Helldivers 2's latest patch significantly enhances the Flamethrower, a powerful but previously unwieldy stratagem. The game, a hit co-op shooter released in early February 2024, has quickly amassed a large player base.
The FLAM-40 Flamethrower, while devastating, suffered from poor handling. A March damage buff only highlighted its sluggishness. However, update 01.000.403 addresses this by fixing a bug in the Peak Physique armor perk (introduced in June with the Viper Commandos Warbond). This perk, intended to improve weapon handling and increase melee damage, was malfunctioning, severely impacting the Flamethrower's usability.
A Reddit user, CalypsoThePython, showcased the improved Flamethrower handling post-patch, emphasizing the dramatic difference. Previously, the weapon was described as turning "like a truck," hindering accuracy and control during movement. The Helldivers 2 Media Twitter account amplified this positive change, surprising some players unaware of the Peak Physique perk's role in the Flamethrower's sluggishness.
The swift resolution demonstrates the developers' commitment to addressing player concerns. While the community celebrates the improvement, requests for further refinements remain, such as fixing an issue where the Flamethrower's trajectory shifts upward when fired while using the Jump Pack. Future updates are anticipated to address this and other potential bugs.