Helldivers 2 Update Made One Simple & Dangerous Change To Stalkers

Summary Stalkers in Helldivers 2 can now cloak themselves entirely, making them nearly invisible until they attack players unexpectedly.

Players can spot Stalkers by looking out for brief glimmers of light or listening for their chittering sounds as warning signs.

Equipping fiery weapons like flamethrowers can help take down Stalkers quickly, even though burning damage was recently nerfed.

A recent Helldivers 2 update makes dangerous changes to its most feared enemies. Stalkers, members of the Terminid faction, are some of the most dangerous bugs in Helldivers 2. Their unique ability allows them to disguise themselves, allowing them to get the jump on players. Stalkers will often appear out of the blue when they're least expected, and if the players don't respond quickly, can wipe out an entire party in a manner of seconds. They're especially difficult to see through thick fog and fire tornadoes, making them even more of a threat during inclement weather.

But apparently, Stalkers weren't terrifying enough. Fighting Stalkers in Helldivers 2 just got a lot harder, so players will need to stay more aware than ever before. And even that might not be enough since the new changes took effect. Here's why Stalkers are so much scarier in Helldivers patch 1.000.300, and what players can do to defend themselves.

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Helldivers 2's Stalkers Are Actually Invisible

How Patch 1.000.300 Buffed Stalker Cloaking

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As seen in a video posted by Reddit user E17Omm, Helldivers 2's Terminid Stalkers are actually invisible now - not just partially cloaked. In the 15-second clip, the player can be seen defeating a small bug swarm, then reorienting themselves and preparing a Reinforce Stratagem. However, as they wait for the Hellpod to drop, a trio of Stalkers appears out of nowhere, almost as if they had simply jumped out of the ground. E17Omm is able to defeat them pretty handily, but the result is truly terrifying.

This is a departure from Stalkers' cloaking abilities in previous versions of the game. Before the update, their outlines would still technically be visible - they'd just appear translucent until they came close enough to the player. That was still pretty terrifying, but not as much of a threat. While it'd be harder to get a bead on Stalkers from a distance, they'd uncloak themselves as soon as the player got close enough, at which point they'd go down pretty quickly.

Since the newest Helldivers 2 patch, though, it's basically impossible to focus aim on an incoming Stalker until they're right on top of the player - if the player even realizes there's one nearby. However, there are some tips and tricks Helldivers can use to help them spot Stalkers, and defend themselves effectively.

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How Helldivers Can Protect Themselves Against New & Improved Stalkers

Seeing The Signs Of Stalkers

First and foremost, while Stalkers can disappear completely in the new Helldivers 2 update, they can't remain totally invisible for long. Several commenters on the video above note that brief glimmers of light can be seen in the distance, roughly corresponding with the Stalkers' positions before they reveal themselves. So it would appear that Stalkers aren't totally invisible; they're just visible less often. So, players would do well to keep an eye out for these little glimmers, and exercise caution when they show up.

Some have suggested these glimmers only appear when Stalkers transition from one light value to another; in essence, from shadow into direct light or vice versa.

However, that's not a perfect solution. These glimmers aren't always noticeable, and even when they are, they're easy enough to dismiss as a visual glitch or a rogue eyelash in the player's line of sight. In that case, players will have to rely on sound cues to find them. Stalkers do make chittering sounds when they pop into view, so listening out for those can help alert players to their presence. From there, it's as simple as turning around quickly and unloading into them before they can do too much damage.

Timing is everything when it comes to fending off Stalkers, but the right equipment can also help ensure they go down quickly. Burning damage was recently nerfed after the previous Helldivers 2 update made it overpowered. However, it still works, and bugs are still weak to fire - even if they don't take quite as much damage from it as before. As a result, having a fiery support weapon like the flamethrower equipped can help take down Stalkers when they do appear. Just watch out for any teammates standing in the way.

As much as the right equipment and preparations can help, knowing that Stalkers are now (mostly) invisible is half the battle. All players can really do is know the warning signs, and be ready to respond quickly when they show up. Even so, these changes elevate Stalkers - already some of the most terrifying enemies in Helldivers 2 - to true horror status.

Source: E17Omm/Reddit