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

Arrowhead Studios 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 thrilling introduction of the Illuminate enemy faction injecting fresh challenges, players are eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the evolving Galactic War narrative. The update's substantial 5GB+ size has fueled speculation among fans about the potential inclusion of new content beyond the stated balance changes and fixes.

One particularly intriguing fix deserves special mention:

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 effect duration from 6 to 10 seconds.
• Implemented a despawn timer for Illuminate dropship wrecks to prevent path obstruction.

Helldiver

• Added a clause to the Principles of Correct Posture for Safe Lifting, allowing jogging while carrying two-handed items (barrels, SEAF Artillery Rounds).

FRV

• Authorized grenade and stratagem deployment while leaning from the FRV.
• Improved FRV handling, particularly during 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 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, pending further evaluation. Armory description will be updated later.

Backpacks

AX/TX-13 “Guard Dog” Dog Breath

• Reworked for improved effectiveness and unique gas-based mechanics. Now prioritizes enemies unaffected by gas, conserving ammo.
• Improved targeting logic, originating from the Helldiver's position, preventing excessive roaming.
• Increased targeting range from 10 to 20 meters.
• Increased spray weapon gas effect duration from 6 to 10 seconds.

Stratagems

MD-6 Anti-Personnel Minefield

• Cooldown reduced 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 reduced 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 reduced 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 remains unchanged).
• Illuminate spawner ship shields now take impact grenade damage.
• Fixed collision gaps in Illuminate spawner ships.
• 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, weapons, armor, and the tutorial.

Social Issues & Matchmaking:

• Improved matchmaking for players in nearby regions.
• Fixed an issue with chat history clearing.

Weapons and Stratagems:

• Various fixes related to weapon functionality, emplacement usage, and stratagem targeting.

FRV:

• Reinforced FRVs to prevent explosions from minor impacts.
• Improved FRV camera visuals and stability.
• Reduced chance of FRVs spawning on rooftops.
• FRV keybindings now support non-QWERTY keyboards.

Helldiver:

• Various fixes related to ragdolling, animations, and interactions with vehicles and the environment.

Enemies:

• Fixed a visual bug with the Stalker’s tongue.
• Fixed enemy reaction to missed shots.

Miscellaneous Fixes:

• Various fixes related to audio, visual effects, and mission progression.

Known Issues

Top Priority:

• Several issues impacting mission terminals, stratagems, pathfinding, and Dolby Atmos on PS5.

Medium Priority:

• Various issues related to player movement, cape display, ammo indicators, weapon behavior, and more.