Helldivers 2's substantial 2025 update, patch 01.002.101, is now live, introducing significant gameplay adjustments and bug fixes. This over 5GB patch, released near the game's first anniversary and the introduction of the Illuminate faction, has sparked speculation about potential hidden additions beyond the documented changes.

Key improvements include extended gas duration from spray weapons and the restoration of emoting while airborne or ragdolling. A particularly noteworthy (and strangely cryptic) fix addresses a visual glitch with the Stalker's tongue.

Patch Notes: 01.002.101

Balancing:

• General: Increased spray weapon gas duration to 10 seconds (from 6). Implemented a despawn timer for Illuminate dropship wreckage 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 enabled. FRV handling is improved, particularly during cornering.
• Sidearms: Increased starting magazines to 3 (from 2) and spare magazines to 5 (from 4).
• Stratagem Support Weapons (TX-41 Sterilizer): Removed crosshair drift and camera climb recoil. Increased gas duration to 10 seconds (from 6).
• Armor Passives (Siege Ready): A bug granting extra ammo to all weapons (not just primaries) remains unfixed for now, pending further evaluation. Armory description will be updated accordingly.
• Backpacks (AX/TX-13 “Guard Dog”): Reworked for improved effectiveness, focusing on gas mechanics. Ammo conservation is implemented by prioritizing non-gassed enemies. Targeting logic is refined, originating from the Helldiver's position, with increased range (20m from 10m). Gas duration increased to 10 seconds (from 6).
• Stratagems (MD-6, MD-I4, MD-17): Cooldown reduced to 120 seconds (from 180) and damage increased for all three mine types. 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 is restored during falls and ragdolling (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 now detonate 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, and various other scenarios are implemented.
• Social & Matchmaking: Improved matchmaking for regional proximity. Difficulty lobby matching is enhanced. Chat history persistence is fixed.
• Weapons & Stratagems: Emplacement use is improved. Arc weapon accuracy against Impaler tentacles is enhanced. E/AT-12 Anti-Tank Emplacement armor penetration tag is corrected. Stratagem turrets no longer target Illuminate Tesla Towers. Visual heat weapon display bug is fixed. Melee weapon physics are adjusted. B-1 Supply Pack stim functionality is restored.
• FRV: FRV durability is increased. FRV camera improvements are implemented. FRV deployment is adjusted. FRV keybindings support non-QWERTY keyboards. Enemy launch distance from FRV impacts is corrected.
• Helldiver: Ragdolling into FRV no longer causes vehicle ejection. Helldiver vaulting and climbing over cars is fixed. Ragdoll sliding is addressed. Stuck prone gliding animation is fixed. Missing pickup animations are restored.
• Enemies: Stalker tongue visual bug is fixed. Enemy reaction to missed shots is improved.
• Miscellaneous: Various audio, civilian pathfinding, visual (floating heads), and damage calculation bugs are fixed.

Known Issues:

• Top Priority: Black box terminal clipping, DSSP pathfinding, Evacuate Colonists mission pathfinding, Dolby Atmos on PS5.
• Medium Priority: Pelican-1 extraction issues, explosive ragdolling, cape display, "This is Democracy" emote bug, Guard Dog ammo indicator, Barrager Tank stats, LAS-5 Scythe zoom, charge-up weapon firing behavior.

This update represents a significant step in refining the Helldivers 2 experience. While some issues remain, the extensive changes promise a more polished and enjoyable gameplay experience.