Helldivers 2's substantial 2025 update, patch 01.002.101, is now live, introducing significant gameplay adjustments and bug fixes. This over 5GB patch, released near the game's first anniversary and the introduction of the Illuminate faction, has sparked speculation about potential hidden additions beyond the documented changes.

Key improvements include extended gas durations from spray weapons and the restoration of emoting while airborne or ragdolling. The patch notes detail extensive balancing changes and numerous bug fixes across various game aspects.

Patch 01.002.101 Highlights:

Balancing:

• General: Increased gas duration from spray weapons (6 to 10 seconds); implemented a timer for Illuminate dropship wreckage despawn.
• Helldiver: Jogging now permitted while carrying two-handed items.
• FRV: Grenade and stratagem deployment allowed while leaning; improved cornering handling.
• Sidearms: Increased starting and spare magazines.
• TX-41 Sterilizer (Stratagem Support Weapon): Reduced recoil; increased gas duration.
• Siege Ready Armor Passive: A bug granting extra ammo to all weapons (not just primaries) remains unfixed, pending further evaluation.
• AX/TX-13 “Guard Dog” Dog Breath (Backpack): Reworked for improved effectiveness, prioritizing gas-unaffected enemies; increased targeting range (10 to 20m).
• MD-6, MD-I4, MD-17 Mines (Stratagems): Reduced cooldowns; increased damage; increased deployment spread.
• SH-20 Ballistic Shield Backpack: Now blocks melee attacks.

Fixes:

• Top Priority: Restored emoting while ragdolling/falling; fixed Illuminate spawner ship vulnerabilities; health packs now fully restore stims; high-damage weapons now detonate Hellbombs.
• Crash Fixes: Numerous crash fixes related to mission aborting, hot-joining, emotes, fire, loading, and armory interactions.
• Social & Matchmaking: Improved matchmaking regionality; fixed chat history clearing issue.
• Weapons & Stratagems: Addressed issues with emplacements, Arc weapons, Anti-Tank Emplacement armor penetration, stratagem turrets, heat weapon visuals, melee weapon physics, and B-1 Supply Pack stim distribution.
• FRV: Reinforced FRV to prevent minor impact explosions; improved camera; reduced rooftop drops; fixed keyboard input issues; addressed enemy launch distances.
• Helldiver: Fixed ragdolling issues with FRV, cars, and water; corrected animation problems.
• Enemies: Fixed Stalker tongue visual bug; addressed enemy reaction to missed attacks.
• Miscellaneous: Addressed various audio, civilian pathing, visual (floating heads), and damage calculation bugs.

Known Issues:

• Top Priority: Mission terminal clipping; stratagem ball unpredictability; DSSPathfinding; Dolby Atmos on PS5.
• Medium Priority: Pelican-1 extraction issues; explosives and ragdolling; cape display; "This is Democracy" emote; Guard Dog ammo indicator; Barrage Tank stats; LAS-5 Scythe zoom; charge-up weapon firing.

This update represents a significant step towards improving Helldivers 2's gameplay experience and stability. However, several known issues remain to be addressed in future patches. The significant file size suggests further unannounced content may be included.