Helldivers 2 Devs Tease Expanded Vehicle Gameplay and Returning Classics

Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2

In Helldivers 2, vehicles promise overwhelming power and chaos, but their brief presence often keeps them from becoming a core part of any mission.

While Exosuits and transports can briefly tip the scales of battle, they’ve so far existed on the fringes of the game’s core loop.

Arrowhead Game Studios is now rethinking that stance, hinting at expanded vehicle gameplay and the possible return of classic machines from the original Helldivers, suggesting armored combat could soon become far more prominent.

Why Are Vehicles Being Revisited in Helldivers 2?

Vehicles in Helldivers 2 could soon play a more prominent role as Arrowhead Game Studios continues to expand the game’s live-service experience.

Helldivers 2 Screenshot
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Credit: Arrowhead Game Studios

While vehicles have existed in the game since its early lifecycle, recent developer comments suggest that Arrowhead is actively reassessing how these tools fit into the broader gameplay loop.

The studio has admitted that vehicles currently function more like brief power spikes than reliable long-term tools in extended missions, though that approach could evolve if balance issues are resolved.

What Did Arrowhead’s Design Director Actually Say?

The conversation picked up after Arrowhead design director Niklas Malmborg responded to player questions during the studio’s recurring community Q&A series, A Democratic Conversation.

While the original question focused on whether Exosuit mechs could last longer in the field (potentially through rearming, repairs, or resupply) Malmborg expanded the topic to vehicles as a whole.

He confirmed that the studio has plans and is actively experimenting with ways to extend vehicle gameplay beyond its current limitations, though he stopped short of confirming any concrete features or timelines.

How Have Vehicles Been Used So Far?

When Helldivers 2 launched, vehicle gameplay was introduced sparingly, with the Exosuit mech serving as the first major addition and significantly influencing combat under strict limitations.

Helldivers 2 Screenshot
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Credit: Arrowhead Game Studios

Once deployed, mechs couldn’t be restocked and were usually lost either when their ammo ran dry or when they were destroyed, often long before a mission was over.

The design positioned vehicles as situational tools instead of something players were expected to preserve.

The Fast Recon Vehicle was introduced later as a mobility-first option, enabling quicker movement across large maps, but its responsiveness and lack of durability proved controversial.

According to Malmborg, vehicles in Helldivers 2 are intentionally short-lived, framed as consumable assets rather than permanent upgrades, which reinforces strategic decision-making around cooldowns and risk.

However, he noted that this approach marks a departure from the original Helldivers, which offered a broader selection of vehicles with a more central role in missions.

Malmborg explained that although a full return to the old system isn’t planned, bringing back a few classic vehicles could be an enjoyable way to explore more meaningful vehicle mechanics.

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