Helldivers 2: Players Are Obsessed With the Brutal New WW1 Warbond

Helldivers 2 is introducing a new Premium Warbond called Entrenched Division, arriving March 17. The update leans heavily into a World War 1 inspired aesthetic, trading flashy cosmetics for practical gear built around defense, fortification, and area denial.

While previous Warbonds focused on mobility or niche builds, Entrenched Division appears designed for squads that want to hold ground and survive heavy enemy pressure. The equipment included in this Warbond encourages players to build defensive positions and control the battlefield instead of constantly moving.

The Warbond costs 1,000 Super Credits and is spread across three pages of unlockable rewards.

High difficulty missions in Helldivers 2 have traditionally rewarded mobility. Squads often rely on constant movement, quick objective clears, and hit and run tactics to survive large enemy waves.

Entrenched Division introduces tools that support a different approach. Instead of running from overwhelming enemy forces, squads can create temporary strongpoints and control space with defensive equipment.

This design direction suggests Arrowhead may be experimenting with gameplay that rewards positioning and coordinated defense. The Warbond gear fits that philosophy almost entirely.

The arsenal provided in this update is built for close quarters and medium range defense. The primary weapon, the SMG/FLAM-34 Stoker, is a versatile submachine gun that solves a common problem for frontline soldiers. While it functions as a standard, high-handling SMG for clearing infantry, it features an underbarrel incineration attachment. This serves as a vital tool for managing sudden breaches. If a group of small enemies manages to get within striking distance of your position, you can ignite them instantly without the delay of switching to your support weapon.

The secondary weapon slot sees some of the most significant innovation in this warbond. The P-69 Veto is a Mauser-style pistol that uses jet-assisted rounds. It functions similarly to a scaled-down JAR-5 Dominator, offering high impact and the ability to punch through medium armor. It is an excellent choice for players who need a reliable backup that can actually damage heavy targets when their primary is empty.

However, the item that has truly captured the community’s attention is the CQC-73 Entrenchment Tool. This is a tactical shovel that replaces your sidearm. Beyond its use as a high-damage melee weapon, its primary function is the ability to dig small, prone-height trenches. In many missions, especially against the Automatons, players are often forced to cross open fields with zero cover. The ability to stop and dig a defensive position can drastically increase the survival rate of the squad during a retreat or an objective hold.

The Entrenched Division also introduces two new stratagems that emphasize the theme of holding territory. The B/FLAM-80 Cremator is a heavy flamethrower that functions differently from the current version. It requires a dedicated backpack fuel tank, which means you cannot carry a Shield Generator or a Guard Dog. In exchange, the Cremator provides a massive increase in range and a continuous, uninterrupted column of fire. It is built to melt entire waves of enemies before they can reach the edge of your fortifications.

To complement the flame-based defense, the A/GM-17 Gas Mortar Sentry provides a more subtle form of area denial. Instead of high explosives, it fires shells filled with corrosive gas. This creates a lingering toxic cloud that damages biological threats and causes confusion in mechanical units. It is an effective softening tool that disrupts enemy formations before they enter your line of sight.

The Warbond also includes the G 48 Giga Grenade, a heavy explosive throwable designed for destroying tougher targets or clearing dense enemy groups.

Together with the armor passives, grenades play a larger role in this Warbond compared to previous releases.

The Entrenchment Tool is the most interesting addition because it introduces direct terrain interaction. If Arrowhead expands on this system, future missions could involve longer defensive objectives where building cover becomes an important part of survival.

Some players are already speculating that upcoming Major Orders or mission types may involve extended defense scenarios where squads must hold fortified positions for longer periods.

If that happens, the gear in Entrenched Division could become a core part of defensive squad builds.

Entrenched Division focuses on practical gear rather than cosmetics. Most of its equipment supports defensive playstyles, area denial, and squad coordination.

Players who prefer aggressive mobility builds may find fewer must have items here. However, squads that enjoy coordinated defense or high difficulty missions will likely find several tools worth unlocking.

More importantly, the Warbond hints at a possible shift in how Helldivers 2 approaches battlefield control. If future updates continue expanding defensive gameplay, Entrenched Division could end up being one of the more important Warbonds released so far.