Helldivers 2: Unlock And Master All Stratagems
Dive into the world of Helldivers 2 and you'll quickly realize that your success hinges not just on your trigger finger, but on your strategic use of Stratagems. These powerful tools are your lifeline against the alien hordes, offering everything from orbital bombardments to resupply drops. But with a vast arsenal at your disposal, knowing which Stratagems to unlock and how to use them effectively can be overwhelming. Fear not, fellow Helldivers! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Stratagems in Helldivers 2, ensuring you're well-equipped to spread managed democracy across the galaxy.
Understanding Stratagems: Your Key to Survival
Stratagems are essentially call-in abilities that provide you with crucial support during missions. They range from offensive firepower like airstrikes and sentry turrets to defensive measures such as shield generators and supply drops. Each Stratagem has its own unique function, cooldown time, and usage requirements, making it essential to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Before diving into the specifics, let's cover the basics of how Stratagems work.
- Unlocking Stratagems: As you progress through Helldivers 2, you'll earn Requisition Slips by completing missions and objectives. These slips can then be used to unlock new Stratagems from the Ship Management terminal on your Super Destroyer. Prioritize unlocking Stratagems that complement your playstyle and address your team's needs. Consider a mix of offensive, defensive, and support Stratagems to ensure you're prepared for any situation.
 - Equipping Stratagems: Before each mission, you'll have the opportunity to select your Stratagem loadout. Choose wisely, as your Stratagems can make or break your success. Consider the mission type, enemy composition, and your team's strategy when making your selections. Communication with your teammates is key to ensuring a well-rounded and effective loadout.
 - Calling in Stratagems: During missions, you can call in Stratagems by inputting a specific sequence of directional commands (e.g., up, down, left, right). Once the sequence is entered correctly, a beacon will be thrown to the designated location, and the Stratagem will be deployed after a short delay. Be mindful of your surroundings when calling in Stratagems, as you don't want to accidentally call in an airstrike on yourself or your teammates!
 
Mastering Stratagems is crucial for survival in Helldivers 2. Knowing when and how to use each Stratagem can turn the tide of battle in your favor. Experiment with different combinations and find what works best for you and your team. With practice and coordination, you'll become a true master of Stratagems, capable of overcoming any challenge the galaxy throws your way.
Offensive Stratagems: Unleashing Devastating Firepower
When it comes to taking the fight to the enemy, offensive Stratagems are your best friend. These powerful tools allow you to unleash devastating firepower upon your foes, clearing out hordes of enemies and obliterating heavily armored targets. From orbital bombardments to close-range explosives, there's an offensive Stratagem for every situation. So, if you want to play an offensive role, here are some must have stratagems.
- Orbital Strikes: These Stratagems call in powerful orbital bombardments that can devastate large areas. They're perfect for clearing out enemy nests, destroying fortifications, or simply thinning out the ranks of your foes. Different types of orbital strikes offer varying levels of damage, radius, and cooldown time, so experiment to find the ones that suit your playstyle. The Orbital Railcannon Strike is a single, high-impact shot designed to eliminate heavily armored targets, while the Orbital Gatling Barrage unleashes a hail of bullets over a wide area.
 - Airstrikes: Airstrikes are similar to orbital strikes, but they're delivered by aircraft instead of orbital platforms. This means they typically have a shorter delay and can be more accurate, but they may also be less powerful. Airstrikes are great for quickly eliminating smaller groups of enemies or providing fire support during intense firefights. The Eagle 500KG Bomb delivers a massive explosion capable of destroying even the toughest enemies, while the Eagle Strafing Run provides sustained fire over a designated area.
 - Sentry Turrets: Sentry turrets are automated defenses that can provide valuable fire support and help control the battlefield. They come in various types, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The Gatling Sentry is a versatile option that can mow down hordes of weaker enemies, while the Rocket Sentry is more effective against armored targets. Place sentry turrets strategically to maximize their effectiveness and create overlapping fields of fire.
 - Expendable Anti-Tank (EAT): When you encounter heavily armored enemies, such as Tanks or Bile Titans, you'll need some serious firepower to take them down. The EAT is a single-use, shoulder-fired weapon that delivers a powerful anti-tank missile. It's perfect for quickly eliminating high-priority targets or providing a burst of damage when you're overwhelmed. Coordinate with your team to ensure that you have enough anti-tank firepower to deal with any armored threats.
 
By mastering these offensive Stratagems, you'll become a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Remember to consider the situation, enemy composition, and your team's strategy when selecting and using your offensive Stratagems. With practice and coordination, you'll be able to unleash devastating firepower and turn the tide of battle in your favor.
Defensive Stratagems: Fortifying Your Position
Sometimes, the best offense is a good defense. Defensive Stratagems provide you with the tools to fortify your position, protect your team, and weather the storm of enemy attacks. These Stratagems range from shield generators and defensive walls to minefields and decoy beacons. When you use defensive stratagems effectively, here is how to make the best of it.
- Shield Generators: Shield generators create a protective barrier that can absorb enemy fire and protect you and your teammates. They're particularly useful in objective-based missions where you need to hold a specific location. Place shield generators strategically to create chokepoints and funnel enemies into kill zones. Be aware that shield generators have a limited capacity and can be overwhelmed by sustained fire.
 - Defensive Walls: Defensive walls provide cover and protection from enemy fire. They can be used to create temporary fortifications, block off entrances, or funnel enemies into desired areas. Combine defensive walls with sentry turrets and shield generators to create a formidable defensive perimeter. Be aware that defensive walls can be destroyed by explosives or heavy weapons.
 - Minefields: Minefields are a great way to deter enemies from approaching your position or to create kill zones. They can be particularly effective against hordes of weaker enemies or against vehicles. Place minefields strategically along likely enemy routes or in areas where you expect to be ambushed. Be careful not to detonate your own mines!
 - Decoy Beacons: Decoy beacons emit a signal that attracts enemies, diverting their attention away from you and your teammates. They can be used to create distractions, lure enemies into traps, or provide a temporary respite during intense firefights. Place decoy beacons strategically to draw enemies away from vulnerable areas or to create opportunities for flanking maneuvers.
 
By mastering these defensive Stratagems, you'll be able to fortify your position and protect your team from enemy attacks. Remember to consider the terrain, enemy composition, and your team's strategy when selecting and using your defensive Stratagems. With practice and coordination, you'll become a master of defense, capable of withstanding even the most relentless assaults.
Support Stratagems: Keeping Your Team in the Fight
In addition to offensive and defensive Stratagems, there are also a variety of support Stratagems that can help keep your team in the fight. These Stratagems provide valuable assistance such as resupply drops, medical support, and mobility enhancements. If you want to support your teamates, try these tips below.
- Resupply Drops: Resupply drops provide you and your teammates with essential ammunition, grenades, and stims. They're crucial for maintaining your combat effectiveness during prolonged missions. Call in resupply drops regularly to ensure that your team is always well-stocked. Coordinate with your teammates to distribute the supplies evenly.
 - Medical Support: Medical support Stratagems can heal injured teammates, revive fallen comrades, and provide temporary buffs to health and stamina. They're essential for keeping your team alive and fighting. Use medical support Stratagems strategically to prioritize healing and reviving teammates who are in critical condition. Be aware that some medical support Stratagems have a limited range or duration.
 - Mobility Enhancements: Mobility enhancement Stratagems can increase your movement speed, jump height, or stamina regeneration. They're useful for traversing difficult terrain, escaping dangerous situations, or flanking enemies. Use mobility enhancement Stratagems strategically to gain a tactical advantage over your opponents.
 - Radar Scans: Radar scans reveal the location of enemies on the minimap. They're useful for scouting ahead, detecting ambushes, or locating high-priority targets. Use radar scans regularly to maintain situational awareness and avoid being caught off guard.
 
By mastering these support Stratagems, you'll become an invaluable asset to your team. Remember to prioritize the needs of your teammates and use your support Stratagems strategically to maximize their effectiveness. With practice and coordination, you'll become a true support specialist, capable of keeping your team in the fight and leading them to victory.
Mastering Stratagem Combinations: Synergizing for Success
While individual Stratagems can be powerful on their own, the real magic happens when you combine them effectively. Synergizing your Stratagems can create devastating effects, allowing you to overcome even the most challenging situations. Here are a few examples of effective Stratagem combinations:
- Orbital Strike + Sentry Turret: Use an orbital strike to clear out a large group of enemies, then follow up with a sentry turret to provide sustained fire and control the area.
 - Shield Generator + Defensive Walls: Create a fortified position with a shield generator and defensive walls, then use sentry turrets and minefields to create a deadly kill zone.
 - Decoy Beacon + Airstrike: Place a decoy beacon to attract enemies, then call in an airstrike to wipe them out while they're distracted.
 - Resupply Drop + Medical Support: Call in a resupply drop to replenish your team's supplies, then use medical support Stratagems to heal any injuries sustained during the firefight.
 
Experiment with different Stratagem combinations to find what works best for you and your team. Communication and coordination are key to executing these combinations effectively. With practice and teamwork, you'll be able to create synergistic effects that will decimate your enemies and secure victory for the Helldivers.
Conclusion: Become a Stratagem Master and Spread Managed Democracy!
Stratagems are an essential part of the Helldivers 2 experience. By understanding how they work, unlocking the right Stratagems for your playstyle, and mastering their usage, you'll be well-equipped to take on any challenge the galaxy throws your way. Remember to communicate with your team, coordinate your Stratagem usage, and experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you. With practice and dedication, you'll become a true Stratagem master, capable of spreading managed democracy to every corner of the galaxy!
So, gear up, Helldivers! It's time to dive into the action and show those alien bugs and bots what you're made of. With the right Stratagems at your disposal, you'll be unstoppable. For Super Earth!