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 durations, restores emoting during flight or ragdoll states, and implements numerous balance changes.
With the game approaching its first anniversary and the recent Illuminate faction introduction, speculation about the Galactic War's narrative future is rife. 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 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 enabled. FRV handling, particularly cornering, has been refined.
- 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 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 accordingly.
- Backpacks (AX/TX-13 “Guard Dog” Dog Breath): Reworked for improved effectiveness and unique gas-based mechanics. Ammo preservation is 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 general change).
- Stratagems (MD-6 Anti-Personnel, MD-I4 Incendiary, MD-17 Anti-Tank Mines): Cooldown reduced from 180 to 120 seconds. Damage increased (specific values noted in original patch notes). 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 while falling or ragdolling is restored (without fall damage reduction). Illuminate spawner ship shields now take impact grenade damage. Collision gaps within Illuminate spawner ships are fixed. Health packs fully restore stims. High-damage weapons 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, carryable objectives, text language changes, and SG-20 Halt reloading are implemented.
- Social Issues & Matchmaking: Matchmaking improved for regional proximity. Matching with similar difficulty lobbies is prioritized. Chat history persistence is fixed.
- Weapons and Stratagems: Emplacement retention during text chat is fixed. Arc weapon accuracy against Impaler tentacles is improved. E/AT-12 Anti-Tank Emplacement armor penetration tag is corrected. Stratagem turrets no longer target Illuminate Tesla Towers. Heat weapon visual display is fixed. Melee weapon physics are adjusted. B-1 Supply Pack stim functionality is restored.
- FRV: FRV reinforcement prevents catastrophic explosions from minor impacts. FRV camera improvements enhance visuals and prevent underground sticking. Rooftop drops are reduced. Non-QWERTY keyboard input is supported. Enemy launch distance from FRV impacts is adjusted.
- Helldiver: Ragdolling into FRV no longer causes vehicle ejection. Climbing and vaulting over civilian cars is fixed. Post-ragdoll sliding is resolved. Stuck prone gliding animation is fixed. Missing sample pickup animations are added.
- Enemies: Stalker's tongue visual bug is fixed. Enemy reaction to missed shots is improved.
- Miscellaneous Fixes: Various audio, civilian pathing, visual, and damage-related issues are addressed.
Known Issues:
- Top Priority: Black box mission terminal clipping, DSSP pathfinding, Evacuate Colonists mission pathfinding, and Dolby Atmos functionality on PS5.
- Medium Priority: Pelican-1 extraction issues, explosive ragdolling, cape display, "This is Democracy" emote issue, Guard Dog ammo display, Barrager Tank stats, LAS-5 Scythe zoom, and charge-up weapon firing behavior.
This update significantly improves Helldivers 2's gameplay experience and stability. Players are encouraged to check the official patch notes for complete details.
