Arrowhead has just rolled out the first major update of 2025 for *Helldivers 2*, bringing a host of significant changes to enhance gameplay and address player feedback. Patch 01.002.101 is now live, and it's packed with updates that are sure to impact your experience in the Galactic War.
This update increases the duration of the gas status effect from spray weapons, reintroduces the ability to emote while flying or ragdolling, and includes numerous balance changes and fixes. As *Helldivers 2* approaches its first anniversary, the introduction of the Illuminate enemy faction has reinvigorated the game, prompting players to speculate on future developments in the meta narrative. The substantial 5GB size of this update has also fueled rumors of hidden new content alongside the announced changes.
One particularly intriguing change is the fix for a small visual bug with the Stalker’s tongue. The developers humorously noted that you probably don't want to know the details of how they managed to resolve this issue!
Helldivers 2 Update 01.002.101 Patch Notes:
-------------------------------------------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 added a clause to 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 are now authorized to 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 gives more ammo to all magazine-based weapons instead of just primary weapons, will not be fixed. The Armory description will be updated to reflect this, but for now, the team is evaluating if it causes any unforeseen bugs.
Backpacks
- AX/TX-13 “Guard Dog” Dog Breath
- Reworked to increase effectiveness and maintain its unique gas-based mechanics.
- Will now preserve ammo by targeting only enemies unaffected by the gas status effect.
- Targeting logic reworked to prevent the drone from roaming too far, with the origin of targeting now based on the Helldiver's position rather than the drone itself.
- 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:
- You can once again emote while falling or ragdolling without reducing fall damage, allowing for more expressive gameplay.
- Fixed Illuminate spawner ship shields not taking impact grenade damage.
- Resolved an issue with collision gaps inside the Illuminate spawner ship, allowing grenades thrown near the door to destroy the ships.
- Health packs now fully restore all of the Helldiver's stims.
- High damage weapons will now detonate spawned Hellbombs on the map.
Crash Fixes, Hangs, and Soft-locks:
- Fixed crashes related to aborting missions with the Democracy Space Station effects, hot-joining missions, quickly switching emotes, and other scenarios.
- Reduced the chance for crashes caused by fires.
- Fixed soft-locks during drop-in when the host leaves or disconnects.
- Resolved crashes related to changing armor, finishing the tutorial, extraction, and more.
Social Issues & Matchmaking
- Improved matchmaking logic to better match players with nearby regions and the same difficulty lobbies.
- Fixed an issue where the chat history was cleared when going to and returning from a mission.
Weapons and Stratagems
- Resolved various issues with emplacements, Arc weapons, stratagem turrets, heat weapons, melee weapons, and the B-1 Supply Pack.
- Fixed bugs related to the E/AT-12 Anti-Tank Emplacement and other weapons.
FRV
- Reinforced FRVs to prevent catastrophic explosions from minor parking mishaps.
- Improved FRV camera and movement, reducing the chance of getting stuck underground or dropped on rooftops.
- Fixed bugs related to enemy interactions and movement key bindings.
Helldiver
- Fixed issues related to ragdolling, climbing, vaulting, and animations.
Enemies
- Fixed a visual bug with the Stalker’s tongue and an issue where enemies didn't react to missed shots.
Miscellaneous Fixes
- Resolved issues with audio, hellpod exiting, civilian movement during missions, and visual bugs.
- Fixed the floating head syndrome with the AC-2 Obedient armor and a bug introduced in December affecting weapon damage.
- Enemies will now sink into the ground when killed near terminals or extraction points.
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 certain spots.
- Balancing and functionality adjustments needed 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 in the Armory tab.
- The "This is Democracy" emote can cause unauthorized spacewalks.
- AX/TX-13 “Guard Dog” Dog Breath ammo display issue.
- Barrager Tanks turret armor and weak spots need addressing.
- Higher zoom functions and weapons with a Charge-up mechanic have issues.
