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

Arrowhead has unleashed the first major update for *Helldivers 2* in 2025, bringing a wave of significant changes. Patch 01.002.101, available now, extends the gas effect duration from spray weapons, restores the ability to emote while airborne or ragdolling, and includes numerous balance tweaks and bug fixes. With *Helldivers 2* approaching its first anniversary and the introduction of the Illuminate faction injecting fresh chaos, players are eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the Galactic War's ongoing narrative. The update's hefty 5GB+ size hints at potential additions beyond the stated balance changes and fixes, fueling fan speculation.

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

Helldiver

Jogging while carrying two-handed items (barrels, SEAF Artillery Rounds) is now permitted.

FRV

Grenade and stratagem deployment while leaning from the FRV is now authorized.
FRV handling tuned for improved cornering.

Sidearms

Starting magazines increased from 2 to 3.
Spare magazines increased from 4 to 5.

Stratagem Support Weapons

TX-41 Sterilizer: Removed crosshair drift recoil; decreased camera climb recoil; increased gas status effect duration from spray weapons to 10 seconds.

Armor Passives

Siege Ready Armor Passive bug (granting extra ammo to all weapons, not just primaries) remains unfixed for now; Armory description will be updated later.

Backpacks

AX/TX-13 “Guard Dog” Dog Breath: Reworked for increased effectiveness, prioritizing enemies unaffected by gas; targeting logic improved to prevent excessive roaming; targeting range increased from 10 to 20 meters; increased gas status effect duration from spray weapons to 10 seconds.

Stratagems

MD-6 Anti-Personnel Minefield: Cooldown decreased from 180 to 120 seconds; damage increased from 350 to 700; deployment spread increased by 20%.
MD-I4 Incendiary Mines: Cooldown decreased from 180 to 120 seconds; damage increased from 210 to 300; deployment spread increased by 20%.
MD-17 Anti-Tank Mines: Cooldown decreased from 180 to 120 seconds.
SH-20 Ballistic Shield Backpack: Now blocks melee attacks until broken.