Helldivers 2 has been out for over a year, and players are returning to one of the most notorious sectors to oppose new invasion efforts from automata. But doing so will form new lines and heldivians around the world are opposed to the unlikely possibility of rejecting bots.
For those who don’t dive, Automaton is one of the enemy factions of Heldiebirds 2. A terrifying skinet-style machine that played a central role in an in-game conflict a year ago. The invasion led to the nickname “Robot Vietnam” by the jungle environment and the fatal h crime of laser fires. Helldivers 2 players fought hard, lost their planets and released them in a disastrous turn.
Creek has become a legend in the Heldies community, and the Cape was sent to players to commemorate the victory. Now, a year later, automatons are back with the intention of regaining more firepower and streams. The main order has come out: protect Malebron Creek, and is always necessary.
Players in Helldivers 2 began to fall into zones around the Sevrin sector, the area of the galaxy map where Malevelon Creek is located, forming a line of defensive planets. The four planets Vandalon IV, Ingmar, PöpliIX and Dolph created a barrier between the invading automaton and the path to the stream. And Pöpliix was hit hard.
“What do you miss?” One user from R/Helldivers focused on the thin chaos gushing out of Pöpliix. As of this morning, the planet was at invasion level 40. Automata had fallen in both the incineration squad (special units using frame throwers and incited ammunition) and the jet brigade (special jump pack models). Ammunition from the supply pod was reduced to 50%, then the frozen transport was suspended, and reinforcement (response) was reduced to 3 for all operations on the PöpliIX.
In short, Pöpliix was throwing it all. As one player said, “By protecting one legendary planet, I created another planet.” But that’s the fun part. Arrowhead throws everything except the kitchen sink from Peppli IX, and players love it.
“I’ve been playing since its release, and something’s different about the battle for Pöpli IX,” the One thread said. “Subfaction of two bots that clash at once? Absolute confusion. There’s real stakes and exhaustion. Everything still feels desperate, like the frontline is constantly changing. It’s not just another mission, it actually feels like a war.”
The slow escalation of forces over time draws an interesting dilemma for Heldivar. Heldivar pushes himself further towards the corner, contrary to the worst odds. The player is responding and is about to jump into a new battle line and try and endure it.
PöpliIX sees Arrowhead’s system work well with player input. Players were able to implement DSS Eagle Storm as the bot approached victory with the rest of the hour. This gave the Heldybirds the opportunity. The bot’s frontline was unable to advance 24 hours a day, giving players the opportunity to return the planet.
That swing, and subsequent ammunition and respawn restrictions, built up a lot of excitement by holding the line with the PöpliIX. Multiple subfacts, restrictions, and high enemy intrusion levels make Pepli IX intense. Ah, I forgot to mention: there is a fierce heat warning and a tornado of fire.
Malevelon Creek appeared to be due for another legendary conflict, but instead the focus changed and a new moment emerged from this invasion.
“It was the community that made Malevolen Creek a legend today,” One Poster said. “And I think Pöpliix deserves similar status.” I tend to personally agree with them.
At the time of writing, it is just under 20 hours per day until the main order is finished. The bots still throw more in the sector, breaking through the lines the players have built and trying to push towards the stream. Either way, we feel like we’ve seen the new Heldybirds legendary form right in front of us.
Eric is an Passthecontroller freelance writer.
