Welcome to the Helldivers, soldier. You’ve enlisted to defend Super Earth and spread Managed Democracy across a hostile galaxy. It’s a glorious cause, but it’s also a deadly one. This is the ultimate Helldivers 2 Beginner’s Guide, designed to take you from a fresh-faced recruit to a hardened veteran.
Whether you’re struggling to survive your first mission or just want to learn the core mechanics, this guide is for you. We’ll cover essential tips, the best starting Stratagems, and the fundamental strategies that will keep you and your squad alive.
Table of Contents
1. Understand the Core Gameplay Loop: The Galactic War
Your journey starts on your Super Destroyer. From the bridge, you’ll access the Galactic War map. This is the heart of the game. You don’t just pick random missions; you and the entire Helldivers community are fighting a persistent, real-time war against the galaxy’s threats.
- Sectors and Planets: The map is divided into sectors controlled by different factions. Your goal is to choose a planet within a contested sector and complete operations.
- Operations: An operation is a set of 2-3 missions on a single planet. You must complete all missions in the operation to get the full rewards and contribute significantly to the planet’s liberation.
- Liberation: Every successful operation contributes to a planet’s liberation percentage. When the community reaches 100%, the planet is captured for Super Earth.
Your first step on any game night should be to check the Galactic War map and see where the fight is needed most.
2. Master the Stratagems: Your True Power
Your primary weapons are useful, but Stratagems win battles. These are powerful, on-demand abilities you call down from your Super Destroyer. You’ll use them for everything from resupplying ammo to calling in devastating orbital bombardments. This is a core part of any Helldivers 2 Beginner’s Guide.
To call one in, hold the Stratagem button (LB on Xbox controller, L1 on PlayStation) and enter the corresponding directional code (e.g., Up, Down, Right, Left, Up). Throw the beacon, and wait for the magic to happen.
There are three main types:
- Offensive: Airstrikes, orbital lasers, and eagle rocket pods. These are for destroying enemy hordes and structures.
- Supply & Support: Calling in powerful support weapons (like machine guns or anti-tank launchers) and resupply packs.
- Defensive: Deploying sentry turrets, minefields, and shield generators to hold a position.
3. The Best Beginner Stratagems to Unlock First
When you start, you’ll have a limited number of “Requisition Slips” to unlock new Stratagems. Don’t waste them. Here are the most effective early-game choices that will serve you well for dozens of hours:
- Eagle Airstrike: A versatile and powerful airstrike that can destroy bug nests, automaton fabricators, and large groups of enemies. It has multiple charges and re-arms quickly.
- MG-43 Machine Gun: Your first support weapon. It can tear through the early-game light and medium armored enemies with ease, teaching you the value of a dedicated heavy weapon.
- Expendable Anti-Tank (EAT-17): This Stratagem calls down two single-shot rocket launchers on a very short cooldown. It’s your first and most reliable tool for cracking the armor on tougher enemies like Chargers and Hulks.
- Gatling Sentry: A perfect defensive tool. This automated turret will mow down waves of smaller enemies, giving your squad precious breathing room to reload and reload.
4. Know Your Enemy: Bugs vs. Bots
A core part of this Helldivers 2 Beginner’s Guide is understanding that you cannot fight both enemy factions the same way. You must adapt your loadouts and tactics to the threat.
- The Terminids (Bugs): An insectoid swarm that wants to overwhelm you with sheer numbers. They are fast and primarily use melee attacks. Aim for their heads (or other glowing weak spots) and use fire, machine guns, and cluster bombs to control the horde.
- The Automatons (Bots): A socialist robot army that attacks from a distance with overwhelming firepower. They have armor, use cover, and will suppress your position with red laser fire. Take cover, aim for their weak spots (glowing red vents), and use explosives and anti-tank weapons.
For a highly detailed breakdown of every single enemy unit and their specific weak points, the comprehensive enemy guide from IGN’s wiki is an excellent resource for new players.
As the war evolves, new threats may emerge. There are already rumors of a mysterious third faction, the Illuminate, making a return.
5. Communication is Your Best Weapon
A silent Helldiver is a dead Helldiver. Perhaps the most important tip in this entire Helldivers 2 Beginner’s Guide is to communicate effectively. The game is built around teamwork, and clear communication is the foundation of that.
- Use a Microphone: The single best way to improve your survival rate is to talk to your squad. Call out enemy patrols, coordinate your Stratagems, and ask for help. A good microphone is a must-have piece of gear. If you need an upgrade, check out our guide to the best USB microphones.
- Use the Ping System: If you don’t have a mic, use the ping system (R1 on controller). You can ping locations, tag heavy enemies to focus fire, and point out samples or points of interest.
6. Dive, Dive, and Dive Again!
The “dive” (or dolphin dive) is your most important defensive maneuver. Pressing the dive button while running will launch you into a prone position, allowing you to instantly dodge incoming attacks like a Charger’s leg or a rocket. You can even shoot while diving. Get in the habit of diving constantly.
7. Reloading: The Strategic Reload
Don’t reload after every kill. In Helldivers 2, if you reload a magazine that isn’t empty, you lose all the bullets that were left in it. This forces you to be more strategic. It’s often better to empty a clip completely before reloading to conserve your ammunition during a long fight.
8. Always Be Collecting Samples
As you explore the map, look for points of interest. A key lesson in this Helldivers 2 Beginner’s Guide is to always be collecting Samples. You’ll find these resources (Common, Rare, and Super) at minor points of interest. They are the currency you use to upgrade your Super Destroyer, providing permanent buffs to your Stratagems. Every squad member gets a copy upon extraction, so there’s no need to fight over them.
9. Friendly Fire Isn’t Friendly
A hard lesson that every Helldivers 2 Beginner’s Guide must teach is that friendly fire isn’t friendly. Everything can kill you. Your own turrets, your friend’s airstrikes, the Pelican-1 as it lands for extraction—they will all kill you instantly. Always be aware of where your teammates are and where their Stratagems are landing. A little situational awareness goes a long way.
10. Understanding Progression: Warbonds and Medals
This isn’t a typical live-service game. The “battle pass,” called a Warbond, is not time-limited. You can buy them and complete them at your own pace forever. You unlock new weapons, armor, and cosmetics by earning Medals from completing missions and operations. Focus on finishing your operations to maximize your Medal earnings.
Final Thoughts from this Helldivers 2 Beginner’s Guide
This Helldivers 2 Beginner’s Guide provides the foundation, but the real learning happens on the battlefield. The game is deep, and the Galactic War is always changing. Now get out there, soldier, and start spreading some Managed Democracy!