Toxic and Blackout share contaminated loot concepts but differ on PvP, normalization, enemy factions, build power, and weekly availability.
Red Horizon makes Toxic a permanent normalized PvE Dark Zone and adds Blackout to the rotating PvP side. Blackout removes stat normalization and enables SHD Watch, Expertise, and Prototype base stats, but Global PvP Balance and Rogue Protocol remain active. The two variants are not different names for the same rule set.
Blackout versus Toxic
| Rule | Toxic | Blackout |
|---|---|---|
| Player combat | PvE | PvEvP |
| Normalization | Active at level 40 | Removed |
| SHD Watch and Expertise | Normalized | Active |
| Rogue Protocol | Not a PvP focus | Active |
| Main factions | Multiple factions, including Black Tusk | Permanently Invaded; Black Tusk is primary |
| Weekly status | Permanent variant | Alternates with Classic |
At any given time, Ubisoft says one PvE and two PvP Dark Zones are available across West, East, and South. Toxic and Balanced remain active each week. Blackout and Classic alternate on the remaining PvP slot.
Toxic PvE changes
Toxic no longer uses the Into the Dark seasonal Modifiers. Other factions can now appear, Sample Canisters and Surge have been removed, Toxicity has been adjusted, and extracting clears the current Toxicity level. PvP-specific talent and skill overrides are not active against enemies, although player and gear normalization remains.
Landmark chests have a 20% chance to drop a contaminated cache from the special Dark Zone pool. That pool can include Exclusive and Raid Gear Sets, legacy DZ weapons, named items, and Exotics.
Blackout power and rewards
Blackout is the uncapped build-power variant, but “uncapped” needs qualification. Global PvP Balance still modifies weapons, gear, Skills, and Prototype Augments. Prototype base stats can run at full strength, while their Augments use PvP-balanced values.
Blackout loot is Heroic quality. Ubisoft also lists a 20% chance for an additional contaminated item from the special pool. Prototype drop rates range from 0.2% on normal enemies to published mid- and high-roll chances on Elite and Boss enemies. Exotic Component chances follow the other PvP Dark Zones, rising from 33% on Challenging Landmark Phoenix Crates to 48% on Heroic Landmark bosses.
These rates describe sources, not guaranteed drops. A route or farming recommendation requires live rotation and reproducible activity data, so this page does not invent one.
Return to the Red Horizon hub for season access, modifiers, gear, drops, and crossplay.
Sources
QUICK ANSWERS
Questions players ask next
Is Toxic Dark Zone permanent?
Yes. Ubisoft says Toxic remains as a permanent normalized PvE Dark Zone variant.
Does Blackout Dark Zone normalize gear?
No. Blackout is non-normalized and enables SHD Watch, Expertise, and Prototype base stats, while Global PvP Balance still applies.
How does the Red Horizon Dark Zone rotation work?
One PvE and two PvP Dark Zones are available; Toxic and Balanced stay active while Blackout and Classic alternate weekly.
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