Helldivers 2’s Devoid of Liberty update, also known as Patch 7.0, adds new threats from the Illuminate faction and improves the Super Earth Armed Forces (SEAF) NPC soldiers who can assist players. The changes matter because the previously fragile allied troops should now be more useful in combat, including to solo players, while the new enemies add tactical challenges during the game’s push into Illuminate-controlled space.

SEAF troops can appear as planet modifiers, carry heavier weapons, use stim pistols to heal players, and respond to hugs. The Illuminate gain the health-regenerating Crusher, which requires sustained fire to defeat, and the agile Wretch, which can dismantle players’ weapons; the update also raises the level cap from 150 to 300, with excess experience applied retrospectively, and accompanies a Warhammer 40,000-themed Warbond.