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A new Helldivers 2 update is on the way, and it will be here in just a week’s time. Naturally, fans are massively anticipating this patch as it has been quite some time before a significant update was last delivered. While we know some of the weapons that will receive highly-requested improvements, we would like to see Arrowhead seriously buff riot shields in Helldivers 2.
As part of the developer’s 60-day roadmap, the next Helldivers 2 update is currently scheduled for September 17th. Per Arrowhead’s blog post on Steam, it will rework enemies, and it will be focused on balance fixes. The Autocannon, Heavy Machine Gun, and Anti-Material Rifle will receive buffs to make them more effective, and there will be improvements to flamethrower weapons, too.
While improvements to flamethrower weapons will be greatly appreciated, it also feels necessary for the riot shield to be improved so they can actually defend against bots.
Helldivers 2 needs to buff riot shields
A frustration in Helldivers 2 is that riot shields cannot protect against flamethrowers used by bots. This is something that has been pointed out by the community in providing feedback for Arrowhead.
Either the bot flamethrower is overpowered and needs to be nerfed, or the riot shield needs to be upgraded as right now it is basically useless for defending against bots that use the flamethrower. What makes this even worse is that heavy devastator shields do actually work in defending against flamethrower attacks from the player, which results in an experience that feels unfair and unrealistic.
In addition to a buff to make the ballistic shield actually effective against flamethrowers, it would actually be nice for it to block bile spits, too. Not only that, but Arrowhead could implement a shield bash as an effective melee attack that stuns enemies for longer periods of time.
There’s so much more that can be done with the riot shield as right now it feels ineffective and largely pointless. With how players can’t block flamethrower attacks but heavy devastator shields can, it feels as though players are playing by one rule whereas the enemy is playing by a more laxed rule.
Hopefully improvements are made in the future. It’s possible tweaks could arrive in the update for next week as, in addition to a few weapon buffs and enemy overhauls, Arrowhead is reworking Armor Penetration and Anti-Tank weapons, along with enemy armor and health values.
For more Helldivers 2, check out our guide to the best Warbonds along with the best loadouts in the game.
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