The Helldivers 2 Escalation of Freedom update is now live on all platforms, bringing a wealth of new content and improvements to the game. Released to celebrate the game’s six-month anniversary, this update introduces new enemies, locations, gameplay mechanics, and more. Here is a detailed overview of everything included in this major update.

New enemies in Helldivers 2 Escalation of Freedom

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Several new enemies have been added to Helldivers 2, significantly enhancing the challenge for players. Among the Bugs, players will now face the Impaler, Spore Charger, and Terminid Alpha Commander. The Impaler is a returning enemy from the first game, known for its aggressive tentacles that attack players from the ground. The Automatons have also received new threats, including the Rocket Tank and other bot surprises.

Super helldive difficulty

A new difficulty level, Super Helldive, has been added, pushing the game’s challenge to new heights. This new difficulty level is incredibly hard, catering to players seeking the ultimate test of their skills.

New mission and objective types coming with Escalation of Freedom

The update introduces new mission and objective types to keep gameplay fresh and engaging. Players can now undertake a “Larva Retrieval” secondary objective, which involves capturing a baby bug. Additionally, hunting Impalers is now a dedicated mission type. For the Automatons, a new secondary objective requires players to attack Human Processing Plants, adding a unique and somewhat gruesome challenge.

Bigger enemy outposts

Enemy outposts have been expanded and are now more challenging to conquer. Both Bugs and Bots have larger, heavily defended outposts that require high skill and coordination to take down. However, the risk is worth it, as these outposts contain high-value Super Samples.

New swamp biome

A new Swamp biome has been added to the game, offering a creepy and atmospheric environment with dead trees and low light levels. This new landscape adds variety to the different planets players can explore.

Rules to mitigate grief-kicking

To address the issue of grief-kicking, where players are unfairly kicked out of games, new mechanics have been implemented. Now, kicked players will spawn into a new session as the host with all of their team’s loot from the previous session, ensuring that nobody loses their hard-earned loot.

Quality of life changes

Various quality of life changes have been made to improve the overall user experience. Changes to the UI and Social Menu make Helldivers 2 easier to understand and navigate, enhancing the game’s accessibility and ease of use.

Weapon and stratagem balances

Several weapons and Stratagems have been rebalanced for better gameplay. The Incendiary Breaker has been weakened, and the Explosive Crossbow is now a one-handed weapon. These changes aim to create a more balanced and enjoyable experience for players.

New Escalation of Freedom warbond

While not part of the update itself, players will soon be able to purchase the Helldivers 2 Freedom’s Flame Warbond. Available on August 8, 2024, just 48 hours after the update, this new Warbond has been designed to complement the Escalation of Freedom update, offering players more options and enhancements.

Getting the update

The Escalation of Freedom update went live on August 6, 2024, at 10:00 AM (BST) / 05:00 AM (ET) / 02:00 AM (PDT) / 11:00 AM (CEST). If the update isn’t active yet, players are advised to close the game completely and check for updates manually.

The Helldivers 2 Escalation of Freedom update is packed with new content and improvements, making it a must-play for all fans of the game. With new enemies, missions, biomes, and quality-of-life changes, there’s never been a better time to dive back into the action.