Summary
Democracy, liberty, and freedom are all you need to know inHelldivers 2. Your only job is to win the Galactic War and ensure that liberty reigns supreme on Super Earth. From Terminids to Automatons, there are plenty of threats to Super Earth, but none are as dangerous as the Illuminate.
As an enemy in the previous Helldivers game, the Illuminate faction is well known and rumored to return. After the defeat of the Automatons this month, rumors are spreading that the Illuminate may return. If you’re new to Helldivers, you may be wondering who these mysterious enemies are and what that means for the future.
Who Are The Illuminate?
In the first Helldivers, the Illuminate made themselves known as psionic aliens with a penchant for barriers and projectiles. The Illuminate, also known as the Squ’ith, have endured for hundreds of years and created powerful weapons of mass destruction. Their society places an emphasis on knowledge, as far as we know.
Originally aquatic creatures, the Illuminate’s most prominent feature is tentacles. It’s known that they dress in ceremonial robes and use their advanced technology to control other sentient beings. Efficiency is a priority, and one that leads to lethal consequences if you aren’t vigilant.
The Illuminate have access to cloaking technology, making them hard to spot on the battlefield.
While the Illuminate initially offered peace, the Super Earth government declined due to the existence of the Squ’ith’s obliterator bombs. The technological advancements of the Illuminate make them a threat to Super Earth.
Scout
Observer
This scout unit is equipped with an advanced cloaking device, making it nearly impossible to see. When used on the battlefield, they can scout enemy resistance and teleport more heavily armored warriors.
Watcher
Watchers are heavily armored Observers that come equipped with a shield. They are tasked with supervising the more important members of society.
Obsidian Observer
This weaponized version of the Watcher uses nanotechnology to demonstrate that their weaponry can be used on a larger scale. They will also call for support when attacked.
Infantry
Tripod
Robotic units that utilize electro-static technology to subdue and torture victims for their aquatic masters.
Hunter
Using long-ranged electro-pulse weaponry to vaporize the air, they can snipe Helldiver troops. The attack, however, takes a few seconds to charge, and can be avoided.
Apprentice
Using nanotechnology, an Apprentice will incapacitate targets and then close in to finish them off with melee attacks. This role is one step behind becoming and Illusionist.
Outcast
Outcasts are Apprentices that could not retain the knowledge needed to become Illusionists, and are therefore shamed for not learning fast enough. They are only armed with melee weapons as a punishment for their failure, and sent to fight on the battlefield without the nanotechnology that could otherwise help them.
Strider
Similar to the Tripod, but with much sturdier armor and shields, they serve has heavy infantry with powerful electric attacks.
Tank
Obelisk
The Obelisk is a shielded dome that serves as a wall, allowing Illuminate forces to permeate it, but blocking all else. It’s also capable of self-teleportation, and it exposes its core when protecting the wall.
Elite
Illusionist
Highly revered among the Illuminate, these Squ’ith forces are able to control other sentient beings with their nanotechnology. They can cause hallucinations, cowardice, and apathy.
Council Member
As masters of the Illuminate race, they have control over weapons of mass destruction. They have more political power and protection than the Illusionists.
Master
The Great Eye
Intel suggests that the Great Eye is an AI creature that monitors Illuminate society and corrects any behavior and thoughts that do not align. The Great Eye is heavily armed and may contain the keys to their weapons of mass destruction.
What Happened to The Illuminate?
Upon the release of Helldivers 2, the Illuminate are not present. According to Super Earth, humanity exterminated them by the year 2184. Some soldiers have reportedseeing blue lasersthat cause damage, though there’s no evidence to support that the Illuminate are behind it.
However, sometimes crew members of the ship will mention the Illuminate as a previous threat, and aleaked audio clipcaptures the moments that Helldivers are murdered, screaming about “tentacles”.
