Helldivers 2: Best Weapons To Crush The Illuminate!

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Helldivers 2: Best Weapons to Crush the Illuminate!

So, you're gearing up to face the Illuminate in Helldivers 2, huh? Smart move, Helldiver! These sneaky aliens with their advanced tech can be a real pain if you're not prepared. But fear not, because we're diving deep into the arsenal to uncover the best weapons and strategies to send those glowing baddies packing. Let's get started!

Understanding the Illuminate Threat

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of weapon selection, let's talk about what makes the Illuminate such a formidable foe. Unlike the Bugs or the Automatons, the Illuminate rely heavily on psychic powers, illusions, and advanced weaponry. They can teleport, create clones of themselves, and unleash devastating energy attacks. This means you'll need a loadout that can handle both their trickery and their firepower.

Here's a quick rundown of what to expect:

  • Illusions: The Illuminate love to mess with your perception, creating fake targets and decoys to confuse you. Staying alert and communicating with your team is key to cutting through the deception.
  • Teleportation: These guys are slippery! They can teleport short distances to evade your attacks and reposition themselves, making them hard to pin down.
  • Energy Shields: Many Illuminate units are equipped with energy shields that can deflect standard ballistic weapons. You'll need weapons that can bypass or disrupt these shields.
  • Psionic Attacks: Be wary of their mind-bending powers! Some Illuminate units can unleash psionic attacks that can stun, disorient, or even mind control you.

Understanding these threats is the first step in choosing the right weapons for the job. Now, let's dive into the armory and find the perfect tools to turn the tide against the Illuminate.

Top Weapon Choices Against the Illuminate

Alright, Helldivers, let's get down to brass tacks. When it comes to fighting the Illuminate, you need weapons that can punch through their shields, disrupt their illusions, and keep them from teleporting all over the place. Here are some of the top weapon choices that will give you a serious edge in the fight:

Primary Weapons

When selecting your primary weapon against the Illuminate, consider factors such as fire rate, accuracy, and armor penetration. Given their penchant for energy shields and teleportation, weapons that can deliver sustained damage or disrupt their movement are invaluable. The key is to maintain sustained pressure and avoid giving them the opportunity to regroup or flank your position. Here are a few standout options:

  • PLAS-1 Scorcher: This plasma rifle is a fantastic all-around choice against the Illuminate. Its plasma projectiles deal high damage and can easily melt through their energy shields. The Scorcher is especially effective against groups of enemies, as the plasma rounds can explode and deal area-of-effect damage. Its also excellent at stripping armor from the heavier units. If you are accurate, a single, well-placed shot can eliminate weaker enemies or disable key components on larger foes, significantly reducing their combat effectiveness. Just be mindful of the Scorcher's limited ammo capacity, so make every shot count!. It's great for both close and medium-range engagements, making it a versatile option for any mission.
  • LAS-5 Scythe: The Scythe is a laser rifle that offers unlimited ammo, making it perfect for sustained engagements against the Illuminate. While it may not have the raw stopping power of some other weapons, the Scythe's consistent damage output and lack of reload times make it ideal for wearing down enemy shields and keeping them suppressed. Moreover, it excels in situations where ammunition is scarce or when facing waves of enemies, allowing you to maintain continuous fire without the need to scavenge for resupplies. Its sustained beam is particularly effective against teleporting enemies, as it allows you to track their movements and maintain a lock on them, preventing them from evading your attacks.
  • SG-8 Punisher: While shotguns might not be the first thing that comes to mind when fighting the Illuminate, the Punisher can be surprisingly effective. Its high damage per shot and wide spread make it great for dealing with groups of enemies at close range. Plus, the Punisher's rounds can stagger enemies, disrupting their teleportation and psionic attacks. It's a particularly good choice for clearing out buildings or defending a position. Its stopping power can disrupt enemy formations and create openings for your team to exploit. However, keep in mind that the Punisher's effectiveness drops off at longer ranges, so you'll need to get up close and personal to make the most of it.

Support Weapons

Support weapons can provide crucial firepower and utility against the Illuminate, allowing you to control the battlefield and support your team. Weapons that offer armor penetration, crowd control, or long-range support are particularly valuable. Given the Illuminate's reliance on energy shields and teleportation, having the ability to disrupt their defenses and movement is essential for victory. Here are some standout support weapon choices:

  • GR-84 Recoilless Rifle: This shoulder-fired rocket launcher is a powerhouse against heavily armored Illuminate units. Its rockets deal massive damage and can easily one-shot most enemies. The Recoilless Rifle is especially effective against Illuminate tanks and other heavily armored vehicles. Its sheer destructive force can quickly eliminate high-priority targets and turn the tide of battle in your favor. However, keep in mind that the Recoilless Rifle requires a teammate to reload it, so you'll need to coordinate with your squad to maximize its effectiveness. This weapon also has a significant blast radius, so be mindful of friendly fire when engaging enemies at close range.
  • EAT-17 Expendable Anti-Tank: If you're looking for a disposable but powerful anti-armor solution, the EAT-17 is an excellent choice. This single-shot rocket launcher can take out even the toughest Illuminate units with a well-placed shot. The EAT-17 is particularly useful for dealing with sudden threats or for quickly eliminating high-value targets. Its ease of use and readily available supply make it a versatile option for any mission. While it lacks the sustained firepower of the Recoilless Rifle, the EAT-17's portability and one-shot kill potential make it a valuable asset in any Helldiver's arsenal. Just remember that once you fire it, it's gone, so make your shot count!
  • Arc Thrower: The Arc Thrower is a unique weapon that fires a bolt of electricity that can arc between multiple enemies. This makes it incredibly effective against groups of Illuminate units, especially those that are clustered together. The Arc Thrower can also bypass energy shields, making it a great choice for dealing with shielded enemies. Its chain lightning effect can disrupt enemy formations and create chaos on the battlefield, providing valuable crowd control and support for your team. However, the Arc Thrower's range is somewhat limited, so you'll need to get relatively close to your targets to maximize its effectiveness. Additionally, be careful not to arc the electricity back to yourself or your teammates, as it can deal significant damage.

Stratagems

Stratagems are powerful abilities that can be called in during a mission to provide support, deal damage, or turn the tide of battle. When fighting the Illuminate, stratagems that offer orbital bombardment, air support, or defensive fortifications can be invaluable. Given the Illuminate's advanced technology and tricky tactics, having the ability to call in reinforcements or unleash devastating attacks from above can make all the difference. Here are some standout stratagem choices:

  • Orbital Railcannon Strike: This stratagem calls in a powerful railcannon strike from orbit, dealing massive damage to a single target. The Orbital Railcannon Strike is perfect for taking out heavily armored Illuminate units or for eliminating high-value targets from a safe distance. Its precision and destructive force can quickly neutralize threats and create openings for your team to exploit. However, keep in mind that the Orbital Railcannon Strike has a long cooldown, so you'll need to use it wisely. Additionally, be careful not to target allies or civilians, as the railcannon strike can cause significant collateral damage.
  • Eagle 500kg Bomb: When you need to clear out a large area of enemies, the Eagle 500kg Bomb is the perfect choice. This stratagem calls in a massive bomb that can obliterate anything in its blast radius. The Eagle 500kg Bomb is especially effective against groups of Illuminate units or for destroying enemy fortifications. Its sheer destructive power can wipe out entire enemy positions and create a path for your team to advance. However, be mindful of the bomb's large blast radius and long cooldown, and make sure to coordinate with your team to avoid friendly fire.
  • EMS Mortar Sentry: This defensive stratagem deploys a mortar sentry that fires electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) at nearby enemies. The EMS Mortar Sentry can disrupt enemy movement, disable their shields, and prevent them from using their psionic abilities. This makes it an excellent choice for defending a position or for slowing down enemy advances. The EMS Mortar Sentry is particularly effective against the Illuminate, as it can counter their teleportation and psionic attacks. However, keep in mind that the EMS Mortar Sentry has limited range and can be vulnerable to enemy fire, so you'll need to position it carefully and protect it from attack.

General Tips for Fighting the Illuminate

Choosing the right weapons is only half the battle. Here are some general tips to help you succeed against the Illuminate:

  • Teamwork is Key: Communicate with your team, coordinate your attacks, and support each other. The Illuminate are much easier to deal with when you're working together.
  • Stay Alert: The Illuminate love to use illusions and decoys, so stay vigilant and don't trust everything you see.
  • Use Cover: The Illuminate can deal a lot of damage, so use cover to protect yourself from their attacks.
  • Prioritize Targets: Focus on taking out the most dangerous enemies first, such as those with energy shields or psionic abilities.
  • Adapt Your Loadout: Don't be afraid to change your weapons and stratagems based on the mission and the enemies you're facing.

Final Thoughts

The Illuminate are a challenging enemy, but with the right weapons and strategies, you can overcome them and bring freedom to the galaxy. So, gear up, Helldivers, and get ready to spread some managed democracy! Remember, teamwork makes the dream work, and no alien is too sneaky for a well-placed 500kg bomb! Now get out there and show those Illuminate what you're made of!