Helldivers 2: All Stratagems & How To Use Them

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Helldivers 2: All Stratagems & How to Use Them

Hey there, fellow Helldivers! Ready to dive headfirst into the chaotic, explosive, and utterly addictive world of Helldivers 2? One of the coolest parts of this game, besides blasting bugs and robots into oblivion, is mastering the stratagems. Think of them as your special tools, your ace in the hole, your ticket to bringing managed democracy to the galaxy. This guide breaks down all the stratagems in Helldivers 2, how to unlock them, and how to use them effectively. So, grab your railgun, tighten your boots, and let's get started!

What are Stratagems in Helldivers 2?

So, what exactly are stratagems, you ask? Well, in Helldivers 2, stratagems are your tactical support options. They are special abilities that you call in during missions to help you overcome the challenges you face. These aren't just your run-of-the-mill weapons; they're the difference between a glorious victory and a bug-splattered defeat. They range from devastating orbital strikes to powerful weapon drops, defensive structures, and even supply drops to keep you and your squad in the fight. Understanding and utilizing stratagems is crucial to success. They allow you to control the battlefield, deal with hordes of enemies, and complete objectives. Essentially, they're the reason you'll be able to spread freedom and democracy throughout the galaxy.

To use a stratagem, you'll need to input a specific code using your directional keys (up, down, left, right). Each stratagem has its own unique code, and learning these codes by heart is key to responding quickly in the heat of battle. You can find the codes in your ship's armory and in the game's menus. As you progress through the game, you'll earn Requisition Slips, which you'll use to purchase new stratagems from the ship's armory. You can also upgrade your ship's modules, which often improve the effectiveness of your stratagems or reduce their cooldown times. This aspect of the game allows for strategic planning and resource management, enhancing the overall experience. Being able to quickly and accurately input the stratagem codes under pressure separates the veteran Helldivers from the rookies. It's a skill that's honed through practice and experience, and it's essential for surviving the relentless onslaught of bugs and robots. Keep in mind that some stratagems have limited uses per mission, so you'll need to use them wisely. Others have cooldown times, meaning you can't just spam them. This adds another layer of tactical depth to the game, forcing you to think strategically about when and how to deploy your support.

Unlocking Stratagems

Alright, so you're probably wondering how to get your hands on all these awesome tools. Unlocking stratagems in Helldivers 2 involves a few key steps. First, you'll need to spend Requisition Slips. These slips are earned by completing missions, fulfilling side objectives, and generally kicking butt on the battlefield. Think of them as your in-game currency for unlocking new gear. You'll use these slips to purchase stratagems from your ship's armory. The armory is where you'll find all the goodies, from orbital strikes to powerful weapons. As you level up and gain access to more advanced stratagems, the cost in Requisition Slips will increase. So, it's wise to save your slips and prioritize which stratagems best suit your playstyle and the missions you undertake. This makes the game much more strategic and exciting. When you start, you'll have access to a few basic stratagems, but the real fun begins when you start unlocking the more powerful and specialized ones. To get the most out of your stratagems, you should constantly look for ways to optimize your loadout based on the mission type and the enemies you're facing. Some stratagems are more effective against certain enemy types, while others are better for completing specific objectives.

Besides Requisition Slips, you will also need to level up your character. Some stratagems are locked behind specific player levels, meaning you can't access them until you've gained enough experience. So, the more you play, the more options you'll have available to you. As you progress, you'll also be able to upgrade your ship's modules. These upgrades often provide buffs to your stratagems, such as reduced cooldown times, increased damage, or more uses per mission. Upgrading your ship is just as important as unlocking new stratagems because it helps you to get more out of the ones you already have. Make sure you regularly check the ship's armory and the upgrade menus to see what's available and plan accordingly. This will help you build a well-rounded and effective loadout that can handle any challenge.

All Stratagems and Their Codes

Alright, buckle up, because here's the complete list of stratagems in Helldivers 2, along with their input codes and a brief description. Note that the game receives updates and new content frequently, so this list is based on the current state of the game and may be subject to change. Always check the game for the most up-to-date information. Let's dive in, shall we?

Orbital Stratagems

These stratagems call in powerful orbital strikes from your support ship. They're great for clearing out large groups of enemies or taking down heavily armored targets. Remember, the 'orbital' designation means they have a pretty wide area of effect, so be mindful of friendly fire!

  • Orbital Gatling Barrage: Down, Right, Up, Right, Right (A barrage of rapid-fire shots from above) - Great for crowd control.
  • Orbital Airburst Strike: Down, Down, Up, Up, (An orbital strike that detonates in the air) - Good for clearing out nests and bug holes.
  • Orbital 120MM HE Barrage: Right, Down, Down, Down, (A massive, long-lasting artillery barrage) - Use this to obliterate enemy positions.
  • Orbital 380MM HE Barrage: Right, Up, Down, Down, Down (An even bigger, more chaotic artillery barrage) - When you really want to make a statement.
  • Orbital Laser: Right, Up, Right, Down, Up (A continuous laser beam that can melt through armor) - Excellent for taking down tough enemies, but requires good aiming.
  • Orbital Railcannon Strike: Right, Up, Down, Left, Down (A pinpoint strike that delivers a huge punch) - Ideal for taking out heavy targets like Chargers or Bile Titans.
  • Orbital EMS Strike: Right, Up, Down, Left, Left (An Electromagnetic Pulse strike that stuns enemies) - Great for disrupting enemy attacks and creating openings.

Eagle Stratagems

These stratagems are delivered by your Eagle fighter, which has limited uses before needing to rearm. Use them wisely!

  • Eagle Strafing Run: Up, Right, Right, Down, Right (An Eagle fighter makes a strafing run) - Perfect for clearing out a line of enemies.
  • Eagle Airstrike: Right, Up, Right, Down, (An Eagle fighter drops a bomb) - For those times when you need a quick burst of area damage.
  • Eagle Cluster Bomb: Up, Right, Down, Right, Right (An Eagle fighter drops a cluster of smaller bombs) - Effective against hordes of enemies.
  • Eagle Napalm Airstrike: Up, Right, Down, Right, Up (An Eagle fighter drops a napalm bomb) - For burning enemies to a crisp and controlling areas.

Weapon Stratagems

These stratagems provide you with powerful weapons to turn the tide of battle.

  • Expendable Anti-Tank: Down, Down, Left, Up, Right (A single-use anti-tank weapon) - Essential for taking down heavily armored targets.
  • Recoilless Rifle: Down, Left, Down, Up, Left (A powerful, reloadable anti-tank weapon) - Requires a teammate to help reload, but worth it.
  • Spear: Down, Down, Up, Down, Down (A lock-on, guided missile launcher) - Great for taking down the big guys from a distance.
  • Guard Dog Rover: Down, Left, Up, Right, Right (A robotic dog that hovers near you and fires) - Provides extra firepower and covers your flanks.
  • Machine Gun: Down, Left, Right, Up, Down, (A handheld machine gun with a high rate of fire) - Good for mowing down hordes of smaller enemies.
  • Arc Thrower: Up, Right, Down, Left, Right (A weapon that shoots arcs of electricity) - Fun and effective against groups of enemies.
  • Flamethrower: Down, Down, Left, Up, Right (A weapon that shoots a stream of fire) - Great for dealing area-of-effect damage, and for burning out bug nests.
  • Railgun: Down, Up, Left, Down, Up (A powerful, anti-armor weapon) - The meta weapon to use against almost everything.

Support Weapons

These are deployed on the ground and can be used by any player.

  • Autocannon: Down, Left, Down, Up, Left, (A powerful, multi-purpose weapon) - Excellent for dealing with a variety of threats.
  • Mortar Sentry: Down, Down, Up, Down, Up, (A stationary mortar emplacement) - Provides sustained area-of-effect damage, but be careful of friendly fire.
  • Machine Gun Sentry: Right, Down, Right, Up, Up (A stationary machine gun emplacement) - Good for holding down a position and providing covering fire.
  • Emplaced Autocannon: Up, Right, Right, Left, Down (A manned autocannon) - Does great damage, but can be a bit slow. Still great for anti-armor.

Defensive Stratagems

These options help you to fortify a position and provide defense.

  • Anti-Personnel Minefield: Down, Left, Down, Right, Up (A minefield that detonates when enemies approach) - Great for setting traps and controlling enemy movement.
  • Tesla Tower: Right, Up, Right, Down, Down, (A stationary tower that emits arcs of electricity) - Provides area-of-effect damage and can be placed defensively.
  • HMG Emplacement: Down, Up, Left, Right, Right (A manned heavy machine gun) - Very useful for mowing down enemies, but it can be easily flanked.

Offensive Stratagems

These options allow you to deal direct damage to the enemies.

  • Grenade Launcher: Down, Left, Up, Down, Up (A handheld grenade launcher) - Very useful for clearing out enemy nests.
  • A/MG-43 Machine Gun: Down, Left, Right, Up, Down (A high-powered machine gun) - Great for mowing down medium to large enemies.

Boosters

Boosters provide passive buffs and bonuses during missions.

  • Hellpod Space Optimization: (Boosts your capacity for carrying items) - Great for carrying extra ammo and support weapons.
  • Vitality Enhancement: (Increases your health) - Provides a bit of extra survivability.
  • Muscle Enhancement: (Reduces the stamina cost of sprinting) - Useful for navigating the battlefield quickly.
  • Stamina Enhancement: (Increases the amount of stamina you have) - Another way to increase survivability.
  • Rapid-Fire: (Decreases the reload time of your weapons) - Helps you get more shots off quicker.
  • Hellpod Space Optimization: (Increases the space in your hellpod) - So you can bring more items and weapons in.

Tips and Tricks for Using Stratagems

Alright, now you've got the lowdown on all the stratagems. But knowing the codes is only half the battle. Here are some tips and tricks to help you become a true stratagem master:

  • Practice, Practice, Practice: The best way to get good at calling in stratagems is to practice the code inputs. Use the tutorial mode or start a low-difficulty mission and repeatedly practice the codes. The faster and more accurately you input the codes, the better you'll be under pressure.
  • Know Your Loadout: Customize your loadout to match the mission objectives and the types of enemies you'll be facing. Different stratagems excel in different situations. For example, orbital strikes are great for clearing out large groups, while anti-tank weapons are essential for taking down heavy armor. So, consider the enemy and adjust your gear accordingly.
  • Coordinate with Your Squad: Communication is key! Let your teammates know which stratagems you're planning to use, and coordinate your attacks. Combine different stratagems for maximum effect. For instance, you could use an Orbital Laser to clear a path while your buddy uses a cluster bomb to clean up any stragglers.
  • Manage Your Uses: Some stratagems have limited uses per mission. Keep track of how many times you've used a particular stratagem and plan accordingly. Don't waste your best tools on minor threats, save them for when you really need them.
  • Use the Terrain to Your Advantage: Think about where you deploy your stratagems. Make sure you have clear lines of sight for orbital strikes and Eagle strikes. Utilize cover to protect yourself while you're calling in stratagems.
  • Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: The beauty of Helldivers 2 is that there's no