Soldiers making planetfall may have large mech allies as stratagems in the future if footage released online is to be trusted. Fans were quick to spot rideable mechs with more than a passing resemblance to Warhammer 40K Dreadnoughts in Helldivers 2. This could be exciting news for the game, even though it’s already a smash hit.
Will Helldivers 2 Have Mechs as Strategems?
It looks like Helldivers 2 might get smaller mechs than just the EXO-44 featured in their launch trailer. What’s more exciting for 40K fans is the bipedal, stubby design with arm-mounted guns that resemble a mini version of the Dreadnought. It has a back hatch allowing access for a single user, where you can move around and shoot from the inside.
The Reddit footage should not be considered an official teaser, and regardless of their claims, at best, this is a leak or the result of a hack of sensitive files.
Users on Reddit are quick to point out the model differences, with this unit having twin autocannons and likely being the EXO-48 variant. The EXO-44 in the trailer had a noticeable Gatling gun attachment and an MLRS arm, which means combined suppression and demolition.
After all, the trailer clarified that units like the EXO-44 would come soon after launch. Perhaps it is coming sooner than we thought?
The Mechs Bear a Resemblance to Other Classic Mech Designs
Aside from fixation on getting into one of these battle suits and raining hell on the enemy, it’s also fun to draw pop culture comparisons. Gungriffon fans may appreciate a pivot away from the usual anime-inspired mecha designs. However, Metal Gear fans can appreciate the agility of the EXO line. Let’s not forget either about the recent resurgence in mecha fascination with Armored Core 6!
It’s also not the first time this was done. The Automaton Hulk in Helldivers 2 is insanely similar to Dreadnoughts:
However, something stands out about the EXO units. They stand somewhere in the middle ground between an Imperial Guard Sentinel and a Dreadnought, an exciting combination. Add this to favorable comparisons of the game to Starship Troopers, and it’ll surely please fans eager to liberate the galaxy. It’s a good thing, too, since servers have continued to improve.
