Helldivers 2 has received a substantial update with version 7.0.0, developer Arrowhead announced. The patch introduces new Illuminate enemies, a previously unseen biome, and an increased level cap, among a host of other changes aimed at enhancing the player experience.
The update's narrative thrust centers on the Helldivers' fight against the Void, which now includes "new, hideously mutated organisms" emerging from the heart of the Illuminate scourge. These new threats are described as "ghoulish diversions wrought into existence by the Illuminate scourge to threaten our freedom."
Among the new enemy types are the Crusher, characterized as a relentless foe that regenerates while taking heavy damage and requires consistent, rapid engagement, and the Wretch, a nimble enemy that dodges and leaps, aiming to quickly dismantle players' weapons and resolve.
Players can also expect the addition of a new SEAF planet modifier. This modifier brings friendly Super Earth Armed Forces NPC troops into missions, equipped with new tools such as Stim pistols and Heavy Machine guns. These allied soldiers feature improved AI, weaponry, and updated visuals.
The Helldiver rank system has been expanded, raising the level cap from 150 to 300. This expansion includes 15 new ranks and titles, each accompanied by a unique icon.
Arrowhead has also implemented several quality-of-life changes based on community feedback. The GATER vehicle has received upgrades, including a more powerful engine for improved speed and handling. The R-2124 Constitution primary weapon now features stripper clip reloads when the magazine is empty. Furthermore, assisted reload mechanics have been reworked to reduce complexity, allowing Helldivers to initiate reloads more easily and enabling teammates to assist without requiring precise coordination.
Weapon balancing has also been addressed, with short magazine attachments receiving buffs. These buffs include increased spare and starting magazines for various primary and secondary weapons, such as the AR-23 Liberator, SMG-37 Defender, and SG-225 Breaker. Reload durations for some weapons, like the SMG/FLAM-34 Stoker, have also been decreased.
Stratagems have seen adjustments as well. The Eagle Napalm Airstrike now boasts an increased explosion radius and a more spread-out bomb pattern for wider area coverage. The MD-17 Anti-Tank Mines have had their demolition strength increased to better match their visual impact, allowing them to destroy larger structures like colony walls and bug holes.
Enemy behavior has also been refined. Hunters and their variants can now attack Forward Resupply Vehicles (FRVs) more consistently. Illuminate Veracitors, when fought by players using ballistic shields, will now cause ragdolling upon blocking an attack rather than unpredictable high-speed launches, though the ballistic shield will break after approximately 15 direct hits.
The update includes numerous bug fixes, addressing issues ranging from rare crashes during gameplay and mission loading to visual glitches with weapons, stratagems, and enemy models. Exo Suits and other vehicles have also seen improvements to prevent getting stuck and enhance their interaction with the environment. Additionally, optimizations have been made to gameplay VFX, image quality, and upscaling features for PC and PS5 Pro players. The long-awaited Helldivers 2 x Warhammer 40,000 crossover, the Castellan's Creed Legendary Warbond, also launches today.