The Illuminate have breached the galaxy, and Super Earth is pushing back. Update 7.0.0 — "Devoid of Liberty" is live in Helldivers 2, and it is the most significant Illuminate content drop since the faction's introduction. A new biome, two new enemy types, NPC support squads, randomized objectives, and a doubled level cap fundamentally change how you approach the Galactic War.
If you are dropping into the Void for the first time, this guide covers everything you need to know: what changed, how to fight the new threats, and which loadouts will keep you extracting alive.
The Void Biome: What Is It?
The Void is a dark dimension that the Illuminate have pulled planets into through a wormhole called the Gateway, opened on Rirga Bay. Planets trapped inside the Void are transformed — mutated flora replaces familiar terrain, and there are no stars in the sky.
The Void is not just a visual reskin. It introduces gameplay mechanics that do not exist on normal planets:
- Randomized primary objectives — Every operation in the Void generates different primary objectives, requiring tactical flexibility instead of memorized routes
- Secondary extraction zones — You can unlock alternate extraction points, giving your squad a fighting chance when the main LZ is overrun
- Tactical video camera — A new tool for documentation objectives, tasking you with recording Illuminate war crimes and ancient ruins
- Illuminate structures — Destructible alien architecture that must be demolished as mission objectives
The Source Planet (formerly Seasse) is the ultimate target — a world consumed by Void flora and filled with Illuminate horrors. Liberate it to push the Illuminate back through the Gateway.
New Enemies: The Wretch and the Crusher
Two new Illuminate enemy types join the fight, each demanding a completely different tactical response.
| Enemy | Behavior | Weak Point | Best Counter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wretch | Fast, nimble, travels in packs, leaps at players, dodges — disrupts aim and overwhelms at close range | Limbs, not head — shoot off gangly appendages to disable (similar to Dead Space necromorphs) | Shotguns, SMGs, any high fire-rate weapon. Stick with your squad to avoid being surrounded |
| Crusher | Slow, lumbering, carries a massive club. Regenerates health if not taking sustained damage | Triangular metal helmet — blow it off to expose the vulnerable head underneath | Autocannon (precise, ammo-efficient), Bolt Pistol (2 shots to knock off helmet). Keep damage constant — never let it regenerate |
The biggest mistake squads make in the Void is focusing entirely on the Crusher while Wretches swarm in from the flanks. A pack of Wretches can dismantle your weapons and your will to live in seconds. Assign one squad member to Wretch suppression while the rest focus sustained fire on the Crusher's helmet.
SEAF Support Squads: NPC Allies on the Battlefield
The Void introduces a new SEAF planet modifier where Super Earth Armed Forces NPC troops join your missions. These are not the passive NPCs from previous updates — SEAF squads come equipped with new tools:
- Stim Pistols — Heal you and squadmates mid-fight
- Heavy Machine Guns — Provide suppressive fire on Illuminate positions
- Updated behavior, weaponry, and visuals
When a planet has the SEAF modifier active, prioritize it — the extra firepower makes Void operations significantly more survivable, especially against Crusher-heavy spawns.
New Mission Types in the Void
Operations inside the Void feature a departure from the linear mission structure you know from bug and bot fronts. Expect these objective types:
- Reconnaissance missions — Scout Illuminate positions before the main assault
- Destroying Illuminate structures — Demolish alien architecture with stratagems or Hellbombs
- Documenting Illuminate ruins — Use the tactical video camera to record ancient technologies and war crimes
- Gateway seizure — Take control of Illuminate wormhole access points
- Classic Illuminate missions — Destroying motherships, saving survivors, and defending against invasion fleets all return alongside the new objectives
Because primary objectives are randomized, you cannot pre-plan a route. Communicate with your squad, adapt to whatever the Void throws at you, and always know where the nearest secondary extraction zone is.
Level Cap Raised to 300
The Helldiver rank system has been expanded beyond level 150, adding 15 new ranks and titles that go all the way up to level 300. Each rank comes with its own unique title and icon. If you have been sitting at max rank since the last cap raise, there is now a meaningful long-term progression target to chase.
Quality-of-Life Changes
The Devoid of Liberty update also ships a wave of community-requested improvements:
| Change | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Assisted reload rework | No longer requires backpack coordination. Helldivers can assist reload as long as one of the wielder or reloader has the correct backpack — promotes collaborative reloading without the clunky coordination tax |
| GATER upgrades | New Super V48 Interceptor engine improves speed and handling. The Constitution now has stripper clips for faster empty-mag reloads |
| Emote wheel expanded | Capacity raised from 4 to 8 emotes — more ways to celebrate democracy |
| Heavy landing reduced | Recovery animation duration cut by ~40%, so you regain control faster after high falls |
| Stim input smoothing | Stim input is now remembered briefly when the action is not allowed, eliminating dead-input frustration |
| Short magazine buffs | More spare and starting magazines for short mags across the Liberator family, making them viable alternatives to drum mags |
| Weapon icon updates | Backpack-required weapons now show a backpack icon; non-reloadable weapons show a drop icon — easier loadout planning |
Warhammer 40,000 Crossover
Launching alongside the update is the Castellan's Creed Legendary Warbond, bringing Warhammer 40,000 cosmetics and the Bolt Pistol sidearm to Helldivers 2. The Bolt Pistol is particularly useful against Crushers — two shots to the helmet will knock off the triangular plating, exposing the weak point underneath.
The randomized objectives, Wretch swarms, and Crusher health regeneration make Void operations significantly harder than standard Illuminate missions. If you are a solo diver, strongly consider enabling the SEAF modifier planets or matchmaking with a full squad before crossing the Gateway.
Best Loadouts for Void Operations
Based on the new enemy types and mission structure, here is what we recommend bringing into the Void:
Anti-Wretch (Crowd Clearing):
- Primary: SG-22 Breaker or AR-23 Liberator with drum magazine
- Secondary: Any high-fire-rate pistol
- Stratagems: MG-43 Machine Gun, Gatling Barrage, Eagle Airstrike
Anti-Crusher (Sustained Damage):
- Primary: Autocannon or Anti-Materiel Rifle for helmet removal
- Secondary: Bolt Pistol (WH40k Warbond) — 2 shots to knock off helmet
- Stratagems: Railgun Strike, 500kg Bomb, Orbital Precision Strike
Balanced Void Loadout:
- Primary: AR-23 Liberator with short magazine (buffed spare ammo) or SG-22 Breaker
- Secondary: Bolt Pistol for Crusher helmets
- Support: Autocannon (precise, ammo-efficient, handles both Wretches and Crushers)
- Stratagems: Eagle Airstrike (Wretch clearing), Railgun Strike (Crusher damage), Resupply (sustained operations)
The Bottom Line
The Devoid of Liberty update is the most substantial Illuminate content drop to date. The Void biome changes how you approach missions with randomized objectives and secondary extractions, the Wretch and Crusher demand new tactical thinking, and the SEAF support squads add an ally layer that makes high-difficulty Void operations survivable. With the level cap at 300 and the Warhammer 40k crossover live, there has never been a better time to re-enlist.
The Gateway is open on Rirga Bay. Cross through, liberate the Source Planet, and give those squids hell.
