Helldivers 2’s First Big Update of 2025 Lets You Emote While Ragdolling Once Again, Tweaks Balance, and More News - Latest Updates and Information

Arrowhead has unleashed the first major update for *Helldivers 2* in 2025, bringing a wave of significant changes to the battlefield. Patch 01.002.101, available now, extends the duration of gas effects from spray weapons, reinstates the ability to emote while airborne or ragdolling, and implements numerous balance adjustments and bug fixes.

As *Helldivers 2* approaches its first anniversary, and with the introduction of the Illuminate faction injecting fresh chaos into the war, players are eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the ongoing Galactic War saga. The update's substantial 5GB+ size has fueled speculation among fans about potential additions beyond the documented balance tweaks and bug fixes.

One particularly noteworthy—and slightly unsettling—fix deserves a spotlight:

Fixed a small visual bug with the Stalker’s tongue (you don’t want to know what it took to fix it).

Helldivers 2 Update 01.002.101 Patch Notes:

Balancing

General Changes

Increased spray weapon gas status effect duration from 6 to 10 seconds.
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 now authorized.
FRV handling tuned for improved cornering.

Sidearms

Increased starting magazines from 2 to 3.
Increased spare magazines from 4 to 5.

Stratagem Support Weapons

TX-41 Sterilizer

Removed crosshair drift recoil.
Decreased camera climb recoil.
Increased spray weapon gas status effect duration from 6 to 10 seconds.

Armor Passives

The bug with Siege Ready Armor Passive (granting extra ammo to all weapons, not just primaries) remains unfixed for now. Armory description will be updated later.

Backpacks

AX/TX-13 “Guard Dog” Dog Breath

Reworked for increased effectiveness and unique gas-based mechanics.
Ammo preservation: prioritizes enemies unaffected by gas.
Improved targeting logic: targets from Helldiver's position, reduced roaming.
Increased targeting range from 10 to 20 meters.
Increased spray weapon gas status effect duration from 6 to 10 seconds.

Stratagems

MD-6 Anti-Personnel Minefield

Cooldown decreased from 180 to 120 seconds.
Damage increased from 350 to 700.
Increased mine deployment spread by 20% to reduce chain explosions.

MD-I4 Incendiary Mines

Cooldown decreased from 180 to 120 seconds.
Damage increased from 210 to 300.
Increased mine deployment spread by 20% to reduce chain explosions.

MD-17 Anti-Tank Mines

Cooldown decreased from 180 to 120 seconds.

SH-20 Ballistic Shield Backpack

Now blocks melee attacks until destroyed.

Fixes

Resolved Top Priority Issues

Emoting while falling/ragdolling restored (fall damage unaffected).
Illuminate spawner ship shields now take impact grenade damage.
Fixed collision gaps in Illuminate spawner ship.
Health packs fully restore stims.
High-damage weapons now detonate spawned Hellbombs.

Crash Fixes, Hangs, and Soft-locks

Numerous crash fixes related to missions, hot-joining, emotes, weapon switching, and armory interactions.

Social Issues & Matchmaking

Improved matchmaking for players in closer regions.
Fixed chat history clearing issue.

Weapons and Stratagems

Fixes for emplacement usage, Arc weapon accuracy, E/AT-12 Anti-Tank Emplacement armor penetration tag, stratagem turret targeting, heat weapon visual bugs, melee weapon physics, B-1 Supply Pack stim distribution.