Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is rolling out hotfix 4.1 in response to player discontent over recent gameplay adjustments. Developer Saber Interactive also announced the introduction of Public Test Servers to address community feedback.
Fan Outcry Over Space Marine 2 Nerfs Spurs Patch and Test Server Plans
Reversals Begin October 24
Patch 4.1, set for release on October 24, coincides with the announcement of Public Test Servers planned for early 2025. The decision follows widespread criticism of Patch 4.0, which introduced nerfs that frustrated players.
Saber Interactive responded by reversing the most contentious balance changes from Patch 4.0. "Since last Thursday’s update, we’ve listened to your feedback and are addressing key issues with a new balancing patch this Thursday," said game director Dmitriy Grigorenko. "Looking ahead, we’re excited to launch Public Test Servers in early 2025 to better capture your input."
Recent days have seen Space Marine 2 face significant player backlash, including negative reviews on Steam. One review remarked, "Saber Interactive saw the Helldivers 2 nerf fallout and thought, ‘Let’s dial back the fun like Arrowhead did.’ It’s a repeat lesson they should’ve learned."
In a community update, Saber Interactive clarified that Patch 4.0 aimed to address feedback about the game being too easy, even at higher difficulties. "We adjusted enemy spawns to increase their numbers rather than boosting their health," the team noted. "Unfortunately, this affected lower difficulty levels more than intended."
With Patch 4.1, spawn rates for Extremis enemies in Minimal, Average, and Substantial difficulties will revert to pre-Patch 4.0 levels, with a significant reduction in Ruthless difficulty. Player armor in Ruthless mode will increase by 10%, and bots will deal 30% more damage to bosses.
The hotfix also includes a major buff to Bolt weapons, which have been underperforming. "We’ve been eager to enhance the Bolter family across all difficulty levels," the developers stated. Key changes in hotfix 4.1 include:
⚫︎ Auto Bolt Rifle: Damage increased by 20%
⚫︎ Bolt Rifle: Damage increased by 10%
⚫︎ Heavy Bolt Rifle: Damage increased by 15%
⚫︎ Stalker Bolt Rifle: Damage increased by 10%
⚫︎ Marksman Bolt Carbine: Damage increased by 10%
⚫︎ Instigator Bolt Carbine: Damage increased by 10%
⚫︎ Bolt Sniper Rifle: Damage increased by 12.5%
⚫︎ Bolt Carbine: Damage increased by 15%
⚫︎ Occulus Bolt Carbine: Damage increased by 15%
⚫︎ Heavy Bolter: Damage increased by 5%
⚫︎ Heavy Bolter: Damage increased by 5%
"We’ll keep monitoring feedback post-Patch 4.1 to ensure Lethal difficulty strikes the right balance of challenge and reward," Grigorenko added.
