract a heavily-armored enemy will give you just enough time to get away and regroup.

Turret's mods are relatively hit-and-miss, but Active Sensor is always a good choice. Always having an eye on whatever your turret is currently firing on is great - but, if you want something a bit flashier, try the 'Dragonbreath' mod. The added fire damage is great, but it can get a bit visually confusing - especially if you're going up against the Cleaners.

Alternate Pick:
Ballistic Shield w/Kinetic Breaker

The Ballistic Shield can be a low-level player's best friend if used properly. In most cases, The Division provides players with ample amounts of cover - but, if you're stuck in the open with a boss bearing down on you, the Ballistic Shield is your best chance for survival. Adding the 'Kinetic Breaker' mod only boosts the shield's effectiveness, as some of the absorbed damage is transferred to the player as a health boost - perfect for tactical retreats.

For Co-Op Play

Support Station
Mod: Life Support

Simply put, the Support Station was built for co-op play. Its wide range and powerful healing abilities means that it can heal everyone in your squad without the need to cluster together in the same spot, and the fact that it heals over time means that you'll be covered throughout the extended firefights that start popping up later in the game.

It's the mods that really make Support Station worth equipping, and it's definitely worth experimenting with all three to figure out which one suits your playstyle best. 'Life Support' is a great first choice, as it'll revive any downed teammates within its radius - otherwise, 'Ammo Cache' works well when there's no Restock Crate in sight. 'Immunizer' is a bit more limited, as debuffs don't actually hit all that often, but even it has its uses.

Alternate Pick:
First Aid w/Defibrillator

It won't pack nearly as much punch, but First Aid with the 'Defibrillator' mod can be a huge help when playing with friends. Not only do you still have access to instant, Med Pack-less healing, but you can revive downed teammates from a safe position. Considering how tough some of the late-game bosses can get, a well-placed First Aid shot could mean the difference between winning and respawning.

Turret
Mod: Active Pulse

Again, the Turret is going to be your best bet when it comes to Tech Skills. The addition of a fifth gun in a firefight is always nice, and extra firepower can help take down some of the high-level enemies you'll come up against in later missions and Hard Mode. Plus, if you're coordinating with your team, why not set up shop with four turrets at once?

Since its advanced targeting carries over to teammates as well, we'd recommend sticking with the Active Pulse mod. That being said, if one of your teammates is already using Active Pulse, it might be a better idea to choose Dragonbreath instead - just remember to deploy your turret closer to enemies than you normally would.

Alternate Pick:
Smart Cover w/Recharger

Smart Cover may seem like a strange choice at first, but much like the Support Station, the second Security Skill is all about working together as a team. As long as your buddies are relatively close by, activating Smart Cover will boost both their damage output and resistance for the next several seconds - add the 'Recharger' mod and its healing abilities on top of that, and you'll never want to leave cover again.

While these recommendations should serve you well, it's important to remember that The Division is all about experimenting with different combinations. Skills, mods and talents can all be switched out freely, so make sure to take the time and figure out what works best for you and your team. Remember, a successful team is one that uses its different abilities in sync, not when it's most convenient for a single member.

If you need a bit more help with The Division's early hours, check out our first Beginner's Guide - otherwise, keep an eye on our ever-growing coverage hub!

Photos: Ubisoft