According the official Tom Clancy's The Division 2 Content Roadmap for Year One, the first new class specialization to join the fray will be the minigun-wileding Gunner. With a focus on sustained damage output and unparalleled suppresive fire, the Gunner is a handy operator to have alongside you in any armed conflict.
According to the official announcement from Ubisoft, the Gunner will be joining the fight sometime this June. We already know that the gunner specialization will involve a great deal of minigun bravado and sacrificing mobility for greater stability and protection, and Ubisoft's description has a little more flavor:
Joining the fight together with the other Specialists, The Gunner is equipped with the powerful Minigun, which will be a force to be reckoned with on the streets of Washington, D.C. With an emphasis on sustained damage output and damage resilience, the Gunner will serve as the vanguard of SHD Agents in the ongoing fight to reclaim the city.
Source: The Division 2 Official site
Currently, players have access to the base game's three class specializations as soon as they hit Level 30 in-game. While the Sharpshooter, Survivalist, and Demolitionist are readily available for specialization, the Gunner requires players to take on a special mission before the specialization is unlocked. Unlocking the Gunner spec involves Special Field Research, which will subject players to a series of five challenges, each with their own unique objectives and rewards.
Players who purchased the Year 1 Pass, or otherwise own the pass through a bundle, will be given instant access to the Gunner specialization with the Special Field Research requirements being made optional. However, while this may seem like a gameplay advantage, Ubisoft devs have stressed that the specializations will be balanced. While certain players may be able to acquire them faster than others, it will not present any direct tactical advantage or disadvantage.
One thing's for sure - with the Gunner's specialization geared towards unrelenting suppresive fire, tanking damage, and controlling crowds of enemies, the value of having a Gunner on your team for Operation Dark Hours is interesting. We're definitely going to take the Gunner for a spin when it comes out this month.
