Helldivers 2's recent patch significantly enhanced the Flamethrower, a powerful but previously unwieldy stratagem. The game, a co-op shooter released in early February 2024 by Sony and Arrowhead Studios, quickly amassed a large player base, solidifying its success.
The FLAM-40 Flamethrower, while boasting immense damage, suffered from sluggish handling. A March damage buff (50%) spurred experimentation, but its slow speed remained frustrating. However, the latest update, 01.000.403, changed this.
This patch addressed a bug in the Peak Physique armor passive, introduced with the Viper Commandos Warbond in mid-June. This perk, intended to improve weapon handling and boost melee damage, was malfunctioning, directly impacting the Flamethrower's responsiveness. A Reddit user's video showcased the dramatic improvement in handling post-patch, highlighting the previous "truck-like" turning. The Helldivers 2 Media Twitter account even shared this footage, surprising some players unaware of the bug's impact.
The swift resolution of the armor perk issue is testament to the developers' responsiveness. While the community celebrates the Flamethrower's improved agility, requests for further refinements persist. One reported issue involves the Flamethrower's upward trajectory when fired while using the Jump Pack—a potential target for future patches.
