Helldivers 2: Best Loadouts for the Illuminate

Conquer the Illuminate in Helldivers 2: Three Top-Tier Loadouts

The Illuminate in Helldivers 2 present a significant challenge with their advanced weaponry and overwhelming numbers. This guide details three effective loadouts to counter their strengths and exploit their weaknesses, ensuring victory against this formidable foe. Success hinges on balancing weaponry to handle both light and heavy units simultaneously.

I. The Laser Cannon Loadout: Precision Annihilation

• Primary: PLAS-1 Scorcher / PLAS-101 Purifier (The high DPS melts Overseers and Voteless alike. Siege-Ready passive ensures ample ammo.)
• Secondary: GP-31 Grenade Pistol
• Grenade: G-13 Incendiary Impact (Effective against chaff; save for clearing out warp ship interiors.)
• Armor Passive: Siege-Ready
• Stratagems:
  • LAS-98 Laser Cannon (Support) - Excellent against Overseers and Harvesters. Use Strafing Runs to strip shields first.
  • AX/AR-23 "Guard Dog" - Effective against medium-armored Overseers, ideal for flank protection.
  • Eagle Strafing Run - Crucial for stripping warp ship shields.
  • A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry / Orbital Laser - Sentry for objective defense; Orbital Laser for multiple Harvesters (especially on higher difficulties).

II. The Lightning Loadout: Stunning Superiority

• 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) - Chains lightning, stunning Overseers effectively. Excellent against unshielded Harvesters.
  • Orbital Railcannon Strike / Orbital Laser - Railcannon for unshielded heavies; Orbital Laser for multiple Harvesters (requires Strafing Run for shield removal).
  • Eagle Strafing Run - Essential for weakening warp ships before grenade attacks.
  • A/ARC-3 Tesla Tower - Exceptional crowd control, particularly against flying Overseers.

III. The Machine Gun Loadout: Unrelenting Suppression

• Primary: StA-52 Assault Rifle (High-capacity magazine for sustained fire; alternative primaries are viable)
• Secondary: GP-31 Grenade Pistol / CQC-19 Stun Lance
• Grenade: G-13 Incendiary Impact
• Armor Passive: Peak Physique / Engineering Kit (Peak Physique reduces drag for better aerial targeting; Engineering Kit reduces recoil.)
• Stratagems:
  • MG-43 Machine Gun (Support) - Versatile and effective against a wide range of enemies, including Harvesters.
  • LIFT-850 Jump Pack - Essential for mobility and repositioning during reloads.
  • Orbital Railcannon Strike / Orbital Laser - Railcannon for unshielded heavies; Orbital Laser for multiple Harvesters.
  • A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry / A/G-16 Gatling Sentry - Turret sentries for crowd control and objective defense.

These loadouts offer diverse strategies for tackling the Illuminate threat. Experiment and adapt to find the build that best suits your playstyle and the specific challenges of each mission. Remember coordination with teammates is key to maximizing effectiveness.