Helldivers 2 Update: 100+ Fixes, Weapon Buffs, Balance Changes
Arrowhead Game Studios has deployed a colossal new update for Helldivers 2, Patch 01.000.400, aiming to refine the galactic war effort with a focus on balance, stability, and quality-of-life improvements. Released on June 13, 2024, the update introduces an extensive list of over 100 changes, tweaks, and bug fixes, all designed to make the moment-to-moment combat feel more consistent and rewarding for soldiers of Super Earth.
In the official patch notes, the development team stated a core goal was to make the game "less punishing" in certain situations while enhancing the viability of underused weapons and stratagems. This philosophy is evident throughout the patch, which touches nearly every aspect of the game, from individual weapon stats to the frequency of planetary hazards. Let's dive into the most significant changes landing on the battlefield.
Key Weapon and Balance Adjustments
A major focus of this update is rebalancing the arsenal available to Helldivers, buffing several weapons to make them more competitive choices. Arrowhead's approach appears to be lifting underperforming gear rather than nerfing popular options, a move likely to be celebrated by the community.
- AR-61 Tenderizer: This assault rifle has received a significant fire rate increase, boosting it from 300 rpm to a much faster 450 rpm, along with a modest increase in its maximum magazine count.
- CB-9 Exploding Crossbow: The crossbow now boasts a slightly larger explosion radius and increased stagger strength, making it more effective at crowd control. Furthermore, a bug that caused bolts to disappear has been squashed.
- LAS-99 Quasar Cannon & RS-422 Railgun: Both of these powerful support weapons have had their recharge time decreased by 5 seconds, allowing Helldivers to bring them to bear on high-value targets more frequently.
- SG-8S Slugger: A previous change that reduced its stagger has been reverted, restoring the weapon's powerful stopping ability.
- PLAS-101 Purifier: This energy weapon now has a slightly larger projectile, making it easier to land shots on mobile enemies.
- R-36 Eruptor: The shrapnel from the Eruptor's explosion will no longer cause damage to the Helldiver who fired it, preventing frustrating self-eliminations.
Beyond individual weapons, a major universal change has been implemented: all shotguns now have an increased stagger value, reinforcing their role as close-quarters powerhouses capable of stopping charging enemies in their tracks.
Stratagem Overhauls and Sentry Tweaks
Stratagems are the lifeblood of any mission, and several have been adjusted to improve their performance and reliability. Notably, the Patriot Exosuit and various Sentry turrets have received welcome attention.
The A/MLS-4X Rocket Sentry will now prioritize larger, more dangerous targets, preventing it from wasting its powerful rockets on smaller, less threatening enemies. Similarly, the Patriot Exosuit's rockets will now penetrate armor on par with the EAT-17 and Recoilless Rifle, making the mech a more effective anti-tank platform.
Additional Sentry changes include an increased health pool for the Gatling Sentry and a corrected damage value for the Mortar Sentry, ensuring it performs as intended against heavily armored foes like Bile Titans and Factory Striders.
A Less Punishing Battlefield Environment
One of the most significant quality-of-life improvements comes from the tuning of planetary hazards. Many players have noted the overwhelming frequency of these environmental threats, which could often stack and create nearly impossible situations. Arrowhead has directly addressed this feedback.
The spawn rates for many hazards, including meteor showers and tremors, have been significantly reduced. Furthermore, the range and lethality of some environmental dangers have been tweaked. For example, the voltage spikes from lightning strikes have been reduced, and the effective range of volcanic rock showers is now smaller. These changes aim to keep missions challenging without feeling unfairly punishing due to random environmental events.
A War on Bugs: Over 100 Fixes Deployed
This update is one of the largest to date in terms of pure bug squashing. Over 100 documented fixes address issues ranging from minor visual glitches to major game-breaking crashes. While the full list is extensive, some of the most critical fixes include:
- Resolved multiple crash instances related to patrol spawning, enemy pathing, and player loadouts.
- Fixed a major issue where Super Samples would not spawn on difficulties 7 and up.
- Addressed a bug preventing the extraction shuttle from landing if the area was covered in Bile Titan corpses.
- Corrected inconsistent damage values on several weapons and stratagems.
- Fixed an issue where players could get stuck in the landing animation after deploying from a Hellpod.
- Player capes and armor will no longer clip through the Pelican-1 during the extraction sequence.
These fixes, combined with dozens of others, are geared toward creating a much smoother and more stable gameplay experience for all players.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the latest Helldivers 2 patch?
The latest major update is Patch 01.000.400, which was released on June 13, 2024.
Did this patch nerf any major weapons?
No, the primary focus of the balance changes in Patch 01.000.400 was to buff underperforming weapons and stratagems. No significant nerfs to popular loadout choices were included.
What are the biggest changes in the new update?
The biggest changes include significant buffs to weapons like the Tenderizer and Exploding Crossbow, a reduction in the frequency and intensity of planetary hazards like meteor showers, and over 100 individual bug fixes to improve game stability.
Is the Super Sample bug fixed?
Yes, Arrowhead has confirmed that the bug preventing Super Samples from spawning correctly on higher difficulties has been resolved in this patch.