Arrowhead Game Studios has released a substantial new patch for Helldivers 2, version 1.003.000, marking a major evolution in gameplay with the addition of the long-anticipated Illuminate faction and a comprehensive weapon customization system. This update brings a suite of quality-of-life improvements, balancing adjustments, and bug fixes that refine nearly every aspect of combat and equipment, further deepening the experience for players devoted to the defense of Super Earth.
The highlight of this update is undoubtedly the introduction of new enemy types from the Illuminate faction—adding fresh combat dynamics through unique aerial and ground threats. Meanwhile, the new weapon customization system allows players to personalize firearms extensively, from attachments to visuals and performance-related components. A sweeping set of balance changes impacts everything from projectile behavior to melee stamina costs, with particular attention paid to SMGs, sidearms, and fire-based weaponry. The patch also revises the behavior of shrapnel-based weaponry and modifies the performance of key stratagems, backpacks, and enemy units to ensure better gameplay equilibrium.
Helldivers 2 Patch 1.003.000 Full Notes
Major Additions:
- Weapon Customization:
Players can now modify sights, muzzles, magazines, underbarrels, and colors of weapons. Configurations can be saved and swapped between missions. - New Illuminate Enemies Introduced:
- Stingray: Aerial threat delivering strafing runs.
- Crescent Overseer: Launches barrages at hidden Helldivers.
- Fleshmob: Mutated bio-force composed of failed Voteless experiments.
Balance Changes:
General Weapon Systems:
- Spread Reduction for SMGs and sidearms to improve firing accuracy.
- Increased Drag for pistol-caliber weapons, reducing their long-range effectiveness.
- Adjusted Sway based on weapon ergonomics and type.
- Melee Stamina Cost Reduced from 0.1 to 0.05 across all melee weapons.
- Shrapnel Adjustments:
- Now disperses in a 360-degree pattern.
- Reduced armor penetration at poor angles.
- Increased shrapnel count for grenades and autocannons.
- Fire Damage Overhaul:
- Fire and burn damage now scale with enemy size.
- Larger enemies are more resistant to ignition.
- Increased magazine capacity for flamethrowers.
Weapon-Specific Adjustments:
Primary Weapons:
- Most Liberator variants and SMGs received significant spread reductions.
- SMG-37 Defender, SMG-72 Pummeler, and MP-98 Knight: Drag increased to 0.6; Sway increased to 1.2.
- R-36 Eruptor:
- Improved ergonomics and sway.
- Increased fire rate.
- Exploit fixed that bypassed reload animation.
Sidearms:
- GP-31 Ultimatum:
- Explosion damage doubled.
- Projectile damage reduced.
- Demolition strength reduced; now affected by Hellpod Optimization Booster.
- Spread decreased and sway slightly increased for most other pistols.
Stratagems:
- RS-422 Railgun: Spread drastically reduced.
- FLAM-40 Flamethrower: Magazine increased by 30%.
Backpacks:
- LIFT-850 Jump Pack: Reduced chance of ragdolling upon landing.
Eagle Support:
- 110mm Rockets: Improved armor penetration and stagger potential.
Enemy Adjustments:
- Automatons:
- Bunker Turret: Increased spread to 50.
- Gunship: Improved firepower and durability.
- Bulk Fabricator: Significantly increased health.
- Conscript Reloading Bug: Now only reloads when ammo is depleted.
- Terminids:
- Spore Spewers: Lower demolition rating.
- Illuminate:
- Warp Ships: Now easier to destroy post-shield with anti-tank weapons.
Fixes and Stability Improvements:
- Fixed multiple crash scenarios tied to mission deployment and chat input.
- Corrected visual and gameplay bugs:
- SMG-37 no longer triggers anti-tank mines.
- Laser weapon reload exploits removed.
- Visual flicker and passenger blood splatter issues resolved.
- Fixed camera lock when discarding MLS-4X Commando in ADS mode.
Helldivers 2 is available now for PC and PS5.
