Helldivers 2 & Warhammer 40K Castellan's Creed Legendary Warbond Finally Confirmed for August 12 Launch: New Weapons, Armor, and More

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• Helldivers 2 Permanent Enclosure Begins | Automaton Space Station, KDM-500 Armor, and Warhammer 40K Rumors

  Helldivers 2's official team has released a new trailer, announcing the beginning of a new campaign. According to Ministry of Truth's official statement, after successfully completing the democratic process, the construction of the orbital Socialist Super Weapon has been halted, and Super Earth's security level has reached an all-time high.

  Terminid Control System has achieved overwhelming success. The next Helldivers campaign, Permanent Enclosure, aims to push the defensive line deeper into Terminid territory and establish a safer democratic containment zone.

  

  Automaton Space Station (A.S.S.)

  Helldivers have just accomplished a remarkable feat by successfully destroying Automaton Space Station. However, the actual presentation of this major event was extremely underwhelming. There was no cinematic sequence, no explosion effects, and not even a planetary scene showing debris falling from orbit.

  Many players expected at least a short animation or a dedicated mission related to the event, but the result was only a simple text message. This could be seen as a lack of effort from the official team, or it could indicate that Automatons have not actually suffered a devastating defeat. There may still be a new threat waiting in the shadows.

  KDM-500 Outrider

  Many players had already unlocked KDM-500 Outrider through Operation: Lightning Intercept, so the introduction of the matching KDM-500 Outrider Body Armor this time does not come as a surprise.

  Judging from the armor's design, a matching cape will likely be added in the future to complete the full set. Overall, the armor has an excellent appearance, and the reward itself is satisfying. If you do not want to miss this armor set, the best choice is to equip your gear, prepare your weapons, and continue the fight for democracy.

  However, one disappointing aspect is that the complete armor set is being divided across three different campaigns and unlocked gradually. This means that if players miss either the helmet or the body armor, their armory will contain an incomplete combination, greatly reducing the overall visual appeal.

  More concerning is that the official team has not confirmed when the missing components will become available again. This is especially disappointing for casual players.

  Permanent Enclosure × Warhammer 40,000

  The official team has confirmed that more details about Warhammer 40,000 collaboration will be revealed on July 30. Since this announcement is close to the launch period of Permanent Enclosure campaign, many players are wondering whether there is a deeper connection between the two events.

  In reality, Helldivers 2 universe shares many similarities with Warhammer universe. Terminids resemble Tyranids in some ways, Automatons share similarities with Necrons, and Illuminate could potentially be compared to factions such as T'au Empire or Aeldari.

  If the two universes were connected through the storyline, combining these elements would be relatively easy. Unfortunately, this possibility is unlikely. Both Helldivers 2 and Warhammer place great importance on maintaining the identity of their own universes, and both are generally resistant to outside characters entering their established settings. Therefore, players will most likely not be able to personally fight against a Tyranid in Permanent Enclosure campaign.

  The official team has already confirmed that this collaboration will focus on the perspective of ordinary human soldiers from Imperium of Man in Warhammer 40,000, also known as Astra Militarum, rather than directly introducing the extremely powerful Space Marines. So players should not expect to run through Permanent Enclosure campaign wearing Astartes armor, especially since Helldivers are not nearly as physically massive as Space Marines.

  However, Warhammer 40,000 Legendary Warbond is still unlikely to disappoint. Even Astra Militarum equipment looks impressive. Although Astra Militarum soldiers are often considered cannon fodder in Warhammer, giving them powerful weapons allows them to play a crucial role on the battlefield, which is very similar to Helldivers.

  Therefore, this is a collaboration Warbond that many players will not want to miss. It is recommended you to buy Helldivers 2 Super Credits on IGGM so you do not miss this content.

  Exostorm

  One of the most important developments to watch is the recent warning released by the official team. The abnormal alien storm, Exostorm, on Heze Bay has reached Level Three and has transformed into a planet-wide chaotic storm, with atmospheric violence reaching its absolute peak.

  Ministry of Science reported that the initial hostile spacetime rifts have appeared, causing localized reality fields to become unstable. Helldivers must defend Heze Bay and eliminate Exostorm, otherwise it could trigger a Galactic Catastrophe.

  This may be a hint toward a major turning point in the upcoming storyline. In addition, leaked information suggests that the official team is developing new Illuminate enemies, including Summoners and versions of Observer from the first game. These enemies could become the next major threat facing Super Earth.

  Whether it is the Illuminate or Helldivers 2 x Warhammer 40,000 Legendary Warbond, August is expected to bring plenty of exciting content for every Helldiver. Soldiers, for Super Earth and democracy, march forward and crush Terminids.

• Helldivers 2 x Warhammer 40K Launches on July 30th! Trailer Teases Bolt Pistols & Next Warbond

  If you've been waiting for Helldivers 2 x Warhammer 40,000 collaboration, the good news is finally here. The studio officially announced the collaboration at their May event, and recently, a short trailer was released, essentially confirming the full reveal date for Legendary Warbond – July 30th.

  For fans of both titles, this collaboration is a match made in heaven. The concept of soldiers serving as cannon fodder in galactic warfare in Helldivers 2 mirrors the situation of Astra Militarum in Warhammer 40,000. Terminids correspond to Tyranids, and the Automatons correspond to Necrons – the two universes share striking similarities. Because of this, it's rumored that some within the developers have been actively pushing for this collaboration, and now this vision has finally become a reality this summer.

  Next, this article will analyze the known content contained in this trailer and use it as a basis to predict Warbond's future.

  Trailer Analysis

  

  In the official trailer, a Helldiver reaches for an iconic weapon - Bolt Pistol. This is currently the only weapon officially confirmed to be included in Legendary Warbond.

  Bolt Pistol is one of the most iconic weapons in Warhammer 40,000, widely used by multiple factions. For players familiar with Warhammer 40,000's gameplay, this weapon is perfectly suited for Astra Militarum. Of course, many players are also hoping to see the heavier Boltgun. However, from the perspective of Helldivers 2's game balance, Boltgun's excessive penetration and high damage could significantly impact the existing primary weapon ecosystem.

  Besides the Bolt Pistol, eagle-eyed players have also spotted more details in the trailer. By slowing down and brightening the footage, a new set of armor not yet seen in the game can be seen – Carapace Armor with sharp, angular green patterns, its style reminiscent of the classic Cadian Shock Trooper. This armor set is very likely one of the new armor sets to be released in this collaboration.

  Warbond Content Predictions

  Although the official reveal of all content won't be complete until July 30th, based on the pattern of the previous Killzone and Halo: ODST collaborations with Legendary Warbond, we can make some reasonable speculations.

  Regarding weapons, Bolt Pistol has already been confirmed in the trailer, and Chainsword is almost the most plausible guess. It's both Warhammer 40000's signature melee weapon and has a place in the melee system of Helldivers 2. In addition, the Lasgun, as the standard weapon of the Astra Militarum, also has a high probability of appearing.

  

  As for armor and cosmetics, the release of armor sets is almost a certainty. There's speculation that different Space Marine Chapters' power armor might appear on Helldivers 2 battlefield with varying color schemes and abilities. Furthermore, based on past Legendary Warbond collaborations, cosmetic items like capes and skins are also highly likely.

  Regarding pricing, based on previous collaborations, this Warhammer 40K Warbond collaboration will most likely be priced at 1500 super credits. It's worth noting that Helldivers 2 studio recently patched several exploits for quickly farming in-game currency, a timing that inevitably suggests preparation for this major collaboration.

  With the expected release date approaching, if you want to get Warbond immediately upon release but don't have enough stock, why not buy Helldivers 2 super credits from IGGM.com now and prepare for the arrival of Bolt Pistol?

  Release Schedule and Predictions

  According to official news, the full trailer will be released on July 30th, revealing all the content of this Warbond collaboration. As for the release date of Warbond itself, the official announcement has not yet been made. However, based on past release patterns, it usually launches within a week of the full trailer's release.

  Additionally, it's worth noting that a previous Warbond release for Helldivers 2, originally scheduled for summer, was delayed, with the development team stating they needed more time to polish it. This might indicate that the team is focusing more on this major collaboration.

  However, some analysts believe that more than one Warbond might be released in August, given the previous instance of two Warbond releases only 12 days apart.

  Community News

  Besides the collaboration itself, there are other noteworthy community news. Firstly, following the trailer's release, numerous fan art and 3D models combining the two IPs have appeared on various community platforms. There have also been concept art designs of Hellpod modified into a teleportation pod, which have garnered significant likes from fans.

  There was also a community-organized countdown event: starting with the trailer's release, a Warhammer 40K-themed game mission was held daily, such as using only explosive weapons or having everyone wear specific color scheme armor, until the full reveal on July 30th. The event attracted tens of thousands of players, and the related topic's popularity continued to rise.

  This collaboration between Helldivers 2 and Warhammer 40000 is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated collaborations of summer 2026. From the confirmed Bolt Pistol to the new armor vaguely seen in the trailer, and the likely appearance of classic weapons like Chainsword and Lasgun - the full reveal on July 30th is something every fan should stay tuned for.

• Helldivers 2 Best Loadout Strategy | Turning Weak Weapons Into Powerful Builds with the Right Stratagems

  In Helldivers 2, while exceptional individual skill is undeniably important - landing a clean shot on an enemy's weak point can instantly turn the tide of a firefight - your loadout ultimately defines each mission's experience. Even a highly capable player may struggle to achieve meaningful results if they bring a set of equipment geared more toward novelty than efficiency.

  Your loadout and your technical ability together shape your performance on the battlefield. Without a well-considered combination of gear, you will find progression arduous. It is not simply a matter of picking the most powerful weapons; instead, you need to build around each piece's shortcomings. Let us examine a few examples to illustrate this approach.

  

  High Damage But Weak Against Swarms

  Take R-6 Deadeye as a case in point. This sniper rifle handles beautifully, delivering 300 damage per shot with medium penetration capability, and its stagger force rivals that of many shotguns. That makes it exceptionally effective against larger foes.

  However, its drawbacks are equally pronounced: a magazine capacity of only eight rounds, paired with an excruciatingly slow reload. When facing Terminids' relentless swarms of smaller enemies, this limitation can prove fatal.

  The core issues with this weapon are its reload speed and the vulnerability window that arises when facing numerous adversaries.

  Reload Speed

  Reload speed can be addressed through your armor selection. Two options stand out:

  • RE-2310 Honorary Guard, whose Reinforced Epaulettes passive boosts primary weapon reload speed by 30%;
  • Siege-Ready armor passive, which also provides a 30% reload bonus and adds 20% extra ammunition capacity.

  Given that R-6 Deadeye does not typically suffer from ammo shortages, Honorary Guard offers the better trade-off here, allowing you to carry other, more impactful choices in your loadout.

  Clearing the Horde

  that is the real challenge you must confront. Your sidearm can handle small or medium enemies to some extent, but the core solution ultimately relies on your Stratagems.

  For your Backpack slot, consider AX/AR-23 Guard Dog or AX/LAS-5 Rover. Both are excellent tools for sweeping away lesser foes. AX/LAS-5 Rover is particularly outstanding because it requires no ammunition and delivers sustained damage over time.

  If you prefer not to bring a Guard Dog, you can opt for a Sentry with a short cooldown, such as A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry or A/FLAM-40 Flame Sentry.

  Should you choose neither of those, then you will need a Support Weapon dedicated to crowd control - for example, GL-28 Belt-Fed Grenade Launcher, M-1000 Maxigun, MGX-42 Bullet Storm, ARC-3 Arc Thrower, or LAS-98 Laser Cannon.

  You have up to four Stratagem slots, so your options are plentiful. By flexibly selecting among these, you can handle most combat scenarios. If you are playing in a squad, you can delegate the task of clearing minor enemies to your teammates; under their cover, you can safely take your sniper shots from a distance.

  Strong against Swarms But Lacking in Damage

  AR-23 Pacifier presents almost the exact opposite situation to R-6 Deadeye. It features medium armor penetration and a stunning effect, with a rate of fire comparable to that of an assault rifle.

  AR-23 Pacifier excels at eliminating smaller targets and can effectively interrupt charging heavy units, yet many players consider it underwhelming because its swarm-clearing potential remains limited, and its high fire rate drains ammunition at an alarming pace.

  Ammunition Concerns

  While Siege-Ready armor passive was not the optimal choice for R-6 Deadeye, it proves especially suitable for AR-23 Pacifier, increasing your total ammo reserves and easing sustained-combat pressure.

  Damage

  AR-23 Pacifier can reliably stagger and stun enemies, but its raw damage is somewhat insufficient. It functions more as a support tool, and you will need other weapons to supply the finishing power.

  AX/FLAM-75 Hot Dog pairs exceptionally well with AR-23 Pacifier. Because the Pacifier can pin enemies in place, Hot Dog's flames will not accidentally harm you; instead, you can calmly roast the stunned foes at your leisure.

  You might also choose LAS-99 Quasar Cannon as your anti-heavy support weapon. For your sidearm, LAS-58 Talon handles medium threats like Alpha Commanders effectively.

  G-13 Incendiary Impact grenade synergizes with Pacifier's stun, creating a sea of fire within enemy groups. In combat, you can then rely primarily on AR-23 Pacifier for crowd control while letting your other Stratagems deliver the bulk of the damage.

  Balanced Performance But Scarce Ammunition

  Consider SMG-203 Gallant. This medium-penetration submachine gun defies the traditional SMG role, which usually restricts you to close-range skirmishing against weak foes; instead, it possesses a genuine capacity to deal with elite targets. Its rate of fire is extremely high, but its greatest flaw is again the rapid depletion of ammunition.

  Ammo Issue

  SMG-203 Gallant offers excellent damage output, yet its ammunition supply curtails its potential. You can bring a powerful support weapon such as AC-8 Autocannon or LAS-98 Laser Cannon to reduce your dependence on the primary.

  For your backpack slot, B-1 Supply Pack completely eliminates Gallant's ammo anxiety. For Stratagems, take 20mm HE Barrage to clear Factory Striders, and add an A/MLS-4X Rocket Sentry to counter dropships from automaton reinforcements.

  As your sidearm, P-33 Missile Pistol can destroy bunker turrets and even Factory Striders from a distance; for grenades, G-48 Giga Grenade handles heavily armored units. With these choices, you effectively cover nearly every weakness.

  In Helldivers 2, no weapon is truly useless. As long as you thoughtfully consider its shortcomings and build around them - using your sidearm, grenades, armor passives, and Stratagems to compensate - you can often turn any mission into a resounding victory.

  ---

  Some key pieces of equipment aren't free, and they may be included in Warbonds. You can buy Helldivers 2 Super Credits on IGGM to unlock these weapons and stratagems, so you can optimize your loadout.

• Helldivers 2 Lightning Intercept Campaign Revealed: Defeat Automatons and Destroy Death Laser Threat!

  With Termicide 2.0 campaign on most Helldivers 2 servers nearing completion, players are eager for fresh content, and fortunately, the new Lightning Intercept campaign is just around the corner.

  As a key part of the shift in game update formats for the latter half of 2026, Lightning Intercept, much like the earlier Termicide 2.0 or Census Thunder, requires you and other players to work together to advance Major Order and unlock ultimate rewards.

  Below, we provide an overview of Lightning Intercept Order and offer potential strategies for making progress.

  

  Lightning Intercept participation mechanics

  Following Terminid crisis caused by Termicide 2.0, Lightning Intercept campaign introduces an Automaton threat. This faction plans to construct Death Laser to strike Super Earth.

  From a narrative standpoint, you and your fellow Helldivers must engage in combat and penetrate deep into enemy territory to gather intelligence on this lethal weapon, aiming to locate and destroy it before the enemy can commit further atrocities.

  Interestingly, Lightning Intercept trailer concludes by stating that negotiations will end, and further updates will be issued, once the target's location is confirmed.

  But is it truly possible for Helldivers to resolve issues with Automatons or Terminids through negotiation? Perhaps there are hidden secrets at play.

  Beyond Automaton-related content, the campaign briefing also announces that Super Earth has secured control of The Void, effectively curbing Illuminates' plans to expand into that region.

  However, given the successive appearances of Terminids and Automatons, this may well be a teaser indicating that the next Major Order will focus on Illuminates.

  For now, let's turn our attention back to Lightning Intercept. Clearly, completing this order requires mastering combat techniques against Automatons and handling potential intelligence-gathering tasks.

  How to defeat Automatons?

  As one of the primary enemy factions in Helldivers 2, Automatons are essentially mindless, violent robots, further divided into three specific sub-factions: Jet Brigade, Incineration Corps, and Cyborg Legion.

  Unlike battles against Terminids, who rely primarily on melee combat, engagements with Automatons involve ranged projectile weapons, forcing you to fight from a distance.

  Therefore, you need to not only boost your character's mobility, ensuring you can quickly reach cover and avoid exposure in open areas, but also equip ranged weapons to deal continuous damage while moving and taking cover.

  There are plenty of ranged weapon options in Helldivers 2, but to ensure you complete the current Major Order on time, it is a good idea to buy Helldivers 2 Super Credits on IGGM to unlock advanced Warbonds and select the right gear.

  Additionally, if you encounter formidable heavy Automatons like Devastators or Factory Striders, you should shoot their legs to trip them up before focusing your firepower on their actual weak points.

  However, if the situation turns against you, do not get bogged down in the fight; break line of sight immediately to reposition or retreat.

  New Reward: KDM-500 Outrider

  KDM-500 Outrider is a helmet awarded for completing Lightning Intercept campaign. While its specific function isn't yet clear, its appearance suggests it will probably be part of a future armor set.

  So, whether you want to secure the full set bonus later or simply prove your skills by completing Lightning Intercept campaign, this helmet is not to be missed.

  Interestingly, there is speculation that recent Major Order rewards are actually components of a previously planned but unreleased Warbond, now broken up into free rewards for players. This makes the theory about an upcoming armor set quite plausible.

  How does R-4 Hyena perform?

  This piece of gear was a reward from the previous campaign. With Termicide 2.0 event drawing to a close, now is the perfect time for a comprehensive review of R-4 Hyena, especially since, if it proves reliable, it could be a valuable asset in completing Lightning Intercept order.

  This weapon specializes in incendiary damage. Stat-wise, it boasts 220 damage, a 15-round magazine, 54 recoil, and a fire rate of 190. Compared to other marksman rifles, its standout feature is its high per-shot damage.

  R-4 Hyena also offers a satisfying firing experience and supports customization, with various options available for scopes, under-barrel attachments, and more.

  In actual combat, R-4 Hyena can take out small enemies in a single shot; for tougher foes, you can utilize the cumulative effect of its incendiary damage to burn them to death.

  Functionally, R-4 Hyena is a status-effect weapon, so it ought to excel against elite-tier enemies. Consequently, when facing Automaton faction, it is best suited for engagements with Alpha Commanders, Devastators, and Overseers.

  However, its handling is sluggish, with a stat of only 30, making it feel clunky to use. Even more problematic is that, compared to other DMRs, R-4 Hyena lacks any standout advantages or unique features.

  Furthermore, regarding its incendiary capabilities, the weapon builds up the burning status too slowly; in the heat of battle, it often fails to trigger the burn effect as quickly as you might hope.

  When is the next Warbond coming?

  While unlocking free rewards by completing new Major Orders is great, it has been quite a while since the last Helldivers 2 Warbond was released.

  You have likely been anticipating Warhammer 40K crossover Warbond ever since it was announced. It is highly probable that this will be the next one - however, repeated delays to the expected release date have left everything uncertain.

  Now, all you can do in Helldivers 2 is keep pushing forward in the latest Galactic War campaigns and cooperate with other players to thwart the plots of evil forces! Good luck out there!

• Helldivers 2 May Get AI Teammates: Summon 6-Person Seaf Squads, Expandable to 16

  Hey guys, things aren't going smoothly in Helldivers 2 lately - players are fighting a tough battle to conquer Genesis Prime while also uncovering a ton of new stuff in leaked documents. AI teammates, combat-capable sales bots, a squad system, and even wild animals are getting involved. Today, we'll break down all this leaked information and see what new gadgets we'll be using in the future.

  Current Main Mission

  The main mission for players in Helldivers 2 right now is to conquer a planet called Genesis Prime. The outcome will affect whether you get the new Marksman rifle, R-4 Hyena.

  Meanwhile, the development team hasn't been idle either. The leaked files contain a bunch of new things, mainly about teammates, including AI units that can be called upon, a bot that can both sell goods and act as a substitute, a squad system, and potentially random wild animals.

  

  AI Units That Can Be Directly Called Upon

  What is it?

  This feature actually appeared in Helldivers 2 before being removed, but a recent patch brought it back, and the underlying code is completely different from before its removal.

  Currently, its internal name is Seaf Reinforcements, and it's unclear whether it will become a dedicated strategic unit in the future.

  Based on leaked documents, you can call a squad onto the map, consisting of six people: a radio operator, an EAT carrier, and three regular infantrymen.

  The good news is that, as teammates, they know how to use most of the weapons in the game, but the bad news is that because they are AI, they don't know how to perform a charge-up action, so they won't use weapons that require a charge-up to fire (such as Quasar Cannon).

  Some weapons also cause Helldivers 2 to crash when used; these issues are still being fixed.

  Furthermore, while the current default squad size is six people, the file parameters support expansion to a maximum of 16 units, leaving room for future adjustments.

  Customization Potential

  Further data analysis regarding the summonable Seaf squads reveals that while customizing the weaponry and equipment of individual units is not currently an official feature of Helldivers 2, leaked documents include parameter interfaces for personalized adjustments to each unit.

  This means that in the future, we may be able to freely configure the equipment combinations of summoned squads during the pre-battle preparation phase.

  Cha Droid Helper

  Another highly anticipated feature is the mechanical unit called Cha Droid Helper, also known as Hellbot. Originally designed as a salesperson in Acquisition Center, selling items to players, its functionality has been gradually expanded to the tactical level with the analysis of more documents.

  This robot may eventually be able to replace teammates in Helldivers 2 squad. 

  This is definitely good news for us players, because if someone disconnects, gets kicked out of the room, or fails to complete a match, then this Hellbot can fill the gap and provide the combat support you need.

  However, in current testing, this Hellbot's strength is relatively weak; it can be destroyed in just two attacks. Therefore, Cha Droid Helper's combat capabilities and complete behavioral logic are still being developed.

  Interestingly, Cha Droid Helper has a lot of exclusive dialogue related to Illuminate, which is connected to the game's backstory: during First Galactic War, Illuminate deployed something called Illuminate Beacon, possibly sending a distress signal.

  So, this Hellbot's deep connection to Illuminate likely means that it will play an important interactive role during a future Illuminate invasion.

  Clan/Platoon System Development Status

  Regarding the long-awaited Clan or Platoon system, internal information from the development team indicates that the project is still under development and has not been cancelled; however, the specific implementation time is still unclear.

  Based on existing document clues, the basic architecture of this system has been initially established, potentially allowing players to socially interact within dedicated team-based space battles located in planetary orbits.

  Simultaneously, team members can accept exclusive Platoon Orders and acquire team-only Clan Stratagems.

  Of course, the specific details of these amazing exclusive stratagems and systems have not yet been officially released, but it is safe to say that once they are introduced into the game, the multiplayer cooperative fun for players in Helldivers 2 will definitely be greatly increased.

  New Wildlife Faction

  Regarding enemy factions, leaked documents reveal a refreshing new category: a fifth faction independent of the existing Super Earth, Bugs, Illuminate, and Automatons - Wildlife faction.

  Once this information was leaked, various analysts suggested that these wild animals might not be entirely hostile units, but creatures with gravity-related properties. Their behavior might involve attacking both player and existing enemy units simultaneously, creating a more chaotic and dynamic situation in combat zones.

  If the different planets in Helldivers 2 will have their own unique wildlife biomes, their presence will undoubtedly greatly enrich the immersion and sense of the unknown during planetary exploration.

  ---

  Most of the leaked content is still under development. Whether it will all be implemented in the game, when it will be implemented, and what it will ultimately look like are all unknown.

  While waiting for these features to be implemented, you can buy Helldivers 2 Super Credits from IGGM.com so you're fully prepared when the new stratagems are released.

  After all, the development team has stated that they don't want to blindly copy Helldivers 1. So which of these guesses are you most looking forward to seeing actually implemented in Helldivers 2?

• Helldivers 2 July Leaks New Mode and Returning Cyborgs | Super Earth's Next Battle Is Unforgiving

  Helldivers, TCS 2.0 is steadily advancing, and the walls of Super Earth will soon separate us from the abhorrent Terminid threat. The next Major Order for Helldivers is to gather resources for the construction of Terminid Control System+.

  Yet we must cast our gaze further ahead, as new modes and content of Helldivers 2 are being prepared behind the scenes. The community has uncovered leaked information originating from Helldivers 1. Let us compile these intelligence reports and offer you a glimpse of the challenges and reinforcements that Super Earth may face in the future.

  

  Proving Ground Operation

  According to the latest data mining efforts, a new mode called Proving Ground Operation has surfaced. At its core lies an independent area designated as Proving Ground.

  Leaked images indicate that the name of the first instance within this mode will change based on each player's customized ship designation.

  Proving Ground is, in fact, a game mode originally introduced in Dive Harder expansion for Helldivers 1. The action will take place in an exclusive zone featuring an intact Super Earth cityscape.

  This mode includes standalone missions with unique modifiers, and its difficulty and mechanics are not available in the main game. It operates entirely outside the larger progression of Galactic War, allowing players to jump in at any time.

  Notably, the original Proving Ground Operation mode featured a variety of distinctive modifiers, such as unexpected orbital bombardment striking the city or power outages plunging the map into darkness. This mechanism of introducing random variations to the map bears similarities to Roguelike mode that was previously rumored to be in the works for Helldivers 2.

  In official blog posts, however, Planet Warfronts was Roguelike mode announced by the developers back in December 2025, though it has not yet been released.

  Consequently, Planet Warfronts will either draw heavily from the gameplay of Proving Ground Operation, or the developers intend to rework Proving Ground Operation and release it again within Helldivers 2.

  

  Helldivers 1 Return of Enemies

  Beyond new modes, data miners have also discovered multiple code references within Helldivers 2's game files pointing to units from Cyborg faction in Helldivers 1. This could indicate that some Cyborg units from the first game are being reworked for a return. Below are a few possibilities.

  Hounds

  Cyborg faction is not composed solely of humanoid units. In the original game, these mechanical hounds were swift and low to the ground, making headshots extremely difficult, and they were likely immune to stagger effects. They were designed with the explicit purpose of chasing down Helldivers who were in the middle of reloading their rifles.

  You can think of them as analogous to Hunters among Terminids, but they are metallic constructs with glowing red eyes, and their attacks might trigger alarms that alert nearby patrols. Their models and AI will certainly be overhauled.

  Legionnaire

  Legionnaires are the elite squad leaders of Cyborg faction, functioning as upgraded versions of the standard Squad Leader. They wield riot shields that provide up to 4,000 points of armor protection from the front, and they are equipped with grenade launchers capable of producing lethal fragmentation blasts at medium to long range.

  Legionnaires are in charge of patrols on higher difficulties. Upon spotting players, they will immediately fire a flare to call for reinforcements and stall for time until heavy units arrive. Players can only hope to counter them through flanking maneuvers or close-quarters assaults, as engaging them head-on is almost futile.

  One can easily imagine how, under Helldivers 2's physics engine and AI system, three Legionnaires advancing in coordination with mechanical hounds would present an extraordinarily challenging tactical puzzle.

  Siege Mech

  This is not EXO-44 Walker Exosuit that many players might assume, but rather a colossal enemy boasting 300,000 hit points and up to 1,500 points of armor, with a threat level designated as Extreme.

  It functions more like a mobile objective, similar to Hive Lord among Terminids, and defeating it yields bonus experience points.

  Siege Mech is equipped with machine guns and grenade launchers, can deploy multiple anti-aircraft turrets, and continuously drops reinforcements as its health decreases.

  This unit only activates when Helldivers draw near, thus giving players some preparation time. It is foreseeable that in the sequel, this will be a Raid Boss-level threat.

  Warlords

  Warlords are super-elite heavy units within Cyborg faction, possessing 3,000 hit points and multiple layers of armor exceeding 1,000 points. They are armed with Gauss cannons and deal up to 250 points of melee damage.

  Warlords do not actively patrol but are instead called in by other units. Once an alarm is sounded, it is even possible for three Warlords to descend simultaneously. They are nearly impervious to all small-arms fire, demanding dedicated anti-armor stratagems and tight team coordination to overcome.

  Weapons and Vehicles from Helldiver 1

  Facing such formidable foes, the return of classic equipment from the first game becomes all the more significant. The following vehicles and gear are also eagerly anticipated by players.

  • M5-32 HAV: This is a large, heavy tracked assault vehicle, akin to a miniature tank, capable of crushing swarms and absorbing immense damage. It can serve as a mobile fortress for the team, forcing a path forward and drawing enemy fire.
  • MC-109 Hammer Motorcycle: A two-person rapid-response motorcycle that can dash across the map, enabling blitzkrieg tactics and emergency extractions.
  • M5 APC: A four-seat armored personnel carrier. Compared to the current FRV, it offers more comprehensive protection for the entire squad. This vehicle has already been discovered in the game files and might be deployed soon.

  Developers have publicly stated that they are exercising caution when integrating content from the first game into Helldivers 2, as they wish for the sequel to forge its own path. Consequently, whether all the above content will ultimately be implemented, when it will be implemented, and in what specific form, remain subject to change.

  ---

  Perhaps the developers will release vehicles and weapons from the original Jedi in a Warbond; given recent developments, this is not impossible. Therefore, you can buy Helldivers 2 Super Credits on IGGM if you are interested in the next Warbond, or if you don't have time to update farming Super Credits right now. This will save you time and help you avoid the pressure of FOMO.