Helldivers 2's substantial 2025 update, patch 01.002.101, is now live, bringing significant gameplay enhancements and bug fixes. This over 5GB patch introduces several key changes, including extended gas duration from spray weapons and the return of emoting during ragdolling or flight. The update also incorporates numerous balance adjustments and fixes, leading some players to speculate about the inclusion of hidden new content.
One particularly noteworthy fix, albeit a cryptic one, addresses a visual glitch with 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: Increased gas duration from spray weapons (6 to 10 seconds). Implemented a despawn timer for Illuminate dropship wrecks 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: Increased starting magazines (2 to 3) and spare magazines (4 to 5).
- Stratagem Support Weapons (TX-41 Sterilizer): Removed crosshair drift recoil and decreased camera climb recoil. Gas duration increase (6 to 10 seconds).
- Armor Passives (Siege Ready): A bug granting extra ammo to all weapons (not just primaries) will remain unfixed for now, pending further evaluation. The Armory description will be updated later.
- Backpacks (AX/TX-13 “Guard Dog” Dog Breath): Reworked for improved effectiveness, focusing on gas mechanics. Ammo preservation by prioritizing non-gassed enemies. Targeting logic refined, originating from the Helldiver's position, with increased range (10 to 20 meters). Gas duration increase (6 to 10 seconds).
- Stratagems (MD-6 Anti-Personnel Minefield, MD-I4 Incendiary Mines, MD-17 Anti-Tank Mines): Cooldown reduced (180 to 120 seconds). Damage increased. Deployment spread increased to reduce chain explosions.
- SH-20 Ballistic Shield Backpack: Now blocks melee attacks until destroyed.
Fixes:
- Top Priority: Emoting restored during ragdolling/falling (without affecting fall damage). Illuminate spawner ship shields now take impact grenade damage. Collision gaps in Illuminate spawner ships fixed. Health packs fully restore stims. High-damage weapons now detonate spawned Hellbombs.
- Crash Fixes: Numerous crash fixes related to mission aborts, hot-joining, emotes, fires, drop-in sequences, reloading, armor changes, tutorial completion, extraction, projectile fire, carrying objectives, text language changes, and SG-20 Halt reloading.
- Social & Matchmaking: Improved matchmaking for regional proximity. Matching with preferred difficulty lobbies improved. 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 will no longer target Illuminate Tesla Towers. Fixed visual bug with heat weapon progress bars. Melee weapon physics adjusted. B-1 Supply Pack stim sharing restored.
- FRV: FRV reinforcement to prevent minor impact explosions. FRV camera improvements. Reduced rooftop FRV drops. FRV keybindings support non-QWERTY keyboards. Enemy launch distance adjusted.
- Helldiver: Fixed issues with ragdolling into FRVs, civilian cars, and water. Ragdoll sliding and animation fixes.
- Enemies: Stalker tongue visual bug fixed. Enemy reaction to missed shots improved.
- Miscellaneous: Various audio, civilian pathing, visual (floating heads), and damage feedback fixes.
Known Issues:
- Top Priority: Black box terminal clipping, DSSPathfinding, Evacuate Colonists mission pathfinding, Dolby Atmos on PS5.
- Medium Priority: Pelican-1 extraction issues, explosive ragdolling, cape display, "This is Democracy" emote issue, Guard Dog ammo indicator, Barrager Tank stats, LAS-5 Scythe zoom, charge-up weapon firing.
This update represents a significant step forward for Helldivers 2, addressing player concerns and enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
