Helldivers 2 Update Brings Emotes, Balance Tweaks

Helldivers 2's substantial 2025 update, patch 01.002.101, is now live, introducing significant gameplay adjustments and bug fixes. This over 5GB patch increases spray weapon gas duration, restores emoting during flight or ragdoll states, and implements numerous balance changes.

Approaching its first anniversary, and with the recent addition of the Illuminate faction, players are eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the Galactic War's overarching narrative. The update's considerable size hints at potential unannounced content additions beyond the documented changes.

A particularly noteworthy fix addresses a perplexing visual glitch affecting the Stalker's tongue (details remain undisclosed).

Helldivers 2 Update 01.002.101 Patch Notes:

Balancing:

• General Changes: Spray weapon gas duration increased from 6 to 10 seconds. A despawn timer added for Illuminate dropship wreckage to prevent path obstructions.
• Helldiver: Jogging while carrying two-handed items (barrels, SEAF Artillery Rounds) is now permitted.
• FRV: Grenade and stratagem deployment authorized while leaning from the FRV. FRV handling improved for better cornering.
• Sidearms: Starting magazines increased from 2 to 3; spare magazines increased from 4 to 5.
• Stratagem Support Weapons (TX-41 Sterilizer): Crosshair drift and camera climb recoil reduced. Spray weapon gas duration increased (mirroring general change).
• Armor Passives (Siege Ready): A bug granting extra ammo to all weapons (not just primaries as intended) remains unfixed for now, pending further evaluation. Armory description will be updated later.
• Backpacks (AX/TX-13 “Guard Dog”): Reworked for improved effectiveness, focusing on gas-based mechanics. Ammo conservation implemented by prioritizing non-gassed enemies. Targeting logic refined to prevent excessive roaming, originating from the Helldiver's position (not the drone). Targeting range increased from 10m to 20m. Spray weapon gas duration increased (mirroring general change).
• Stratagems (MD-6, MD-I4, MD-17 Anti-Personnel/Incendiary/Tank Mines): Cooldown reduced from 180 to 120 seconds. Damage increased (values vary per mine type). Deployment spread increased by 20% to reduce chain explosions.
• SH-20 Ballistic Shield Backpack: Now blocks melee attacks until destroyed.

Fixes:

• Top Priority: Emoting restored during falls/ragdolls (without fall damage reduction). Illuminate spawner ship shields now vulnerable to impact grenades. Collision gaps within Illuminate spawner ships fixed. Health packs fully restore stims. High-damage weapons now detonate Hellbombs.
• Crash Fixes: Numerous crash fixes implemented, addressing issues related to mission aborts, hot-joining, emote switching, fires, drop-in sequences, reloading, armory interactions, tutorial completion, extraction, projectile fire, and various other scenarios.
• Social & Matchmaking: Matchmaking improved for regional proximity. Difficulty lobby matching enhanced. Chat history preservation fixed.
• Weapons & Stratagems: Emplacement retention during text chat fixed. Arc weapon accuracy improved against Impaler tentacles. E/AT-12 Anti-Tank Emplacement armor penetration tag corrected. Stratagem turrets no longer target Illuminate Tesla Towers. Heat weapon visual bug fixed. Melee weapon physics adjusted. B-1 Supply Pack stim sharing restored.
• FRV: FRV reinforced to prevent minor collisions from causing explosions. Camera improvements for visual appeal and underground avoidance. Rooftop drops reduced. Non-QWERTY keyboard input support added. Enemy launch distance adjusted.
• Helldiver: Ragdolling into FRV no longer causes vehicle launch. Civilian car vaulting/climbing restored. Post-ragdoll sliding fixed. Stuck prone gliding animation fixed. Missing pickup animations added.
• Enemies: Stalker's tongue visual bug fixed. Enemy reaction to missed shots improved.
• Miscellaneous: Various audio, civilian pathfinding, visual, and other miscellaneous fixes implemented.

Known Issues:

• Top Priority: Black box terminal clipping, DSSP pathfinding, Evacuate Colonists mission pathfinding, Dolby Atmos on PS5.
• Medium Priority: Pelican-1 extraction issues, explosive ragdolling, cape display, unauthorized spacewalks, Guard Dog ammo indicator, Barrager Tank stats, LAS-5 Scythe zoom, charge-up weapon firing rate.