Helldivers 2: Illuminate Invasion - How To Beat Them

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Helldivers 2: Illuminate Invasion - How to Beat Them

Hey Helldivers! Ready to dive deep into the chaos of the Illuminate invasion in Helldivers 2? These tricky aliens are known for their mind games and advanced tech, making them a real challenge for even the most seasoned veterans. But don't worry, this guide will break down everything you need to know to send those glowing baddies back to where they came from.

Understanding the Illuminate Threat

Before we jump into tactics, let's get to know our enemy. The Illuminate are a highly advanced alien race that relies heavily on psionic abilities and technological warfare. Unlike the bugs' brute force or the Automatons' raw firepower, the Illuminate specialize in deception, teleportation, and energy shields. This makes them a unique and often frustrating opponent to deal with.

Key Illuminate Units

  • Illuminator: These are your basic foot soldiers, but don't underestimate them. They can teleport short distances and fire energy projectiles.
  • Observer: These floating units project energy shields that protect other Illuminate, making them a priority target.
  • Hound: Fast-moving melee units that can close the distance quickly and overwhelm you.
  • Stalker: Cloaked units that can turn invisible, making them difficult to spot. They often flank and ambush unsuspecting Helldivers.
  • Council Member: High-ranking units with powerful psionic abilities. They can summon energy waves and teleport frequently.
  • Illusionist: One of the most annoying units, the Illusionist can create clones of itself and other Illuminate, making it hard to tell who the real target is. Focus fire and area-of-effect weapons are your best bet here.
  • Shield Generator: Stationary structures that project large energy shields, protecting entire bases. These need to be destroyed to weaken the Illuminate defenses.

Illuminate Tactics

The Illuminate are masters of deception and misdirection. They use teleportation to reposition quickly, flank your squad, and evade your attacks. Their energy shields can absorb a significant amount of damage, making it difficult to take them down with conventional weapons. They also rely heavily on crowd control, using psionic abilities to stun, slow, or even mind control Helldivers. Be prepared to adapt your tactics and stay on your toes when fighting the Illuminate.

Gear Up: Essential Stratagems and Loadouts

Choosing the right gear is crucial for success against the Illuminate. Here are some essential stratagems and loadouts that will give you an edge in combat:

Must-Have Stratagems

  • Orbital Railcannon Strike: This is your go-to stratagem for dealing with heavily armored targets like Council Members and Shield Generators. The Railcannon Strike can penetrate energy shields and deliver a devastating blow.
  • Eagle Airstrike: A versatile stratagem that can be used to clear out groups of enemies or destroy Illuminate structures. The Eagle Airstrike is particularly effective against Illusionists and their clones.
  • Shield Generator Pack: This backpack provides a personal energy shield that can absorb a significant amount of damage. It's especially useful for protecting yourself against Illuminate energy projectiles and melee attacks.
  • Supply Pack: Staying stocked on ammo and grenades is essential for prolonged engagements. The Supply Pack ensures that you and your squadmates have the resources you need to keep fighting.
  • EMS Mortar Sentry: While the Illuminate like to move quickly, the EMS Mortar Sentry can slow them down. It launches grenades that create an electrical field, slowing any enemies that pass through it. This is a great way to control the battlefield and give your team an advantage.
  • Jump Pack: The Jump Pack is your ticket to freedom when dealing with Illuminate traps and tight spots. Use it to hop over obstacles, escape enemy encirclements, or get a better vantage point on the battlefield.

Recommended Loadouts

  • The Crowd Controller: Breaker shotgun, Redeemer pistol, Impact grenade. Stratagems: Eagle Airstrike, EMS Mortar Sentry, Supply Pack, Shield Generator Pack. This loadout is designed for clearing out groups of enemies and controlling the battlefield.
  • The Anti-Armor Specialist: Railgun, Redeemer pistol, Incendiary grenade. Stratagems: Orbital Railcannon Strike, Eagle Airstrike, Supply Pack, Shield Generator Pack. This loadout is focused on taking down heavily armored targets and destroying Illuminate structures.
  • The Support Role: Liberator assault rifle, Redeemer pistol, Smoke grenade. Stratagems: Shield Generator Pack, Jump Pack, Supply Pack, EMS Mortar Sentry. This loadout is geared towards providing support to your team, protecting them with shields, and controlling enemy movement.

Tactics and Strategies for Victory

Now that you're geared up and ready to go, let's dive into some specific tactics and strategies for defeating the Illuminate:

Prioritize Targets

When facing the Illuminate, it's crucial to prioritize your targets. Focus on taking down the units that pose the biggest threat to your squad, such as Observers, Council Members, and Illusionists. Eliminating these units will significantly weaken the Illuminate defenses and make it easier to deal with the remaining enemies.

Stay Mobile

The Illuminate are masters of teleportation and flanking maneuvers. To avoid getting caught off guard, it's important to stay mobile and constantly reposition yourself. Use cover to your advantage and be aware of your surroundings. If you see an Illuminate teleporting nearby, be ready to react quickly.

Use Area-of-Effect Weapons

The Illuminate often clump together in groups, making them vulnerable to area-of-effect weapons. Grenades, airstrikes, and other explosive stratagems can be highly effective at clearing out these groups and dealing significant damage to multiple enemies at once. Don't be afraid to use your explosives liberally when fighting the Illuminate.

Exploit Weaknesses

Every enemy has its weaknesses, and the Illuminate are no exception. For example, their energy shields can be bypassed by certain weapons and stratagems, such as the Railcannon Strike. Additionally, they are vulnerable to fire damage, so incendiary grenades and flamethrowers can be highly effective. Experiment with different weapons and stratagems to find what works best against each type of Illuminate unit.

Communicate and Coordinate

Communication and coordination are essential for success in Helldivers 2, especially when fighting the Illuminate. Make sure to communicate with your squadmates about enemy positions, target priorities, and incoming threats. Coordinate your attacks and stratagems to maximize their effectiveness. A well-coordinated squad can overcome even the most challenging Illuminate encounters.

Dealing with Specific Threats

  • Illusionists: Focus fire on the clones until you find the real one, or use area-of-effect attacks to damage them all. The real Illusionist will take damage, while the clones will disappear.
  • Stalkers: Stay close together and use weapons with high rates of fire to quickly eliminate them when they decloak. A well-placed airstrike can also take out a group of Stalkers.
  • Shield Generators: Use the Orbital Railcannon Strike or other armor-piercing weapons to destroy them quickly. Once the Shield Generator is down, the Illuminate defenses will be significantly weakened.

Illuminate Invasion: Mission Types and Objectives

During the Illuminate invasion, you'll encounter a variety of mission types and objectives. Here's a breakdown of some of the most common ones:

  • Eliminate Illuminate Forces: These missions require you to eliminate all Illuminate enemies in a specific area. This is a straightforward objective, but be prepared for heavy resistance.
  • Destroy Illuminate Structures: These missions task you with destroying Illuminate buildings and installations, such as Shield Generators and communication relays. These structures are often heavily defended, so bring your best anti-armor weapons.
  • Retrieve Data: These missions involve retrieving valuable data from Illuminate terminals. Be prepared for ambushes and enemy reinforcements while you're hacking the terminals.
  • Defend Objectives: These missions require you to defend a specific location or asset from Illuminate attacks. Coordinate with your squadmates to create a strong defensive perimeter and repel the enemy assault.

General Tips for Fighting the Illuminate

  • Stay Alert: The Illuminate are masters of surprise attacks. Always be aware of your surroundings and watch out for teleporting enemies and cloaked Stalkers.
  • Use Cover: The Illuminate rely heavily on energy projectiles, so use cover to protect yourself from incoming fire. Rocks, trees, and buildings can all provide valuable cover.
  • Conserve Ammo: Ammo can be scarce on higher difficulty missions, so conserve your ammo and use it wisely. Switch to your secondary weapon when appropriate and don't waste shots on enemies that are behind cover.
  • Adapt Your Strategy: The Illuminate are a highly adaptable enemy, so be prepared to adjust your strategy on the fly. If a particular tactic isn't working, try something different. Don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.
  • Don't Give Up: The Illuminate can be a challenging enemy to fight, but don't give up! With the right gear, tactics, and teamwork, you can overcome any obstacle and emerge victorious.

Conclusion: Triumph Over the Illuminate!

So there you have it, Helldivers! With this guide, you're now well-equipped to face the Illuminate invasion head-on. Remember to prioritize targets, stay mobile, use area-of-effect weapons, and communicate with your squadmates. By following these tips and strategies, you'll be able to defeat the Illuminate and bring peace to Super Earth once again. Now get out there and show those glowing aliens what you're made of! For Super Earth!