Helldivers 2: All Stratagems Guide

Hey there, fellow Helldivers! Are you ready to dive headfirst into the glorious fight for Super Earth? Then you've come to the right place! In Helldivers 2, stratagems are your best friends, your lifelines, and your ultimate tools for spreading managed democracy across the galaxy. This comprehensive guide will break down every single stratagem available, how to use them, and when to use them effectively. Get ready to call down orbital strikes, deploy devastating weapons, and support your squad with unparalleled precision. Let's get to it, and may liberty and freedom guide your trigger fingers!

Understanding Stratagems: Your Arsenal of Democracy

So, what exactly are stratagems? Think of them as your special abilities, your super-powered tools that you call down from the orbital support ships. They range from offensive weapons to defensive fortifications and support options. To use a stratagem, you need to input a specific sequence of directional inputs using your controller or keyboard. These inputs, once correctly entered, initiate the call-in process, and BOOM! You get to enjoy the explosions, the satisfying thuds, and the glorious liberation that follows.

Each stratagem has a cooldown timer. That means you can't just spam them like crazy (though, wouldn’t that be fun?). You'll also need to consider the number of times you can call in a specific stratagem, with some having a limited supply per mission. So, you'll need to be strategic about which ones you choose and when you deploy them. Timing is everything, my friends, and knowing when to call in an orbital laser versus a simple supply drop can mean the difference between glorious victory and a messy, bug-ridden end.

Now, let's talk about the different categories. Stratagems are broadly classified into several types: offensive, defensive, and support. Offensive stratagems are your big guns, your planet-clearing tools. Think orbital strikes, eagle strikes, and powerful sentries. Defensive stratagems help you hold your ground, like the emplacement mortar or the anti-personnel mines. Support stratagems include things like ammo resupply, health boosts, and other tactical advantages that help your squad stay alive and kicking. You'll need to develop a good balance of all three to become a true Helldiver.

Finally, don't underestimate the importance of teamwork! Communicate with your squad, coordinate your stratagem usage, and cover each other's backs. A well-coordinated team using stratagems effectively is a terrifying force on the battlefield. So, stick together, stay alert, and remember: for Super Earth!

Offensive Stratagems: Bringing the Pain

Alright, let's get into the good stuff: the offensive stratagems! These are the ones that make the bugs and automatons think twice before messing with you. Remember, these are the tools of liberation, so use them wisely and often!

Orbital Stratagems

These are your big orbital guns, offering devastating area-of-effect damage from above. Here's a breakdown of the key ones:

• Orbital Gatling Barrage: A rapid-fire barrage that’s great for clearing out hordes of smaller enemies. It covers a wide area, making it ideal for crowd control. Input: Down, Right, Up, Right, Right.
• Orbital 120MM HE Barrage: Unleashes a long, widespread barrage of high-explosive shells. This is a must-have for dealing with heavily armored enemies and clearing out entrenched positions. Input: Down, Right, Down, Up, Up.
• Orbital 380MM HE Barrage: A wider, even more devastating barrage than the 120MM. Its area of effect is massive, capable of leveling entire areas. However, its spread is less precise, so use it carefully to avoid friendly fire. Input: Down, Down, Up, Down, Up.
• Orbital Laser: This bad boy fires a continuous laser beam at a single target. It's excellent for taking down heavy armored units. However, it requires line of sight and can be interrupted, so be mindful of cover and terrain. Input: Down, Right, Up, Left, Right.
• Orbital Railcannon Strike: A pinpoint orbital strike with massive damage, perfect for taking out the toughest targets like Bile Titans and Tank Automations. Input: Down, Right, Right, Up, Down.
• Orbital Precision Strike: A more targeted strike with moderate damage. Great for smaller groups of enemies or taking out specific objectives. Input: Down, Right, Up, Left, Down.

Pro Tips: Orbital stratagems are great for dealing with large groups and heavily armored enemies. Remember to consider the area of effect and be mindful of your squad's position to avoid friendly fire. Also, the larger barrages have a longer call-in time, so try to anticipate enemy movements.

Eagle Stratagems

The Eagle provides a nimble air strike capability, offering quick and powerful offensive options. It’s a great option for hit-and-run tactics.

• Eagle Strafing Run: Calls in a strafing run from an Eagle fighter jet. Perfect for quickly clearing out a line of enemies. Input: Up, Right, Down, Right, Right.
• Eagle Airstrike: A single, powerful airstrike with a moderate area of effect. Ideal for taking out a cluster of enemies or a specific target. Input: Up, Right, Down, Left, Right.
• Eagle Cluster Bomb: Drops a cluster of smaller bombs over a wide area, making it effective against groups of enemies. Input: Up, Right, Down, Down, Left.
• Eagle 110mm Rocket Pods: Fires a volley of rockets at a target area, dealing significant damage. Good for clearing out heavy enemies and fortifications. Input: Up, Right, Down, Up, Up.
• Eagle Napalm Strike: Creates a wall of fire that can burn enemies. Very effective against hordes, and it can also cut off enemy movement. Input: Up, Right, Down, Left, Up.

Pro Tips: Eagle stratagems have limited uses per resupply, so use them wisely. They are excellent for quick attacks and can be very useful for breaking enemy formations or clearing out objectives. Also, remember to watch for the Eagle's reload time; it will automatically return after usage.

Other Offensive Stratagems

These stratagems offer additional offensive capabilities that don't fit into the orbital or Eagle categories.

• Expendable Anti-Tank: A single-use rocket launcher that's great for taking down heavily armored enemies. Input: Down, Down, Left, Up, Right.
• Recoilless Rifle: A two-person weapon that deals massive damage, capable of taking down even the toughest enemies. One person carries it while another reloads. Input: Down, Left, Down, Up, Left.
• Spear: A lock-on rocket launcher that can be used to take down heavy enemies from a safe distance. This can be great for Bile Titans. Input: Down, Down, Up, Down, Down.
• Flamethrower: Perfect for clearing out hordes of bugs, this close-range weapon deals continuous fire damage. Input: Down, Right, Left, Down, Right.

Pro Tips: The Recoilless Rifle and Spear are excellent for taking down heavy armored targets. The Expendable Anti-Tank is a cheap but effective option for dealing with armored threats. Flamethrowers are devastating in close-quarters combat but are best used with allies.

Defensive Stratagems: Holding the Line

Sometimes, the best offense is a good defense. Defensive stratagems are designed to help you fortify your position, control the battlefield, and buy you time to regroup, reload, or call in reinforcements. They are your best defense against waves of enemies!

• Guard Dog Rover: Deploys a drone that hovers near you and fires at enemies. An excellent option for personal defense, as it takes down enemies that approach you. Input: Down, Left, Down, Up, Up.
• Guard Dog: Deploys a backpack that fires at enemies. An excellent option for personal defense, as it takes down enemies that approach you. Input: Down, Left, Down, Up, Left.
• Machine Gun Sentry: A stationary machine gun that automatically targets enemies. Useful for setting up defensive positions. Input: Down, Left, Right, Up, Up.
• Mortar Sentry: A stationary mortar that automatically targets enemies. Great for area denial and clearing out enemy positions, but be careful of friendly fire. Input: Down, Left, Down, Left, Down.
• Anti-Personnel Minefield: Deploys a minefield that automatically detonates when enemies get too close. Be careful not to trigger them yourself! Input: Down, Left, Down, Right, Up.
• EMS Mortar Sentry: Fires EMS rounds at enemy units, slowing them down and making them easier to target. Input: Down, Right, Down, Right, Up.

Pro Tips: Defensive stratagems are crucial for surviving intense battles. Use them to create chokepoints, control the battlefield, and provide cover for your squad. Be mindful of their placement, and be sure to avoid friendly fire.

Support Stratagems: Boosting Your Squad

Sometimes, you need a little help to get the job done. Support stratagems provide various buffs, utility, and resources to help your squad survive and thrive.

• Supply Pack: Provides ammunition, grenades, and stims to you and nearby allies. Input: Down, Left, Up, Right, Down.
• Medical Kit: Instantly heals you and gives a small amount of health to nearby allies. Input: Down, Right, Down, Up, Left.
• Resupply Pack: Drops a resupply crate for you and your team to restock ammunition. Input: Down, Left, Right, Up, Down.
• Orbital Gas Strike: Area of effect gas strike that can be used to control enemy movement or to kill enemies. Input: Down, Right, Left, Down, Up.
• Shield Generator Pack: A backpack that generates a personal shield, providing protection from incoming fire. Input: Down, Up, Right, Left, Down.

Pro Tips: Support stratagems can make a huge difference in the outcome of a mission. Make sure your team has a good mix of support options, and be sure to use them effectively. Coordinating these with your squad makes them even more effective!

Advanced Stratagem Tactics: Unleashing Your Potential

Now that you know all the stratagems, let's talk about how to use them effectively. Here are some advanced tactics to help you become a true Helldiver.

• Stratagem Combinations: Experiment with combining different stratagems to maximize their effectiveness. For example, use a stun grenade to group enemies up, then hit them with an orbital strike for maximum damage. Or, drop a minefield to slow the enemy's advance while your team takes them down.
• Situational Awareness: Pay attention to the battlefield and adapt your stratagem choices accordingly. If you're swarmed by bugs, an orbital barrage can clear the way. If you're facing a heavily armored target, use the orbital railcannon strike. Always consider the situation before calling in a stratagem.
• Teamwork and Communication: Always, always coordinate with your squad. Inform them of the stratagems you're calling in, the areas you're targeting, and the threats you're facing. Proper communication can prevent friendly fire incidents and ensure your team's success.
• Practice and Experimentation: The more you play, the better you'll become at using stratagems. Practice inputting the codes, learn the strengths and weaknesses of each stratagem, and experiment with different combinations. This way you can see what works best for your playstyle and the mission ahead.
• Objective Focused: Always prioritize completing objectives. While it can be fun to get crazy with the explosions, your main goal is to complete the mission. Be sure to consider your limited resources.

Conclusion: For Liberty and Democracy!

Alright, Helldivers! That concludes our guide to Helldivers 2 stratagems. Remember, these are your tools for spreading freedom and democracy across the galaxy. Learn them, master them, and use them to crush your enemies. Go out there, spread managed democracy, and remember the core tenet of Helldiving: for Super Earth!

Now get out there and start liberating some planets, soldier! Super Earth is counting on you!