With Helldivers 2 balance patch incoming, the game's CEO says weapons that score more kills aren't always "overrepresented" in successful missions
Mar. 2, 2024As some players think the Breaker shotgun is overpowered
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Arrowhead Studios previously announced thatthe team is working on a balance patchfor co-op shooter Helldivers 2, but doing so has proven to be trickier than expected since weapons with higher kill rates don’t always lead to successful missions.
Now that long queue times have beenthoroughly squashed in Helldivers 2, the community is turning its sights to other areas of improvement. Some players nagged CEO Johan Pilestedt about a possible primary weapon adjustment since weapons like the SMG, starting assault rifle, and specifically the Breaker shotgun were dishing out more kills than others.
“We are looking at data and doing a balance patch,” writes Pilestedt in a response onsocial media. But he also reveals that even though the Breaker “scores more kills, it is not overrepresented in missions that end in success.” So, nerfing the shotgun’s bug-squashing potential or buffing the damage on other weapons isn’t a surefire way to reach this unattainable ‘balance.’
What makes things more complicated is thatHelldivers 2 weapons also carry 46 hidden stats. Weapons normally display four main stats in menus: damage, ammo capacity, recoil, and fire rate. But Pilestedt recently shared that “each gun has maybe 50 stats in total,” meaning there’s a lot of under-the-hood information that we’re not privy to.
That all leads Pilestedt to a sage nugget of wisdom, encouraging everyone to simply “use the one you like the most,” rather than trying to mix max a game that, at its best, is a comedic riot. Spread democracy and enjoy.
Arrowhead Studios was previously occupied with the improving server issuesas droves of players flocked to the game en masse, but the studio is now free to focus on other improvements. Players recently found evidence of the upcomingplayable mechs and AI reinforcements, for example.
Can’t wait? Check out the upcomingHelldivers 2 roadmap, content, and leaked future updates.
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
Kaan freelances for various websites including Rock Paper Shotgun, Eurogamer, and this one, Gamesradar. He particularly enjoys writing about spooky indies, throwback RPGs, and anything that’s vaguely silly. Also has an English Literature and Film Studies degree that he’ll soon forget.
How to link your account in Marvel Rivals
Marvel Rivals director reckons Concord flopped because it wasn’t original enough: “I don’t think anybody can accurately predict this”
Dev behind new Doki Doki Literature Club-style psychological horror says it’s not “for those with weak hearts,” but with 98% positive Steam reviews, I’m not sure I can stay away
