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Helldivers 2 Board Game: First Impressions

Author：Kristen Update：Apr 26,2025

Last year's breakout hit in the multiplayer gaming world, Arrowhead's Helldivers 2, captivated players with its mission to spread democracy across the galaxy through intense battles against aliens and robots. Following their successful adaptation of Elden Ring into a board game, Steamforged Games is now bringing the fast-paced and frenetic action of Helldivers 2 to the tabletop. The board game is currently available for backing on Gamefound. IGN had the opportunity to play a prototype and discuss the game with designers Jamie Perkins, Derek Funkhouser, and Nicholas Yu, offering insights into this exciting tabletop rendition.

Helldivers 2: The Board Game

17 ImagesDevelopment of Helldivers 2: The Board Game began shortly after the video game's launch early last year. The board game successfully captures the essence of what made the video game popular: intense firefights, chaotic surprises, and a focus on teamwork, while introducing unique tweaks to the gameplay.

Helldivers 2 remains a cooperative, objective-based skirmish game, playable with one to four players (solo players are advised to control two characters). Each player assumes the role of a different Helldiver class, equipped with a unique perk, a set of action cards, and a powerful one-per-game "Act of Valor" ability. The prototype included classes such as Heavy, Sniper, Pyro, and Captain. Players select their kit, consisting of primary, secondary, and support weapons, grenades, and three strategems, with recommended loadouts provided on their class cards.

Gameplay occurs on grid-based boards that expand as players explore, revealing sub-objectives and primary mission locations, such as Terminid hatcheries in the prototype. As players progress, more challenging enemies spawn, and a mission timer adds a layer of tension and urgency.

The prototype focused on destroying a specific number of Terminid hatcheries, but the final game will offer multiple objectives. The base game will include two of the three main factions from the video game: Terminids and Automatons, each with 10 unit types. While not confirmed, there's a possibility of an expansion introducing the Illuminate faction.

A key curiosity was how the board game would replicate the video game's feeling of being overwhelmed. Helldivers 2: The Board Game opts for a tactical approach with fewer but stronger enemies, differing from games like Zombicide, which relies on sheer numbers, or Nemesis, with its focus on fewer, stronger threats.

Turns involve players and enemies adding action cards to a pool, which are shuffled and placed on an initiative tracker similar to Steamforged's Elden Ring game. Combat is based on dice rolls, and every fourth action card triggers a random event, adding unpredictability and excitement.

On the Helldivers' side, combat involves rolling dice based on weapon specifications, with damage determined by the total roll value. Every five points dealt result in one wound to the enemy. This straightforward system eliminates the need for complex modifiers or defense values, emphasizing the Helldivers' elite training.

A new and celebrated mechanic in the board game is 'Massed Fire,' designed to replicate the teamwork seen in the video game. Nic Yu explained, "In the video game, you're encouraged to work together as a team. If you have a heavily armored enemy, you need to flank and target weak points. We implemented 'massed fire,' allowing players within range to focus fire on the same target, incentivizing group play."

While players can explore independently, the 'Massed Fire' mechanic reduces downtime and enhances group interaction. However, enemy actions feel somewhat static, with fixed damage or effects dictated by their cards, resulting in players drawing wound cards. Each wound has a detrimental effect, and three wounds lead to a character's death, though players can respawn depending on the chosen difficulty level.

One element from the video game not making the transition to the board game is the galactic war. The designers opted to make the board game feel distinct, positioning it as a training simulation for Helldivers.

Jamie Perkins shared a fun piece of lore: "We're positioning it as a training simulation. You'd get this board game as a Helldiver to learn how to be a better Helldiver." The hope is that this concept might one day be reflected in the video game.

Despite the new medium, the designers aimed to retain the essence of Helldivers. Nic stated, "We wanted to ensure it felt like Helldivers, even with different mechanics. We included unexpected events, strategems that might misfire, and a dwindling pool of reinforcements." Derek added, "We needed to keep the core loop of Helldivers with mission objectives and the thrill of exploration."

Currently, the game's core mechanics are about 75-80% finalized, allowing room for community feedback and potential adjustments. Jamie reassured that recent tariffs in the board gaming industry won't delay their plans.

After playing the prototype, the systems in place, such as random events and the 'Massed Fire' mechanic, promise epic moments. However, a personal preference for more numerous weaker enemies and a desire for more dynamic enemy attacks were noted. The static nature of enemy combat could benefit from varied outcomes determined by dice rolls.

Anticipation is high for what other surprises Steamforged Games has in store for Helldivers 2. The prototype experience has left players eager to explore new classes, game types, and combinations with different enemies and biomes. The excitement is palpable as players ask, "Where are we dropping next?"