The Helldivers 2 Devoid of Liberty major update was released on August 12, 2026, alongside the Warhammer 40K Legendary Warbond. Devoid of Liberty is the third major update that’s Illuminate-centered, with Omen of Tyranny and Heart of Democracy preceding it. And as usual, the Illuminates are brewing up horrific schemes behind the scenes.
The Helldivers 2 Devoid of Liberty major update touches on the ever-growing Void that we’ve seen propagating in the southern sector. In fact, after we finalize the Void Warp Relay, High Command is sending SEAF and Helldivers into the Void. But that’s if we complete the first Major Order, so let’s see what this update brings so you can get in the fight.
The Contents Of The Helldivers 2 Devoid Of Liberty Major Update
The Helldivers 2 Devoid of Liberty major update brings in quite the list of changes and additions, both major and minor. And since the minor ones can be summed up with a single sentence, I’ll leave out the minor changes for this update. But let’s get back on track and get this list started with the main attraction of this update.
The New Illuminates
The Helldivers 2 Devoid of Liberty update introduces a new Illuminate sub-faction, called the Vote Snatchers. This sub-faction features two new enemies, the wretched Wretch and the crushing Crusher, which fight alongside the Voteless and Fleshmobs. We know what the Voteless and Fleshmob do, so we’ll move straight to what the two new enemies do.
The Wretch is a nimble creature of horrific body horror that can hurl itself at its foes and slash with its massive arm claws. And if you shoot its head, then just like the Alpha and Brood Commander, it’ll flail its claws wildly at you, but it’s completely blind, unlike the bugs. The only correct way to safely dispatch this horror is to cut off its limbs, just like Dead Space.
The Crusher is a lumbering mass of impending doom that requires a lot of firepower to take down. While it’s slow, it can dish out and take a lot of punishment, and if that punishment lets up, it will regenerate. The two methods of taking this beast down are either a lot of bullets, fire, or explosives, or shooting its heavy pen helmet off and sniping its head.
The New SEAF
Super Earth has also received its own sub-faction with the Helldivers 2 Devoid of Liberty update in the form of a planetary modifier called Heavy SEAF Presence. This modifier allows SEAF soldiers to deploy alongside Helldivers via Pelican drop ships whenever Helldivers split up or get surrounded by enemies. But that’s not all for our favorite blueberries.
SEAF forces have gotten a considerable improvement in the Helldivers 2 Devoid of Liberty update. Not only do they receive cosmetic changes, such as a new helmet light and camo, but they also get some new gear to increase their firepower. From what we can see, there are now four types of SEAF soldiers.
The new SEAF soldiers and their gear are as follows:
- The Rifleman and Squad Leader: These soldiers feature the standard Liberator, except the Squad Leader also has a radio backpack.
- The Machine Gunner/Weapons Specialist: This weapons expert carries an MG-43 as a primary and an EAT-17 on their back.
- The Medic: This savior carries a large med pack full of stims on their back and has a Defender SMG as a primary and a Stim pistol as a sidearm.
Additionally, the Medic has distinct markings to differentiate them from their fellow soldiers. Medics will also stim nearby Helldivers with either a stim or with their Stim Pistol. Lastly, when a SEAF soldier takes enough damage, either a medic can stim them to bring them back into the fight, or you can stim them yourself with a stim or Stim Pistol.
The New Biome And Missions
Unfortunately, the new biome and its subsequent missions in the Helldivers 2 Devoid of Liberty update aren’t available as of writing this article. But what we do know is the new biome will show an environment with altered mutations that turn what was once democratic into something sinister. And these mutations only get worse as they get closer to the Void’s reach.
We can’t possibly imagine what it’ll look like inside the Void itself, but speaking of the Void, we have a few new missions with this update. The Helldivers 2 Devoid of Liberty update introduces new main and side missions once we enter the Void. But Arrowhead has revealed a few main and side missions to the public.
The new upcoming main and side missions are as follows:
- The Upcoming Main Missions:
- Destroy Illuminate Spires
- Destroy Illuminate Gateways
- Complete Data Reconnaissance
- Infiltrate Illuminate Structure
- The Upcoming Side Missions:
- Eradicate Void Mutations
- Evacuate Materials For Research
- A Mysterious Side Mission: The last tease we got for the secondary/side missions details that by completing this mission, Helldivers will gain access to a second extract location. This may allow you to extract your squad much quicker than the default extract.
The New Assisted Reload Change
After ages of begging for this change, the Helldivers 2 Devoid of Liberty update has finally granted our undying wish. Backpack support weapons can now be reloaded without needing the loader to have the appropriate ammo pack on. This means the support weapon user can wear the backpack and use it like normal.
And when the situation calls for it, a fellow Helldiver can step up and help reload their fellow Helldiver. The loading Helldiver will stick to the firing Helldiver as long as the firing Helldiver doesn’t sprint away or the loader steps away. Additionally, if both Helldivers have the appropriate backpack on, the loader will load from their bag first.
Is That All For The Helldivers 2 Devoid Of Liberty Major Update?
I left out many of the minor changes in the Helldivers 2 Devoid of Liberty update, which include some balancing and QoL improvements. Not only that, but we have yet to see the new biome or missions that they spoke of, or even inside the Void itself. But that will change very soon, so you better defend Rirga Bay if you want to push into the Void yourself.
With that said, it’s time to get in that Hellpod, Helldiver, because we’re halfway done with the second region, but we need all the help we can get. And if you’re a PlayStation Plus recruit, then what are you waiting for? It’s the perfect time and place to join the fight, so get in there and show those squids what real fear feels like!
For more information on games and Helldivers 2, stay tuned with us.
