Stratagems are at the heart of Helldivers 2’s tactical gameplay. Whether you’re deploying powerful airstrikes, defensive turrets, or supply drops, knowing how to effectively use your stratagems can make the difference between a flawless mission and a total wipeout. In this guide, we’ll break down the best ways to maximize their impact and get the most out of every deployment.
Understanding Stratagems
Before diving into strategies, it’s important to understand what stratagems are. Each player can equip a set of stratagems before a mission, and these tools provide a variety of offensive, defensive, and support functions. Unlike regular weapons, stratagems often have cooldowns or limited uses, which makes timing and placement crucial.
Choosing the Right Loadout
Not all stratagems are created equal, and your loadout should complement your squad and mission type. For example, if you’re tackling a Hive World mission, defensive turrets and automated mines can give your team breathing room against swarms. On the other hand, offensive-oriented missions benefit from airstrikes or heavy ordnance that can quickly eliminate groups of enemies.
Consider experimenting with combinations of offensive and defensive tools. A well-placed supply drop can keep your squad stocked with ammo or healing items, especially during prolonged engagements. If you’re looking to accelerate your progress, some players choose to buy helldivers 2 items from in-game shops to unlock specific stratagems more quickly, but these purchases are optional and not required to succeed.
Timing and Placement
Even the most powerful stratagems can fail if used at the wrong moment. Timing is everything. Deploy defensive turrets just before an enemy wave arrives to maximize coverage, and don’t waste airstrikes on already-cleared areas. Additionally, positioning is key—placing support items in choke points or high-traffic areas often yields the best results.
Coordinating with Your Squad
Stratagems shine in coordinated play. Communicate with your squad to avoid overlapping abilities or wasting cooldowns. For instance, if one player deploys a turret, another can provide cover fire while a teammate uses a healing drop. This synergy ensures that your team remains effective even in chaotic situations.
Experiment and Adapt
Every mission in Helldivers 2 can present unexpected challenges. Don’t be afraid to adjust your stratagems based on what you encounter. Observing which tools are most effective against certain enemy types or environmental hazards can significantly improve your success rate. Some players also find it convenient to buy helldivers 2 medals to quickly access specific gear or stratagem upgrades, but careful resource management often pays off just as well.
Final Tips
Keep an eye on your cooldowns and plan deployments ahead of time.
Use stratagems to control space, not just deal damage.
Coordinate with your squad to ensure maximum efficiency.
Experiment with different combinations to discover what works best for your playstyle.
Mastering stratagems in Helldivers 2 is about more than just having powerful tools—it’s about knowing when and where to use them. By refining your loadouts, timing, and coordination, you’ll not only survive tougher missions but also enjoy the strategic depth that makes this game so rewarding.
