Helldivers 2 has just received a massive new update packed with features that will shake up the game. From terrifying new Illuminate enemies to full primary weapon customization, there’s a lot to unpack. Players will need to adapt quickly, as the squids have arrived with advanced tech and overwhelming firepower.

New Illuminate Enemies and Aircraft

The biggest change comes with the introduction of new Illuminate units. Jet fighters called Stingrays now fly overhead and can execute strafing runs, dealing sudden bursts of damage. Alongside that, a new enemy unit called the Crescent Overseer can launch barges even when divers are in cover.

One of the scariest additions is the Flesh Mob—a grotesque fusion of Volis parts into a hulking berserker that can slam into players with immense force. The developers also teased the arrival of even larger unidentified ships, seen hovering in orbit. No confirmed details yet, but players have been warned not to underestimate their impact.

Weapon Customization Now Live

For the first time in Helldivers 2, players can now customize primary weapons with a wide range of attachments. These include underbarrel options like foregrips, laser sights, flashlights, muzzle brakes, extended magazines, and various scope types. Players can also unlock visual patterns to personalize their arsenal further.

Customization options become available by leveling up weapons through missions. However, these upgrades are limited to primary weapons for now, with no current support for sidearms. Despite this, the system adds meaningful variety and performance upgrades.

Supertore Overhaul and New Combat Tweaks

The Supertore has also seen a significant upgrade. All armors are now permanently available for purchase, removing the randomness and limited-time rotations. This is a major win for players looking to grab the right gear without relying on refresh cycles.

Melee combat has also improved. Weapons like the QCQ30 stun baton and CQC 5 combat hatchet now use half as much stamina per swing. Explosive weapons like the R36 Erupter, G6 Frag Grenade, and AC8 AutoC cannon have updated shrapnel physics. Shrapnel now spreads in a 360-degree radius, with increased piece counts and more predictable results.

Meanwhile, fire-based weapons scale damage with enemy size. Bigger enemies burn longer but are harder to ignite, and robotic enemies resist flame effects entirely unless hit directly. The FLAM-66 and FLAM-40 flamethrowers have received capacity boosts.

Weapon Buffs and Strategic Improvements

Several primary and secondary weapons have received buffs. Rifles like the AR-23 Liberator and SDA52 now have tighter spreads, while the SMG-72 Palmer and SMG-37 Defender have had their spread drastically reduced. The R36 Erupter now fires faster and handles better, but its reload exploit has been patched.

Sidearms like the GP31 grenade pistol now deliver double explosion damage but can no longer destroy certain enemy structures. The P113 Verdict and others received tighter spread and minor sway adjustments to improve balance.

Support weapons and strategims have been tweaked as well. The railgun is far more accurate now, and Eagle rockets gained enhanced armor penetration. Automatons and Illuminate units have also been adjusted for fairness, with weaker turret spreads, reduced armor, and better AI targeting behavior.

Bug Fixes and Final Thoughts

Multiple soft locks and crashes have been resolved. Issues like planet crashes with Super Destroyers, mission bugs with recon objectives, and anti-tank mines triggering incorrectly are all fixed. This patch addresses long-standing problems while delivering fresh content.

From top to bottom, this Helldivers 2 patch dramatically improves gameplay. Whether you’re excited about custom loadouts or dreading the skies filled with Stingrays, this update redefines how players approach the game.