A massive new update has just been released for Helldivers 2 developers were cooking when new content slowed in recent weeks, and this latest saga in the Second Galactic War sees Super Earth itself on the verge of being overrun.

A new Major Order has begun in Helldivers 2 following the sudden appearance of "a massive Illuminate fleet, in clear violation of the enemy's recent eradication." This primary invasion fleet has emerged from the Meridian Singularity, which the Helldivers valiantly stopped from swallowing Super Earth, and brings three new enemy types to the third faction. The update also introduces customization for primary weapons, allowing you to unlock attachments and skins for each gun.

The emergence of the full Illuminate fleet has put Super Earth in its most dire position yet. Squids have taken control of planets in a sector neighboring Super Earth, and the Major Order tasks players with stopping the Illuminate advance on three planets: Widow's Harbor, Pilen V, and New Haven. The briefing, however, ends with an ominous message saying, "Battle on Super Earth is inevitable," hinting that players will be fighting on home soil soon enough.

Weapon Customization, New Enemies, & More Added In Helldivers 2 Update

Democracy's Foes Are Proliferating

Weapon customization has been a long-requested feature for Helldivers 2, and it is now available for primary weapons. Every primary gun now has levels to work through, which will unlock camo patterns and weapon attachments to equip. Attachments include sights, underbarrel foregrips, and muzzle variants like a muzzle break or flash hider. Weapon configurations can now be saved to easily swap between, and more statistics are displayed, such as sway, ergonomics, and a simulation of the recoil pattern with the current setup.

At least three new enemy types have been confirmed by PlayStation Blog, though the post does mention, "There have been sightings of other, even larger ships," so more new enemies appear to be included in the update as well. The three known new additions are as follows:

The other major overhaul brought to Helldivers 2 in this update is a change to the Superstore layout. Instead of a rotating shop, every Superstore cosmetic is available at all times. Similarly, the FRV is receiving new patterns based on old Warbonds, from before the vehicle was added to the game. New FRV skins based on the Viper Commandos, Chemical Agents, Truth Enforcers, and Freedom's Flame Warbonds will be added alongside the new Masters of Ceremony Warbond on May 15.

The Illuminate Invasion May Lead To The Fall Of Super Earth

We're Only Buying Time

This fresh Illuminate invasion is not only significant in of new content, but it's also a dire chapter in the game's ongoing story. According to the in-game briefing, "preventing this force from reaching Super Earth is not possible," and the goal is to "inflict as much damage to the enemy fleet as possible while Mega City defenses are bolstered." This seems to be teasing a new biome soon to be playable on Super Earth, Mega City maps, which are likely denser than the current urban maps.

"Final, permanent victory" over the Illuminate was always a pipe dream (don't tell my Democracy Officer I said that), and even though stopping the Meridian Singularity's advance saved Super Earth from being swallowed, the Illuminate clearly had a contingency plan. This is the closest any Helldivers 2 faction has gotten to Super Earth, and the Terminids appear to be advancing behind the Illuminate's lines, with the Automatons sneaking up the flank as well. Fighting on Super Earth itself is inevitable, but it still remains to be seen what would happen if – Liberty forbid – the planet fell.

Sources: PlayStation/YouTube, PlayStation Blog