Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is addressing player concerns with hotfix 4.1, reversing nerfs implemented in the controversial Patch 4.0. The developers, Saber Interactive, also announced plans for public test servers in early 2025.
Space Marine 2's Patch 4.0 Nerfs Prompt Urgent Reversal and Public Test Server Announcement
Nerfs Reverted Starting October 24
Following significant negative player feedback, Patch 4.1, released October 24th, undoes the most impactful balance changes from Patch 4.0. Game director Dmitriy Grigorenko stated that the decision to revert the changes was a direct response to player concerns. The introduction of public test servers, slated for early 2025, aims to prevent similar situations in the future.
The backlash against Patch 4.0 included negative Steam reviews, criticizing the nerfs as making the game less enjoyable. Saber Interactive clarified that Patch 4.0 aimed to increase enemy numbers, not their health, to address feedback that the game was too easy, even on the highest difficulty. However, this adjustment negatively impacted lower difficulty levels.
Patch 4.1 reverts Extremis enemy spawn rates to pre-Patch 4.0 levels on Minimal, Average, and Substantial difficulties, significantly reducing them on Ruthless. Additionally, player armor is increased by 10% on Ruthless, and bots receive a 30% damage buff against bosses.
Hotfix 4.1 also includes substantial buffs to Bolt weapons, addressing their previous underperformance across all difficulties. The specific damage increases are as follows:
⚫︎ Auto Bolt Rifle: +20% ⚫︎ Bolt Rifle: +10% ⚫︎ Heavy Bolt Rifle: +15% ⚫︎ Stalker Bolt Rifle: +10% ⚫︎ Marksman Bolt Carbine: +10% ⚫︎ Instigator Bolt Carbine: +10% ⚫︎ Bolt Sniper Rifle: +12.5% ⚫︎ Bolt Carbine: +15% ⚫︎ Occulus Bolt Carbine: +15% ⚫︎ Heavy Bolter: +5% ⚫︎ Heavy Bolter: +5%
Saber Interactive will continue monitoring player feedback post-Patch 4.1 to ensure the Lethal difficulty remains appropriately challenging and rewarding.
