Forget the Jump Pack, the Helldivers 2 buff patch is letting players fly

The big buff patch that arrived this week for Helldivers 2 apparently introduced a new bug that allows players to fly across the map. Man, what is it with emotes in Helldivers 2 and their ability to let players defy gravity with such confidence?

Players on the official Helldivers subreddit recently revealed the exploit. In a short video clip, a player rhythmically taps the Emote button to, well, teabag through the air with the greatest of ease.

According to the poster, the exploit was unintentionally discovered when they were trying to make use of a different exploit tied to emotes. In July, players learned that emoting while hurtling through the air may prevent lethal fall damage. It looks like it’s not just the weapons that got buffed by the patch.

Arrowhead can work on the Jump Pack later

Anyone who has played games long enough will understand that updates and patches can lead to bugs. Helldivers 2 is certainly no stranger to the idea. The game typically experiences issues brought by patches, ranging from new bugs to crashes. In this case, the bug was likely introduced by the new emote wheel function that was added by the update. I’d take surprise flying powers over a new way for the game to crash any day, thanks.

The bug will likely get fixed eventually. Emoting to prevent fall damage is a glitch that has remained, likely due to the Arrowhead CEO enthusiastically endorsing it. But flying for free isn’t something I can see remaining in the game. If anything, those averse to gravity will have to wait for a Jump Pack buff, which is in the plans according to creative director Johan Pilestedt.

Until then, I expect to see my fellow divers tea-bagging their way across the land to power-squat on Shrieker Nests with authority. If we can’t win this war with weapons, we’ll do so with Slavic intimidation.