Helldivers PS4 Save Editing Guide: Key Variables & Apollo Process
So I’ve spend about 5 hours but finally nailed it. Got how to edit the save file and make it work for Helldivers PS4 version. Feel free to buy me a coffe https://ko-fi.com/cocoalopez
This short guide covers editing common stats in Helldivers 1 PS4 save files using a hex editor (e.g., HxD) and Apollo Save Tool. It’s based on the loose key-value structure in the save (.sav file), where stats are stored as 64-bit little-endian doubles (8 bytes) or 32-bit ints/floats (4 bytes). Always backup your save before editing—corruption can lock your profile. Use for single-player only to avoid multiplayer desyncs or bans.1. Process Using Apollo Save Tool (Jailbroken PS4)Apollo is a free homebrew app for PS4 save management/decryption. Download from github.com/bucanero/apollo-ps4-save-tool.Steps:
- Install Apollo: Transfer the .pkg to your PS4 via USB/FTP (using PS4 homebrew enabler like GoldHEN). Launch from the app menu.
- Locate Save: Go to Apollo > User Saves > Helldivers > Select your profile save (e.g., “USER_DATA_1.sav” ~20-50KB).
- Decrypt & Export:
- Highlight the save > Press Triangle > “Export to USB” or “Open in Hex Editor” (if integrated).
- Or “Copy to USB” > Decrypt via Apollo’s “Decrypt Save Set” (enable in settings if needed).
- This outputs a raw .sav to USB/PC—open in HxD (free hex editor).
- Edit in Hex Editor:
- Use Ctrl+G to go to offsets (decimal or hex mode).
- Search text/hex as needed (e.g., for field labels).
- Edit precise bytes (see below).
- Save & Re-Import:
- Save the .sav in HxD (overwrite).
- Back to Apollo: “Import from USB” > Highlight imported save > Triangle > “Decrypt/Install” or “Copy to User Save.”
- Refresh Apollo (R3 button) > Load game to test.
- Troubleshoot: If load fails, restore backup. No checksums, but bad edits cause resets/glitches. Test small changes (e.g., +10).
2. Key Variables to EditStats are in a block ~offsets 1000–2000 decimal (search labels like “missions_fought” for context). Most are 64-bit doubles (8 bytes, little-endian) for precision—use an online converter (e.g., floating-point.net) for custom values. Game caps: XP ~1M (level 50), samples 318 total.
| Variable | Offset (Decimal) | Bytes to Edit | Original Example | Effect | Max Safe Value (Bytes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Samples (total = RP × 10 + progress) | 1270–1277 | 8 bytes (double) | 00 00 00 00 00 00 2C 40 (14.0 = 1 RP + 4/10) | Increases total samples for upgrades (weapons/stratagems/ship modules). Display: X/10 progress. Spend all to lock. | 318.0: 00 00 00 00 00 E0 73 40 (31 RP + 8/10) |
| Player XP (current) | ~4780–4787 (search “player_xp” + skip ~12 bytes) | 8 bytes (double) | 00 00 00 00 70 F5 07 41 (~196270) | Boosts level (derived from XP). Max XP ~1M (level 50). Edits may overlap samples—fix via search/replace. | 1,000,000: 00 00 00 00 00 00 F0 3F 00 00 (but use converter for exact) |
| Missions Fought | ~360–367 (search “missions_fought” + skip ~12) | 4 bytes (int) | E5 01 00 00 (485) | Tracks total missions started. Cosmetic (leaderboards), but high values unlock achievements. | 9999: FF 27 00 00 |
| Missions Won | ~400–407 (search “missions_won” + skip ~12) | 4 bytes (int) | 6D 00 00 00 (109) | Tracks successful missions. Affects rank/achievements. | 9999: FF 27 00 00 |
| Kills | ~580–587 (search “kills” + skip ~12) | 8 bytes (double) | 18 93 08 41 (~100k) | Total enemy kills. Purely cosmetic. | 1,000,000: Use converter for double. |
| Deaths | ~720–727 (search “deaths” + skip ~12) | 4 bytes (int) | 78 04 00 00 (1144) | Total deaths. Lower = better K/D ratio (cosmetic). | 0: 00 00 00 00 (invincibility feel) |
| Play Time (seconds) | ~620–627 (search “time_played” + skip ~12) | 8 bytes (double) | 00 80 47 40 (~201k sec = 55:55) | Total mission time. Cosmetic. | 1 year (~31M sec): Converter. |
How to Find/Verify Offsets:
- Search text mode for field name (e.g., “research_samples”).
- Skip ~12 bytes (type 09 00 00 00 + 8 pad zeros).
- Edit the next 4/8 bytes.
- For doubles: Reverse bytes for little-endian (low first).
3. Warnings & Tips
- Risks: Edits can glitch loadouts or reset on mission end—spend samples immediately. Multiplayer: Others see edited stats; risk bans.
- Format: Use little-endian (reverse hex bytes). Test small (e.g., +10 samples: add 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 40 to original).
- Converters: floating-point.net (decimal → hex LE double/float).
- Advanced: Search for current value bytes (e.g., hex for 14.0 double) to confirm spot if offsets shift.
- Revert: Search hex for edited value, replace with original.
This unlocks full progression—happy diving for Super Earth! If issues, share hex snippet around offset.
UPDATE (STRATAGEMS LOADING)
USAGE EXAMPLE
You can use my savefile as base and edit the values from there