Helldivers 2’s new Terminid Hive Lord worms are skyscraper-sized boss fights so terrifying any diver would s**t their pants — here’s how to kill them

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In the latest update for Helldivers 2 called “Into the Unjust”, players now encounter various new species of Terminid bugs in the gloomy, Gloom-filled planets they’re protecting.

Many of these entities are unique combat units hailing from the developing Rupture Strain. They possess the ability to bore through the earth while engaging in battle. Additionally, there’s the formidable Dragonroach, which can be compared to an airborne Bile Titan, emitting fiery acid from its breath.

As a researcher, I must admit that among the latest additions to our enemy roster, none are more daunting than the colossal Hive Lords. These armored sand worms, towering like skyscrapers, can be found as hidden high-value targets within missions. When compared to every foe we’ve encountered up until now from any given faction, the Hive Lords undeniably mark a significant shift – they are the first true boss fights our Helldivers have ever faced, and they are mercilessly difficult.

Hive Lords can forcefully smash their entire body to potentially crush you and your teammates, burrow through the ground, and spurt corrosive acid in broad, sweeping motions. Instead of a foe you confront head-on, they are more like an environmental threat that you gradually try to diminish while dealing with the rest of the swarming Terminids.

Narrowly chipping away at them could take anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes, considering Hive Lords boast an astounding health pool of 150,000 HP. To give you a sense of their durability, a Hellbomb explosion inflicts 10,000 points of damage and has been powerful enough to annihilate every other enemy in Helldivers 2 with a single blast up until now.

THEY ARE REAL AND WE KILLED ONE RAAAAHHHH! from r/Helldivers

Due to the extraordinary durability of Hive Lords and their heavily fortified armor, eliminating them requires a substantial focus on anti-armor tactics, frequent ammunition reinforcements, and close cooperation with your team to deal continuous and potent damage, while simultaneously managing other enemies as well.

Conventional weapons designed for heavier enemies function effectively – Recoilless Rifle, Spear, Eagle 500KG, and Orbital Railcannon Strike. However, the most effective method to defeat Hive Lords is for every member of the squad to carry the Anti-Tank Emplacement stratagem from the Urban Legends Warbond (I’ve always been a big fan of it).

In simpler terms, the Anti-Tank Emplacement has a quick reload time of just three minutes and carries 30 anti-armor rounds that inflict 1,300 points of damage each. This means it can deal a total of 39,000 damage to a Hive Lord, which is about one fourth of its health. If everyone in your team brings one of these weapons, you can defeat the worm surprisingly fast.

As a researcher, I understand that not every shot will be a hit, and at times, a swarm of smaller insectoids may encroach, preventing me from fully engaging the Hive Lord. However, even if I’m unable to deliver the final blow with them present, I can significantly deplete its health. Subsequently, I can continue to wear down the Hive Lord using other strategies or request new emplacements for reinforcement in another three minutes.

It’s interesting to note that battling other Terminids along with the Hive Lord can sometimes be less challenging than expected – and quite humorously, one major reason for this is that the Hive Lord often crushes and melts them as it attempts to do the same to you with its powerful slams and bile sprays. However, don’t forget that you’ll still need to manage these Terminids, but their aggressive behavior towards the Hive Lord can make the battle less taxing since the big enemy isn’t shy about dishing out friendly fire.

To ensure survival against the Hive Lord’s attacks, maintaining a safe distance is crucial since standing close to where the worm emerges from the ground results in being ragdolled and pushed away. In response to its attempts to slam or disintegrate you with acid, it’s important to execute quick evasive maneuvers, such as diving out of harm’s way.

This probably won’t shield you from getting hurt, but based on my observations, you should at least manage to make it through, and you may even find a way to stay in the fight. Large parts of the environment can also act as cover, though many of these might be shattered by the Hive Lord’s powerful slams.

Initially, I find the Hive Lords well-balanced in terms of gameplay. They are formidable adversaries that pose a significant threat and it’s often safer to avoid or circumvent them rather than confront them head-on. However, when you decide to team up with your allies to defeat one, the experience is immensely rewarding.

The encounter with the Hive Lords in Helldivers 2 brings back memories of when Shams Jorjani, CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios, said he would make you feel like you might need new pants when asked about upcoming content earlier this year. It seems that the developers have certainly delivered on their promise, as no other enemy in the game evokes such intense anticipation for me.

Helldivers 2 costs $39.99 on Xbox, Windows PC (Steam), and PS5 platforms. However, the PC version is currently discounted to $35.09 at Loaded, which used to be known as CDKeys. The latest “Into the Unjust” update is active, and there’s been an increase in Xbox players, so it’s a perfect moment to jump into the action if you haven’t yet. If you’re new to the game, my list of 7 essential Helldivers 2 tips might be helpful for you.

Helldivers 2 is priced at $39.99 on Xbox, PC (Steam), and PS5. The PC version can be found on sale for $35.09 at Loaded. With the “Into the Unjust” update ongoing and more Xbox players joining, it’s a perfect time to join in the fun if you haven’t yet. For newcomers, check out my list of 7 crucial Helldivers 2 tips.

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2025-09-03 02:10