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
  • 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
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • Submit your game clips
  • GDC
Don't miss these
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"
Helldivers 2 screenshot of two soldiers cheering in the desert
Third Person Shooters After Helldivers 2 boss teased chaos in upcoming update, new Illuminate structures appear in Super Earth media
Helldivers 2 Ultimatum
Third Person Shooters Helldivers 2 patch increases "intensity" of highest difficulties, buffs melee weapons, and gives enemies a better aim
Two Helldivers pull a classic fart gag
Co-op Games Helldivers 2 grunts vote on which planet to fire our shiny new laser beam at
Helldivers 2
Third Person Shooters "A lot of Helldivers will die," Arrowhead CEO says of the next Helldivers 2 major update, teasing roadmap update
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”
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"
Three wizards in colorful robes, surrounded by monsters, in the box art for Magicka
Third Person Shooters Helldivers 2 boss says Arrowhead's Magicka was just buggy and unoptimized, though it was actually review bombed later
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
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
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"
Helldivers 2 screenshot showing a squad of four Helldiver soldiers firing guns
Third Person Shooters Helldivers 2 CCO says 8-player missions and bigger maps are the "sequel-level features" he'd like to see in the game
Arc Raiders raider in hockey goalie outfit winding up a punch
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders design lead confirms Embark is about make Trigger Nades much harder to use, and nerf Kettle insta-kills too
Helldivers 2 screenshot showing a fully geared/armored diver standing with gun in hand as three jets soar the skies behind him
Third Person Shooters Completely "pancake" Automatons threatening democracy with "new heavy-hitting" Bastion Tank in Helldivers 2
  1. Games
  2. Third Person Shooters
  3. Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 devs are reworking "fire as a whole" after admitting the way it works now is "ridiculous"

News
By Jordan Gerblick published 15 April 2024

"The works – DPS, DOT, the host thingie, not dying in two seconds from just touching it etc"

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

Helldivers 2
(Image credit: Arrowhead Game Studios)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get 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

Fire is out of control in Helldivers 2, but thankfully Arrowhead knows this and is working on a fix.

No, I'm not talking about any one uncontained fire spreading through Super Earth, I just mean fire damage generally is unbalanced. Whether you catch heat from a Hulk's flamethrower or from a fire tornado, a brilliant and blisteringly fast death is a near inevitability when it comes to burning damage. Anecdotally, it also doesn't seem nearly as devastating when used on enemies, and in some cases seems completely ineffective, although it seems this could be due to a bug related to who's hosting the game. Regardless, Arrowhead admits fire damage is "ridiculous" and says a complete overhaul is in the works.

"We're going through 'fire as a whole' at the moment. The works – DPS, DOT, the host thingie, not dying in two seconds from just touching it etc. Probably introducing fixes in parts, but we're on it like Donkey Kong on barrels!" community manager Twinbeard said in a Discord exchange (via PCGamesN).

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"
  • Helldivers 2 screenshot of two soldiers cheering in the desert After Helldivers 2 boss teased chaos in upcoming update, new Illuminate structures appear in Super Earth media

Although the specifics aren't clear, it's safe to say fire damage, including damage per second and damage over time, is due for a nerf, and the issue that seems to make fire damage against enemies ineffective for non-hosts is being fixed. 

"It is ridiculous – or at least wrong and something we're changing," Twinbeard added. "It's an elaborate process, so we're doing it in parts. More info to follow."

As ever, Arrowhead is approaching this issue with a refreshing candidness that should give democracy defenders confidence that comprehensive solution is incoming. The studio kicked off what it has called "a never-ending series of balance changes" last month, and although they acknowledged that "having your favorite toy nerfed absolutely sucks," the march toward equality continues.

In the meantime, here are the best Helldivers 2 builds for spreading managed democracy.

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
PS5 PC Gaming Platforms PlayStation
Jordan Gerblick
Jordan Gerblick
Social Links Navigation
Staff Writer

After earning an English degree from ASU, I worked as a corporate copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. I got my big break here in 2019 with a freelance news gig, and I was hired on as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer in 2021. That means I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my home office, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.

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"
 
 
Helldivers 2 screenshot of two soldiers cheering in the desert
Third Person Shooters After Helldivers 2 boss teased chaos in upcoming update, new Illuminate structures appear in Super Earth media
 
 
Helldivers 2 Ultimatum
Third Person Shooters Helldivers 2 patch increases "intensity" of highest difficulties, buffs melee weapons, and gives enemies a better aim
 
 
Two Helldivers pull a classic fart gag
Co-op Games Helldivers 2 grunts vote on which planet to fire our shiny new laser beam at
 
 
Helldivers 2
Third Person Shooters "A lot of Helldivers will die," Arrowhead CEO says of the next Helldivers 2 major update, teasing roadmap update
 
 
Latest in Third Person Shooters
Arc Raiders Queen
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders devs tortured each other during playtests, juicing Arc into Elden Ring bosses
 
 
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
 
 
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 wielding senator revolver
Third Person Shooters Best Helldivers 2 pistols and melee weapons to use against the Terminids, Automatons, and Illuminate
 
 
Captain America in the Marvel Rivals 'Stars Aligned' launch date trailer.
Third Person Shooters Marvel Rivals dev defends nerfs, says "only a fraction of mechanically flawless players" could use Captain America
 
 
Arc Raiders automaton in a headset
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders is banning people for using accessibility hardware, Embark is "working hard" to fix it
 
 
Latest in News
Palworld Official Card Game
Survival Games Palworld lead was "super excited" for Blizzard's AAA survival game, but it's about time someone tries again
 
 
Key art for The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, showing the hero standing in front of a flaming logo oblivion gate
The Elder Scrolls Todd Howard wanted Bethesda's original RPGs to be playable before worrying about remasters: "You can play Morrowind"
 
 
Assassin's Creed Shadows screenshot showing Yasuke kneeling and praying while wearing a traditional purple robe
Assassin's Creed Assassin's Creed Shadows lead is simply "proud" the game launched because "shipping a game nowadays is a small miracle"
 
 
Screenshot from Minecraft Dungeons 2's reveal trailer, showing a bunch of villagers standing around a blocky village.
Minecraft Minecraft Dungeons 2 takes another stab at Mojang's surprisingly great Diablo-inspired RPG spin-off later this year
 
 
Palworld
Survival Games "We have no desire to be a media empire," says Palworld publishing head but Pocketpair would be stupid to let it die out
 
 
Protagonist Jordan in a screenshot from the reveal trailer for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
The Last of Us Neil Druckmann's teasing the return of a The Last of Us actor in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Palworld Official Card Game
    1
    Palworld lead was "super excited" for Blizzard's AAA survival game, but it's about time someone tries again
  2. 2
    Todd Howard wanted Bethesda's original RPGs to be playable before worrying about remasters: "You can play Morrowind"
  3. 3
    Assassin's Creed Shadows lead is simply "proud" the game launched because "shipping a game nowadays is a small miracle"
  4. 4
    Baldur's Gate 3 writer says the RPG's reputation system exists as Larian can't just let players "break" party members
  5. 5
    Resident Evil has shaped survival horror as we know it – and the next decade will be the proving ground

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...