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.
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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.
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.
Do you believe in freedom? Can you stand in the face of oppression – and defend the defenceless? Wage war for peace. Die for democracy.
Join forces with up to three friends and wreak havoc on an alien scourge threatening the safety of your home planet, Super Earth, in this multiplayer co-op shooter for PS5 and PC from Arrowhead Game Studios.
Step into the boots of the Helldivers, an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest and most explosive tools in the galaxy.
Helldivers don’t go planet side without proper backup, but it’s up to you to decide how and when to call it in. Not only do you have a host of superpowered primary weapons and customizable loadouts, you also have the ability to call on stratagems during play.
Helldivers 2 features Arrowhead’s best cooperative gameplay yet. Collaboration will be vital: Teams will synergize on loadouts, strategize their approach for each mission and complete objectives together.1
Enlist in Super Earth’s premier military peacekeeping force today. We are heroes… we are legends… WE ARE HELLDIVERS.