Helldivers 2 Update Enhances Player Expression and Balances Gameplay

Helldivers 2's substantial 2025 update, patch 01.002.101, is now live, introducing significant gameplay adjustments and bug fixes. This over 5GB patch, released near the game's first anniversary and the introduction of the Illuminate faction, has sparked speculation about potential hidden additions beyond the documented changes.

Key improvements include extended gas duration from spray weapons and the restoration of emoting while airborne or ragdolling. The patch notes detail extensive balancing changes and bug fixes across various game elements.

Notable Changes & Fixes (Patch 01.002.101):

Balancing:

• General: Increased gas duration from spray weapons (6 to 10 seconds); implemented a despawn timer for Illuminate dropship wreckage.
• Helldiver: Jogging permitted while carrying two-handed items.
• FRV (Fast Response Vehicle): Grenade and stratagem deployment while leaning; improved cornering handling.
• Sidearms: Increased starting and spare magazines.
• TX-41 Sterilizer (Stratagem Support Weapon): Reduced recoil; increased gas duration.
• Siege Ready Armor Passive: A bug granting extra ammo to all weapons (not just primaries) remains unfixed, pending further evaluation.
• AX/TX-13 “Guard Dog” Dog Breath (Backpack): Reworked for improved effectiveness, prioritizing gas-unaffected enemies; increased targeting range (10 to 20m); increased gas duration.
• MD-6, MD-I4, MD-17 Mines (Stratagems): Reduced cooldowns; increased damage; increased mine spread.
• SH-20 Ballistic Shield Backpack: Now blocks melee attacks.

Fixes:

• Top Priority: Restored emoting while ragdolling/falling; fixed Illuminate spawner ship vulnerabilities; health packs fully restore stims; high-damage weapons now detonate Hellbombs.
• Crash Fixes: Addressed numerous crashes related to mission aborts, hot-joining, emotes, fires, loading, and armory interactions.
• Social & Matchmaking: Improved matchmaking regionality; fixed chat history clearing issue.
• Weapons & Stratagems: Resolved emplacement/chat interaction issues; fixed Arc weapon accuracy; corrected E/AT-12 armor penetration tag; prevented stratagem turret targeting of Tesla Towers; addressed melee weapon physics; restored B-1 Supply Pack stim functionality; FRV physics and camera improvements.
• Helldiver: Fixed ragdolling issues, climbing/vaulting limitations, and animation glitches.
• Enemies: Fixed Stalker tongue visual bug; improved enemy reaction to missed attacks.
• Miscellaneous: Addressed various audio, visual, and gameplay glitches.

Known Issues:

• Top Priority: Mission terminal clipping; stratagem ball physics; DSSP pathfinding; Dolby Atmos on PS5.
• Medium Priority: Pelican-1 extraction issues; explosive ragdolling; cape display; "This is Democracy" emote bug; AX/TX-13 ammo indicator; Barrager Tank stats; LAS-5 Scythe zoom; charge-up weapon firing rate.

This update significantly enhances the Helldivers 2 experience, addressing player concerns and adding refinements to gameplay mechanics. The community awaits further details on any potential unannounced content included in this substantial patch.