Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Amazon Spring Sale
  • New Games for 2026
  • Crimson Desert
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Pokopia
Don't miss these
Helldivers 2 democratic detonation warbond page
Third Person Shooters Best Helldivers 2 Warbonds to buy first and tier list ranking all 21 of them
Helldivers 2 helldiver running with plas scorcher weapon
Third Person Shooters Best Helldivers 2 Primary Weapons to use against the Terminids, Automatons, and Illuminate
Arc Raiders character in witch huntress skin holding a shotgun in the dark
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders Steam reviews wobble as it's called "very frustrating" and labelled "stale"
Helldivers 2 Helldiver looking at snowy automaton base getting bombarded by two orbital 380mm HE barrages
Third Person Shooters Helldivers 2 Stratagem tier list and the best ones to choose
Helldivers 2 Helldiver wielding senator revolver
Third Person Shooters Best Helldivers 2 pistols and melee weapons to use against the Terminids, Automatons, and Illuminate
Two raiders brandish big funs and strike poses
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders' big Flashpoint update is bad news for raiders as vaporizer drones arrive and shredders escape confinement
Support Weapons in Helldivers 2
Third Person Shooters Best Support weapons in Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 Illuminate Veracitor chasing Helldiver with harvester nearby
Third Person Shooters How to kill the new Veracitor and Gatekeeper Illuminate enemies in Helldivers 2
The Il Toro Shotgun in Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders update nerfs notorious Il Toro shotgun from basically every angle
Helldivers 2 Entrenched Division warbond
Third Person Shooters All weapons and items in the Helldivers 2 Entrenched Division Warbond
Helldivers 2 soldier with an explosion reflecting in their visor
Third Person Shooters As death threats derail Helldivers 2's wholesome D10 challenge, devs address “increasing hostility in the community”
A Helldivers 2 Cyborg cries out in despair
Third Person Shooters Helldivers 2 gives in, releases first roadmap for Machinery of Oppression: "This is just beginning"
Borderlands 4
FPS Games Gearbox is "avoiding nerfs" for Borderlands 4: "I wholeheartedly want to avoid ruining someone's countless hours"
Arc Raiders Bettina assault rifle on dark blue background
Third Person Shooters "The highest PvE damage output of any weapon" in Arc Raiders was from the Bettina, and that was before its buff
Helldivers 2 Siege Breakers warbond superstore menu
Third Person Shooters All weapons and Stratagems in the upcoming Helldivers 2 Siege Breakers Warbond
  1. Games
  2. Third Person Shooters
  3. Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2's new fire weapon nerfs are down to one shotgun being used in "30% of all Terminid sessions," says Arrowhead's CEO: "Is that a problem? Yes"

News
By Hirun Cryer published 7 August 2024

Arrowhead is still actively discussing the nerfs

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Helldivers 2 Freedom's Flame Warbond
(Image credit: Sony)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Helldivers 2's Escalation of Freedom update nerfed some incendiary weapons, and the studio CEO has said it's because one weapon in particular was used during "30% of all Terminid sessions."

The Helldivers 2 Freedom's Flame Warbond is out later this week, which is all well and good for fire-loving players out there, as it'll offer weapons like two brand new flamethrowers. Unfortunately, Helldivers 2's huge new update yesterday seemingly nerfed fire-based weapons, downgrading their damage capabilities, which left players pretty upset after looking forward to getting their hands on new fiery weapons.

Shortly after the patch was implemented, Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani addressed player feedback in the shooter's official Discord. "The Incendiary Breaker was like 30% of all Terminid sessions at one point. Very much a meta gun," Jorjani writes in the post seen below, referencing the fire-based shotgun in particular. "Is that a problem? Yes. Is it a big one? I don't know. We'll discuss."

Article continues below
You may like
  • Cropped Helldivers 2 art from the official 'Save Cyberstan' poster. Helldivers 2 devs "underinvested" in the game's engine, Arrowhead CEO admits, who pledges "things can/will get better"
  • Helldivers 2 Helldivers 2 support agent says "there's no balance team" at Arrowhead because "it's all a team effort"
  • Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky update Embark nerfs Arc Raiders' Venator once more, and the Kettle and Stitcher are also getting reined in
Shams Jorjani's reasoning behind the breaker incendiary nerf along with other messages about the update. from r/Helldivers

Jorjani's reasoning for the new nerfs, then, seems to be that simply too many players were using the Incendiary Breaker shotgun in particular to decimate Terminid hordes. However, it definitely seems like Arrowhead is actively discussing the matter, and could even continue to change weapons as required, which was something Jorjani hinted at in separate comments yesterday.

This does, admittedly, smack of comments made by Helldivers 2 game director Johan Pilestedt earlier this year in May, when the senior developer confessed that updates sometimes take the fun out of new things the community discovers. "Yeah I think we've gone too far in some areas," Pilestedt said at the time, adding that balance changes had come "over the priority of fun."

Check out our updated Helldivers 2 best weapons for a dive into all the new guns currently in the game.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming PS5 Platforms PlayStation
Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
Cropped Helldivers 2 art from the official 'Save Cyberstan' poster.
Third Person Shooters Helldivers 2 devs "underinvested" in the game's engine, Arrowhead CEO admits, who pledges "things can/will get better"
 
 
Helldivers 2
Co-op Games Helldivers 2 support agent says "there's no balance team" at Arrowhead because "it's all a team effort"
 
 
Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky update
Third Person Shooters Embark nerfs Arc Raiders' Venator once more, and the Kettle and Stitcher are also getting reined in
 
 
Helldivers 2 Ultimatum
Third Person Shooters Helldivers 2 patch increases "intensity" of highest difficulties, buffs melee weapons, and gives enemies a better aim
 
 
Helldivers 2
Third Person Shooters Helldivers 2 update adds stealth missions and Arrowhead is finally "ready to make the slim PC build default for all"
 
 
The Il Toro Shotgun in Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders update nerfs notorious Il Toro shotgun from basically every angle
 
 
Latest in Third Person Shooters
Arc Raiders rooster Scrappy
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders players shocked by Legendary loot showing up in their Scrappy inbox after Flashpoint
 
 
Arc Raiders flex rubber
Third Person Shooters Where to find Arc Flex Rubber in Arc Raiders
 
 
Arc Raiders Dolabra
Third Person Shooters How to get the Legendary Dolabra in Arc Raiders
 
 
Arc Raiders High Gain Antenna
Third Person Shooters All Arc Raiders High-Gain Antenna project materials and rewards
 
 
Arc Raiders Assessors
Third Person Shooters Assessors and Close Scrutiny in Arc Raiders explained
 
 
Arc Raiders outstanding balance
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders Outstanding Balance walkthrough and where to find Dodger's Stash
 
 
Latest in News
Crimson Desert: Cliff Macduff looking out into the distance during the new game, Crimson Desert.
Open World Games Crimson Desert "makes me feel a sense of wonder I've not felt since Oblivion," says Palworld publishing chief
 
 
Divinity
RPGs Larian chief says Divinity's development has progressed to the point "where you sense that a game is coming alive"
 
 
Homelander waking Soldier Boy in The Boys season 5
Superhero Shows Homelander sentences Billy Butcher to death by Soldier Boy in The Boys season 5 teaser
 
 
Homelander smiling smugly in the Oval Office of the White House
Superhero Shows The Boys' final season is done as creator Eric Kripke says farewell to the r-rated superhero show
 
 
Players attack a frontier building in The Legend of California
Survival Games Jeff Kaplan has "over 5,000 hours" in Rust, which is "the pinnacle of PvP games"
 
 
Pokemon Pokopia gameplay showing Ditty in human form, frowning in front of a lighthouse
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia player builds straight-up jail for their least favorite 'mons: "They are (mostly) comfortable"
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Crimson Desert: Cliff Macduff looking out into the distance during the new game, Crimson Desert.
    1
    Crimson Desert "makes me feel a sense of wonder I've not felt since Oblivion," says Palworld publishing chief
  2. 2
    Larian chief says Divinity's development has progressed to the point "where you sense that a game is coming alive"
  3. 3
    Homelander sentences Billy Butcher to death by Soldier Boy in The Boys season 5 teaser
  4. 4
    Jeff Kaplan has "over 5,000 hours" in Rust, which is "the pinnacle of PvP games"
  5. 5
    The Boys' final season is done as creator Eric Kripke says farewell to the r-rated superhero show

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...