Helldivers 2’s Illuminate Target Your New Rides, Sparking Player Suspicion of Meridia’s Curiously Overhauled Black Hole

Over the past few days, it’s been easy to overlook the Illuminate invasion in Helldivers 2 because the buzz has centered around the uproar over the pricing of the game’s Killzone crossover gear. However, the alien menace is still active, and their next offensive might delay your chance to try out a cool new ride.

You might remember when the Omens of Tyranny update announced Helldivers 2’s first driveable vehicle, the Fast Reconnaissance Vehicle or FRV. Now, the adversaries have set their sights on it, and players suspect there might be more targets in their line of fire.

There’s a notice from Arrowhead warning players: “The AM Defense Factory Hub on Achernar Secundus is under attack by the Illuminate, jeopardizing the production of the Fast Reconnaissance Vehicle (FRV). If the Illuminate aren’t stopped, the FRV’s rollout will be significantly delayed. More importantly, many colonists are at risk of being killed or kidnapped.”

Naturally, the Helldivers 2 community, both on Reddit and in the game, quickly mobilized to head to Achernar Secundus. However, as they checked their maps, they noticed something. This new conflict zone is alarmingly close to Meridia, which veteran players will recall was transformed into a strange purple black hole back in June.

In an intriguing twist, players have observed that the black hole now looks different following the launch of that Killzone crossover—it’s darker and has some extra floating debris. The speculation is rife that the Illuminate might soon target Meridia, potentially using the black hole to draw in fresh reinforcements.

Many players have long theorized that this black hole could be a gateway for the Illuminate’s entry into the game. Though it seems like a plausible conclusion, Arrowhead hasn’t confirmed this theory yet.

An in-game message from the developers addressed these player theories: “Some Helldivers might have noticed unusual electromagnetic activity near the Meridian Black Hole. High Command is keeping a close eye on the situation with help from field experts. Helldivers should focus on stopping the Illuminate threat instead of getting sidetracked.”

So, it seems the advice is to leave the thinking to the experts and concentrate on the task at hand. Whatever happens with Meridia, the developers are conveying a sense of assurance.

At least if any developments occur with the black hole soon, you’ll be armed with the gear from the Killzone crossover. The makers of Helldivers 2 decided to address the pricing backlash by giving everyone the second part of the gear set for free.

Now, when things get heated, you’re ready to dive into action without worrying about spending extra on some of that new crossover gear.