Caretaker

At a Glance

The Caretaker is a Named assault rifle in The Division 2 that pushes the AR class toward heavy-hitting precision territory. With a base damage of 70,000 per round, a 700 RPM cyclic rate, a 30-round magazine, a 2.1 second reload, and a x1.65 headshot multiplier, it lands among the highest per-bullet damage values in the AR loot pool. The trade-off is a slower fire rate and a longer reload, which means the Caretaker rewards disciplined, deliberate play.

If the First Sight is a precision AR built around accuracy, the Caretaker is its big brother. Each round delivers more damage, but you have fewer of them per second to work with. Played correctly, this weapon punches well above what its DPS-per-second number suggests, especially in builds that value per-shot scaling over fire-rate scaling.

Last reviewed: 2026-04-25 · TU22.1 · Verified vs in-game

Stats

Base numbers

• Base damage: 70,000 per round
• Rate of fire: 700 RPM
• Magazine: 30 rounds
• Reload: 2.1 seconds
• Headshot multiplier: x1.65
• Optimal range: 15 to 50 meters
• Falloff: gradual past 50 meters
• Accuracy: very high while aimed
• Stability: tight vertical recoil, manageable horizontal

Damage per second math

At 700 RPM the Caretaker fires 11.67 rounds per second. With a base of 70,000 that calculates to roughly 816,667 baseline DPS before any modifiers. The x1.65 headshot multiplier sits at the high end of the AR class, and when paired with red core attribute, weapon damage rolls and headshot damage gear, real-world DPS climbs into the high single-digit millions. Headshot chains push this further, especially with Memento or Picaro's Holster bonuses online.

Time-to-kill in PvE

In Heroic content the Caretaker drops standard reds in roughly 0.2 to 0.4 seconds with body shots, dropping to one or two shots on headshots. Veterans take 0.7 to 1.0 seconds, and elites land around 1.3 to 1.9 seconds. Against named bosses the per-shot damage really shines, especially when paired with critical hit chains.

Talent

The Caretaker's talent rewards precision damage. It scales weapon damage on accurate hits and provides a meaningful uplift that compounds with the weapon's already-strong headshot multiplier. Unlike fire-rate-dependent talents, the Caretaker's effect rewards making each round count, which fits the weapon's identity perfectly.

Why precision matters here

Because the Caretaker fires fewer rounds per second than higher-RPM ARs, every missed shot is a meaningful DPS loss. The talent acknowledges this by amplifying the value of accurate fire, which means disciplined shooters get rewarded more than spray-and-pray players ever could be. This makes the Caretaker a strong fit for build philosophies that value efficiency over volume.

Top Builds

Memento headshot

The Caretaker is one of the best Memento weapons in the game. The headshot multiplier of x1.65 stacks beautifully with Memento's trophy bonuses, and the high per-shot damage means each headshot delivers a meaningful chunk of damage rather than just contributing to a sustained DPS curve. Pair with Picaro, Providence, and a red-yellow split.

Headhunter sniper-AR hybrid

Build into a Headhunter chest talent loadout and the Caretaker becomes a quasi-sniper that benefits from a 30-round magazine. Each headshot stacks Headhunter, and you can dump a fully-loaded burst onto a high-priority target for absurd damage spikes. This is one of the highest-skill, highest-reward builds the Caretaker enables.

Striker for boss damage

Striker's Battlegear works on volume of hits, but the Caretaker's per-shot damage means each Striker stack contributes more than it would on a higher-RPM AR. This is a strong combo for raid bosses and Legendary mission targets where you spend extended time firing at the same enemy.

PvE vs PvP

PvE feel

In PvE the Caretaker excels at mid to long-range engagements and against high-health targets. The per-shot damage shines against bullet sponges, and the range bracket extends comfortably into the distances where most AR alternatives start to fall off. It struggles slightly in tight corridor encounters where fire-rate-based ARs feel more responsive.

PvP feel

In conflict modes and the Dark Zone the Caretaker is a precision menace. The bullets-to-kill numbers favor agents who can land headshots consistently, and the weapon's range advantage means you control engagement distances against shotgun and SMG users. The slow fire rate punishes missed shots, but the per-bullet damage rewards accuracy disproportionately.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Highest tier of per-bullet damage among ARs
• Excellent x1.65 headshot multiplier
• Strong range bracket
• Tight, predictable recoil
• Synergy with headshot-focused builds and gear

Cons

• 700 RPM fire rate punishes missed shots
• 2.1 second reload is on the longer end for ARs
• Less forgiving for newer players
• Not optimal in close-quarters encounters
• Limited burst potential against stacked enemies

FAQ

How does the Caretaker compare to the First Sight?

Both are precision-focused 700 RPM ARs with x1.65 headshot multipliers. The Caretaker has higher base damage at 70,000 versus the First Sight's 60,000, which means each shot hits harder. The First Sight has a slightly faster reload at 2.0 seconds versus 2.1 seconds. In practice, the Caretaker is the heavier hitter while the First Sight is marginally more responsive between mags.

Where does the Caretaker drop?

It is a named AR and follows standard TU22.1 named loot rules. Targeted loot weeks tagged for ARs improve odds, and Heroic Countdown remains an efficient farm for named drops. Dark Zone supply caches and Legendary mission rewards also count.

Is it worth investing in headshot damage rolls?

Absolutely. The x1.65 multiplier is one of the highest in the AR class, and the Caretaker's high per-shot damage scales multiplicatively with headshot damage gear rolls. A well-built headshot loadout can push damage numbers from this weapon into territory that competes with marksman rifles.

Can I use this in close quarters?

You can, but it is suboptimal. The slow fire rate means a higher-RPM SMG or AR will outpace you in tight spaces. Pair the Caretaker with an SMG or shotgun sidearm for close engagements.

Does the talent stack with brand bonuses?

Yes. The talent's damage uplift layers cleanly with brand bonuses like Providence Defense and Sokolov Concern, both of which push headshot and weapon damage in directions that complement the Caretaker's profile.

Closing Thoughts

The Caretaker is a heavy-hitting precision AR that demands skill and rewards it generously. The combination of 70,000 base damage, x1.65 headshot multiplier, and a clean recoil pattern makes it one of the most rewarding ARs in the current TU22.1 loot pool, provided you can keep your aim disciplined. It is not a forgiving weapon for spray-and-pray players, but for agents who treat every shot as a deliberate decision, the Caretaker delivers numbers that punch far above its raw DPS-per-second.

For agents building toward a headshot-focused identity or running Memento and Picaro setups, this weapon deserves a permanent slot. For players still developing accuracy, the Caretaker is an aspirational pick that will reward your improvement. It is a weapon that grows with you rather than against you, and that is exactly the kind of long-term value a named AR should offer in the modern endgame.