Summary

Greetings, maggots! You’ve signed up for the glorious life of a Helldiver inHelldivers 2, humanity’s elite squad of cannon fodder against the ceaseless tide of alien scum. Here, teamwork is the difference between glorious victory and a messy red stain on an alien moon.

We’ve got a whole armory of tools at your disposal, from pew-pew guns to boom-boom airstrikes.But with so many shiny options, some truly stellar stratagems get left gathering dust in the armory corner. Don’t be a basic Helldiver – here are seven underrated stratagems to turn you from zero to hero (or at least, zero to mildly less likely to die).

arc thrower in front of a blurred Helldivers 2 promo image

7ARC-3 Arc Thrower

Infinite Lightning Leash

Forget fancy rifles and boring bullets. In a game dominated by bullet-spewing rifles and explosive ordinance,the ARC-3 Arc Thrower stands outas an oddball – and a powerful one at that. The ARC-3 Arc Thrower is the Michael Bay of weaponry – all flash and bang.

This weapon unleashes an arcing beam of electricity, frying enemies in close quarters. Unlike most energy weapons, the Arc Thrower boasts a truly infinite ammo supply, eliminating the need for frustrating heat sink management. While it might struggle against heavily armored foes like Chargers and Bile Titans, the Arc Thrower melts through hordes of lesser enemies with ease.

Orbital Smoke Strike symbol in front of Helldivers 2 promo

This makes it perfect forclearing out swarms of bugsor holding down choke points. Think of it as a taser for angry space bugs – endlessly entertaining (for you), endlessly terrifying (for them).

6Orbital Smoke Strike

The Art Of Disappearing

When you’re knee-deep in screeching alien hordes, and things are looking grim, the Orbital Smoke Strike offers a tactical escape route. This stratagem blankets a designated area in a thick smokescreen, effectively blocking enemy line of sight. This allows your squad to reposition, regroup, or even stage a strategic retreat.

While it won’t directly eliminate any threats, the Orbital Smoke Strike can be a lifesaver when caught in a tight spot. Use it to break enemy contact, revive fallen comrades, or set up a surprise counter-attack. Just remember, escaping a fight doesn’t make you a coward, it makes you… tactically flexible.

FX-12 Shield Generator Relay symbol in front of Helldivers 2 promo image

5FX-12 Shield Generator Relay

30 Seconds Of Peace

The FX-12 Shield Generator Relay is basically a giant bubble wrap for your squad. It deploys a stationary energy shield, providing a much-needed barrier against enemy projectiles. Think of it as a vacation from the constant hail of lead. This shield offers a 30-second window of invulnerability, allowing your squad to focus on objectives without worrying about getting shot.

Use it to defend objectives, revive fallen comrades (because who wants to get shot while playing doctor?), or simply take a breather and admire the lovely shade of blue your shield provides.

FX-12 Shield Generator Relay in front of Helldivers 2 promo image

4Orbital Gas Strike

Corrosive Cloud Of Doom

For those seeking a more subtle, area-denial approach, the Orbital Gas Strike offers a potent solution. This stratagem unleashes a cloud of corrosive gas that damages anything unfortunate enough to come into contact with it. The gas not only inflicts heavy damage on enemies but also weakens heavily armored foes, making them easier to finish off with conventional weaponry.

This makes it particularly effective against swarms of weaker enemies and for clearing out Terminid egg clusters. Just be warned – friendly fire is a real thing with this one. Collateral damage is a fancy way of saying “oops, I melted my teammate.”

FX-12 Shield Generator Relay in front of Helldivers 2 promo image

3B-1 Supply Pack

Walking Armory

While the game offers a default resupply stratagem, the B-1 Supply Pack takes things a step further. It carries two whole crates of ammo, readily available for you andyour trigger-happy squadmates.Any ammo picked up is automatically added to the pack, creating a self-sustaining ammo pool on the battlefield.

No more running back to resupply beacons – with this pack, you may keep the pew-pew going all day long. Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility, and the responsibility to not lose your ammo backpack in a pile of alien guts.

FX-12 Shield Generator Relay in front of Helldivers 2 promo image

2A/ARC-3 Tesla Tower

Shockingly Effective Sentry

The A/ARC-3 Tesla Tower might seem like a liability at first glance. This turret unleashes electrical discharges at close range, forcing you to remain prone to avoid friendly fire. However, its effectiveness shouldn’t be underestimated.

Placing the Tesla Tower on a high platform or ledge significantly extends its range, allowing it to zap enemies from afar. This makes it a great defensive tool for securing key points or controlling strategic choke points. Just be prepared to relocate it occasionally to avoid friendly fire incidents.

FLAM-40 Flamethrower in front of Helldivers 2 promo image

1FLAM-40 Flamethrower

Burning Bright

The FLAM-40 Flamethrower is a double-edged sword – a potent area denial tool that can be just as dangerous to allies as it is to enemies. Projecting a stream of fiery napalm, the Flamethrower excels at clearing out clusters of enemies and holding positions.

But that beautiful stream of fiery napalm can be just as dangerous to your allies as it is to the enemy. Aim for the outer edges of enemy groups to maximize damage while minimizing the risk of burning your squadmates. Remember, diving to prone immediately extinguishes any lingering flame damage.