Unleashing Hell: The Top Stratagems for Galactic Domination in Helldivers 2
So, you've strapped on your liberty-loving boots, grabbed your trusty M-105 Stalwart, and are ready to dive headfirst into the glorious chaos of Helldivers 2. But to truly spread managed democracy across the galaxy, you need more than just brute force. You need stratagems – those powerful, game-changing support tools that turn a hairy situation into a triumphant victory. But with a galaxy teeming with enemies, which stratagems are truly the cream of the crop? Let's break down the absolute best stratagems that will make you the envy of your squad and the bane of any alien scum.
The Essential Support Stratagems: Always Bring These!
These stratagems are the bread and butter of any successful Helldiver. They offer consistent utility, incredible firepower, and the ability to bail you out of almost any predicament. Mastering these is your first step to becoming a legendary Helldiver.
1. Eagle Airstrike / Eagle Strafing Run
The Eagle is your winged savior, capable of obliterating swarms of enemies or single-handedly taking down heavily armored targets. Both variants are fantastic, but they excel in slightly different situations.
- Eagle Airstrike: This is your go-to for carpet-bombing an area. It's perfect for clearing out dense concentrations of smaller enemies like Hunters, Stalkers, or even a cluster of Bile Spewers. If you see a bug breach about to erupt, a well-placed Eagle Airstrike can neutralize the threat before it even starts.
- Eagle Strafing Run: This is more of a precision strike. It's excellent for targeting specific, dangerous units like Chargers, Bile Titans, or heavily armored Automaton threats like Hulks. The strafing run will often take multiple passes, ensuring significant damage.
Why it's great: High damage output, versatile against various enemy types, and a relatively short cooldown. It’s your get-out-of-jail-free card for overwhelming odds.
2. Orbital Precision Strike / Orbital Railcannon Strike
Similar to the Eagle stratagems, these orbital bombardment options offer devastating firepower from the heavens. They are excellent for taking down high-priority targets, especially when you can't risk getting too close.
- Orbital Precision Strike: A single, incredibly powerful shot that can punch through the armor of even the toughest enemies. This is your go-to for instantly deleting a Charger’s head, a Bile Titan’s weak spot, or an Automaton Hulk’s cannon arm.
- Orbital Railcannon Strike: This is more of a sustained barrage, firing a series of powerful projectiles that can devastate an area or severely damage a single large target. It’s less precise than the Precision Strike but can be more effective against groups of tough enemies or if you miss your initial shot.
Why it's great: Ignores most cover, deals massive damage to single targets, and is crucial for dealing with high-threat enemies from a safe distance.
3. Resupply Pack
This might not sound as flashy as a bombing run, but trust us, a well-utilized Resupply Pack is invaluable. Running out of ammo in the heat of battle is a death sentence.
Why it's great: Essential for sustained combat. It allows you and your squad to keep laying down suppressing fire, blasting through enemy lines, and destroying objectives without constantly having to call in ammo crates or risk running dry. It’s a tactical lifesaver.
4. Guard Dog (Rover or Minitigun)
Having a loyal robotic companion that shoots at anything that moves is incredibly satisfying. Both Guard Dog variants offer excellent supplemental firepower.
- Guard Dog (Rover): This is the standard version, a hovering drone that automatically targets enemies. It’s fantastic for dealing with smaller, flanking enemies and providing a constant stream of suppressing fire.
- Guard Dog (Minitigun): This version offers a more concentrated burst of fire. It's excellent for taking down medium-sized threats or adding significant damage to larger enemies.
Why it's great: Provides constant, automated fire that helps thin out enemy ranks and deal with threats you might otherwise miss. It frees you up to focus on larger threats or objectives.
Offensive Powerhouses: When You Need to Bring the Pain
Sometimes, the best defense is an overwhelming, democratically-delivered offense. These stratagems are designed to melt faces and pulverize the opposition.
1. Orbital 380MM HE Barrage
This is your area-denial king. The 380MM HE Barrage lays down a massive spread of high-explosive shells, perfect for clearing entire objectives or creating a no-go zone for the enemy.
Why it's great: Devastating against swarms of enemies. It's incredibly effective for destroying bug nests or automaton fabricators when they are close together. The sheer volume of explosions can stagger even large enemies.
2. Flamethrower (for the right situation)
While technically a weapon stratagem, the Flamethrower is so powerful and unique that it deserves a mention. It's fantastic for close-quarters combat and dealing with tightly packed groups.
Why it's great: Melts through unarmored and lightly armored enemies with ease. It can also stagger larger enemies and set them on fire, dealing damage over time. It's particularly effective against swarms of bugs.
3. Grenade Launcher
A reliable workhorse, the Grenade Launcher offers a good balance of explosive damage and range. It’s excellent for clearing out protected enemies or dealing with individual threats.
Why it's great: Versatile for both crowd control and taking down medium-armored targets. Its arcing projectile can get over obstacles, making it effective against enemies behind cover.
Defensive and Utility Stratagems: Surviving and Thriving
Sometimes, survival is the key to victory. These stratagems help you stay alive, control the battlefield, and outmaneuver your foes.
1. Shield Generator Pack
This is a game-changer for individual survival. The Shield Generator Pack provides a personal energy shield that absorbs a significant amount of damage before breaking.
Why it's great: Massively increases your survivability, allowing you to withstand more hits and stay in the fight longer. It’s invaluable for completing objectives or extracting under heavy fire.
2. Heavy Machine Gun / Autocannon / Recoilless Rifle (Support Weapons)
These are your armor-piercing, high-damage dealing personal weapons. Bringing one of these can drastically change the tide of a fight against armored threats.
- Heavy Machine Gun: Excellent for suppressing fire and dealing with medium armor.
- Autocannon: Great for taking down Chargers with well-placed shots to the head and is effective against most Automaton units.
- Recoilless Rifle: The king of anti-armor. Its explosive rounds can instantly destroy Chargers and other heavily armored threats.
Why it's great: These provide your squad with dedicated anti-armor capabilities, which are crucial for dealing with Chargers, Bile Titans, Hulks, and Tanks.
3. Smoke Grenade (Tactical Grenade)
Don't underestimate the power of a good old smoke screen. This tactical grenade can save your life and your squad's.
Why it's great: Creates a temporary blind spot for enemies, allowing you to revive downed allies, reposition, or escape overwhelming odds. It’s a simple yet incredibly effective tool for battlefield control.
Putting It All Together: Sample Loadouts
The "best" stratagem often depends on the mission type, the planet, and the enemies you're facing. However, here are a couple of sample loadouts that are generally highly effective:
Loadout 1: Anti-Bug Annihilation
- Eagle Airstrike
- Orbital Precision Strike
- Resupply Pack
- Guard Dog (Rover)
- Support Weapon: Autocannon or Recoilless Rifle
This loadout focuses on dealing with hordes of bugs and quickly dispatching heavy threats like Chargers and Bile Titans.
Loadout 2: Automaton Eradication
- Eagle Strafing Run
- Orbital Railcannon Strike
- Shield Generator Pack
- Heavy Machine Gun or Grenade Launcher
- Support Weapon: Recoilless Rifle or Autocannon
This loadout emphasizes dealing with armored Automaton units and provides survivability against their relentless bullet-hell.
Conclusion
The galaxy is a dangerous place, Helldiver. But with the right stratagems in your arsenal, you can bring the Emperor's justice to even the most hostile corners of the universe. Experiment, find what works best for your playstyle and your squad, and remember: for Super Earth!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I unlock new stratagems?
You unlock new stratagems by progressing through your Ship Modules and by completing various missions. As you gain experience and level up, you'll earn Warbond Medals that can be spent in the Ship Management terminal to unlock more powerful stratagems and ship upgrades.
Why is it important to coordinate stratagems with my team?
Coordinating stratagems is crucial for maximum effectiveness. For instance, one player calling in an Eagle Airstrike to soften up a group of enemies while another calls in an Orbital Precision Strike to take out a priority target ensures a more efficient and safer takedown. It prevents overlapping stratagems that might be better used elsewhere and ensures your squad has the right tools for the job.
When should I use an Eagle Airstrike versus an Orbital Precision Strike?
Use the Eagle Airstrike when you need to clear a larger area of smaller to medium-sized enemies, or when you want to soften up a group of tougher enemies before engaging. The Orbital Precision Strike is best used for single, high-priority targets that require immediate deletion, such as a Charger’s head or a Bile Titan’s weak spot, especially when you need to conserve ammunition or avoid direct engagement.
Why is the Resupply Pack considered so vital?
The Resupply Pack is vital because it directly addresses the critical issue of running out of ammunition. In prolonged firefights or during objectives that require sustained firepower, having a player equipped with a Resupply Pack ensures the entire squad can remain combat-effective without needing to constantly retreat or rely solely on infrequent ammo drops. It dramatically increases the team’s overall combat endurance.
