Helldivers 2: Illuminate Enemy Guide

Dive into the world of Helldivers 2 and prepare to face the Illuminate, one of the game's most challenging factions. This comprehensive guide will arm you with the knowledge you need to identify, understand, and effectively combat these technologically advanced adversaries. From their basic units to their most formidable war machines, we'll cover everything you need to know to spread managed democracy across the galaxy!

Understanding the Illuminate

The Illuminate are an enigmatic and highly advanced alien race in Helldivers 2, presenting a stark contrast to the more brute-force tactics of the Terminids and Automatons. Their strategies revolve around psychic warfare, energy shields, and teleportation technology, making them a formidable foe on the battlefield. Unlike the other factions, the Illuminate favor precision and technological superiority over sheer numbers. Understanding their unique capabilities and weaknesses is crucial for any Helldiver looking to survive encounters with this cunning enemy. Before diving into the specifics of each unit, let's establish some general strategies that will help you in any engagement against the Illuminate. Knowing is half the battle, and when it comes to the Illuminate, that saying couldn't be more true.

General Strategies for Fighting the Illuminate

When going up against the Illuminate, some core strategies will drastically improve your survival rate. First and foremost, awareness is key. The Illuminate's teleportation abilities mean they can appear almost anywhere, so keep your head on a swivel and constantly scan your surroundings. Communication with your team is also crucial. Call out enemy positions, especially when they teleport or use cloaking devices. A coordinated team can quickly adapt to the Illuminate's movements and prevent being caught off guard. Secondly, utilize cover effectively. The Illuminate's ranged attacks can be devastating, so use terrain to your advantage. Buildings, rocks, and even craters can provide vital protection. Be mindful that some Illuminate units can bypass cover with their teleportation abilities, so don't stay in one place for too long. Thirdly, exploit their weaknesses. While the Illuminate are technologically advanced, they are not invincible. Their energy shields can be broken with sustained fire, and their teleportation abilities can be disrupted with certain stratagems. Focus fire on key targets, such as the Illuminate Obelisk, to disable their shield networks and weaken their defenses. Lastly, consider your loadout carefully. Weapons with high armor penetration are effective against shielded enemies, and stratagems that can disrupt teleportation or provide area denial can be invaluable. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you and your team. Remember, Helldivers, adaptability is your greatest asset in the fight for Super Earth.

Illuminate Enemy Types

The Illuminate faction boasts a diverse roster of units, each with unique abilities and roles on the battlefield. Recognizing and understanding these enemy types is essential for developing effective counter-strategies. From the lowly Squires to the imposing Illusionists and powerful Obelisks, each unit presents a different challenge that requires a specific approach. Let's delve into the details of each Illuminate enemy type, exploring their strengths, weaknesses, and the best tactics for dealing with them.

Squire

The Squire is the basic grunt unit of the Illuminate forces. These small, agile enemies are typically encountered in groups and can be a nuisance due to their ability to teleport short distances. They are armed with a weak energy weapon, but their real strength lies in their numbers and mobility. Squires will often attempt to flank your position, so it's important to stay aware of your surroundings and avoid being surrounded. They are relatively fragile, so a few well-placed shots from any weapon can easily dispatch them. Grenades and shotguns are particularly effective against groups of Squires. Don't underestimate them, though; a swarm of Squires can quickly overwhelm an unprepared Helldiver. Treat them as a priority target to prevent them from disrupting your formation and focus on the more dangerous Illuminate units.

Tripod

The Tripod is a more heavily armored Illuminate unit that serves as a medium-range support platform. As their name says, they walk with the aid of three legs. They are equipped with a powerful energy cannon that can inflict significant damage, especially at medium range. Tripods are often deployed in pairs or small groups, providing fire support for other Illuminate units. Their armor makes them more resilient than Squires, so you'll need to focus your fire to take them down. Weapons with armor penetration are particularly effective against Tripods. Their slow movement speed is a weakness that can be exploited. Use cover to your advantage and flank them whenever possible. Stratagems like the Orbital Laser or Eagle Airstrike can quickly eliminate Tripods from a distance. Be cautious of their energy cannon, as it can quickly shred through your armor if you're caught in the open.

Observer

The Observer is a specialized Illuminate unit that fulfills a support role on the battlefield. They are equipped with a powerful detection array that can reveal cloaked Helldivers and disrupt radar. Observers are typically positioned in the rear of enemy formations, providing valuable intelligence to their allies. While they are not heavily armed, their ability to detect and disrupt makes them a high-priority target. Taking out Observers can significantly improve your team's stealth capabilities and reduce the effectiveness of Illuminate ambushes. Focus fire on Observers whenever they are detected, and use stratagems like the Orbital EMS Strike to temporarily disable their detection capabilities. Be aware that Observers can teleport short distances to reposition themselves, so stay vigilant and track their movements.

Illusionist

The Illusionist is one of the most dangerous and challenging Illuminate units. They possess the ability to create illusory copies of themselves, making it difficult to distinguish the real Illusionist from its decoys. These illusions can confuse and disorient Helldivers, allowing the real Illusionist to flank or attack from unexpected angles. Illusionists are also armed with a potent energy weapon, capable of inflicting heavy damage. The key to defeating Illusionists is to identify the real one. The decoys typically disappear after taking a small amount of damage, while the real Illusionist can withstand more punishment. Focus your fire on the suspected Illusionist, and watch for the decoys to dissipate. Once the real Illusionist is revealed, unleash your full firepower to take it down quickly. Stratagems that can target multiple enemies simultaneously, such as the Eagle Cluster Bomb, can be effective at clearing out the decoys and revealing the real Illusionist. Be prepared for a chaotic and disorienting encounter when facing Illusionists.

Council Member

The Council Member is a heavily armored Illuminate unit that serves as a commander on the battlefield. They are equipped with a powerful energy shield and a devastating energy weapon, making them a formidable opponent. Council Members are typically surrounded by other Illuminate units, providing leadership and coordination. Breaking through their energy shield is the first step to taking them down. Weapons with high armor penetration, such as the Railgun or Anti-Material Rifle, are particularly effective against Council Members. Once the shield is down, focus your fire on the Council Member's head or other weak points. Stratagems like the Orbital Laser or Eagle Airstrike can quickly eliminate Council Members from a distance, but be mindful of their energy shield. Be prepared for a tough fight when facing Council Members, as they are one of the most resilient and dangerous Illuminate units.

Obelisk

The Obelisk is a stationary Illuminate structure that serves as a shield generator and communications hub. They project a powerful energy shield that protects nearby Illuminate units, making them much more difficult to kill. Obelisks are typically located in fortified positions, surrounded by other Illuminate defenses. Destroying an Obelisk will disable the shield network in its vicinity, making it much easier to engage the Illuminate forces. Focus your fire on the Obelisk, using weapons with high armor penetration to break through its defenses. Stratagems like the Orbital Railcannon Strike or Eagle 500kg Bomb can quickly destroy Obelisks from a distance. Be aware that Obelisks are often heavily defended, so coordinate your attacks with your team and utilize cover effectively. Taking down Obelisks is a crucial step in weakening the Illuminate's defenses and gaining an advantage on the battlefield.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of war against the Illuminate in Helldivers 2 requires a deep understanding of their units, tactics, and weaknesses. By implementing the strategies and knowledge outlined in this guide, you'll be well-equipped to face this challenging faction and emerge victorious. Remember, Helldivers, cooperation, communication, and adaptability are key to spreading managed democracy across the galaxy. Now go forth and liberate those planets from the alien menace! For Super Earth!