Helldivers 2: Beginner's Guide & Intro Tutorial

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Helldivers 2: Beginner's Guide & Intro Tutorial

So, you're ready to dive headfirst into the chaotic, bug-splattering, robot-dismantling world of Helldivers 2? Awesome! But before you start spreading managed democracy across the galaxy, let's get you prepped with this introductory tutorial and beginner's guide. This is your crash course on surviving the initial onslaught and becoming a valuable asset to the Helldivers. Forget everything you think you know about cooperative shooters; Helldivers 2 is a different beast, and this guide will give you the essential knowledge to not just survive, but thrive. We’ll cover everything from basic movement and combat to understanding Stratagems and navigating the Galactic War map. Consider this your launchpad to becoming a legendary Helldiver! We're going to break down everything you need to know to get started, from customizing your Helldiver to understanding the importance of teamwork. By the end of this, you'll be ready to jump into the action and contribute to the fight for Super Earth!

Creating Your Helldiver and Understanding the Basics

First things first, let's get your Helldiver looking sharp! The character creation process in Helldivers 2 is pretty straightforward, but it's your chance to add a little personal flair before you're encased in armor. Don't worry too much about min-maxing stats here; it's all about aesthetics. Once you're happy with your Helldiver's appearance, it's time to dive into the basics.

  • Movement: Mastering movement is key to survival. You can run, sprint, dive (which is incredibly useful for dodging enemy attacks), and even crawl. Experiment with different movement techniques to find what works best for you in various situations.
  • Combat: Combat in Helldivers 2 is all about precision and teamwork. You'll have access to a variety of weapons, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Learn the recoil patterns of your weapons and aim for weak spots to maximize your damage output. Remember, friendly fire is a constant threat, so be mindful of your teammates' positions before unleashing a hail of bullets. When aiming, take your time! Accuracy is king in Helldivers 2, especially when dealing with heavily armored enemies. Burst fire is often more effective than holding down the trigger, as it allows you to maintain control and conserve ammunition. Also, don't forget to utilize your grenades! They can be incredibly useful for clearing out groups of enemies or dealing with heavily armored targets.
  • The Galactic War Map: This is where you'll choose your missions and contribute to the overall war effort. Each planet represents a different front in the war, and completing missions on a planet contributes to liberating it. Liberating planets unlocks new content and resources, so it's important to coordinate with the community and focus on key objectives. Pay attention to the percentages displayed on each planet; these indicate the progress towards liberation or, conversely, the enemy's progress towards taking over the planet. Participating in major order operations are crucial, as they often offer significant rewards and push the war effort forward dramatically. Understanding the Galactic War Map is essential for contributing effectively to the Helldivers 2 community. It allows you to strategically choose missions that align with the overall war effort and maximize your impact on the battlefield. Remember, every mission counts, and even seemingly small contributions can make a difference in the long run. Communicate with your fellow Helldivers, coordinate your efforts, and work together to push back the enemy and secure victory for Super Earth.

Understanding Stratagems: Your Lifeline

Stratagems are your secret weapons in Helldivers 2. These are powerful abilities and tools that you can call in from your ship to aid you in combat. From orbital bombardments to supply drops, Stratagems can turn the tide of battle. But here's the catch: you need to input a specific sequence of directional commands (using the D-pad) to call them in. Memorizing these sequences is crucial, especially when you're under pressure.

  • How to Use Stratagems: To call in a Stratagem, hold the L1 button (on PlayStation) or the corresponding button on your PC controller to bring up the Stratagem menu. Then, input the sequence of directional commands displayed for the Stratagem you want to use. Finally, throw the Stratagem beacon to the designated location. Be careful where you throw it, as Stratagems can affect both enemies and allies.
  • Essential Stratagems for Beginners:
    • Eagle Airstrike: A versatile Stratagem that allows you to call in a precision airstrike on a targeted area. It's great for clearing out groups of enemies or dealing with heavily armored targets.
    • Orbital Gatling Barrage: Unleashes a barrage of rapid-fire Gatling rounds from orbit, shredding through enemies in a wide area. It's perfect for crowd control and suppressing enemy fire.
    • Supply Drop: Calls in a supply pod containing ammunition, grenades, and stims. It's essential for keeping your team stocked up on resources during long missions.
    • Machine Gun: Provides you with a powerful, rapid-firing machine gun that can quickly dispatch enemies. It's a great option for both offense and defense.
    • Backpack: Provides you with a backpack that you can take into battle. It's a great option if you want more support items to take into missions.
  • Stratagem Tips:
    • Memorize the codes: Practice inputting the Stratagem codes until you can do it without looking. This will save you precious seconds in the heat of battle.
    • Communicate with your team: Let your teammates know which Stratagems you're planning to use so they can coordinate their attacks accordingly.
    • Be mindful of friendly fire: Stratagems can affect both enemies and allies, so be careful where you throw them.
    • Experiment with different Stratagems: Find the Stratagems that best suit your playstyle and the needs of your team.
    • Unlock new Stratagems: As you level up, you'll unlock new and more powerful Stratagems. Be sure to check the Ship Management terminal regularly to see what's available.

Teamwork is Key to Victory

Helldivers 2 is not a game you can easily solo. Teamwork is absolutely essential for survival and success. Communicating with your teammates, coordinating your attacks, and supporting each other are all crucial elements of a successful Helldivers squad. Here's why teamwork is so important:

  • Friendly Fire: As mentioned earlier, friendly fire is a constant threat in Helldivers 2. Being aware of your teammates' positions and coordinating your attacks will help you avoid accidentally killing each other.

  • Enemy Variety: Helldivers 2 features a wide variety of enemies, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Working together allows you to effectively counter different enemy types and adapt to changing battlefield conditions.

  • Objective Completion: Many missions in Helldivers 2 require teamwork to complete. Coordinating your efforts and assigning roles to different players will help you achieve your objectives more efficiently.

  • Reviving Fallen Teammates: When a Helldiver falls in battle, their teammates can revive them. Reviving fallen teammates is crucial for maintaining momentum and ensuring the survival of the squad. Don't be afraid to dive into the line of fire to save a teammate – it's what a true Helldiver would do!

  • Sharing Resources: Ammunition and other resources are often scarce in Helldivers 2. Sharing resources with your teammates will help ensure that everyone has what they need to stay in the fight. If you see a teammate running low on ammo, be sure to toss them a supply drop.

  • Communication is Paramount: Use the in-game voice chat or text chat to communicate with your teammates. Coordinate your attacks, call out enemy positions, and let each other know when you need help. Even simple callouts like "Bug breach on my position!" or "Need ammo!" can make a huge difference.

  • Stick Together: Wandering off on your own is a surefire way to get killed in Helldivers 2. Stick with your team and support each other. There's strength in numbers, and you're much more likely to survive if you're working together.

  • Coordinate Stratagems: Coordinate your Stratagem usage to maximize their effectiveness. For example, you could have one player call in an airstrike while another player provides cover fire. Timing is everything, so communicate with your teammates to ensure that your Stratagems are used effectively.

Tips and Tricks for New Helldivers

Alright, recruits, listen up! Here are some extra tips and tricks to help you survive the horrors of the battlefield and become a true asset to Super Earth:

  • Dive, Dive, Dive!: Seriously, the dive move is your best friend. It can be used to dodge enemy attacks, quickly close the distance to cover, and even put out fires if you're set ablaze. Master the art of the dive and you'll be much harder to kill.
  • Use the Terrain to Your Advantage: Helldivers 2's environments are full of opportunities to use the terrain to your advantage. Take cover behind rocks and trees, use hills to gain a height advantage, and funnel enemies into chokepoints. A smart Helldiver is a deadlier Helldiver.
  • Conserve Ammunition: Ammunition is a precious resource in Helldivers 2, so don't waste it. Use burst fire instead of holding down the trigger, aim for weak spots, and utilize your grenades and Stratagems to conserve ammo. If you're running low, call in a supply drop or ask your teammates for help.
  • Don't Be Afraid to Retreat: Sometimes, the best course of action is to retreat and regroup. If you're outnumbered and outgunned, don't be afraid to fall back to a safer location and call in reinforcements. There's no shame in running away to fight another day.
  • Learn Enemy Weaknesses: Each enemy type in Helldivers 2 has its own strengths and weaknesses. Learning these weaknesses will help you dispatch enemies more efficiently. For example, the Bile Spewers are vulnerable to attacks to their swollen abdomens, while the Chargers are weak to attacks to their exposed legs.
  • Experiment with Different Loadouts: Don't be afraid to experiment with different weapons, Stratagems, and armor perks to find what works best for you. There's no one-size-fits-all loadout in Helldivers 2, so find what suits your playstyle and the needs of your team.
  • Complete Daily Orders and Operations: Daily Orders and Operations are special missions that offer bonus rewards. Completing these missions is a great way to earn extra Requisition Slips and Medals, which can be used to unlock new weapons, Stratagems, and armor.
  • Have Fun!: Helldivers 2 is a challenging but rewarding game. Don't get discouraged if you die a lot, and remember to have fun! Embrace the chaos, laugh at the absurdity, and enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow Helldivers. After all, you're fighting for Super Earth!

Final Thoughts

Helldivers 2 is an intense, hilarious, and incredibly rewarding cooperative shooter. By following this guide and practicing these tips, you'll be well on your way to becoming a seasoned Helldiver and contributing to the defense of Super Earth. Now get out there, spread some managed democracy, and show those bugs and bots what you're made of! Remember to always prioritize teamwork, communicate effectively, and never give up the fight. Super Earth is counting on you!