Helldivers 2 adds venomous Noxious Terminids

Helldivers 2 has a new venomous Terminid strain called Noxious. Arrowhead's November 3 announcement adds two new enemies, a poison status with its own HUD icon, and bug caves that can now spawn across many more biomes.

The update was announced on the game's official Steam page and the PlayStation Blog, and the official Helldivers 2 X account shared it too. The new bugs and caves join the galactic war starting today.

What does the Helldivers 2 Noxious strain add?

Arrowhead describes the Noxious strain as fast, venomous and "fundamentally opposed to Managed Democracy." There are two members so far, and they threaten you in different ways. One relies on speed, the other on webs that slow you down.

Noxious Scavenger: small, fast and full of venom

At first glance they look like ordinary Scavengers. Up close, they are noticeably quicker, which makes them hard to track. Every bite delivers a deadly dose of poison, and they can bite again almost immediately. The good news is that they are fragile. Arrowhead recommends weapons that reward volume over precision, such as shotguns, flamethrowers and grenades.

Noxious Spewer: the big one

Unlike the Spewers you know, this hulking enemy moves with unsettling speed, and it is responsible for the webs now draped across battlefields. At medium range, watch for its Web Spit: one hit and you lose the ability to sprint. Its bite is quick, has surprising reach and carries stronger venom than a Scavenger's. The head has medium armor, but the web-filled abdomen has none. Be careful, though: when the sac bursts in a Web Explosion, it snares every Helldiver and bug nearby.

How does poison work in Helldivers 2?

Every Noxious bite inflicts poison, and a new HUD icon tracks your condition. Arrowhead splits it into two stages. When lightly poisoned, your vision starts to haze and the poison slowly eats away at your health. When heavily poisoned, damage over time increases, you can no longer sprint and your vision gets worse.

Stims cure the condition, so ration them wisely. A poisoned squadmate may need that stim to keep going and finish the mission.

Where do bug caves spawn now?

Terminid caves are no longer limited to a handful of worlds. They can now appear across many more biomes on the Galactic Map, from scorched deserts to frozen tundras. Inside the tunnels, sightlines are short, corners are blind and fast enemies can reach you before you hear them. Arrowhead calls it ideal territory for the Noxious bugs.

The studio's advice is simple: bring close-range firepower, stay with your squad and keep a stim in reserve for whoever wanders too far ahead.

Helldivers 2 has been available on PC and PS5 since February 2024, with an Xbox Series X|S version added later. For the latest controversy around the game, see our Easy Anti-Cheat story. New players can start with our Helldivers 2 beginner tips, and PC players can check the Helldivers 2 system requirements.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Noxious Terminids in Helldivers 2?

Noxious is a new venomous Terminid strain. It currently includes two enemies: the fast, fragile Noxious Scavenger and the hulking, web-spitting Noxious Spewer.

How do you cure poison in Helldivers 2?

Arrowhead says stims cure the poisoned condition, so ration them and keep one for squadmates who get bitten.

Where is the Noxious Spewer's weak spot?

Its head has medium armor, but its web-filled abdomen has no armor at all. Be careful: when the sac bursts, the Web Explosion snares every Helldiver and bug nearby.

Sources

• Helldivers 2 official Steam announcement: new poisonous Terminid types, bug caves spawn across the galaxy
• Helldivers 2 on X
• PlayStation Blog