Helldivers 2 Faces Another Game-Breaking Hurdle after Arrowhead’s Nerf Rampage

Just when it seemed like Helldivers 2 was back on track after Arrowhead’s massive #BuffDivers update, a new problem has reared its ugly head. Or rather, an old problem that never really went away. And if left unchecked, it could undo all the goodwill the developer has managed to claw back in the last few days.

The issue at hand? The age-old debate about difficulty gatekeeping and the etiquette of joining higher-level missions in a co-op game. It’s a topic that’s been simmering in the Helldivers 2 community for a while, but recent events have brought it to a boiling point once again.

The Great Difficulty Debate Rages On

The debate came to a head recently when a post on the r/Helldivers subreddit sparked a heated discussion about player etiquette and the unwritten rules of the game. In it, Redditor u/PibDib788 called out low-level players who jump straight into the Helldivers 2‘s highest difficulty setting, Super Helldive, without first honing their skills on lower levels:

Are divers gatekeeping difficulty or are you just being disrespectful?
byu/PibDib788 inhelldivers2

The post argues that players who consistently die more than 5 times per mission should stick to lower difficulties until they can consistently survive with fewer deaths. This, PibDib788 claims, is not about gatekeeping, but rather about respecting your teammates and not dragging them down with your lack of skill.

It’s a sentiment echoed by other high-level players in the comments:

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byu/PibDib788 from discussion
inhelldivers2

But not everyone agrees. Some players argue that the obsession with playing at the highest difficulty is misguided, and that there’s nothing wrong with sticking to a level that’s fun and challenging for you:

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byu/PibDib788 from discussion
inhelldivers2

It’s a complex issue with valid points on both sides. On one hand, no one wants to feel like they’re being carried or that they’re holding their team back. On the other, Helldivers 2 is a co-op PvE game, not a competitive first-person shooter. Shouldn’t the focus be on everyone having fun?

Potential Solutions and the Way Forward

So what’s the solution? Some players have suggested that the shared reinforcement mechanic, where each player gets 5 respawns per mission for a total of 20 in a full squad, is part of the problem:

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byu/PibDib788 from discussion
inhelldivers2

It’s an interesting idea, and one that Arrowhead might want to consider. But there are other potential solutions too. Perhaps the matchmaking system could be tweaked to better pair players of similar skill levels. Or maybe there could be more in-game tools and tutorials to help new players learn the ropes and improve their skills.

Ultimately, it’s up to Arrowhead to decide how to address this issue. But one thing is clear: ignoring it is not an option. The Helldivers 2 community is passionate and vocal, and if players feel like their concerns aren’t being heard, they’ll vote with their feet.

The #BuffDivers update was a step in the right direction, but Arrowhead can’t afford to rest on its laurels. The difficulty debate is just one of many hurdles the game faces, and how the developers choose to navigate it could make or break the game’s long-term success.

What do you think? Is difficulty gatekeeping a real problem in Helldivers 2, or are players overreacting? What solutions would you like to see Arrowhead implement? Let us know in the comments below!