Helldivers 2 to Receive Major Armor Penetration Overhaul in September Update
Helldivers 2 has been a hit since its release, but one aspect of the game has left many players frustrated: the heavily armored automatons. Unlike the more enjoyable Terminid encounters, missions featuring automatons often feel like an uphill battle. The issue? The armored enemies are tough to crack, while Helldivers’ arsenal offers few reliable tools to punch through them. However, that’s all about to change. Arrowhead Studios has announced a sweeping overhaul to combat balance set to arrive on September 17, 2024, as part of its 60-day update plan.
In a recent Steam news post, Arrowhead outlined its intentions to revamp the game’s armor penetration mechanics. The upcoming patch will feature an “initial balancing pass” aimed at adjusting the armor penetration values for over 30 weapons and stratagems. The goal is to increase loadout versatility, ensuring that players have more effective tools at their disposal without being forced into retreat because their anti-armor gear is on cooldown.
“Weapons such as the Autocannon, Heavy Machine Gun, and Anti-Material Rifle will be more effective, providing greater loadout versatility,” Arrowhead said in the announcement. The update will also bring improvements to flamethrowers, making them more viable in combat against armored foes.
Enemy adjustments are another key part of the patch. Automaton armor values will be reduced across the board, meaning players won’t need the heaviest firepower to deal with tougher enemies like Hulks. Rocket-launching enemies will also fire fewer missiles, allowing players to stay on their feet more often instead of being knocked across the map. Even armored bugs, such as chargers, impalers, and bile titans, will have their armor values softened.
Arrowhead emphasized that these changes are rooted in player feedback. “We are fully committed to ensuring Helldivers 2 meets the high standards we all expect,” the studio stated, acknowledging the importance of Steam reviews and other community input.
The patch will also mark Helldivers 2‘s first foray into pre-patch beta testing. Arrowhead has already conducted closed beta tests over the past two weekends to fine-tune the changes, and the studio is looking to expand its playtests for future updates. “We’re starting small to ensure everything runs smoothly before expanding,” Arrowhead said. “These tests have been a testbed for the program, and we intend to invite a wider variety of testers in future updates.”
With the upcoming balance changes, Helldivers 2 fans can look forward to a more enjoyable experience, especially when battling the dreaded automatons. Arrowhead’s commitment to refining the game based on player feedback is a positive sign for the future of the franchise.
