2024 has been a tumultuous year forHelldivers 2. Originally launching to rapturous applause, the game struggled to find its footing as a live-service title, earning negative feedback for Arrowhead’s handling of updates and various other controversial features, like the arrival of the ever-contentious PlayStation ID requirement. Having said that,Helldivers 2appears to have stabilized somewhat, and it’s closing out the year with a special holiday gift for players.
Live-service games live and die on the back of their free content releases. Certainly, premium DLC and Battle Passes go a long way toward keeping these games profitable (see: free-to-play games likeFortnite), but complimentary content and enticing updates are what keep the majority of players invested long-term.Helldivers 2is in a particularly tough situation when it comes to this style of content rollout, not only because of Sony’s and Arrowhead’s limited experience in the GaaS space, but also because of its $40 price tag, which suggests a greater emphasis on free content rather than fully priced expansions or microtransactions. This is a big reason whyHelldivers 2caught so much flak for itsKillzone 2crossover, but the game seems to be paying penance for it, at least slightly, with a new free stratagem.
Helldivers 2 Receives a New Killzone Weapon for Use as a Stratagem
The StA-X3 W.A.S.P. Launcher Is Originally from Killzone 3
The arrival of theW.A.S.P. Launcher stratagem has been received fairly well by theHelldivers 2communitythus far, which is rather ironic considering that it is a continuation of the controversialKillzonecrossover event. This can likely be chalked up to the fact that the W.A.S.P. is free, in addition to having a tangible, rather than superficial, impact on gameplay. Just like inKillzone, the W.A.S.P is an incredibly powerful artillery weapon inHelldivers 2, capable of taking down armored vehicles and swarms of enemies alike, and whileKillzoneandHelldiversare markedly different in terms of tone, the explosive, bombastic capabilities of the weapon make it a strong bridge between the two IP.
The W.A.S.P.’s Versatility and Damage Output Make It a Great Fit for Any Helldivers 2 Loadout
The W.A.S.P. has two firing modes:
As an explosive weapon, the W.A.S.P. is effective against enemies with low-to-medium armor, with the Artillery mode being particularly useful for clearing out groups of enemies like Devastators. It has a lock-on system, allowing it to be dumb-fired, and unlikesimilarHelldivers 2weapons, target acquisition time is low, making it a good DPS option in a pinch. It also ignores chaff, which increases the reliability of lock-on.
It’s not without its shortcomings, however. TheW.A.S.P. is a great tool for long-range assaults, but the erratic flight patterns of its rockets make it difficult to count on at close range, as they can potentially miss smaller targets without the necessary time to stabilize. Similarly, it’s not a good option for close-quarters environments or when surrounded by obstacles, as these same erratic flight patterns can make for explosive hazards to the wielder or their allies. When firing rockets in Artillery mode, they will attack enemies from above, so any sort of reliable overhead cover will thwart these sorts of attacks.
But these drawbacks are reasonable balancing measures; the W.A.S.P. is still a more than worthwhile stratagem to get familiar with. Its versatility, ease of use, and unlimited charges make it a great addition to any loadout, especially those focused on heavy armor or long-range weaponry, anditsKillzonerootsmake it a touching blast from the past to boot.
Helldivers 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Do you believe in freedom? Can you stand in the face of oppression – and defend the defenceless? Wage war for peace. Die for democracy.Join forces with up to three friends and wreak havoc on an alien scourge threatening the safety of your home planet, Super Earth, in this multiplayer co-op shooter for PS5 and PC from Arrowhead Game Studios.Step into the boots of the Helldivers, an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest and most explosive tools in the galaxy.Helldivers don’t go planet side without proper backup, but it’s up to you to decide how and when to call it in. Not only do you have a host of superpowered primary weapons and customizable loadouts, you also have the ability to call on stratagems during play.Helldivers 2 features Arrowhead’s best cooperative gameplay yet. Collaboration will be vital: Teams will synergize on loadouts, strategize their approach for each mission and complete objectives together.1Enlist in Super Earth’s premier military peacekeeping force today. We are heroes… we are legends… WE ARE HELLDIVERS.
