Helldivers 2 Replaces GameGuard With Easy Anti-Cheat in October 20 Update

Some players say gameplay mods help fix stratagem and hitbox problems, while cosmetic mods may need creator updates and Steam Deck and Linux compatibility remains unchanged.

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The October 20 update for Helldivers 2 replaces GameGuard with Easy Anti-Cheat and adds security tools intended to protect game integrity. The 7.2.0 update notes confirm the implementation. In its Steam announcement, Arrowhead said GameGuard had not been as effective as it wanted and that Easy Anti-Cheat is used in more than 200 games.

Arrowhead says cheating has affected other players’ battles and pick-up rates, and has been used to manipulate the Galactic War. Gameplay modifications that create unfair advantages or negatively affect other players may stop working. The studio appreciates cosmetic and other non-gameplay mods, though some cosmetic mods may need updates from their creators.

Some players argue that gameplay mods also help work around problems in the base game, citing stratagems that bounce and hitbox issues.

People wouldn't be "cheating" if you guys would just fix your damn game! pic.twitter.com/XipAi9A9TB

— Peter Griffin For Everything! (@PeteMultiVersus) October 20, 2026

YOU GUYS ARE REALLY INCOMPETENT

FK YOU, EXPLAIN TO ME THIS: WHY IS THIS PROBLEM NOT A PRIORITY???

THIS GAME HAS A HITBOX PROBLEM, AND THE REASON I USE A QoL MOD IS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM pic.twitter.com/SneVo9VTpA

— Zinny (@zinnythezino) October 20, 2026

The anti-cheat change does not alter hardware requirements, and compatibility with Steam Deck and Linux remains unchanged. Arrowhead says it cannot determine which mods are safe, leaving their use to players’ discretion. Anyone whose non-destructive mod or other software is blocked can contact Arrowhead support.

Have you used a gameplay mod in Helldivers 2 to work around a bug? Follow our coverage of the anti-cheat change and mod compatibility on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.

Helldivers 2 is a cooperative third-person shooter in which squads of up to four players are deployed from orbit onto hostile planets to complete strategic missions. Players select loadouts of weapons, armor, and stratagems that allow them to call in orbital strikes, supply drops, vehicles, and turrets during combat. Friendly fire is always active, requiring coordination between teammates. The game features a persistent galactic war where community-wide performance determines which planets are liberated or lost.