Arrowhead Game Studios has rolled out Patch 01.004.000 for Helldivers 2, a significant update that introduces Hive Worlds, complete with randomly generated cave systems and fresh mission types. Players can expect to face new insectoid threats, from the acid-spewing Rupture Spewer to the airborne Dragonroach, each designed to challenge squads in unique ways. The update also includes surface features like acid lakes and destructible cave walls, providing a more dynamic battlefield.
On the gameplay side, balance adjustments have unified projectile damage values across non-explosive orbitals and reworked stun explosions to apply more consistently without ragdolling allies. Fixes cover a broad range of issues, from rare crashes and weapon audio errors to mission objectives and enemy pathing glitches. Smaller details, such as improved chat animations and corrected visual effects, further polish the overall experience.
Full Patch Notes
New Additions
- Hive Worlds:
- Randomly generated giant cave systems with destructible walls.
- Acid lakes, bug spires, and cave roof openings for stratagem drops.
- Missions include destroying Spore Lungs, controlling the GATER oil rig, and resource extraction.
- New Enemies:
- Rupture Spewer: Emerges to spread corrosive acid and consumes its dead.
- Rupture Warrior: Mutated Terminid with burrowing tendencies.
- Rupture Charger: Tunnels underground, emerging to attack symbols of Liberty.
- Dragonroach: A flying enemy that attacks with combustible acid from above.
Balancing
- Unified non-explosive orbitals to match Orbital Gas values.
- Orbital Smoke: Damage 0 → 300, AP 0 → 7, Demolition 30 → 50.
- Orbital E.M.S: Damage 250 → 300, AP 3 → 7, Demolition 30 → 50.
- Unified stun explosions to apply stun on impact.
- Orbital E.M.S, Mortar E.M.S: Adjusted to stagger enemies without ragdolling players.
- Throwables and stratagems updated for stagger and impulse.
- Stun Grenade: Stagger strength 0 → 50.
- Urchin: Stagger impulse 15 → 0.
- Orbital E.M.S, Mortar E.M.S, Stun Hellpod: Stagger strength increased, impulse reduced.
Fixes
- Crashes & Softlocks:
- Fixed rare crashes with MA5C AR, hot-joining, and backpack drops.
- Weapons & Stratagems:
- Fixed GUARD DOG ROVER audio, weapon reverb, and Hellpod targeting.
- GL-52 De-Escalator stratagem input corrected.
- Motivational Shocks Booster no longer affects enemies.
- Fixed WASP Launcher firemode issue and guidance system targeting errors.
- Enemies:
- Automaton dropships now drop safely without self-damage.
- Improved Automaton city outpost pathing.
- Reduced Illuminate warp issues.
- Missions:
- Fixed city evacuation objectives, ghost objectives, and Sabotage Airbase dropship issues.
- Corrected Charger pathing near bug rocks.
- Miscellaneous:
- Fixed flickering shadows, odd movement after falls, and typing animations.
- Adreno-Defibrillator now affects Helldivers in combat walkers.
- Fixed Hellbombs appearing to explode twice when damaged.
Helldivers 2 is a cooperative third-person shooter developed by Arrowhead Game Studios and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Released on February 8, 2024, for PlayStation 5 and Windows, it later expanded to Xbox Series X/S on August 26, 2025, marking Sony’s first title on the platform. Set in the 22nd century, the game continues the story of the Helldivers as they spread managed democracy across the galaxy. By 2025, it sold over 15 million copies and was widely acclaimed as one of the standout releases of 2024.
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