Helldivers 2 players pull off astonishing Pöpli IX victory against all odds, thwarting brutal Automaton invasion and the hand of Joel himself

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Following an extended, intense battle over two days on the sweltering planet Pöpli IX, fresh from their triumph against the Illuminate, Helldivers 2 gamers successfully fended off what appears to be the Automatons’ most lethal invasion so far.

The fight commenced during the bots’ relentless week-long operation aimed at capturing and recapturing Malevelon Creek – a dense jungle planet known as “Space Vietnam,” which has been the location of the most intense battles with the Automatons since the early stages of the Galactic War last year. The bots need to seize Pöpli IX first, followed by Mantes, and ultimately the Creek itself; however, astonishingly, players have successfully maintained a defensive position there despite overwhelming odds.

The forces that assaulted City IX were extraordinarily formidable, as they initiated a Level 40 invasion, which proved incredibly challenging. This offensive involved a combined strike team comprising the latest Incineration Corps (robots armed with incendiary devices and flamethrowers), the Jet Brigade (robots equipped with jetpacks that detonate explosively upon being fired upon), and reinforcements hailing from the hostile world of Mort situated nearby.

In addition to the existing difficulties, two potent debuffs were (and continue to be) activated by Helldivers 2’s Game Master Joel. One of these debuffs decreases the ammunition yielded from Resupply boxes by half, while the other limits the number of Reinforcements (respawns) per mission to a meager three.

Essentially, it’s evident we weren’t expected to prevail in this location, as our defense of Pöpli IX was primarily designed to delay the enemy’s advance towards Malevelon Creek within the broader storyline. However, against all odds, the Helldivers have managed to outmaneuver the Automatons and even defy Joel’s plans. As a result, the bots are now compelled to regroup and try again, but with only two days left in their offensive, it’s highly unlikely they will capture Pöpli IX, Mantes, and Malevelon Creek before time runs out, especially since players will make them earn every inch of territory.

A significant element behind our triumph was leveraging the Democracy Space Station and gathering sufficient player-contributed samples to trigger its Eagle Storm advantage. This proved crucial in stopping the advance of the invasion, supplying us with continuous air support throughout missions, and allowing Helldivers enough time to complete their operations and defend against the attackers. Additionally, many members of our community tactically switched to weapon loadouts that required less ammo or opted for the Increased Reinforcement Budget booster, reducing the effects of the previously mentioned penalties.

Appropriately, victory for the defense at Pöpli IX occurred on April 3rd, a day now recognized by Arrowhead Game Studios as “Malevelon Creek Memorial Day.” This commemoration is in tribute to the numerous brave souls who gave their lives defending Malevelon Creek. The modern-day Helldivers have shown remarkable courage reminiscent of ancient warriors, fighting tirelessly to ensure that the Automatons never return to this land.

It seems quite likely that we’ll witness the commencement of another wave of attacks from Pöpli IX later today, given there are approximately 40 hours left in the bots’ offensive at this point. If the Automatons manage to advance over the next two days, however, I have a strong feeling that Super Earth’s best will emerge victorious from their trenches – particularly since defensive victories tend to make subsequent invasions seem less menacing.

In the gameplay style of Helldivers 2’s Galactic War, there are striking similarities to the Operations mode from Battlefield 1. Here, attackers must conquer several maps using a restricted number of attacks and reinforcements, which pushes defenders to make each advance as costly as possible, ultimately aiming to wear down the attackers. The way Battlefield 1 showcased deep defense strategies was truly remarkable and distinctive, and I’m glad that Helldivers 2 has adopted this approach as well.

From my perspective as a gaming enthusiast, Helldivers 2 towers among the top-tier experiences in both PC and PS5 gaming if you’re a fan of cooperative shooters, high-octane sci-fi action, quirky physics humor, and satirical wit. Normally retailing at around $40, it’s worth keeping an eye out for deals to save some cash. The current best offer I’ve found is from CDKeys, where you can snag this explosive game for under $30, thanks to a generous $13 discount.

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2025-04-03 22:09