Quick Links
The Illuminate in Helldivers 2 are a tough nut to crack. Their advanced tech and sheer numbers can quickly overwhelm players. While you're battling their light infantry, elite units will be swarming you from the ground and air. Success hinges on smart loadouts that exploit their weaknesses while mitigating their strengths. The key is finding the right balance of weapons and stratagems to handle both their lighter and heavier units – neglecting either will leave you vulnerable.
This guide details top-tier loadouts specifically designed to conquer the Illuminate. Whether you're a veteran or just starting out, these strategies will significantly boost your effectiveness against this challenging new faction. Let's dive in!
The Laser Cannon Loadout: Melting the Illuminate
| Primary | PLAS-1 Scorcher / PLAS-101 Purifier |
|---|---|
| Secondary | GP-31 Grenade Pistol |
| Grenade | G-13 Incendiary Impact |
| Armor Passive | Siege-Ready |
| Stratagems | LAS-98 Laser Cannon (Support) AX/AR-23 "Guard Dog" Eagle Strafing Run A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry / Orbital Laser |
The PLAS-1 Scorcher and PLAS-101 Purifier are top-tier primary weapons in Helldivers 2. They're incredibly effective against Overseers, including the airborne Elevated units, and are equally devastating against the Voteless. Whether you choose the Scorcher or Purifier, the Siege-Ready armor passive provides ample ammo and quick reloads, ensuring you're always ready for multiple targets. The increased DPS is invaluable when every shot counts.
The Eagle Strafing Run and GP-31 Grenade Pistol combo is perfect for destroying parked warp ships. Energy weapons struggle against their shields, but a single Strafing Run obliterates them, leaving you to toss a grenade into the open bay doors for an explosion. This is especially useful against larger Illuminate nests requiring the destruction of multiple ships. While the G-13 Incendiary Impact works here too, it's better suited for clearing chaff, so save it for when the Grenade Pistol isn't ideal.
The AX/AR-23 "Guard Dog" surprisingly excels against medium-armored Overseers. Each burst takes down a single elite unit, making it a great flanking tool against the Illuminate.
The A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry secures areas during objective defense. If crowd control isn't paramount, replace it with an Orbital Laser to target Harvesters or future heavier units.
Finally, the LAS-98 Laser Cannon rounds out this loadout. It melts Overseers and chaff in seconds and is excellent against Harvesters. Use a Strafing Run to weaken their shields, then laser their weak points (thighs/eyes). A single clip is usually enough with accurate aim. Its massive range allows for long-distance targeting.
On higher difficulties (levels 9 or 10) with multiple Harvesters, the Orbital Laser becomes essential.
The Lightning Loadout: Shocking (& Staggering) the Illuminate
| Primary | ARC-12 Blitzer |
|---|---|
| Secondary | GP-31 Grenade Pistol |
| Grenade | G-13 Incendiary Impact |
| Armor Passive | Electrical Conduit / Med-Kit |
| Stratagems | ARC-3 Arc Thrower (Support) Orbital Railcannon Strike / Orbital Laser Eagle Strafing Run A/ARC-3 Tesla Tower |
The Illuminate's mix of melee and ranged units makes the ARC-12 Blitzer and ARC-3 Arc Thrower ideal. Both handle chaff easily, but the Arc Thrower excels against Overseers, stunning them with chained lightning arcs. Repeated attacks can perma-stun airborne Overseers.
The Arc Thrower can also take down unshielded Harvesters, albeit requiring multiple hits.
The A/ARC-3 Tesla Tower is highly effective against all Illuminate types, particularly groups of flying Overseers. Its consistent crowd control and disruption make managing large waves easier. Combined with the Arc Thrower's chained lightning, you can lock down an area. Prioritize enemies with the Arc Thrower to protect your Tesla Tower.
Remember, Harvesters often target sentries, so don't waste them unless engaged.
The Eagle Strafing Run and Grenade Pistol remain crucial for warp ship destruction, as the Blitzer and Arc Thrower are inefficient against their shields.
For heavies, the Orbital Railcannon Strike is excellent due to unlimited uses. The Orbital Laser is effective against multiple Harvesters, but its limited uses necessitate reliance on teammates. Remember to use a Strafing Run to disable their shields first. This is a powerful build, especially with coordinated teammates.
The Machine Gun Loadout: Shredding the Illuminate
| Primary | StA-52 Assault Rifle |
|---|---|
| Secondary | GP-31 Grenade Pistol / CQC-19 Stun Lance |
| Grenade | G-13 Incendiary Impact |
| Armor Passive | Peak Physique / Engineering Kit |
| Stratagems | MG-43 Machine Gun (Support) LIFT-850 Jump Pack Orbital Railcannon Strike / Orbital Laser A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry / A/G-16 Gatling Sentry |
The MG-43 Machine Gun is incredibly versatile against the Illuminate. It shreds light and medium enemies, and even Harvesters. Compared to the MG-206, it's easier to handle and dispatches infantry faster. It's a true all-rounder. Pair it with the Engineering Kit to reduce recoil or Peak Physique to reduce drag for easier targeting of airborne units.
Its high fire rate effectively depletes shields, eliminating the need for Eagle Strafing Run against grounded warp ships. Choose either turret sentry to disperse crowds or defend objectives.
Its only drawback is the stationary reload animation. The LIFT-850 Jump Pack solves this, allowing quick repositioning.
While the Machine Gun handles Harvesters well (aim for weak points), an Orbital stratagem is helpful against multiple heavies. The Orbital Laser handles two to three shielded Harvesters at once, while the Railcannon Strike is only effective against unshielded ones.
For the primary weapon, the StA-52 Assault Rifle (from the Killzone 2 crossover) offers sustained fire and good damage.
