Helldivers 2 adding huge Escalation of Freedom update next month
Check out our full breakdown of the Helldivers 2 Escalation of Freedom major update, which is set to add a new tonne of content to the game.
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The next major update for Helldivers 2 has been announced, and it's just around the corner. Titled Escalation of Freedom, the keyword being 'escalation', it's set to up the ante across the board, with lots of new content that players will die over and over while enjoying. Let's see what to expect.
Escalation of Freedom release date
The Escalation of Freedom update is confirmed to be released on August 6. Exactly two weeks after it was announced.
Escalation of Freedom update explained
New difficulty level
One of the biggest features of this new update is Difficulty Level 10, which goes even further in providing a massive challenge for players.
In the trailer above, the developers describe it as feeling like a real progression from the previous level, featuring way more enemies than before, and even a new type of outpost that's much bigger, but offers more rewards in turn.
New enemies
Both the Terminids and Automatons have been busy, and now players will have to face off with some new enemy types that force you to play differently and adapt to new situations. The confirmed enemies are:
- Impaler (Terminids) - "Stabby" tentacles that rise out of the ground and cut off your escape
- Spore Charger (Terminids) - A Charger that brings a moving spore fog with it
- Artillery Tank (Automatons) - A tank that fires artillery direct at you, or in an arc like a mortar
- Heavy Brood Commanders (Terminids) - An enhanced version of the Brood Commander that spawns different enemy types than the regular one
The developers didn't confirm any other enemy types, but it's possible there will be more. In the trailer, they did say there will be some surprises in store for players, so this could be referring to more baddies to face off with.
New planet type & hazard
There is a new version of the swamp environment designed to be far more spooky and darkly atmospheric. Imagine the Louisiana Bayou from Resident Evil 7, but with aliens to contend with.
The acid storm weather effect has also been enhanced with a new mechanic that reduces the armour of both enemies and Helldivers. This means everyone deals more damage to each other, allowing you to be more aggressive in taking down hordes, but at the cost of being easier to kill.
New missions & objectives
The update will also feature some new objectives for you to attempt to take on after touching down on a planet. The developers specifically say there are new "objectives", as in plural, but they only reference one in the trailer itself.
Retrieve Larva is a Terminid mission that tasks you with retrieving a backpack with a crying larva suspended inside, and extracting with it. The twist of this mission is that the larva's cries will attract enemies, putting you under constant pressure from the moment you pick it up, until the moment you extract.
The section of the trailer that talks about new mission types briefly features a shot of a machine with a drill and some liquid inside that seems to filter out into smaller canisters. This is likely an Automaton mission, but no details are given about it.
What else is there?
The developer specifically says it hasn't mentioned everything that will be in the Escalation of Freedom update, and that there are some surprises we might not expect. Though we'll have to wait for the patch notes to see what these could be.
About The Author
Tarran Stockton
Tarran is a Senior Guides Writer at GGRecon. He previously wrote reviews for his college newspaper before studying Media and Communication at university. His favourite genres include role-playing games, strategy games, and boomer shooters - along with anything indie. You can also find him in the pit at local hardcore shows.
This is part of the ‘Helldivers 2’ directory
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