Helldivers 2 Flamethrower nerfs controversy, explained

Helldivers 2 nerfs come and go, but soldiers’ anger toward what they deem unnecessary Flamethrower nerf remains the same. Instead of pointing it in its rightful place (towards the Terminid and Automaton), the Helldivers have their insights pointed at Command.

Here’s everything you need to know about Helldivers 2 Flamethrower nerf and the controversy surrounding it.

Helldivers 2: Flamethrower nerfs explained

In the massive Escalation of Freedom update (Patch 1.001.002) on Aug. 6, 2024, Helldivers returned to the fold to test for a new meta, explore the Haunted Swamp, and try their luck on the new Super Helldive difficulty. One of the many changes in this giant patch was the fire damage nerf that “adjusted flame effects to work more realistically.”

The nerf changed how fire works in Helldivers 2, where realism is prioritized over everything else. Fire no longer penetrates through all material, making it obsolete against armored enemies. Instead, fire will bounce off structures, giving it a more natural and realistic effect. While Helldivers weren’t using fire damage to deal with the Automaton, it was a go-to for the Terminid (predominantly used to handle the Charger).

Fire damage still works but requires more patience, practice, and positioning. It is no longer light work to take down a Charger by spraying your Flamethrower in its leg. However, targeting its abdomen by pointing the Flamethrower at the section underneath will still inflict a burning effect.

Helldivers 2: Flamethrower controversy, explained

Helldivers speculate this fire nerf is in anticipation of the incoming supply from Command, with the Freedom’s Flame Warbond coming out on Aug. 8. Each Warbond has a theme that brings the new weapons, armor, and biome together. The Freedom’s Flame focuses on ticking damage (or damage over time), delivered by the fiery blaze of the new primary Flamethrower. As each Warbond sets the Helldiver back 1,000 Super Credits or $9.99, players are already expressing concerns about the upcoming Freedom’s Flame.

Many have expressed their distaste for the Flamethrower nerf throughout Aug. 6 on X (formerly known as Twitter) and r/Helldivers subreddit that now put this high-risk, high-reward weapon on the back burner. While a new Flamethrower could replace the Stratagem version, Redditors describe this nerf as unrealistic, useless, and worse than before due to the Flamethrower’s inability to cook armored Terminid.

Fire can only damage exposed flesh, now dealing little to no damage to Terminid that sport armor on their face and limbs. Helldivers want more balance across the board when it comes to how fire damage works instead of Arrowhead nerfing “fire as a whole.” They want this nerf reversed, but will their demands be heard?

Looking at this nerf, it’d make sense for the Stratagem Flamethrower to be powerful enough to penetrate armor. It should still deal damage over time to multiple enemies simultaneously while putting yourself and fellow Helldivers at risk of getting burnt in the crossfire. Meanwhile, weaker options like the new FLAM-66 Torcher should only deal damage to flesh.

While Arrowhead has since responded, saying there will be tweaks to come following the Escalation of Freedom feedback, it’s uncertain whether reverting the fire change is enough to keep Helldivers satisfied. But the player count numbers continue to show a strong Helldivers 2 community, and it continues to play, regardless of the nerfs.