Helldivers 2 avoided PvP to reduce toxicity, so of course some players are being toxic anyway by fighting over shared resources and team-killing to steal weapons

gamesradar.com:

Helldivers, we have a problem. Undemocratic bug fodder has infested the ranks of Helldivers 2, and the toxic behavior of these players is putting a damper on what should be a glorious campaign for Super Earth. 

Developer Arrowhead has been clear about keeping PvP out of Helldivers 2 because it wants to "reduce toxic elements," but seeing as how this game is being played by humans, some people will inevitably find a way to be toxic anyway. Case in point: some people are not only so greedy, but also so tunnel-visioned that they think they can steal collectible samples by killing the person holding them, ignoring the fact that such finds are all shared among teammates. 

"Just got [team-killed] and kicked from a group for 'stealing samples,'" complains Reddit user BakedRobot31. "It's unreal how fast the community's IQ fell through the floor." 

This sort of behavior seems to be worsening, or at least becoming more visible, as players reach higher ranks where the stakes are raised. Another player laments that high-difficulty lobbies can descend into bickering about mission types, stratagem choices, and loadout selection. They say they were even team-killed by someone who looted their body, insisting "I am better with your railgun." Even Automatons wouldn't stoop so low as to kill their allies to steal gear they haven't unlocked yet.  

"I have sunk so much time into this game and I am so happy that I got so much enjoyment out of it already because I don't wanna keep playing if this is how the end game is going to be," they conclude. 

They're not alone, either. Many other Helldivers 2 report similar experiences, collectively painting a picture of meta-obsessed players who resent any loadout that they didn't see in a YouTube guide or TikTok video. 

Others have likewise resorted to senseless team-killing or, a PUG classic well-known to folks who raid in MMOs, randomly kicking people to deny rewards. "There is nothing more disgusting than being kicked 30 seconds before the