Helldivers 2: Beginner's Guide & Intro Tutorial

Hey there, future Helldivers! Ready to dive headfirst into the chaotic, bug-squashing, robot-demolishing world of Helldivers 2? Awesome! This guide is your one-stop shop for getting started, understanding the basics, and not immediately getting turned into alien chum. We'll cover everything from customizing your Helldiver to calling in devastating orbital strikes. So buckle up, cadet, because Super Earth needs you!

Gearing Up: Creating Your Helldiver

First things first, let's get you looking the part. Character creation in Helldivers 2 is pretty straightforward, focusing on the essentials: your Helldiver's appearance and, more importantly, their backstory. While the visual customization is limited – remember, you'll mostly be seeing your Helldiver from a third-person perspective amidst explosions – the backstory selection is where you can inject a bit of personality. This doesn't impact gameplay, but it's a fun little detail that adds to the game's satirical, over-the-top militaristic vibe. Think of it as choosing your Helldiver's favorite flavor of freedom.

Once you've settled on a look and a backstory that resonates with your inner patriot, it's time to pick your ship name. This is a crucial decision, as it will be the name your friends see when you're deploying together. Choose wisely, and maybe avoid anything too embarrassing. After all, you'll be yelling for reinforcements from the ”USS Space Duck” when you're surrounded by hordes of Terminids. With your Helldiver all set, let's dive into the heart of the action and see what makes Helldivers 2 tick. This game is not just about shooting aliens; it's about teamwork, strategy, and embracing the glorious chaos of war. Get ready to learn the ropes and become a true champion of Super Earth.

Mastering the Basics: Movement and Combat

Alright, recruit, let's talk about the fundamentals of Helldivers 2. Moving around is pretty standard for a third-person shooter: WASD for movement, spacebar for vaulting, and C for crouching. But Helldivers 2 adds a layer of tactical depth with its prone system. Hitting Ctrl will drop you to the ground, making you a smaller target and improving your accuracy. This is invaluable for taking cover behind low objects or setting up ambushes. Remember, a dead Helldiver can't spread democracy!

Combat is where Helldivers 2 truly shines. Your primary weapon is your bread and butter, but don't underestimate your sidearm or grenades. Each weapon has its own strengths and weaknesses, so experiment to find what suits your playstyle. And speaking of playstyles, Helldivers 2 encourages teamwork. Coordinating your attacks with your squadmates is crucial for survival, especially on higher difficulties. Learn to communicate effectively, call out enemy positions, and cover each other's backs. A well-coordinated team can overcome even the most overwhelming odds. Moreover, keep an eye on your stamina bar. Sprinting is essential for quickly moving between cover or escaping dangerous situations, but it depletes your stamina. Manage your stamina wisely to avoid being caught out in the open and becoming an easy target. Finally, remember to reload! Nothing is worse than running out of ammo in the middle of a firefight. Get into the habit of reloading whenever you have a spare moment, even if your magazine isn't completely empty. This can save your life in a pinch.

Understanding Stratagems: Your Lifeline

Stratagems are the heart and soul of Helldivers 2. These are powerful abilities that you call in from your ship in orbit, ranging from weapon drops and support equipment to devastating orbital strikes. To call in a Stratagem, you need to input a specific sequence of button presses, almost like a cheat code. These sequences are displayed on the Stratagem selection screen, and you'll quickly memorize the ones you use most often. Mastering Stratagems is essential for success in Helldivers 2. They can turn the tide of battle in an instant, providing you with much-needed firepower, support, or tactical advantages. However, be careful when calling them in, as they can sometimes have unintended consequences. A misplaced orbital strike can easily wipe out your entire squad, so always double-check your targeting before unleashing the fury.

Essential Stratagems for Beginners

• Resupply: This Stratagem is a lifesaver, providing you and your teammates with much-needed ammo and grenades. It's essential for staying in the fight and keeping the enemy at bay.
• Eagle Airstrike: A versatile Stratagem that can be used to clear out enemy nests, destroy armored targets, or simply create a diversion. It's a great option for dealing with groups of enemies or softening up a heavily defended area.
• Orbital Gatling Barrage: This Stratagem unleashes a hail of bullets from your ship, shredding through enemy ranks. It's particularly effective against hordes of weaker enemies, providing excellent crowd control.
• Backpack: Backpacks are a type of stratagem that allows you to carry more support items, or even provide team support. It can provide extra ammo, shield, or a personal radar to scout the area.

The Galactic War: Choosing Your Battles

Helldivers 2 features a dynamic Galactic War, where players collectively fight to liberate planets from the Terminids and Automatons. You can choose which planets to deploy to, and your actions will directly impact the overall war effort. Each planet has its own set of missions, ranging from simple extermination tasks to complex objective-based operations. Completing missions earns you experience, resources, and medals, which can be used to unlock new weapons, Stratagems, and ship upgrades.

Understanding Mission Types

• Elimination Missions: These missions task you with eliminating a specific number of enemies or destroying enemy nests. They're a great way to earn experience and resources, and they're relatively straightforward, making them perfect for beginners.
• Objective-Based Missions: These missions require you to complete specific objectives, such as rescuing civilians, destroying enemy infrastructure, or collecting intel. They're more challenging than elimination missions, but they offer greater rewards.
• Defense Missions: These missions require you to defend a specific location from waves of enemies. They're a great way to test your teamwork and coordination skills, and they can be incredibly rewarding.

Contributing to the War Effort

Every mission you complete contributes to the overall war effort, pushing back the enemy and bringing Super Earth closer to victory. Keep an eye on the Galactic War map to see which planets are under attack and which ones need your help. Focus your efforts on planets that are strategically important or that offer valuable rewards. Remember, every Helldiver counts, and your contributions can make a real difference in the outcome of the war. When selecting a planet to liberate, consider the difficulty level and the potential rewards. Higher difficulty planets offer greater rewards, but they also pose a greater challenge. Choose a planet that matches your skill level and the capabilities of your squad. Also, pay attention to the active Major Orders. These are special objectives issued by Super Earth command that offer significant rewards upon completion. Completing Major Orders is a great way to earn medals and contribute to the war effort on a grand scale. Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with different weapons and Stratagems. Finding the right loadout for each mission can significantly improve your chances of success. Try out different combinations and see what works best for you and your team. The more versatile you are, the more valuable you'll be to the Helldiver cause.

Leveling Up and Progression: Becoming a Super Helldiver

As you complete missions and contribute to the war effort, you'll earn experience points, which will allow you to level up your Helldiver. Leveling up unlocks new weapons, Stratagems, and ship upgrades, making you an even more effective fighting force. Spend your resources wisely, focusing on upgrades that complement your playstyle and enhance your team's capabilities. The better your ship, the better your stratagems will become, and the more options you will have to complete the most difficult missions. Leveling up in Helldivers 2 is not just about unlocking new toys; it's about becoming a more skilled and versatile Helldiver. As you gain experience, you'll learn new tactics, develop better reflexes, and become more adept at coordinating with your team. Embrace the learning process and strive to improve with each mission. Also, pay attention to the challenges and achievements that are available in the game. Completing these challenges can earn you extra experience, resources, and medals, accelerating your progression and rewarding you for your accomplishments.

Ship Modules

Ship Modules are permanent upgrades to your ship that enhance your capabilities in various ways. They can reduce the cooldown time of Stratagems, increase the effectiveness of your weapons, or provide additional support to your team. Ship Modules are unlocked using Requisition Slips, which are earned by completing missions and contributing to the war effort. Invest in Ship Modules that complement your playstyle and enhance your team's overall effectiveness. Some essential Ship Modules to consider include the Expanded Weapons Bay, which increases the number of Stratagems you can bring on a mission, and the Vitality Enhancement, which increases your maximum health.

Weapons and Gear

Helldivers 2 features a wide array of weapons and gear, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Experiment with different loadouts to find what works best for you and your team. Some weapons are better suited for close-quarters combat, while others excel at long-range engagements. Similarly, some gear provides additional protection, while others enhance your mobility or provide tactical advantages. Consider the mission type and the enemy you'll be facing when selecting your weapons and gear. A well-chosen loadout can make all the difference in the heat of battle.

Spreading Managed Democracy: Tips and Tricks

• Teamwork is Key: Helldivers 2 is a cooperative game, and teamwork is essential for survival. Communicate with your teammates, coordinate your attacks, and cover each other's backs.
• Use Cover Wisely: The battlefield is a dangerous place, so use cover to your advantage. Hide behind objects, go prone to reduce your profile, and use the environment to flank your enemies.
• Master Stratagems: Stratagems are your lifeline in Helldivers 2. Learn the input sequences for your favorite Stratagems and use them strategically to turn the tide of battle.
• Don't Be Afraid to Die: Death is a common occurrence in Helldivers 2, so don't get discouraged when you die. Learn from your mistakes, adapt your strategy, and keep fighting for Super Earth.
• Have Fun: Helldivers 2 is a game about having fun, so don't take yourself too seriously. Embrace the chaos, laugh at your mistakes, and enjoy the ride. Just remember, no matter what happens, always fight for freedom, fight for democracy, and fight for Super Earth!

So, there you have it, future Helldivers! You're now equipped with the knowledge and skills you need to dive into the chaotic world of Helldivers 2. Remember to work together, strategize effectively, and never give up the fight for Super Earth! Now go out there and spread some managed democracy! For freedom! For democracy! For Super Earth!