Helldivers 2: The Argument For and Against Melee Weapons

Helldivers 2 has quickly become one of 2024’s most acclaimed games, and being a live-service title, it’s only just getting started. Though the live-service model can be notoriously difficult to wield efficiently, Helldivers 2 appears to be doing all the right things, delivering a compelling gameplay loop, a wealth of progression systems, and an ever-evolving narrative that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Though Helldivers 2 came loaded with content on launch, Arrowhead has wasted no time in kicking off the game’s live-service plans, with the game’s first Premium Warbond battle pass being released just a few weeks after the game’s initial launch. On top of its Premium Warbonds, Helldivers 2 has also added a number of new enemy units, new mission types, and new Stratagems over the course of the last few months. And while Helldivers 2 continues to expand its build variety, there’s one type of weapon that is still yet to come to the game.

Should Helldivers 2 Get Melee Weapons?

The Argument For Melee Weapons Coming to Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 currently has no melee weapons at all. Set a few centuries in the future, Helldivers 2‘s Sci-Fi military setting could pave the way for some pretty creative melee weapons, many of which could end up being really fun to use if Arrowhead really leans into the new weapon type. While laser swords would be the obvious first pick, Helldivers 2 could offer up some really unique melee weapon designs, some of which could massively impact the game’s build variety.

For instance, it would be fun to see a new, melee-focused version of Helldivers 2‘s Ballistic Shield Support Stratagem, letting players charge into battle with a shield in one hand and some kind of Sci-Fi axe, sword, or hammer in the other. Another unique melee weapon idea for Helldivers 2 could be some kind of long-reaching flail that players could use to dish out area-of-effect damage on large swarms of enemies. Even just a small laser dagger secondary weapon would be fun to see in Helldivers 2.

On top of increasing the game’s build variety, adding melee weapons to Helldivers 2 would also suit the game’s bombastic, often absurd tone extremely well. Leaning heavily into the satirical nature of movies like Starship Troopers, Helldivers 2 centers itself around over-the-top moments. Running head-first into an oncoming army of enemies with only a sword in hand would fit right at home in Helldivers 2‘s exaggerated universe.

The Argument Against Melee Weapons Coming to Helldivers 2

But adding melee weapons to Helldivers 2 wouldn’t be all positive. So much of Helldivers 2‘s core gameplay loop revolves around careful resource management, and in particular, careful management of the player’s ammo supply. If Helldivers 2 added melee weapons, then it could risk sacrificing this carefully crafted system. There are ways around this, such as making melee attacks use up the player’s stamina, but this would pose its own set of issues, as Helldivers 2‘s stamina management is another carefully balanced mechanic as it is.

Another big argument against melee weapons coming to Helldivers 2 is that they may simply be inefficient to use. Though running head-first into an army of Terminids with a laser sword held high would look awesome and feel just as great, that would likely only last for a few seconds as melee weapons probably wouldn’t do a lot to most Helldivers 2 enemy types. This could then easily lead to frustration or disappointment, with melee-focused players potentially being viewed as inefficient members of the team.

Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 is a third-person cooperative shooter developed by Arrowhead Games Studios for the PC and PlayStation 5 where players take control of a Helldiver set to protect the citizens of Super Earth by traveling to hostile alien worlds and destroying threats. Players undergo missions, defeat enemies, and use special items called Stratagems to help turn the tide of battle in this punishing release.

Franchise

Helldivers

Released

February 8, 2024

Developer(s)

Arrowhead Game Studios

Genre(s)

Shooter

Multiplayer

Online Co-Op

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence

Metascore

83

Platforms That Support Crossplay

PC & PS5

Number of Players

1-4

PS Plus Availability

N/A