The next Helldivers 2 Warbond is ready to deploy. Arrowhead Game Studios will launch the Control Group Premium Warbond on July 17, bringing a full lineup of experimental tech from Super Earth’s Ministry of Defense R&D. This follows recent news that Helldivers 2 is officially coming to Xbox on August 26.
This Warbond is all about field testing new gear. That includes weapons, armour, stratagems, and support tools built from alien technology. And yes, some of it might explode in your hands. Here’s everything you need to know about the Control Group Warbond.
New Weapons and Stratagems
The highlight of this Warbond is the VG-70 Variable, a seven-barrelled primary weapon with three distinct firing modes. You can fire automatically at adjustable speeds, volley all barrels once, or unload every round in one burst with the “Total” setting. That last one, R&D notes, could be harmful to the user depending on how much ammo is loaded.
You’ll also be able to test the G-31 Arc grenade, which bounces around while discharging electricity. It affects both enemies and fellow Helldivers, so friendly fire is definitely a factor.
Other new additions include the PLAS-45 Epoch, a support weapon that charges plasma into a focused sphere. It deals serious damage but can explode if overcharged. There’s also the A/LAS-98 Laser Sentry, which uses a supersized heatsink to fire lasers continuously. Just be careful. Without cooldown time, it can overheat and explode.
The LIFT-182 Warp Pack is the new stratagem. It opens a temporary wormhole powered by Dark Fluid, allowing users to teleport short distances. Each jump further destabilizes the wormhole, and if it collapses, the user may die. That said, there’s no cooldown between jumps, offering a huge mobility advantage.
New Armour Sets and Cosmetics
Two new armour sets are included: the AD-26 Bleeding Edge (medium) and AD-49 Apollonian (heavy). Both feature the Adreno-Defibrillator passive, which activates once to revive you at full health after lethal damage. After that, your health will slowly begin to drain.
Cosmetics in the Warbond include the Conductor of Brilliance and Over Artifice Triumphant capes, matching player cards, and the Protect Eardrums emote. You can also earn the Exemplary Subject title as a reward for testing all this experimental tech under live-fire conditions.
The Control Group Warbond will be available July 17 on PS5 and PC. If you’re new to the fight or want to see what the game offers, check out our full Helldivers 2 review for a deeper look.
Will you risk field-testing the Control Group gear on day one? Let us know which new stratagem or weapon you’re most excited to try.
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