AnswerHelldivers 2
Does Helldivers 2 still work on Steam Deck and Linux after the Easy Anti-Cheat switch?
Short answer
Yes, according to Arrowhead. The studio moved the PC version from GameGuard to Easy Anti-Cheat on 20 October 2026, and its FAQ on the change tells Steam Deck and Linux players: "Yes, you can still play." It also says the switch adds no new hardware requirements, though some mods may no longer function.
What Arrowhead says about Steam Deck and Linux
Arrowhead answers the Steam Deck and Linux question in its FAQ on the anti-cheat change: “Yes, you can still play.” The same answer says Steam Deck and Linux compatibility “remains unchanged.” The FAQ also says the change brings no new hardware requirements.
The switch from GameGuard
On 20 October 2026, Arrowhead replaced GameGuard with Easy Anti-Cheat in the PC version of Helldivers 2. The studio says it made the change because GameGuard was less effective than it could have been.
Linux tips from the community wiki
The Helldivers Wiki says Linux players should install the Proton EasyAnticheat Runtime through Steam. Its Linux and Steam Deck page adds that most Linux fixes can also be applied to the Steam Deck, which runs SteamOS.
Mods after the switch
Arrowhead says some mods may no longer function, particularly those that change the experience for other players. It adds that some non-malicious cosmetic mods may need updates from their creators to keep working. Helldivers 2 has no official mod support, so a game update may break mods or make them incompatible.
Arrowhead says mod use is at your own discretion and that it cannot determine which mods are safe. If you think EAC is blocking a harmless mod, the studio asks you to contact its official support on Zendesk.
TheGamer reports that the Custom Galactic War mod has stopped working, quoting its team as saying EAC has “effectively put a stop” to it for now. The Helldivers Wiki says DLL-injection tools such as OptiScaler or ReShade in the game’s bin folder get flagged by EAC and can make EAC crash.
Version and platform notes
Patch 7.2.0, dated 20 October 2026, added Easy Anti-Cheat to the PC version together with extra security tools. Hotfix 7.2.1, dated 22 October 2026, fixed a crash triggered by another player joining or leaving the squad (details on that crash). The Steam store page lists its minimum requirements for Windows 10 only, with a 64-bit processor and operating system.
Related questions
Can you play Helldivers 2 on Steam Deck with Easy Anti-Cheat?
Arrowhead's answer is yes: its FAQ on the anti-cheat change says Steam Deck and Linux compatibility "remains unchanged."
Do you need to set anything up for EAC on Linux?
The community Helldivers Wiki tells Linux players to install the Proton EasyAnticheat Runtime through Steam.
Do Helldivers 2 mods work with Easy Anti-Cheat?
Some may not: Arrowhead warns that some mods may no longer function, and that some non-malicious cosmetic mods may need updates from their creators to keep working.
Has GameGuard been removed from Helldivers 2?
On PC, yes: Arrowhead replaced GameGuard with Easy Anti-Cheat on 20 October 2026.
Does Easy Anti-Cheat change the hardware requirements?
Arrowhead's FAQ says the Easy Anti-Cheat change adds no new hardware requirements.
Can you play Helldivers 2 in a virtual machine or on an ARM device?
The Helldivers Wiki says EAC currently blocks some machines, including virtual machines, cloud gaming services, ARM64 processors and Apple Silicon Macs.
Sources
- Changing anti-cheat in HELLDIVERS 2, and patch notes 7.2.0 and 7.2.1
- HELLDIVERS 2 on Steam
- Helldivers 2 studio warns mods may break as it switches to new anti-cheat, and the negative reviews are dropping on Steam like Hellbombs
- Helldivers 2 is getting new anti-cheat, targeting "modifications that create unfair advantages"
- Helldivers 2 Review Bombed Yet Again Over Update 7.2 Devoid Of Liberty
- Easy Anticheat Troubleshooting
- Linux / Steam Deck Troubleshooting
- Broken Mods
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