Helldivers 2: Top Loadouts vs. Illuminate
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The Illuminate faction in Helldivers 2 presents a unique challenge with their advanced technologies and strategic precision. Their forces, ranging from light infantry to elite units, can overwhelm players if not countered effectively. The key to success against them lies in crafting loadouts and builds that exploit their vulnerabilities while providing robust defense against their tech prowess.
To combat the Illuminate effectively, you need a balanced approach that addresses both their numerous light units and their formidable heavy and armored forces. Neglecting either aspect will leave you vulnerable to their full onslaught.
In this guide, we'll explore the best loadouts and strategies tailored specifically for battling the Illuminate. Whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, these tactics will enhance your effectiveness against this challenging squid-like faction. Let's dive in and prepare to tackle the Illuminate head-on.
The Laser Cannon Loadout: Melting the Illuminate
PLAS-1 Scorcher / PLAS-101 Purifier
GP-31 Grenade Pistol
G-13 Incendiary Impact
Siege-Ready
- LAS-98 Laser Cannon (Support)
- AX/AR-23 "Guard Dog"
- Eagle Strafing Run
- A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry / Orbital Laser
The PLAS-1 Scorcher and PLAS-101 Purifier stand out as top-tier primary weapons in Helldivers 2, excelling at melting through Overseers, including jet-pack-equipped Elevated units, and effectively handling the Voteless. The Siege-Ready armor passive enhances their utility by providing additional ammunition and quicker reloads, crucial for engaging multiple high-priority targets. The increased damage per second ensures that every shot counts in intense battles.
The combination of the Eagle Strafing Run and GP-31 Grenade Pistol is perfect for obliterating parked warp ships. Since energy-based weapons struggle with shield depletion, a single Strafing Run can strip the shields from multiple grounded warp ships in a line, allowing you to finish them off with a well-placed grenade. This tactic is particularly effective when dealing with medium to heavy Illuminate nests requiring the destruction of multiple warp ships. While the G-13 Incendiary Impact grenades can also be used, they are better suited for clearing chaff, so reserve them for when you're using the Grenade Pistol.
The AX/AR-23 "Guard Dog" proves surprisingly effective against medium-armored Overseers, with each burst capable of taking down a single elite unit, making it an excellent choice for protecting your flanks.
The A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry is ideal for securing areas during objective defense. If crowd control isn't your primary concern, consider swapping it for an Orbital Laser to target Harvesters or future heavy units.
Finally, the LAS-98 Laser Cannon rounds out this loadout, capable of melting Overseers and chaff in seconds and excelling against Harvesters. After using a Strafing Run to deplete their shields, aim for the Harvesters' weak points (thighs/eyes) with the Laser Cannon. A single clip is sufficient if your aim is steady. The Laser Cannon's long range makes it an ideal anti-squid weapon. On higher difficulties (levels 9 or 10) where multiple Harvesters are common, an Orbital Laser becomes essential.
The Lightning Loadout: Shocking (& Staggering) the Illuminate
ARC-12 Blitzer
GP-31 Grenade Pistol
G-13 Incendiary Impact
Electrical Conduit / Med-Kit
- ARC-3 Arc Thrower (Support)
- Orbital Railcannon Strike / Orbital Laser
- Eagle Strafing Run
- A/ARC-3 Tesla Tower
The ARC-12 Blitzer and ARC-3 Arc Thrower are perfect for dealing with both the melee and ranged units of the Illuminate. They efficiently clear chaff, but the Arc Thrower's ability to chain and stagger lightning arcs makes it particularly effective against Overseers, stunning them momentarily. Continuous attacks can keep Elevated Overseers permanently stunned in mid-air.
The Arc Thrower can also take down unshielded Harvesters, requiring about a dozen hits, each causing a moderate stun that accumulates over time.
The A/ARC-3 Tesla Tower is highly effective against all Illuminate types, especially flying Overseers, providing consistent crowd control and disruption. Combined with the Arc Thrower, you can lock down areas with multiple chained lightning attacks, ensuring priority enemies don't reach your Tesla Tower.
Harvesters prioritize sentries, so avoid deploying your Tesla Tower or other sentries if you're already engaging them.
The Eagle Strafing Run and Grenade Pistol remain essential for destroying parked warp ships, as the Blitzer and Arc Thrower are less efficient at shield depletion during combat. Don't replace them unless another teammate can handle this task.
For dealing with heavy units, the Orbital Railcannon Strike is invaluable due to its unlimited uses. The Orbital Laser is effective against multiple Harvesters but limited to three uses, requiring coordination with teammates. Always use a Strafing Run to disable their shields first. This build is one of the most potent against the Illuminate, especially when coordinated with a team.
The Machine Gun Loadout: Shredding the Illuminate
StA-52 Assault Rifle
GP-31 Grenade Pistol / CQC-19 Stun Lance
G-13 Incendiary Impact
Peak Physique / Engineering Kit
- MG-43 Machine Gun (Support)
- LIFT-850 Jump Pack
- Orbital Railcannon Strike / Orbital Laser
- A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry / A/G-16 Gatling Sentry
The MG-43 Machine Gun is a versatile weapon against the Illuminate, making it a cornerstone of this loadout. It excels at shredding light and medium enemies, as well as Harvesters. Compared to the MG-206 Heavy Machine Gun, the standard Machine Gun offers better handling and faster infantry dispatch.
This weapon is a true all-rounder against the squids, balancing power and reliability. Pair it with the Engineering Kit to reduce recoil or the Peak Physique armor passive to minimize drag, aiding in targeting flying Overseers or Watchers. Its high fire rate also helps in depleting shields, eliminating the need for the Eagle Strafing Run to destroy grounded warp ships. Instead, opt for turret sentries to manage large crowds or defend objectives.
The Machine Gun's stationary reload animation is a drawback, but the LIFT-850 Jump Pack helps you quickly reposition to safety and navigate urban maps more effectively.
While the Machine Gun can handle Harvesters by targeting their weak spots, having an Orbital stratagem like the Orbital Laser or Railcannon Strike is crucial for dealing with multiple heavies. The Orbital Laser can manage two to three shielded Harvesters simultaneously, whereas the Railcannon Strike is effective against unshielded targets.
For the primary weapon, consider the StA-52 Assault Rifle from the Helldivers 2 x Killzone 2 crossover. Its large drum magazine and sustained fire capability make it a great choice for maintaining the bullet-storm theme, delivering damage comparable to the standard Liberator.
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