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 to 10 seconds, restores emoting during flight or ragdolling, and implements numerous balance changes.
With the game approaching its first anniversary and the introduction of the Illuminate faction, players are eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the Galactic War narrative. The update's substantial size hints at potential unannounced content additions beyond the documented changes.
A noteworthy, albeit bizarre, fix deserves mention: a visual glitch affecting the Stalker's tongue has been resolved (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 from 6 to 10 seconds. A despawn timer for Illuminate dropship wreckage has been added to prevent path obstructions.
- Helldiver: Jogging while carrying two-handed items (barrels, SEAF Artillery Rounds) is now permitted.
- FRV: Grenade and stratagem deployment while leaning from the FRV is now possible. FRV handling, particularly cornering, has been improved.
- 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 the 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. The Armory description will be updated later.
- Backpacks (AX/TX-13 “Guard Dog”): Reworked for improved effectiveness, focusing on gas-based mechanics. Ammo conservation is now prioritized by targeting only non-gassed enemies. Targeting logic prevents excessive roaming, originating from the Helldiver's position. Targeting range increased from 10 to 20 meters. Spray weapon gas duration increased (mirroring the general change).
- Stratagems (MD-6 Anti-Personnel, MD-I4 Incendiary, MD-17 Anti-Tank Mines): Cooldown reduced to 120 seconds (from 180). Damage increased. Mine deployment spread increased by 20% to reduce chain explosions.
- SH-20 Ballistic Shield Backpack: Now blocks melee attacks until destroyed.
Fixes:
- Top Priority: Emoting is re-enabled during falls/ragdolling (without fall damage reduction). Illuminate spawner ship shields now take impact grenade damage. Collision gaps in Illuminate spawner ships are fixed. Health packs fully restore stims. High-damage weapons now detonate Hellbombs.
- Crash Fixes: Numerous crash fixes addressing various scenarios (mission abort, hot-joining, emote switching, fire, drop-in, reloading, armor changes, tutorial completion, extraction, projectile fire, objective carrying, text language changes, SG-20 Halt reloading).
- Social & Matchmaking: Matchmaking improved for regional proximity. Difficulty lobby matching is now more consistent. Chat history preservation is fixed.
- Weapons & Stratagems: Emplacement retention during text chat is fixed. Arc weapon accuracy against Impaler tentacles improved. E/AT-12 Anti-Tank Emplacement armor penetration tag corrected. Stratagem turrets no longer target Illuminate Tesla Towers. Heat weapon visual bug in weapon wheel fixed. Melee weapon physics adjusted. B-1 Supply Pack stim sharing restored.
- FRV: FRV reinforcement to prevent minor impact explosions. FRV camera improvements for visual appeal and underground avoidance. Reduced rooftop drops on FRV call-in. Non-QWERTY keyboard support added. Enemy launch distance adjusted.
- Helldiver: Ragdolling into FRV no longer causes vehicle ejection. Civilian car vaulting/climbing fixed. Post-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 other miscellaneous fixes.
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, "This is Democracy" emote unintended consequences, Guard Dog ammo display, Barrager Tank stats, LAS-5 Scythe zoom, charge-up weapon firing behavior.
This update represents a significant step towards improving the Helldivers 2 experience. However, several known issues remain to be addressed in future patches.
