As a seasoned veteran of countless Helldivers battles and a witness to the ever-evolving landscape of the Super Earth universe, I must say that the latest addition – the Illuminate – has left me both terrified and exhilarated. Their return in the Omen of Tyranny update has brought a fresh wave of excitement to the battlefield, a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of this intergalactic struggle.
From the moment Helldivers 2 was unveiled in February, veterans of Liberty’s top-tier fighting force have been cautioning fresh recruits like myself about a perilous menace lurking among the cosmos: the Illuminate. This enigmatic race of technologically advanced cephalopod-like entities were a prominent feature in the original Helldivers, but were absent from the sequel alongside the Terminids and Automatons…until now. In case you missed last night’s urgent Super Earth broadcast — a transgression that could cost you your life! — let me brief you: the Illuminate have returned, and they’ve set their sights mercilessly on Calypso.
2024 saw the surprise release of the Omen of Tyranny update during The Game Awards, a moment that had me torn between my duties as a tech enthusiast covering the event live and the irresistible allure of jumping into this new battlefield with friends. Once off work, I eagerly joined the fray, engaging in an intense seven-hour fight against the alien menace until an ungodly 5:30 AM. To my delight, the Illuminate proved to be as brutal, terrifying, and exhilarating as I’d hoped they would be! In essence, they’ve exceeded all expectations and made for a thrilling combat experience.
I would summarize their battle tactic as a relentless assault, where their troops are structured to push you towards cover while simultaneously compelling you to reposition quickly. Swarms of mind-controlled, shuffling humans, humorously referred to as “the Voteless,” advance slowly but in large numbers, serving as an area denial tactic and forcing you out of cover if not constantly managed. This exposure presents an opportunity for their tougher and aggressive leaders, the tall alien Overseers – who come in ground and airborne versions – to attempt a charge, aiming for a kill. The Harvesters, towering walkers, offer support with powerful energy beams that are especially lethal in open areas. During battles, “Watcher” drones monitor your movements to summon reinforcements and shock you with electricity, reducing your movement speed significantly so that combat units can more easily reach you for an attack.
This method combines the fast-paced, kite-focused gameplay typical of a Terminid mission with the focus on combat within and near cover that’s common among Automatons’ armored shock troops, creating an enemy unlike any other that has left a powerful impact on my friends and me. I initially thought the Illuminate might be too similar to one of Super Earth’s other undemocratic opponents, but it seems they could be the most intriguing of the three to face off against.
It’s remarkable how engaging the Illuminate foes are, given they lack heavily armored units entirely. Even their towering Harvesters have a vulnerable spot on their single eye that can be damaged effectively with small arms fire or an Anti-Materiel Rifle. Overseers may be resilient, but this is primarily due to a large health pool rather than tough armor. I’ve noticed that fast-firing support weapons like the Stalwart or the standard medium Machine Gun work best against these creatures and their swarms, and I’ve rarely felt the need for heavier alternatives such as the Recoilless Rifle (though rockets do significant damage to Harvesters, and are useful for taking down the faction’s UFO-like dropships).
The Illuminate possess energy barriers, which are visible on their Harvesters, Overseers, and dropships at outposts. These barriers are marked by bright blue shields that can be swiftly destroyed with automatic gunfire. However, it’s important to note that these barriers not only protect but also fortify the health of what they cover. In other words, a nuke from Eagle-1 is the only thing that can simultaneously eliminate the barrier and destroy whatever is beneath or behind it. This feature not only boosts the reputation of often underestimated support weapons but also fosters teamwork and coordination among squadmates. One player could take down the shield on a Harvester or a ship, while another could quickly follow up with more powerful firepower or a well-timed grenade to complete the task.
Additionally, there are some effective moves you can perform even when not supported by your allies, especially against the formidable Overseer soldiers of the Illuminate. For instance, the ground units become deadly when they choose to abandon firing from their staffs and instead rush towards you to attack with brutal melee strikes. However, daring Helldivers who engage them in close combat and strike them with their weapons can momentarily stun these soldiers out of their attack sequence, making them vulnerable for subsequent attacks.
As a tech-savvy individual, I must confess that those Flying Overseers can be quite a challenge. However, I’ve found a vulnerability in their high-flying jetpacks – a weakness that could tip the balance in our favor. With precision and careful aim, you can zero in on their jetpack and blast it with a few well-placed shots. This will trigger an instant explosion, not only eliminating the Overseer but also potentially causing collateral damage to any nearby enemies. For those with lightning reflexes, a strategic tactic involves tossing grenades just ahead of approaching groups of Voteless before they detonate. This preemptive strike significantly thins out the horde, making it more manageable.
To sum up, I’m thoroughly enjoying my time with the Illuminate and am excited to try out multiple strategies and configurations against it. With our latest Urban Legends Warbond available, I can hardly wait! Although Helldivers 2 was snubbed for a Game of the Year nomination, at least it won Best Multiplayer and Best Continuing Game, don’t you agree?
Anyway, back to the front. See you on Calypso.
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2024-12-14 00:09