In Helldivers 2, the Illuminate return with increased lethality. If you haven’t heard, they’ve launched a massive invasion through the Meridian Singularity, marking the start of the Galactic Emergency update and posing a significant threat to Super Earth. Alongside the usual units players have grown accustomed to since the squids initiated sporadic attacks towards the end of last year, they’ve also started deploying three new enemy types.
Currently, a vast number of Helldivers (over 100,000) are already stationed at Widow’s Harbor, ready to confront the Illuminate threat directly and slow its progression as much as feasible. More reinforcements are expected to join the battle later in the evening, after work hours. Given the expansive array of weapons, armor sets, and strategies available in Helldivers 2, it’s natural for many of these courageous troops on the front lines to ponder what the most effective anti-Illuminate equipment setup would be for the upcoming fight.
After giving it a try by diving into several missions with my go-to setup to see how it matches up against the enhanced alien threat, I’m pleased to share that it remains equally potent as ever – though it must be said that it is indeed eccentric and carries a certain level of danger, when compared to more conventional strategies. In this post, I’ll delve deeper into the mechanics behind my preferred build, but first, here’s a rundown of all the components required for what I believe is the optimal Illuminate loadout:
1. Primary Weapon: The Quantum Laser Rifle (QRL) with the Overcharge mod.
2. Secondary Weapon: The Pulse Blade or the Disintegrator.
3. Energy Shield: The Arc Shield with the Regenerative mod.
4. Suit Mod: The Speed Suit mod for increased mobility.
5. Grenades: Quantum Bombs or Proximity Mines.
6. Passive Ability: Overdrive or Focused Mind.
7. Active Ability: Flash or Blink.
8. Ultimate Ability: Nova Bomb or Supernova.
- Armor: Any w/ Inflammable Armor Passive
- Primary: LAS-17 Double-Edged Sickle
- Secondary: GP-31 Ultimatum OR P-72 Crisper
- Grenade: G-4 Gas
- Stratagems: Supply Pack, Grenade Launcher OR Commando OR Explosive Anti-Tank, Orbital Napalm Barrage
- Booster: Vitality Enhancement OR Experimental Infusion
In essence, The Illuminate continues to battle in much the same way as before: by flooding you and your Helldiver allies with countless Voteless zombies, while more durable Overseers and Harvesters attack from a distance or above. They aim to make you uneasy and prevent you from finding safety behind fortified cover. However, their new units – the Stingray, Crescent Overseer, and Fleshmob – have significantly increased the difficulty of adapting to this pressure. The Stingray and Crescent Overseer can force you out of defensive positions with swift strafing attacks and powerful energy blasts akin to mortars, respectively. Meanwhile, the monstrous and robust Fleshmob rushes towards you at an unexpected speed, knocking down and disorienting anyone it collides with by flailing its arms wildly.
When considering the Illuminate, it’s best to equip a setup that maintains peak performance consistently, inflicts high overall damage, and can swiftly handle critical threats such as Fleshmobs and Harvester walkers. In my personal playthrough, I’ve found no weapon in the game outperforms the LAS-17 Double-Edged Sickle in this regard.
The weapon dubbed the Double-Edged Sickle originates from the latest Servants of Freedom Warbond, functioning as an upgraded LAS-16 Sickle with unlimited ammo and increasing damage and armor-piercing capabilities to extreme levels. However, it continuously harms and could potentially ignite you when fired for extended periods, a drawback this build is intended to mitigate. The Vitality Enhancement booster and Inflammable armor effectively minimize the self-inflicted damage caused by the Double-Edged Sickle, while carrying a Supply Pack allows for on-demand healing stims – a necessity given the high frequency of their use (you can usually call in a new Supply Pack when your current one is almost depleted).
In essence, this strategy involves persistently firing numerous lethal laser shots at the swarms of Illuminate, while simultaneously monitoring your own health and recuperating when necessary due to the Double-Edged Sickle’s self-inflicted damage. When fully charged, it’s capable of swiftly eliminating heavy units such as Harvesters (target the area between their legs and head) or Fleshmobs (aim for their legs), requiring only a few seconds of continuous fire. It’s equally effective against Overseers, making short work of them, and its precision makes it particularly useful against flying enemies as well.
Indeed, the Double-Edged Sickle stands out as an exceptional tool in combat, serving as the core element of your strategy due to its versatility. On its own, it’s typically sufficient to deal with most threats provided there’s enough room and time to escalate its heat levels. However, if circumstances don’t allow for that, you can utilize your gas grenades to discombobulate squid infantry, creating a window of opportunity for you to eliminate them all. This tactic is particularly beneficial against Fleshmobs. Alternatively, you can whip out the Grenade Launcher for a swift and efficient method of suppressing a horde, or summon an Orbital Napalm Barrage to weaken any substantial waves of reinforcements that are summoned. Your fourth tactical slot is flexible, so feel free to employ whatever strategy suits you best.
Regarding your secondary weapon, I prefer the Ultimatum as my go-to option for eliminating tough foes, but the Crisper flamethrower pistol is equally impressive when dealing with Fleshmobs that come too near. The fire damage has received a significant boost in the latest update, particularly against healthier enemies, so don’t underestimate its power.
The main disadvantage of this equipment setup is that it doesn’t have the ability to combat the Stingray close air support vehicles used by the Illuminate. However, typically, at least one out of your four teammates will carry a rocket launcher-like support weapon for such situations. If you prefer to handle the fighters independently, consider swapping the Grenade Launcher for either a Commando or Explosive Anti-Tank launcher instead.
Having logged more than 500 hours playing this game since its launch last year, let me assure you: this build is truly remarkable when facing off against the Illuminate, and shines even at the highest echelons of Super Helldive competition that my friends and I frequently engage in. It may require some adjustment – dealing with self-damage and the incessant screams of your Helldiver as they self-immolate for the cause – but when you get the hang of it, you’ll consistently be the standout player on your team. Take a risk, Helldivers!
Helldivers 2 is a top-notch choice if you’re into co-op shooters, enjoy sci-fi action, appreciate some humor in your physics and writing, and are looking for games on PC or PS5. Normally priced at around $40, it’s worth keeping an eye out for deals to save a few dollars. Currently, the best deal is offered by CDKeys, where you can grab the game for less than $35, saving over $5 from its original price.
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2025-05-14 01:44