Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is addressing player concerns with hotfix 4.1, reversing nerfs implemented in the previous patch (4.0). The developers, Saber Interactive, also announced plans for public test servers in early 2025.
Space Marine 2's Controversial Nerfs Lead to Urgent Patch & Public Test Server Announcement
Nerfs Reverted, Starting October 24
Hotfix 4.1, deploying October 24th, will undo the most significant balance changes introduced in Patch 4.0. This decision follows considerable negative player feedback and review bombing on Steam. Game director Dmitriy Grigorenko stated that the team is responding to player concerns and plans to utilize public test servers (launching around early 2025) for future updates.
The initial nerfs in Patch 4.0 aimed to increase enemy encounters, rather than simply boosting enemy health, in response to feedback that the game was too easy, even on the highest difficulty setting. However, this negatively impacted lower difficulty levels.
Patch 4.1 will revert Extremis enemy spawn rates on Minimal, Average, and Substantial difficulties to pre-Patch 4.0 levels, significantly reducing them on Ruthless difficulty. Additionally, player armor will receive a 10% boost on Ruthless, and bots will deal 30% more damage to bosses. The hotfix also includes substantial buffs to Bolt weapons:
- Auto Bolt Rifle: +20% Damage
- Bolt Rifle: +10% Damage
- Heavy Bolt Rifle: +15% Damage
- Stalker Bolt Rifle: +10% Damage
- Marksman Bolt Carbine: +10% Damage
- Instigator Bolt Carbine: +10% Damage
- Bolt Sniper Rifle: +12.5% Damage
- Bolt Carbine: +15% Damage
- Oculus Bolt Carbine: +15% Damage
- Heavy Bolter: +5% Damage (x2)
Saber Interactive will continue monitoring player feedback post-Patch 4.1 to ensure the "Lethal" difficulty remains appropriately challenging.
