Arrowhead has released the first major update of 2025 for Helldivers 2, introducing significant changes and enhancements to the game. Patch 01.002.101 is now available, featuring an extended duration for the gas status effect from spray weapons, the reintroduction of emoting while flying or ragdolling, and numerous balance adjustments and bug fixes.
As Helldivers 2 approaches its first anniversary, the addition of the Illuminate enemy faction has revitalized the gameplay experience. Players are eagerly anticipating the next developments in the Galactic War's ongoing narrative. There's also speculation that this hefty 5GB update might include hidden content alongside the announced changes and fixes.
One particularly intriguing fix in this update is the correction of a visual bug with the Stalker's tongue, humorously noted for its challenging resolution.
Here are the detailed patch notes for Helldivers 2 update 01.002.101:
Balancing
General Changes
- The duration of the gas status effect from spray weapons has been increased from 6 to 10 seconds.
- Implemented a timer for the Illuminate dropship wreckages to despawn, preventing them from obstructing paths in the colonies.
Helldiver
- The Ministry of Humanity has updated its Principles of Correct Posture for Safe Lifting, allowing Helldivers to jog while carrying two-handed items such as barrels and SEAF Artillery Rounds.
FRV
- Helldivers can now deploy grenades and stratagems while leaning out from the FRV.
- Tuned FRV handling for a smoother driving experience when cornering.
Sidearms
- Starting magazines increased from 2 to 3.
- Spare magazines increased from 4 to 5.
Stratagem Support Weapons
- TX-41 Sterilizer
- Removed the crosshair drift recoil.
- Decreased the camera climb recoil.
- The duration of the gas status effect from spray weapons has been increased from 6 to 10 seconds.
Armor Passives
- Following player feedback, the bug with the Siege Ready Armor Passive, which provides more ammo to all magazine-based weapons instead of just primary weapons, will not be fixed. The Armory description will be updated, and the team is evaluating any additional unforeseen bugs.
Backpacks
- AX/TX-13 “Guard Dog” Dog Breath
- Reworked to increase effectiveness and maintain its unique gas-based mechanics.
- It will now preserve ammo by targeting only enemies unaffected by the gas status effect.
- The targeting logic has been adjusted to prevent the drone from roaming too far, using the Helldiver's position as the origin.
- Targeting range increased from 10 to 20 meters.
- The duration of the gas status effect from spray weapons has been increased from 6 to 10 seconds.
Stratagems
- MD-6 Anti-Personnel Minefield
- Cooldown decreased from 180 to 120 seconds.
- Damage increased from 350 to 700.
- Deployment spread of mines increased by 20% to minimize the risk of chain explosions.
- MD-I4 Incendiary Mines
- Cooldown decreased from 180 to 120 seconds.
- Damage increased from 210 to 300.
- Deployment spread of mines increased by 20% to minimize the risk of chain explosions.
- MD-17 Anti-Tank Mines
- Cooldown decreased from 180 to 120 seconds.
- SH-20 Ballistic Shield Backpack
- Now blocks melee attacks until it breaks from taking enough damage.
Fixes
Resolved Top Priority issues:
- Helldivers can once again emote while falling or ragdolling without reducing fall damage.
- Fixed Illuminate spawner ship shields not taking impact grenade damage.
- Fixed collision gaps inside the Illuminate spawner ship, allowing grenades to destroy the ship when thrown near the door.
- Health packs now fully restore all of the Helldiver's stims.
- High damage weapons now detonate spawned Hellbombs on the map.
Crash Fixes, Hangs and Soft-locks:
- Fixed crashes related to aborting missions with active Democracy Space Station effects, hot-joining missions on planets with the Democracy Space Station, quickly switching emotes, fires, and various other scenarios.
- Addressed soft-locks during drop-in when the host left or disconnected, and other specific gameplay conditions.
Social Issues & Matchmaking
- Improved matchmaking logic to better match players with nearby regions and similar difficulty lobbies.
- Fixed issues with chat history and switching to weapons from emplacements.
Weapons and Stratagems
- Addressed various issues with weapons, stratagems, and their interactions with the game environment and enemies.
FRV
- Reinforced FRVs to prevent catastrophic explosions from minor parking mishaps.
- Improved FRV camera and movement, reducing the chance of getting stuck and enhancing the overall driving experience.
Helldiver
- Fixed various issues related to player movement, ragdolling, and interactions with the game environment.
Enemies
- Fixed a small visual bug with the Stalker’s tongue and an issue where enemies wouldn’t react to missed shots.
Miscellaneous Fixes
- Addressed various audio, animation, and gameplay bugs to enhance the overall player experience.
Known Issues
Top Priority:
- Black box mission terminal may be unusable if it spawns clipped into the ground.
- Stratagem balls bounce unpredictably off cliffs and some spots.
- Balancing and functionality adjustments for DSS.
- Pathfinding issues in Evacuate Colonists Illuminate missions.
- Dolby Atmos does not work on PS5.
Medium Priority:
- Players can get stuck on Pelican-1’s ramp during extraction.
- Explosives can cause Helldivers hidden behind terrain to ragdoll.
- Currently equipped capes don't display properly and show a blank grey cape in Armory tab.
- Players using the “This is Democracy” emote on their ship might unintentionally send fellow Helldivers on unscheduled spacewalks.
- AX/TX-13 “Guard Dog” Dog Breath does not show when it is out of ammo.
- The Barrager Tanks turret has armor 0 and no weak spots.
- Higher zoom functions do not zoom the camera in through the scope on the LAS-5 Scythe.
- Weapons with a Charge-up mechanic can exhibit unintended behavior when firing faster than the RPM limit.
