10 Essential Tips for New Helldivers 2 Players

VelvetWolf

If you’ve just dropped into the chaotic warzones of Helldivers 2, welcome to the fight for Super Earth. The galaxy is hostile, the enemies are merciless, and even your teammates can accidentally (or not so accidentally) take you out. Whether you’re a rookie just starting your first mission or someone still figuring out the best way to call in a stratagem under fire, these 10 Essential Tips for New Helldivers 2 Players will help you stay alive longer and make a real difference in the war effort.

1. Always Watch Your Fire

Helldivers 2 is notorious for its friendly fire. Every bullet, grenade, or orbital strike can take out your squadmates just as easily as the enemy. Keep your firing lanes clear, especially when using high-caliber weapons or explosives. Communication and spacing are key — think before you pull the trigger.

2. Master Stratagem Inputs

Calling down stratagems quickly is one of the most important skills in the game. Practice inputting the commands until they’re muscle memory. In the heat of combat, fumbling a code could mean the difference between dropping a lifesaving turret or dying while trying.

3. Learn Enemy Weak Points

Each faction in Helldivers 2 has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Bugs are vulnerable to explosives and area-of-effect attacks, while Automatons are better handled with armor-piercing weapons. Understanding what each enemy type fears most lets you prepare the right loadout before deployment.

4. Choose the Right Loadout

New players often make the mistake of bringing “cool-looking” gear instead of effective equipment. Balance your stratagems between offense, defense, and utility. Having at least one resupply and one anti-tank option is crucial for surviving longer missions.

5. Stick Together, but Stay Spaced Out

Teamwork wins missions, but clumping up makes you an easy target for explosive attacks or airstrikes. Stay close enough to revive or support teammates, but leave enough space to avoid being wiped out by a single grenade or bug explosion.

6. Prioritize Objectives, Not Kills

The real goal in Helldivers 2 isn’t to rack up kills — it’s to complete objectives and extract safely. Getting distracted by endless waves of enemies wastes time and ammo. Focus on mission goals, and you’ll earn more experience, medals, and Super Credits in the long run.

7. Use Terrain to Your Advantage

Cover and elevation can save your life. Rocks, trees, and debris can block projectiles or slow down enemies. Learn to fight from defensible positions, especially during defense or extraction phases, where holding your ground can turn chaos into control.

8. Practice Quick Revives

In Helldivers 2, reviving teammates under pressure is an essential skill. Always keep track of where your allies fall and make sure you have a clear line to bring them back. A well-timed revive can keep the mission alive when everything’s falling apart.

9. Manage Reinforcements Wisely

Reinforcements are limited. Don’t waste them early in the mission. If possible, revive fallen allies instead of calling in a reinforcement stratagem. Save those for emergencies, especially near extraction zones where the pressure spikes dramatically.

10. Extract Smart, Not Fast

Extraction is the final — and often deadliest — part of every mission. Don’t rush it. Secure the area, call down defensive stratagems, and coordinate your team’s positioning. Surviving those last few minutes is the ultimate test of your squad’s discipline and coordination.

These 10 Essential Tips for New Helldivers 2 Players aren’t just about staying alive — they’re about learning to fight smarter, not harder. Helldivers 2 rewards teamwork, preparation, and adaptability. Once you’ve mastered these fundamentals, you’ll find yourself not just surviving, but leading your squad to victory across the stars.