A patch ahead of Helldivers 2's newest premium Warbond, Control Group, has buffed one of the game’s most patriotic and peculiar support weapons. While most of the elements of the update focus on balance tweaks, one particular addition that leans into the game's humor makes this one of the most absurd patches to Helldivers 2 so far. With patch 01.003.200, players can adorn enemies with the symbol of Super Earth.
A support weapon added by popular player demand, Helldivers 2's CQC-1 One True Flag is more of a comedic statement than a practical stratagem. With what the patch notes describe as "groundbreaking military research into pointier flag tips," however, flag bearers now have the ability to plant the flag directly into enemies, dead or alive. According to Arrowhead and Helldivers HQ, this addition is to ensure that "the eternal colors of Super Earth are never tainted, only quenched by the blood of its foes."
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A Patriotic Upgrade for Helldivers 2’s Banner
Since its addition in the Masters of Ceremony Warbond released this May, the One True Flag has always occupied a unique position within Helldivers 2's support weapons. While other support options provide tangible battlefield advantages, the flag serves more as a symbolic gesture. Its previous functionality was limited to simple thrusting attacks and the ability to plant it in the ground for inspirational purposes, making it one of the least practical choices in a game as chaotic as Helldivers 2.
The weapon's inclusion in the support category came in a Warbond that dropped alongside Helldivers 2’s Heart of Democracy update. The Warbond's theme was fitting as the update brought the fight with the Illuminate to Super Earth, home of the Helldivers. The flag, alongside the other super-patriotic items in the prior Warbond, were generally understood by players as stylistic additions more than as actually viable items.
The latest update maintains the flag's status as something with only marginal combat utility, but expands its ability to engage enemies with what the patch notes describe as "Absolute Democracy." Players can now use the sharpened flagpole to turn their enemies into walking propaganda. Impaling foes with the patriotic symbol of Super Earth perfectly aligns with previous Helldivers 2 lore and its portrayal of hyper-militarism and democratic zealotry.
Helldivers 2’s Broader Balance Changes
Despite this style enhancement, the One True Flag remains fundamentally inferior to virtually every other support weapon option available to players. Support weapons like the 
AC-8 Autocannon or the TX-41 Sterilizer provide actual tactical advantages that far outweigh whatever utility the flag offers. If players decide to equip it over another more valuable stratagem, the expansion to the flag’s planting capacity will, at best, provide additional movie-moment potential, only now with more of a B-movie flair. The recent Helldivers 2 patch extends beyond the flag, though, with other improvements across gameplay categories.
The patch also brings adjustments to weapon and enemy balance. Multiple Helldivers 2 primary weapons, like the AR-32 Pacifier and SMG-72 Pummeler, received extended stun durations, while the A/FLAM-40 Flame sentry gained improved fire damage resistance and a reduced cooldown time. Thus, bringing the flag for unironic purposes seems futile still.
New Helldivers 2 Warbond’s Narrative Notes
The flag's buff arrives alongside the patch for the upcoming Control Group Warbond, which promises to introduce experimental weapons built from acquired alien technology. Arrowhead’s inclusion of this buff for the Warbond’s pre-patch creates an interesting juxtaposition between the traditional militarism of Super Earth and the advanced alien-derived weaponry that will soon enter the battlefield.
If the ongoing expansion of its arsenal continues to play into the narrative of the game as it’s done before, this contrast could undercut the potential further use of enemy technology in Helldivers 2 and the story implications that come with that.
Dropping ahead of Helldivers 2's new Warbond release on July 17, the buff to the One True Flag adds a layer of humor and uncertainty to the game's evolving sandbox. Buffing the game's most patriotic gear ahead of a xenocentric Warbond like Control Group raises questions about the game's future arsenal additions. Nonetheless, it’s clear Arrowhead aims to continue refining the title's gameplay, even in less desirable or quirky corners that aren't necessarily optimal.
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
- Engine
- bitsquid
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- All platforms
- Franchise
- Helldivers
- Number of Players
- 1-4 players (online)
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
