Facing the Illuminate in Helldivers 2 can be a brutal test of strategy, skill, and loadout choices. These enemies are fast, deadly, and have unique mechanics that can quickly overwhelm unprepared squads. Picking the right loadout is essential if you want to survive every mission and complete objectives efficiently. After spending countless runs experimenting, I’ve put together the best approach for dealing with Illuminate forces in any scenario.
Primary Weapons
For Illuminate encounters, precision and crowd control are key. High-damage rifles or energy-based primary weapons excel because the Illuminate units often teleport or move unpredictably. Weapons with a fast rate of fire combined with high accuracy allow you to deal consistent damage without being overrun. Shotguns are useful for close-quarters engagements but should be paired with a long-range secondary for flexibility.
Secondary Weapons
Energy pistols or rapid-fire SMGs are excellent choices for secondary weapons. They allow you to handle fast-moving Illuminate scouts while saving your primary weapon ammo for heavier units. A well-chosen secondary can be the difference between wiping out a patrol quickly or losing your squad in tight corridors.
Stratagems
Stratagems play a massive role when fighting the Illuminate. Deployable turrets are highly effective for creating choke points, while mines or proximity explosives can cover flanks and slow teleporting enemies. Smoke grenades or hologram decoys also work well for confusing the Illuminate and giving your team breathing room to reposition.
Armor and Equipment
Mobility is critical. Lightweight armor that boosts movement speed or dodge efficiency will help you avoid the Illuminate’s lethal melee attacks. Energy shields are another solid option, especially in missions with tight spaces where enemies can ambush you from multiple angles. Always balance defensive gear with enough offensive capability to eliminate targets quickly.
Squad Composition
A balanced team is vital for success. Ideally, your squad should include one heavy DPS player, one support player with healing or shields, and one flexible “utility” player who can deploy stratagems as needed. Communication and coordination allow your squad to handle teleporting units and sudden ambushes efficiently.
Mission-Specific Adjustments
Not all Illuminate missions are the same. For missions heavy on enemy waves, prioritize area-denial weapons and deployable turrets. For objective-focused missions, pick weapons with high single-target damage to quickly neutralize key enemies. Adaptability is key; always tweak your loadout based on the mission’s layout and enemy composition.
Running missions with this loadout setup will maximize your survivability and effectiveness against the Illuminate. Additionally, if you want to accelerate progression or unlock advanced gear faster, you can buy helldivers 2 super credits or buy helldivers 2 medals. These options give you access to higher-tier weapons and stratagems without the grind, letting you experiment with different loadouts sooner.
With the right preparation, strategy, and loadout, the Illuminate won’t be able to stop you. Keep refining your approach based on experience, and every mission will become manageable, even the most chaotic skirmishes.