The Helldivers 2 developers listened to the fans and created a new Napalm Barrage that is a monstrous monster.

No matter which side of the debate you were on in the chatrooms, I hope that we can all agree that Helldivers 2's air strikes are often underwhelming. I can't tell you how many times I've called in a stratagem with an intimidating-sounding name like "500kg Bomb," "Orbital Airburst Strike," or "Walking Barrage" only for the ensuing payload to miss almost every bug in its vicinity, leave Terminid nests undisturbed, or fail to make a dent in a Charger that charged right through the blast. I'm happy to report that this is finally changing.

Arrowhead has not been consistent with its mission of making the arsenal more powerful while maintaining challenge. Escalation of Freedom, the update released last month, was a positive step that included many buffs. However, it also introduced some unpopular nerfs.

Arrowhead is slowly walking back those changes, revealing "one buff per day" until September 17, when its next balancing update will be released. But I'd argue that we're already witnessing what the future Helldivers 2 Balance looks like today with a strategy deployed by Super Earth Command: the Orbital Napalm Barrrage.

As I watched the Napalm Barrage do its work on a Terminid bug, the word "indulgent' came to my mind. The missiles that were set ablaze by freedom pounded a large area for 20 second, barbecuing any bug that emerged from its hole before it could pose a threat to myself or my squadmates. The Napalm Barrage is instantly more powerful than the 380mm Barrage, which does not fire. This is due to the residual fire left behind. I missed my target by 15 meters with a second Napalm Strike, but the bugs were enraged and ran to the lingering flames, destroying them in seconds.

Helldivers 2: Napalm Barrage

As I watched the Napalm Barrage perform its deadly work, I realized that this was the very first time that the visual splendor and lethality of a Helldivers 2 aerial strike matched. The fire plumes are huge, abundant, and destroy all living things that get in their way. I assume that larger enemies, such as Bile Titans or Chargers, can survive the blast. However this is the most effective way to clear nests and stop bug breaches.

I cannot take credit for this beauty. While I was away helldiving, players liberated planets Mastia & Tarsh in the latest Major Order. The Napalm barrage was unlocked after players failed to complete a previous kill objective. Anyone with 10,000 Req Points to spend can now purchase the Napalm Barrage. It's worth it.

The sheer power of the Napalm barrage makes me excited for the 500kg Bomb buff. Creative director Johan Pilestedt has specifically stated that the visual destruction will now match that of the explosion. This promise, along with the first impression I had of the new barrage, makes me believe that orbital strikes are finally going to be useful enough to stop my friends from bringing an Orbital laser on every mission to deal bile titans and Hulks. Arrowhead is listening to the loudest online players who I believe have become a bit toxic and entitled in their opinions about the design of Helldivers 2.

Tomorrow, September 17, the next Helldivers 2 balancing update will be released. The next warbond is Chemical Agents. It will be released a few days after, on September 19.