Helldivers 2 Receives Major Update: Weapon Balancing and Performance Improvements

Arrowhead Game Studios has released the “Into the Unjust: 5.0.0” update for Helldivers 2. The new patch brings a wide range of changes, from weapon balancing and performance optimizations to a brand new warbond.

Python Commandos Warbond

The new pack stands out with heavy weapons and jungle-themed equipment. Prepared based on heavy community demand, the content adds four new weapons to the game:

New Weapons and Stratagems:

M-1000 Maxigun: Belt-fed minigun with ultra-high ammunition capacity
AR/GL-21 One-Two: Hybrid primary weapon combining assault rifle and grenade launcher features
AX/FLAM-75 “Guard Dog” Hot Dog: Drone with integrated flamethrower. Returns to the player’s backpack for fuel after burning enemies
CQC-9 Defoliation Tool: Close-quarters combat weapon designed to clear vegetation in forested areas (chainsaw)

Armor Sets: Python Commandos offers two armor sets with exposed arms design:

RS-20 Constrictor (Light)
RS-40 Beast of Prey (Heavy)

Both armors come with the “Rock Solid” passive ability. This feature reduces staggering and ragdolling during combat, providing more stable positioning.

The pack also includes “Chameleon Camo” camouflage pattern for vehicles, Exosuits, and Hellpods, along with new capes and a push-up position emote.

Weapon Buffs

The update increases damage values for many weapons. Notable changes include:

Primary Weapons:

SMG-37 Defender damage increased from 100 to 110
SMG-32 Reprimand raised from 135 to 140
M7S SMG damage increased from 80 to 90

Sidearms:

P-2 Peacemaker damage raised from 95 to 100
M6C/SOCOM Pistol received a significant buff, with damage increased from 110 to 125

Scope Changes

Ergonomics penalties for magnifying scopes have been significantly reduced. This change makes scope usage more preference-based while reducing negative impacts on weapon handling:

2x Tube Red Dot: reduced from -3 to -1
4x Combat Scope: reduced from -6 to -2
10x Sniper Scope: reduced from -9 to -4

Enemy Balancing

The issue of Factory Striders launching into the air upon death has been fixed. Explosion forces for enemies like War Strider and Bile Spewer have been adjusted for a more balanced gameplay experience.

Technical Improvements

The update resolves most known issues, including audio problems and XP multipliers. Various optimizations have been made to improve game performance:

Automaton visual effects lighting optimized
Rock asset physics improved
Performance impact of environmental effects reduced

First-person view has also been updated. Scope size and distance now work more consistently across different FOV settings.

Other Fixes

Rare crashes during specific mission phases have been resolved
Weapon display bugs fixed
Mini-map fog effect no longer persists between caves
Issue preventing players from progressing in the tutorial has been solved

The update also adds new keybind options for quickly switching weapon functions.