Game news · AI
Helldivers 2 adds poisonous Noxious Terminids and expands bug caves across more biomes
Helldivers 2 has introduced the fast, venomous Noxious strain of Terminid, including Noxious Scavengers and a hulking Noxious Spewer. Bug caves can also now appear across more biomes on the Galactic map, bringing short sightlines, blind corners and fast enemies into underground engagements.
Fast poison specialists
Noxious Scavengers initially resemble ordinary Scavengers, but their extra threat becomes clear when they move in to attack. They are noticeably quicker than their cousins, making them difficult to keep in sight, and they can deliver another poisonous bite almost immediately. Their fragility offers a counter: weapons that favor volume over precision, including shotguns, flamethrowers and grenades, can deal with them.
The Noxious Spewer
The larger Noxious Spewer changes the familiar behavior of a Spewer by moving with unsettling speed and producing the webs found across the battlefield. Its Web Spit can disable sprinting at medium range, allowing the creature to close the gap on slower prey. Its bite is also quick, has surprising reach and carries a stronger dose of venom than a Scavenger's.
The head is protected by medium armor, but the web-filled abdomen has none. Bursting that sac triggers a Web Explosion that snares every nearby Helldiver and bug, making the abdomen a dangerous target despite the area-wide effect.
Managing poison underground
Every Noxious bite applies poison, and a new icon on the HUD lets players track their condition. Light poisoning begins to haze vision and eat away at health. Heavy poisoning increases damage over time, removes the ability to sprint and also causes hazy vision.
Stims can cure the condition, but they must be rationed because a poisoned squadmate may require one to keep going and complete the mission. That consideration is especially relevant in the newly expanded caves, where limited sightlines, blind corners and fast enemies make it easy for one squad member to become separated from the others.
More planets can hide a hive
Terminid cave networks now extend beneath more galactic biomes, including scorched deserts and frozen tundras, and every planet may have a hive below it. Bug caves are no longer limited to a handful of worlds; they now have a chance to appear across more biomes on the Galactic map.
At a glance
- Two new enemy types
- The Noxious strain adds Noxious Scavengers, which resemble ordinary Scavengers but move noticeably faster, and the Noxious Spewer, a large enemy that moves quickly and creates battlefield webs.
- Noxious Scavenger tactics
- Noxious Scavengers are fragile and repeatedly deliver poison. Shotguns, flamethrowers and grenades are recommended against them because these weapons reward volume over precision.
- Noxious Spewer attacks
- A medium-range Web Spit removes the ability to sprint, while the Noxious Spewer's quick, long-reaching bite delivers stronger venom than a Scavenger's. Its unarmored abdomen can burst into a Web Explosion that snares nearby Helldivers and bugs.
- Poison effects
- A new HUD icon tracks poison. Light poisoning hazes vision and damages health, while heavy poisoning increases damage over time, prevents sprinting and also hazes vision.
- Stims cure poison
- Stims can cure poisoning, making it important to ration them because a poisoned squadmate may need one to continue the mission.
- Expanded cave locations
- Bug caves are no longer confined to a handful of worlds and can now appear across more biomes on the Galactic map, from scorched deserts to frozen tundras.
- Cave combat advice
- The tunnels offer short sightlines and blind corners, while fast enemies can arrive before they are heard. The recommended approach is to bring close-range firepower, remain with the squad and reserve a stim for anyone who gets too far ahead.
Sources and language information
Official information · Source language: English
Source region / storefront: Not specified by the source; language does not imply availability.