Arrowhead Studios, the development team behind the popular co-op shooter Helldivers 2, is facing challenges in balancing the game’s weapons. While the team had previously announced that they were working on a balance patch, it seems that finding the right balance is proving to be trickier than expected.
One of the main concerns raised by players is the issue of certain weapons having higher kill rates than others. Weapons like the SMG, starting assault rifle, and the Breaker shotgun were found to be dishing out more kills than their counterparts. Players reached out to CEO Johan Pilestedt, urging him to address this issue.
In response, Pilestedt acknowledged the problem and stated that they are currently looking at the data and working on a balance patch. However, he also revealed that simply nerfing the shotgun or buffing other weapons may not necessarily lead to a balanced gameplay experience. He explained that while the Breaker shotgun may score more kills, it is not overrepresented in missions that end in success. This suggests that kill rates alone do not determine the overall effectiveness of a weapon.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is the fact that Helldivers 2 weapons have 46 hidden stats. While players are only able to see four main stats – damage, ammo capacity, recoil, and fire rate – Pilestedt recently shared that each gun actually has around 50 stats in total. This means that there is a lot of under-the-hood information that players are not aware of, making it even more challenging to achieve a perfect balance.
In light of these difficulties, Pilestedt offers a simple piece of advice to players: “use the one you like the most.” Rather than trying to min-max the game and find the most powerful weapon, he encourages players to enjoy the game for what it is – a comedic riot. After all, Helldivers 2 is known for its chaotic and humorous gameplay, and the focus should be on spreading democracy and having fun.
Arrowhead Studios had previously been occupied with addressing server issues as the game gained a massive influx of players. However, now that those issues have been resolved, the studio is able to shift their focus to other improvements. Players have recently discovered evidence of upcoming playable mechs and AI reinforcements, hinting at exciting future updates.
If you can’t wait to experience these new additions, you can check out the Helldivers 2 roadmap, which provides a glimpse into the upcoming content and leaked updates. With Arrowhead Studios dedicated to improving the game and addressing player feedback, it’s clear that Helldivers 2 is set to become an even more thrilling and engaging co-op shooter in the future.
