Super Earth is closing in on the Void, where the Illuminate have already started turning into something considerably nastier.
Helldivers 2 is heading towards the Void, but whatever is waiting there appears to be getting a head start. Arrowhead dropped the massive Devoid of Liberty Update 7.0.0 patch on 12 August, pushing the Galactic War closer to the Void with two mutated Illuminate enemies waiting ahead. Super Earth isn't sending Helldivers in entirely alone this time, however, with SEAF troops finally joining the fight on the ground.
"We are so close to entering the Void," Super Earth High Command warns in the official Steam patch notes, adding that "new, hideously mutated organisms" have begun emerging from its heart. The update also arrives alongside the Helldivers 2 x Warhammer 40,000: Castellan's Creed Legendary Warbond crossover.
What is the new Void biome in Helldivers 2 Devoid of Liberty?
The push towards the Void brings Helldivers into a new biome warped by its influence, setting the stage for the next part of the Galactic War. Arrowhead hasn't given away too much about what awaits there, but describes it as "a new biome full of fresh horrors", with the Void warping everything it touches. That includes the Illuminate themselves, which are already appearing in new mutated forms.
What are the new Illuminate enemies in Helldivers 2 Devoid of Liberty?
The Crusher and Wretch are new mutated enemies shaped by the Void, and getting closer to it has done nothing good for the Illuminate. Each presents a very different problem once they reach the battlefield.
The Crusher is built to keep advancing while regenerating through heavy damage. Giving it room to recover is a bad idea, with Arrowhead saying it needs to be worn down "quickly and consistently without a moment of pause."
The Wretch is much harder to pin down. It can dodge incoming attacks and leap towards Helldivers while advancing, forcing players to keep their aim on something that very much does not intend to stay still. The patch notes describe the creatures emerging from the Void as "ghoulish diversions wrought into existence by the Illuminate scourge to threaten our freedom." Helldivers won't have to face those new threats entirely on their own, however, with SEAF troops now able to join them on the battlefield.
How do SEAF troops work in Helldivers 2?
SEAF troops can now appear as part of a planet modifier, putting friendly Super Earth Armed Forces NPCs on the battlefield alongside Helldivers during missions.
The soldiers arrive with their own weaponry and tools, including Stim Pistols and Heavy Machine Guns, and have received improved behaviour and updated visuals. They're also capable of destroying enemy spawners themselves rather than leaving all of democracy's dirty work to the Helldivers. The SEAF are being deployed directly to the frontlines of the Galactic Campaign, with the opening transmission also mentioning platoons supporting Helldivers on the surface of Void planets.
What is the new Helldivers 2 level cap?
The Helldiver rank system now stretches all the way to Level 300, doubling the previous Level 150 cap. Arrowhead has added 15 new ranks and titles along the way, each with its own title and icon. On top of these changes, Update 7.0.0 also expands the emote wheel from four slots to eight, giving Helldivers twice as many equipped emotes to choose from.
How has assisted reload changed in Helldivers 2?
Super Earth still expects teamwork, but Update 7.0.0 makes it considerably easier to lend a squadmate a hand. The old system required a designated reloader to carry the correct ammunition backpack, but Arrowhead says that demanded too much coordination and meant assisted reloads were rarely used. The studio said it wanted to “reduce the complexity with assisted reloading to promote using it more.” Now, either the weapon wielder or the assisting player can carry the correct backpack, making it much easier for a squadmate to jump in and help with a reload when needed.
What changed with the GATER and Constitution in Helldivers 2?
The GATER has received a substantial overhaul, with Arrowhead replacing its engine and transmission with a more powerful Super V48 Interceptor engine to improve its speed and handling. The overhaul includes:
- Increased ammo capacity and health
- Increased knockback and impact damage
- Improved speed and responsiveness
- Reduced tendency to roll sideways
- Enemies should no longer spontaneously attack an empty GATER unless it is being used for drilling
- Weapons will no longer lock onto its tank
The R-2124 Constitution finally has stripper clips, allowing a full stripper clip reload when its magazine is completely empty, rather than requiring Helldivers to feed the rounds in individually.
Which weapons and Stratagems changed in Helldivers 2 Update 7.0.0?
Several of Update 7.0.0's balance changes are aimed at equipment Arrowhead believes isn't giving players enough reason for use. Short magazines were offering too little benefit compared with drum magazines, while some anti-personnel sidearms were also being overshadowed by other options.
- Short magazines for the Liberator, Defender, Stoker, and Breaker weapon families now provide more starting and spare magazines.
- The P-113 Verdict, M6C/SOCOM Pistol and P-19 Redeemer have received additional ammunition.
- The Eagle Napalm Airstrike's explosion radius has increased from eight to 10 metres, with its bombs spread further apart to cover a larger area.
- Anti-Tank Mines have had their demolition strength increased from 30 to 40, allowing them to destroy more structures, including colony walls and Bug Holes from outside.
Arrowhead says the Eagle Napalm Airstrike wasn't as effective as other Eagle and napalm Stratagems, so the wider bomb pattern is intended to give its fire more coverage. Anti-Tank Mines weren't matching the destructive power suggested by their explosions either. Their increased demolition strength should make them useful against more targets, including colony walls and Bug Holes from outside.
The rest of Update 7.0.0 is packed with fixes, including some bad news for Helldivers who thought a staircase offered tactical superiority. Enemies have now learned how to climb stairs during Establish Communication Uplink missions.
To read the rest of the patch notes, click here.
