Helldivers 2: Your Ultimate Planet Warfare Tutorial

Hey there, fellow Helldivers! Ready to dive headfirst into the chaotic, explosive, and utterly addictive world of Helldivers 2? If you're new to the game, or even if you've been blasting bugs and bots for a while, you know that understanding planet warfare is absolutely crucial for spreading managed democracy. This tutorial is your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about conquering planets, managing your resources, and becoming the ultimate Helldiver. We'll cover everything from the basics of planet selection to advanced strategies for completing those challenging missions. Let's get started, shall we?

Choosing Your Battlefield: Understanding the Galactic War

First things first, understanding the Galactic War is key! Before you even think about dropping onto a planet, you need to understand the big picture. The Galactic War is a constantly evolving conflict where you and your fellow Helldivers fight for control of various planets against the Automatons and the Terminids. Your actions directly impact the war effort, and every mission contributes to the overall liberation of planets. So, how do you know where to focus your efforts? The Galactic Map is your best friend!

The Galactic Map provides crucial information. It shows which planets are under attack, the liberation percentage, and the types of enemies you'll face. The liberation percentage indicates how close a planet is to being freed from enemy control. Your goal is to contribute to raising that percentage to 100%. Planets with higher liberation percentages often offer better rewards, such as valuable resources and influence to the overall war effort. Also, take into account the active major orders and personal orders. This provides extra incentives to play on the same planets.

Furthermore, the Galactic Map also displays the types of enemies present on each planet. Knowing this information allows you to choose the right gear and strategize effectively. For example, if you're facing heavily armored Automatons, you'll want to equip weapons and stratagems that can penetrate armor, like the Railgun or the Expendable Anti-Tank. Or, if you are fighting hordes of Terminids, flamethrowers and grenades are useful. Pay attention to the planet's difficulty level; the higher the difficulty, the tougher the enemies and the more challenging the missions. Starting on lower difficulties is a good idea when you are a beginner and getting used to the gameplay, but the best rewards are gained in the higher difficulties, so don't be afraid to level up your game.

Diving In: Mission Selection and Deployment

Alright, you've chosen your planet – now it's time to dive in and select your mission. Each planet is divided into multiple sectors, each with its own set of missions. The mission selection screen provides important details, including the mission type, the expected enemies, and the modifiers in place. Mission types vary, from eliminating enemy forces to destroying nests, activating objectives, or rescuing civilians.

Mission modifiers are special conditions that can make a mission easier or harder. Some examples include: reduced visibility (blizzards, sandstorms, etc.), increased enemy spawn rates, or limited stratagem use. Before deploying, always check the mission modifiers to prepare for the additional challenges. Consider your loadout and your squad's capabilities. A squad that's prepared for the special conditions will be successful.

Before you drop, take a moment to choose your loadout. This is critical for success! Your loadout consists of your primary weapon, secondary weapon, grenades, and stratagems. The best choice depends on the mission type, enemy type, and mission modifiers. For instance, if you are expecting lots of heavy armor, you might equip the Railgun or the Spear. On the other hand, if you expect to be swarmed by enemies, a grenade launcher or a flamethrower may be a good choice.

Stratagems are your special abilities that can be called in during the mission. These can include orbital strikes, airstrikes, support weapons, and defensive structures. Stratagems are crucial for taking out heavy enemies, clearing out nests, and providing tactical support. Keep in mind that stratagems have cooldown timers and require input codes. Practice using your stratagems effectively, and learn to combine them for maximum impact!

Planet Warfare Tactics: Mastering the Battlefield

Once you're on the ground, planet warfare becomes a matter of tactical execution and teamwork. Here's a breakdown of essential tactics:

• Teamwork and Communication: Helldivers 2 is best played with a squad. Communicate with your teammates, share information about enemy locations, and coordinate your stratagems. Good teamwork is essential for survival.
• Objective Focus: Prioritize completing the mission objectives. These are the main goals that advance your progress and the liberation of the planet. Ignore optional objectives until the main goals are complete.
• Mobility and Positioning: Stay mobile and keep moving. Enemies are relentless. Don't be afraid to fall back and reposition if you are overwhelmed. Use cover to your advantage. Try to fight on your terms.
• Resource Management: Carefully manage your ammunition, grenades, and stratagem cooldowns. Avoid wasting resources. If you are low on ammo, call in a resupply or find a weapon.
• Enemy Awareness: Keep an eye on your surroundings. Learn enemy attack patterns and weak points. Knowing when to retreat from an ambush is as important as taking action.
• Stratagem Mastery: Practice using your stratagems effectively. Know what each one does. Practice calling them in under pressure.

Surviving the Fight: Enemy Types and Combat Strategies

Knowing your enemy is half the battle. Understanding the different enemy types and their behaviors is crucial for survival. In Helldivers 2, you'll face two primary enemy factions:

• The Terminids: This is the bug-like swarm, with various enemy types, from small scavengers to the massive Bile Titans. They rely on overwhelming numbers and aggressive melee attacks. Explosives and area-of-effect weapons are very effective against Terminids.
• The Automatons: These are robot enemies, focusing on ranged attacks and heavy armor. They have different units, from basic infantry to heavily armored tanks. Penetration weapons and strategic positioning are the key to victory.

Combat strategies vary depending on the enemy type and the mission. A few general tips include:

• Prioritize Threats: Eliminate the most dangerous enemies first, such as the Bile Titans or the Tank. This will make your life easier.
• Exploit Weaknesses: Learn the weak points of each enemy. For example, the rear of the tank or a Bile Titan's belly.
• Use Terrain: Use the terrain to your advantage. Use cover, funnel enemies into chokepoints, and set up ambushes.
• Coordinate Stratagems: Combine stratagems for maximum impact. Airstrikes followed by orbital lasers can quickly wipe out a large group of enemies.

Maximizing Your Rewards: Resources, Samples, and Warbonds

Conquering planets is rewarding in more ways than just the satisfaction of spreading managed democracy. You'll earn resources, samples, and requisition slips that can be used to unlock new weapons, stratagems, and cosmetic items. Understanding how to maximize these rewards is essential for progression.

• Resources: Resources are earned by completing missions and contributing to the war effort. These can be used to unlock new weapons and stratagems.
• Samples: Samples are a special resource found during missions. These are used to upgrade your ship's modules, which provide powerful buffs, such as increased stratagem use or more powerful support weapons. To find samples, carefully explore the environment and always pick up any samples you find. They are often found in nests, or in enemy outposts.
• Requisition Slips: These are earned by completing missions. They are spent on the acquisition of the warbonds. Warbonds are essentially battle passes which contain new weapons, armor, and cosmetics. They will boost your ability to spread democracy and give you extra style.

Advanced Strategies: Going Beyond the Basics

Once you're comfortable with the basics, consider these advanced strategies to become a true Helldivers 2 pro:

• Stratagem Combinations: Experiment with different stratagem combinations. A well-timed orbital laser can clear a path for an airstrike.
• Squad Coordination: Communicate effectively with your squad. Coordinate your loadouts and stratagems to maximize effectiveness.
• Objective Prioritization: Focus on completing the primary objectives, then take care of the side objectives.
• Enemy Knowledge: Know the attack patterns and weak points of each enemy type. Being able to predict your enemy's moves is crucial.
• Difficulty Scaling: As you improve, increase the difficulty level to earn more resources and samples. Higher difficulties require better teamwork, strategy, and gear.

Conclusion: For Super Earth!

There you have it, Helldivers! Your comprehensive guide to planet warfare in Helldivers 2. Remember, the key to success is teamwork, strategic planning, and a willingness to adapt. Stay focused on the objectives, support your squad, and never give up. Now get out there and spread managed democracy! For Super Earth!