Earlier this week, Helldivers 2 completed its 60-day patch plan—an effort so admirable that we won’t even detract any points over the fact that the tour of duty actually took 63 days. Patch 01.001.104 hit Helldivers 2 today, rounding out a sweeping collection of promised tweaks for weapons, stratagems, enemies, and core game mechanics. Among those many adjustments, however, was this particular patch note:
P-4 Senator
- Armor penetration increased from 3 to 4
- Projectile damage increased from 175 to 200
- Projectile durable damage increased from 35 to 70
Traditionally, the P-4 Senator revolver, a sidearm from the very first Helldivers 2 premium warbond, hasn’t enjoyed much attention from Helldivers on the frontlines. It’s always packed a heavy punch capable of knocking out the more durable of Helldivers 2 run-of-the-mill fodder, but its slow fire rate, limited ammo capacity, and long reloads made it less attractive than other sidearm options. If I’m reaching for a backup weapon when I’m being swarmed, I’m usually looking for something that can spray enough rounds to clear some breathing room, like the trusty P-19 Redeemer.
Now, however, the P-4 Senator has become something different: something more. Rather than a last-ditch holdout sidearm, the revolver is now a purpose-built powerhouse, packing enough firepower and armor penetration to delete some of Super Earth’s nastiest enemies.
It didn’t take long for players to embrace the revolver’s new status. The Helldivers 2 subreddit is awash in video clips showing all manner of Terminid and Automaton getting casually unmade by high-caliber handgun rounds.
Bile Titans, those towering menaces requiring the application of the heaviest possible ordinance? Revolver wins.
When you didn’t bring the right stratagems for a bile titan, so you kill it with nothing but a Senator from r/Helldivers
Gunships, the aerial Automaton weapon platforms capable of withering barrages of rocket fire? Revolver wins.
Buffed iron on his hip from r/Helldivers
Even Hulks—the stomping, heavily-plated juggernauts who’ve burned me to a crisp with their flamethrower arms more times than I’d like to admit—are prey for the newly-empowered Senator.
P-4 Senator can 3 shot hulks now! from r/Helldivers
There will, undoubtedly, be those who think that this is yet further proof that Helldivers 2 is getting too easy, but I’ll take the world where I can shoot gunships out of the air with a six-shooter long before the world where I can’t. Now Arrowhead just needs to patch in a weird ocelot screech when you do your revolver twirling.
