Helldivers 2's substantial 2025 update, patch 01.002.101, is now live, introducing significant gameplay adjustments and bug fixes. This over 5GB patch enhances spray weapon gas duration (from 6 to 10 seconds), restores emoting during flight or ragdoll states, and implements numerous balance changes.
Approaching its first anniversary, Helldivers 2 continues its engaging Galactic War narrative with the recent addition of the Illuminate faction. The update's considerable size suggests potential unannounced content additions beyond the documented changes.
A particularly noteworthy fix addresses a perplexing visual glitch involving the Stalker's tongue (the developers remain tight-lipped on the specifics of this repair).
Helldivers 2 Update 01.002.101 Patch Notes:
Balancing:
- General Changes: Spray weapon gas duration increased 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 tuned for improved cornering.
- Sidearms: Starting magazines increased to 3; spare magazines increased to 5.
- Stratagem Support Weapons (TX-41 Sterilizer): Crosshair drift and camera climb recoil reduced. Gas duration increased to 10 seconds.
- Armor Passives (Siege Ready): A bug granting extra ammo to all weapons (not just primaries) remains unfixed, pending further evaluation. The Armory description will be updated accordingly.
- Backpacks (AX/TX-13 “Guard Dog”): Reworked for improved effectiveness, focusing on gas-based mechanics. Ammo preservation implemented by prioritizing non-gassed enemies. Targeting logic refined to prevent excessive roaming; range increased to 20m. Gas duration increased to 10 seconds.
- Stratagems (MD-6, MD-I4, MD-17 Anti-Personnel/Incendiary/Tank Mines): Cooldown reduced to 120 seconds. Damage increased significantly. Deployment spread increased to minimize 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 in Illuminate 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, emotes, fires, drop-in sequences, weapon reloading, armory interactions, tutorial completion, extraction, projectile fire, and objective carry.
- Social & Matchmaking: Matchmaking improved for regional proximity. Difficulty lobby matching enhanced. Chat history preservation fixed.
- Weapons & Stratagems: Emplacement retention during text chat. 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. Melee weapon physics adjusted. B-1 Supply Pack stim sharing restored. Heat weapon visual bug fixed.
- FRV: FRV reinforcement to prevent minor impact explosions. Camera improvements. Rooftop drops reduced. Non-QWERTY keyboard input support added. Enemy launch distance adjusted.
- Helldiver: Ragdoll interaction with FRV fixed. Civilian car traversal improved. Ragdoll ground sliding fixed. Stuck prone gliding animation fixed. Pickup animation issues resolved.
- Enemies: Stalker tongue visual bug fixed. Enemy reaction to missed shots improved.
- Miscellaneous: Various audio, civilian pathing, visual, and damage feedback fixes.
Known Issues:
- Top Priority: Black box terminal clipping. Stratagem ball unpredictability. DSSPathfinding. Dolby Atmos PS5 compatibility.
- Medium Priority: Pelican-1 extraction issues. Explosive ragdolling. Cape display issues. "This is Democracy" emote unintended consequences. Guard Dog ammo indicator. Barrager Tank stats. LAS-5 Scythe zoom. Charge-up weapon firing rate.
This update significantly enhances the Helldivers 2 experience, addressing many player concerns and introducing gameplay refinements. However, several known issues remain to be addressed in future patches.
