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Surviving the Galactic War: Ultimate Beginners Guide

  • Writer: Dom
    Dom
  • Feb 10, 2024
  • 3 min read

Updated: May 16

By Dom’s Roundtable


The galaxy is a brutal place, and in Helldivers 2, you’re not just fighting for survival—you’re fighting for Super Earth. As a fresh recruit in the Helldivers program, you’ll be dropping into war zones, facing overwhelming alien threats, and dying—a lot. But fear not, because with the right tactics, teamwork, and a healthy dose of democracy, you can turn the tide of battle.


Here’s everything you need to know to survive, adapt, and liberate the galaxy.


The Golden Rule – Teamwork or Death

Unlike most shooters, Helldivers 2 is NOT a solo-friendly game. Lone wolves will get overwhelmed fast. Communication, coordination, and sticking with your squad are your best weapons.

  • Stick together – Running off solo = instant death.

  • Call out enemies & objectives – Ping system and voice chat are crucial.

  • Share resources – Ammo, medkits, and stratagems help everyone.

  • Friendly fire is ALWAYS on – Don’t be that guy who wipes the squad.


💡 Bonus Tip: If a teammate goes down, revive them immediately—losing a squad member makes missions much harder.



Loadout Essentials – Bring the Right Tools

Your loadout can make or break a mission. Pick gear that complements your squad and the mission objectives.


Primary Weapons

  • AR-23 Liberator (Standard Assault Rifle) – Good all-around weapon.

  • SG-225 Breaker (Shotgun) – Devastating at close range, weak at long distances.

  • R-63 Diligence (Marksman Rifle) – Ideal for precision shots and weak points.


Stratagems (Your Best Friends)

Stratagems are powerful support tools you can call down via button inputs. Here are some must-haves:

  • Orbital Airstrike – Clears enemy swarms FAST.

  • Ammo Resupply – Never run dry mid-fight.

  • Sentry Turret – Extra firepower for defensive holds.

  • Shield Generator Pack – Essential for surviving heavy fire.


💡 Bonus Tip: Stratagem codes are your lifeline. Learn the button combos by heart to call in reinforcements quickly.



Know Your Enemies – Bug & Bot Tactics

Terminids (Bugs)

  • Rush in swarms – Keep moving or get surrounded.

  • Aim for weak spots – Some have armored shells, so hit soft areas.

  • Flamethrowers & explosives work best – Fire stops bug reinforcements.


Automatons (Bots)

  • Use cover – Bots have precise aim and can shred you fast.

  • EMP & armor-piercing weapons are key – Bots are tougher than bugs.

  • Destroy relay beacons first – Stops reinforcements from spawning.


💡 Bonus Tip: Always scan the battlefield and prioritize targets before engaging—charging in blind is a death sentence.



Mission Strategy – Play Smart, Not Fast

Each mission has specific objectives—defending points, retrieving intel, or eliminating enemy strongholds. Don’t just rush in; plan your approach.

  • Land safely – Avoid spawning in enemy-infested areas.

  • Complete secondary objectives – Extra XP and rewards help long-term progression.

  • Extract early if needed – No shame in a tactical retreat if things go south.


💡 Bonus Tip: Extraction can be chaotic—start calling for evac BEFORE finishing the objective to reduce escape time.



Friendly Fire – The True Final Boss

Helldivers 2 embraces realistic friendly fire, meaning every bullet, grenade, and orbital strike can (and will) kill teammates.

  • Check your line of fire before shooting.

  • Don’t spam explosives in close combat.

  • Communicate before dropping stratagems.


💡 Bonus Tip: If you accidentally kill a teammate, revive them ASAP and apologize!



Extraction – Getting Out Alive

The hardest part of any mission isn’t just completing objectives—it’s making it to extraction in one piece.

  • Plan ahead – Call in evac early so you’re not scrambling last minute.

  • Prepare for an ambush – Enemies swarm extractions, so drop turrets and airstrikes ahead of time.

  • Keep moving – Standing still = death. Survive until the shuttle arrives!


💡 Bonus Tip: Extraction fights are brutal—keep ammo, stratagems, and revives ready for a last stand.



Final Thoughts – Embrace the Chaos

Helldivers 2 is challenging, chaotic, and absolutely thrilling. Success isn’t about kill counts—it’s about strategy, teamwork, and survival. Adapt, communicate, and most importantly…


Expect to die. A lot. But each mission makes you a better Helldiver.


Now grab your gear, rally your squad, and bring freedom to the galaxy—one stratagem at a time.

FOR DEMOCRACY!

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