Helldivers 2: Master Stratagems - A Beginner's Guide

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Helldivers 2: Master Stratagems - A Beginner's Guide

So, you're a fresh Helldiver, ready to spread Managed Democracy across the galaxy? Awesome! But running headfirst into a horde of Terminids or getting vaporized by a Charger isn't exactly ideal, is it? That's where Stratagems come in, guys. These are your lifeline, your heavy hitters, your orbital lasers of DOOM! This guide will break down everything you need to know about using Stratagems effectively in Helldivers 2, from understanding the basics to mastering advanced techniques.

Understanding Stratagems: Your Galactic Toolkit

Stratagems are essentially call-in reinforcements and equipment that you can deploy during missions. Think of them as your personal arsenal of democracy-spreading tools. You've got everything from support weapons and backpacks to orbital strikes and defensive emplacements. Learning to use Stratagems effectively is paramount to success in Helldivers 2, so you need to know what you are doing. These tools will save your life, the lives of your teammates, and help ensure you complete the mission.

Stratagem Categories

Stratagems are divided into several categories, each serving a different purpose on the battlefield. Getting familiar with these categories is the first step to becoming a Stratagem master:

  • Orbital Stratagems: These are your big guns! Orbital strikes, barrages, and lasers that can obliterate hordes of enemies or take down heavily armored targets. Be careful with friendly fire, though!
  • Eagle Stratagems: Delivered by a fast-moving Eagle aircraft, these Stratagems offer rapid firepower. Think airstrikes, cluster bombs, and powerful explosives, and strafing runs.
  • Support Weapons: Heavy weapons like machine guns, grenade launchers, and railguns that provide immense firepower but often come with limited ammunition.
  • Backpack Stratagems: Backpacks that offer specialized support, such as supply packs for extra ammo, shield generators for added protection, or jump packs for increased mobility.
  • Defensive Stratagems: Turrets, minefields, and barricades that can fortify your position and control the flow of enemies. Great for holding objectives.
  • Supply Stratagems: Essential for keeping your team stocked with ammunition, grenades, and stims. Never underestimate the importance of a well-timed Resupply.

Acquiring Stratagems

You don't start with every Stratagem unlocked, unfortunately. You'll need to earn them by spending Requisition Slips on your ship's Stratagem menu. Requisition Slips are earned by completing missions and can be found during missions, and higher difficulties will award more requisition slips.

  • Check the Ship Management Terminal: Head to the Stratagem terminal on your ship to view the available Stratagems and their unlock costs.
  • Prioritize Strategically: Think about your playstyle and what roles you enjoy filling in a team. Focus on unlocking Stratagems that complement those roles first.
  • Experiment: Don't be afraid to try out different Stratagems to see what works best for you. You might discover some hidden gems!

How to Input Stratagem Codes: The Key to Victory

Okay, so you've got your Stratagems unlocked. Now comes the crucial part: inputting the codes to call them in. This is where things can get a little frantic, especially when you're surrounded by angry aliens. Let's break it down:

The Stratagem Input System

Helldivers 2 uses a unique input system for Stratagems, requiring you to enter a specific sequence of directional commands (up, down, left, right) using your controller or keyboard.

  • Accessing the Input: Hold the designated Stratagem input button (usually L1 on PlayStation or Ctrl on PC). This will bring up the Stratagem menu and pause the game slightly (but not completely, so stay alert!).
  • Entering the Code: Use the directional buttons or keys to input the Stratagem code displayed on the screen. Each Stratagem has its unique code, so pay close attention.
  • Confirming the Input: Once you've entered the code correctly, release the Stratagem input button to throw the Stratagem beacon. It's going to hurt the first few times you mess this up.

Tips for Accurate Input

  • Practice Makes Perfect: Head to the training area on your ship and practice inputting Stratagem codes until you can do it quickly and accurately under pressure. Muscle memory is your friend!
  • Use Visual Cues: Pay close attention to the directional icons on the screen and try to visualize the code sequence in your mind. It may sound silly, but you need to get the strategem called in, so do what you can.
  • Communicate with Your Team: Let your teammates know what Stratagem you're calling in, especially if it's a potentially dangerous one like an orbital strike. This will help avoid friendly fire incidents.
  • Find a Safe Spot: Try to find a relatively safe spot to input your Stratagem codes. Standing out in the open is a surefire way to get swarmed by enemies.

Advanced Stratagem Techniques: Becoming a True Helldiver

Mastering the basics of Stratagem use is just the beginning. To truly excel in Helldivers 2, you need to learn some advanced techniques that will give you a tactical edge on the battlefield.

Stratagem Combinations

Certain Stratagems work exceptionally well together, creating powerful synergies that can devastate enemies. Experiment with different combinations to discover your favorites:

  • Orbital Laser + Eagle Airstrike: Use the Orbital Laser to draw enemies into a concentrated area, then follow up with an Eagle Airstrike to wipe them out.
  • Shield Generator + Turret: Deploy a Shield Generator to protect your Turret from enemy fire, allowing it to mow down enemies with impunity.
  • Supply Pack + Support Weapon: Keep your Support Weapon topped up with ammunition using a Supply Pack, ensuring you can maintain sustained firepower.

Stratagem Placement

The placement of your Stratagem beacons can be just as important as the Stratagem itself. Consider the terrain, enemy positions, and your team's location when deciding where to throw your beacon.

  • Use Cover: Throw your beacons behind cover to avoid drawing enemy fire while you're inputting the code.
  • Anticipate Enemy Movement: Try to predict where enemies will be moving and place your beacons accordingly. Funneling them into a kill zone is always a good strategy.
  • Communicate Beacon Placement: Especially with orbital strikes, be sure to tell your team where you are throwing the strategem so you do not hurt them.

Managing Cooldowns

Stratagems have cooldown timers, meaning you can't spam them constantly. Managing your cooldowns effectively is crucial for maintaining a steady stream of support.

  • Prioritize Cooldown Reduction: Some ship modules and perks can reduce Stratagem cooldown times. Consider investing in these to increase your Stratagem uptime.
  • Rotate Stratagems: Don't rely on a single Stratagem. Rotate between different options to ensure you always have something available when you need it.
  • Communicate Cooldown Status: Let your teammates know when your key Stratagems are on cooldown so they can adjust their tactics accordingly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Don't Be That Helldiver

We've all been there: accidentally calling in an orbital strike on our own team or running out of ammo at the worst possible moment. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using Stratagems:

  • Friendly Fire: Be extremely careful when using Stratagems with a wide area of effect, such as orbital strikes and airstrikes. Always double-check your target area and communicate with your team to avoid friendly fire incidents. No one likes being blown up by their allies.
  • Running Out of Ammo: Don't get caught out with an empty weapon. Keep an eye on your ammunition levels and call in a Resupply Stratagem when needed.
  • Ignoring Cooldowns: Pay attention to your Stratagem cooldowns and don't try to call in a Stratagem that isn't ready yet. This can leave you vulnerable in a firefight.
  • Using the Wrong Stratagem: Pay attention to what you are calling in; the wrong strategem can be deadly. Be sure you know the codes for the strategems you plan to call in.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Stratagem Life

Stratagems are the heart and soul of Helldivers 2. Mastering them is the key to surviving the game's intense battles and spreading Managed Democracy across the galaxy. So, practice your inputs, experiment with different combinations, and don't be afraid to get creative. Now get out there, Helldiver, and show those bugs and bots what you're made of! For Super Earth!