Helldivers 2 is a game that continues to surprise its players with things they never asked for, but would likely appreciate. A recent update to Arrowhead Game Studios' title secretly snuck in a piece of equipment that no person expected: a shovel. Since its inclusion, it has created some new strategies and hilarious moments that have given the game new life. Fun and exciting as the tool may be, one also has to wonder about the other opportunities it brings, especially in affecting a specific gameplay aspect.
Players who continue to enjoy Helldivers 2 will notice just how much its list of equipment has grown since its launch on February 8, 2024. While it's nice to see more weapons, armor, and stratagems making their way into the game, surprises such as the Entrenchment Tool, better known as the shovel, are always welcome. While such an interesting new item can only be used by finding it during missions, that could change someday in an update, along with Arrowhead Game Studios introducing something completely new: an equipment category for non-weapon gear along with its own dedicated slot. The popularity of the shovel proves that it's something fans would likely want to see happen, and hopefully, it does.
Helldivers 2: The Illuminate Open the Door to a Fourth Faction, But Patience is Key
Helldivers 2 recently introduced its first post-launch faction with the Illuminate, and there could be even more on the horizon.
Possible Non-Weapon Tools That Can Be Added To Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2's first big patch for 2025 introduced one of the best things to affect gameplay in a long while in the form of the shovel, making it clear to Arrowhead Game Studios that it should consider giving such an item its own equipment slot while adding more like it. If the developer does push through doing so, there are a few ideas that have a good chance of being well-received:
- A medkit that can be used to heal players similar to Stims, giving players another way to heal but with the caveat of it being much slower
- A flare-like item that can be used to attract the attention of enemies so long as players aren't spotted using them, allowing for more stealth-like gameplay
- A ladder whose height players can adjust at will, letting them scale obstacles that they normally wouldn't be able to even with something like the Jump Pack stratagem
Aside from providing more utility, the tools can provide memorable experiences when used during the right moments or circumstances, something a game like Helldivers 2 should always be able to give. Perhaps a future update will see them added in, but until then, fans can only speculate on the possibilities.
Why Such Tools Should Have Their Own Dedicated Slot in Helldivers 2
Fighting against the Illuminate, Terminids, and Automatons is already a challenging task, and it would be made even harder if either the primary or secondary weapon slot is used by a tool that offers little fighting value. Because such tools are more for support rather than for aggression, dedicating an entire slot wouldn't break the game's current combat balance. All Arrowhead Game Studios has to do is adjust the aspects of each one, such as their cooldown timers and usage animations, in a way that they're fun to use without being too overpowered. While not exactly an easy task, it is still worth trying, especially considering how they can make the game more enjoyable for everyone.
A shovel may not have been one of the expectations for Helldivers 2 in 2025, but its addition to the game certainly made an impact on the players. Given how popular the tool has become, there is hope that the game will be updated in a way to accommodate others similar to it in the future, but that's something fans will have to wait and see.
Helldivers 2
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 91%
- Released
- February 8, 2024
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Arrowhead Game Studios, Nixxes
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Publishing
WHERE TO PLAY
The Galaxy’s Last Line of Offence. Enlist in the Helldivers and join the fight for freedom across a hostile galaxy in a fast, frantic, and ferocious third-person shooter.
URGENT BROADCAST – SUPER EARTH ARMED FORCES
Freedom. Peace. Democracy. Your Super Earth-born rights. The key pillars of our civilization. Of our very existence. But the war rages on. And everything is once again under threat.
Join the greatest military force the galaxy has ever seen and make this a safe and free place to live.
BECOME A LEGEND
You will be assembled into squads of up to four Helldivers and assigned strategic missions. Watch each other’s back – friendly fire is an unfortunate certainty of war, but victory without teamwork is impossible.
LOADOUTS
Rain down freedom from above, sneak through enemy territory, or grit your teeth and charge head-first into the jaws of combat. How you deliver liberty is your choice; you’ll have access to a wide array of explosive firepower, life-saving armor and battle-changing stratagems… the jewel in every Helldiver’s arsenal.
REQUISITION
Super Earth recognises your hard work with valuable Requisition. Use it to access different rewards that benefit you, your squad, your destroyer ship and our overall war effort.
THREATS
Everything on every planet wants you dead. That’s what we’re dealing with. Each enemy has distinct and unpredictable characteristics, tactics, and behavior – but they all fight ferociously and without fear or morality.
THE GALACTIC WAR
Capturing enemy planets, defending against invasions, and completing missions will contribute to our overall effort. This war will be won or lost depending on the actions of everyone involved.
We stand together, or we fall apart.
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
