Understanding how each enemy faction behaves in Helldivers 2 is essential if you want to clear higher difficulties efficiently. The game doesn’t hold your hand, and knowing what you’re up against can make the difference between a clean extraction and a squad wipe. Whether you're running public missions or coordinating with a squad, adjusting your loadout and tactics per faction is crucial. While some players like to buy helldivers 2 items to round out their builds, strategy still plays the biggest role in survival.

Terminids: Control the Swarm

The Terminids rely on overwhelming numbers and aggressive charges. Most units in this faction rush directly at players, so spacing and area control are vital.

Key Tips:

• Flamethrowers, grenade launchers, and high-explosive support weapons shine here.

• Set up automated defenses when defending objectives.

• Stay mobile to avoid being surrounded.

• Use stratagems to thin out large clusters quickly.

Even if you’re tempted to farm missions for gear, checking the Helldivers 2 super credits store online can offer faster access to stratagem upgrades suited to bug missions.

Automatons: Keep Moving and Break Their Lines

Automatons are heavily armored, organized, and capable of ranged suppression. They don't swarm like Terminids but instead apply pressure with numbers and firepower.

Key Tips:

• Armor-piercing weapons or railguns are effective.

• Target Devastators and Hulks early to prevent them from overwhelming your squad.

• Use cover carefully—Automatons destroy it fast.

• EMP stratagems can interrupt their advance and give your squad breathing room.

Choosing to buy helldivers 2 items geared toward anti-armor builds can help balance out your loadout if you struggle with mechanical enemies.

Illuminate (if available): Adapt and Disrupt

Illuminates rely on shields, teleportation, and energy weapons. They’re less common in current rotations but still a threat when they appear.

Key Tips:

• Disruptors and sniper-type weapons help deal with shielded foes.

• Watch for teleporting units that appear behind your team.

• Prioritize shield generators to bring enemies down quickly.

While you don't have to rely on the Helldivers 2 super credits store online, it can provide access to support tools that counter these enemies when they rotate into the mission pool.

General Preparation for Any Faction

Regardless of who you’re fighting, several habits make every deployment smoother.

Loadout Flexibility:
Switch weapons and stratagems depending on the faction. There’s no single best setup for every mission.

Communication:
If you're playing with others, call out enemy types and coordinate orbital strikes. Even random squads benefit from quick pings and clear roles.

Extraction Timing:
Don’t wait until the last minute to start objectives or extra events. Each faction escalates differently, and stalling can cost the run.

Resource Use:
Support weapons and stratagems exist to be used, not hoarded. Calling them in at the right time can stop a wipe before it starts.

Faction awareness is one of the most important aspects of Helldivers 2. Knowing whether you're up against armored machines or fast-moving beasts changes everything from your perk choice to how you approach objectives. While some players choose to buy helldivers 2 items or browse the Helldivers 2 super credits store online to unlock gear faster, the real advantage comes from adapting to each enemy's strengths and weaknesses. Master that, and your success rate goes way up—no matter the difficulty.