After weeks of waiting, the latest Helldivers 2 update has finally landed, bringing a long list of buffs, nerfs, and reworks to enemies, weapons, and stratagems. While the developers aimed to balance combat and improve gameplay flow, many of the changes have stirred debate among players. Here’s a breakdown of what this patch got right—and where it missed the mark.

Enemy Changes – Mixed Results Across the Board

The update introduces significant tweaks to the game’s enemies. One of the most notable improvements is the rework of the Leviathan, which now uses beam-based weaponry instead of the old bunker turret cannons. This visual and mechanical upgrade makes the fight more engaging and less frustrating. Many players consider it an S-tier change, both for aesthetics and gameplay feel.

Another highlight is the Elevated Overseer rebalancing. Reducing its main health while lowering its armor penetration threshold makes it more manageable without feeling trivial. However, the enemy’s erratic movement and aim-resist behavior still make precision shots a challenge.

The Rupture Warrior and Bile Spewer adjustments are more divisive. While the Bile Spewer now has a larger mouth weak spot (a welcome S-tier change), the Rupture Warrior’s increased durability cancels out much of the improvement from its slower burrow speed. Meanwhile, several enemies like the Hive Guard and Berserker received durability buffs that many players view as unnecessary, turning already tedious fights into longer slogs.

Overall, while a few changes genuinely improve encounters, others make the game feel less rewarding. Players have voiced frustration over “fun-sucking” tweaks that reduce variety instead of expanding it.

Weapon and Stratagem Balancing – Some Real Wins

On the weapons front, the update shines brighter. The Antimaterial Rifle and Stalwart both received notable buffs. The rifle now deals more durable damage and can one-shot Hulk visors, making it one of the best anti-automaton options available. The Stalwart’s boosted damage and improved effectiveness against Illuminate enemies also make it feel far more viable.

The Flamethrower benefits from increased canister capacity and more spare ammunition, giving players a bit more leeway during chaotic missions. However, its identity still lacks differentiation—something the developers could fix by introducing support-based effects like fire damage slowing enemies.

Grenades also got attention. Dynamite now packs a heavier punch with increased damage and armor penetration, while Frag Grenades get an extra use per deployment. These are small but meaningful upgrades that make explosive tools feel more impactful.

The Epoch stratagem received a small but appreciated buff, improving charge visibility and explosion strength. However, the delayed detonation bug still hampers its reliability. Other stratagem tweaks, like the Rotary Gun’s increased ammo capacity and Orbital Cannon’s reduced cooldown, make late-game support roles more dynamic.

The “Monkey Paw” Balancing Problem

Despite the good changes, many adjustments fall into what players now call “monkey paw balancing”—where a weapon or mechanic gets a buff, but with a hidden drawback that offsets the improvement. For example, while the Punisher Plasma finally works properly after months of issues, the fix comes so late that it feels underwhelming.

This pattern leaves the community feeling that the developers are hesitant to give players meaningful power increases. Instead, updates often feel like zero-sum tweaks rather than genuine progress.

The State of Gameplay

The update certainly improves visual fidelity and combat feedback, but it also raises questions about direction. By making certain enemies tankier and reducing the effectiveness of niche strategies—like using flamethrowers on Factory Striders—the patch unintentionally limits creative playstyles.

For players looking to maximize efficiency, it might now be more tempting to experiment with alternative loadouts or even buy Helldivers 2 medals and buy Helldivers 2 items Xbox through platforms like U4GM to keep up with the new balance curve. The grind for effective builds has become steeper, and these options may help bridge the gap for casual or returning players.

This patch is a step forward in presentation but a step sideways in gameplay design. While the new Leviathan beams, improved stratagems, and certain weapon buffs enhance the overall experience, the excessive enemy durability and “fun reduction” mechanics hold the game back from its full potential.

Helldivers 2 remains a great co-op shooter, but Arrowhead needs to focus on consistency and player satisfaction rather than mechanical padding. A few targeted adjustments could easily turn this update from mixed to memorable.