The socialist bots are back, and they're angrier than ever. HELLDIVERS 2's Machinery of Oppression update drops February 10, 2026, bringing the franchise's iconic Cyborg faction to the galactic war alongside a completely overhauled arsenal and the long-awaited assault on Cyberstan. Here's everything you need to dominate these techno-socialist threats.
What Makes the Cyborg Faction Different?
The Cyborgs represent a fundamental shift in how you'll approach Automaton combat. Unlike their mechanical cousins, these red-eyed abominations blend heavy armor with what Arrowhead calls “Techno-Martial Arts”, close-range combat techniques that can literally kick your head off.
You'll encounter three distinct Cyborg variants when the update launches. Each one demands specific tactical approaches that differ significantly from standard bot engagements.
Agitators: Field Commanders
Agitators serve as battlefield commanders, coordinating weaker Automaton forces against your squad. Their Heavy Armor makes them bullet sponges, but here's the thing: taking them down early disrupts enemy formations. You'll want to prioritize these targets with armor-piercing weapons like the newly buffed GL-21 Grenade Launcher, which now features Heavy armor penetration instead of Medium.
Helldivers 2 Machinery of Oppression Update Guide
Radicals: Melee Nightmares
Radicals are pale-faced terrors equipped with arm-mounted shotguns and devastating kicks. Their Techno-Martial Arts aren't just for show—one well-placed kick removes your helmet permanently. Keep distance with SMGs, which now benefit from reduced sway modifiers (dropped from 1.2 to 1.0 across the board).
Warning
Radicals excel at closing gaps. Never let them get within melee range without a backup plan.
Vox Engine: Propaganda Tanks
The Vox Engine combines dual heavy laser cannons with Gatling lasers while blasting propaganda at ear-splitting volumes. What most players miss is that destroying these vehicles stops nearby enemy coordination. Focus fire with your squad using the RS-422 Railgun, which now properly displays ammunition during reload animations.
How Should You Prepare Your Loadout?
The update completely rebalances melee combat and weapon handling. You'll notice immediate differences in how your gear performs.
Melee Weapon Overhaul
Base melee damage increased by 50% across the board. However, armor passives took a hit:
The CQC-42 Machete now deals 300 damage (up from 200), making it viable even without armor bonuses. Pro tip: Pair melee weapons with the Ballistic Shield Backpack, which received a cooldown reduction from 300 to 240 seconds.
Helldivers 2 Machinery of Oppression Update Guide
SMG and Pistol Changes
Every SMG and pistol now handles identically to standard rifles regarding sway. The MP-98 Knight, SMG-37 Defender, and P-72 Crisper all dropped their 1.2 sway modifier to 1.0. The Crisper also gained 20 extra rounds (30 to 50 magazine capacity).
Weapon Function Standardization
Arrowhead unified weapon switching mechanics. All programmable ammo, ammo types, volley modes, and guided modes now activate through the left direction input. This includes:
- SG-20 Halt ammo type switching
- DBS-2 Double Freedom volley/semi mode
- RS-422 Railgun safe/unsafe mode
- StA-X3 W.A.S.P. Launcher programmable ammo
You'll adapt quickly once you realize similar functions share the same input direction.
What's the Cyberstan Campaign Structure?
The assault on Cyberstan introduces city-by-city liberation missions. Unlike standard planetary operations, you'll fight through urban environments with new tactical considerations.
New Mission Types Available
Commando Operations now appear on all Automaton-controlled planets. These stealth-focused missions complement standard operations, giving you flexibility in how you approach objectives. Check out our Helldivers 2 Guide: Best Builds for All Factions for loadout recommendations that work across mission types.
Bastion Tank Introduction
The Bastion Tank arrives as your squad's first drivable heavy vehicle. It requires coordinated teamwork—one player drives while others man weapons. The key here is using it against entrenched positions where foot soldiers struggle.
Helldivers 2 Machinery of Oppression Update Guide
Tip
The Bastion Tank excels at drawing fire while teammates flank. Don't charge headfirst into enemy formations.
Which Difficulty Changes Should You Expect?
Difficulty 9+ received significant intensity increases, particularly against Automatons. Here's what changed:
Enemy Targeting Improvements
Gunships received targeting software updates. They'll actually hit you now instead of spraying wildly. Their rockets also deal increased damage versus durable targets, making light armor far riskier.
Devastators lost arm durability, making them easier to disable. However, Rocket Devastators and Hulk Bruisers gained the same durable damage boost as Gunships.
Illuminate and Terminid Adjustments
Overseers and Crescent Overseers hit harder against armored targets. The Crescent variant's artillery attack now staggers players, forcing repositioning during bombardments.
Dragonroach flame damage dropped 25%, but don't get comfortable—they're still lethal in swarms.
What Are the Best New Stratagem Options?
Several stratagems received meaningful buffs that change their viability.
Grenade Capacity Increases
The extra grenade makes aggressive plays more forgiving. You'll appreciate the additional Arc grenade when clearing bot fabricators.
Support Weapon Improvements
The Orbital Smoke Strike cooldown dropped from 100 to 75 seconds. Pair this with the new Concealed Insertion booster (arriving with the Redacted Regiment warbond) for maximum stealth potential.
How Does the Siegebreakers Warbond Complement This Update?
The Siegebreakers premium warbond launches alongside Machinery of Oppression, featuring close-range demolition tools perfect for Cyborg combat.
The standout weapon is an explosive hammer designed for breaking enemy formations. Combined with the upgraded LAS-16 Trident, you'll have options for both crowd control and precision elimination. For more details on maximizing warbond rewards, see Helldivers 2 Surpasses 20 Million Copies Sold.
What Performance Optimizations Were Implemented?
Arrowhead tackled several technical issues that plagued previous updates:
- Volumetric fog density now matches across quality settings
- Building materials in colonies and cities run smoother
- Explosion and destruction effects optimized (especially important for bot fights)
- Removed player-attached light source in favor of improved environment visibility
The update also adds Chinese voice-over support and allows most victory poses and emotes to be interchangeable.
Important
Xbox players will no longer see green artifacts in smoke on red planets—a long-standing visual bug finally squashed.
Should You Adjust Your Playstyle?
Absolutely. The Cyborg faction demands closer attention to positioning than standard Automaton encounters. Their melee capabilities punish solo players who stray from squad support.
Focus on:
- Maintaining distance from Radicals using the improved SMG handling
- Prioritizing Agitators to disrupt enemy coordination
- Targeting Vox Engines early to prevent propaganda buffs
- Using terrain in Cyberstan's urban environments for cover
The update fundamentally shifts Helldivers 2's meta toward more tactical, coordinated gameplay. Players who adapt quickly will dominate the Cyberstan campaign, while those stuck in old habits will struggle against these techno-socialist threats.
With cross-play support across PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S, you'll have no shortage of fellow Helldivers to coordinate with. The democracy won't spread itself—get out there and show these Cyborgs what Super Earth's finest can do.