Helldivers 2: The Best Stratagems To Unlock First

Hey there, fellow Helldivers! Ready to dive headfirst into the chaotic, bug-blasting, automaton-annihilating world of Helldivers 2? Awesome! But before you leap into the fray, let's talk about something super crucial: which stratagems to unlock first. Choosing the right loadout can make the difference between a glorious victory and a quick trip back to your Super Destroyer. This guide is all about equipping you with the knowledge to make smart choices early on, ensuring you're a valuable asset to your squad and, most importantly, having a blast while liberating planets for Super Earth! We're going to break down some of the most effective and versatile stratagems, considering their usefulness across different missions and against various enemy types. Think of this as your personal cheat sheet to becoming an early-game Helldiving hero. Let's get started, shall we?

Understanding Stratagems in Helldivers 2

Alright, before we jump into specific stratagems, let's quickly recap what they are and why they matter so much. In Helldivers 2, stratagems are your bread and butter – your tools for survival and success. They're special abilities you call in during missions using a series of button combinations (the famous “input codes”) on your controller or keyboard. These range from devastating orbital strikes and powerful eagle strikes to defensive support like sentry guns and supply drops. Mastering these codes and understanding the strengths of each stratagem is key to surviving the relentless waves of bugs and bots. They provide the necessary firepower, support, and utility needed to complete objectives and keep your squad alive. Effectively using stratagems also increases your contribution points, so you can level up faster and unlock more advanced gear. Keep in mind that each stratagem has a cooldown period, so you need to manage them wisely. Don’t waste your best attacks on small fry! Now that we've covered the basics, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of which stratagems you should prioritize as you begin your Helldiving career. Keep in mind, you will not have all the stratagems unlocked in the beginning, so we will focus on the most useful ones to start with and how to make the most of them. Also, the best choices will also depend on your play style and your squad's needs.

The Importance of Early-Game Stratagem Selection

Choosing the right stratagems early in Helldivers 2 is like picking the right tools for a job. You wouldn't use a hammer to tighten a screw, right? Similarly, some stratagems are more effective than others in certain situations. The first few levels are crucial. You're still learning the game, and you're likely facing the basic enemy types, so the best stratagems in the beginning are those that provide a good balance of offense, defense, and versatility. By making smart choices early on, you can make your gameplay far more efficient and set yourself up for future success. It helps you get used to the mechanics, and helps you learn the timing of calling in the stratagems, which is just as important as knowing which stratagem to use. Early on, you'll need stratagems that can handle a variety of threats: hordes of smaller enemies, medium-sized threats, and maybe even a few bigger guys. Choosing wisely also helps you understand how different stratagems complement each other, as you will need to start thinking about the ideal team composition.

Essential Early-Game Stratagems: A Breakdown

Let’s get into the meat of this guide, shall we? We'll break down a few must-have stratagems that will greatly improve your effectiveness in the early game. These are the workhorses that'll help you hold your own against the initial waves of bugs and bots. We'll look at the strengths, weaknesses, and ideal situations for each. This is not just about what is strong but also what is easily accessible and effective in various situations.

Orbital Precision Strike

First up, let's talk about the Orbital Precision Strike. This is one of the very first stratagems you unlock, and for good reason. It's an orbital strike that delivers a concentrated blast of energy to a small area. Why is it so good early on? Simple: it's incredibly effective at taking out clusters of enemies and destroying key targets. Imagine a group of bugs swarming a key objective – the Orbital Precision Strike can clear them out in a heartbeat. It’s also great for taking out enemy nests and outposts. It has a relatively short cooldown, allowing for frequent use. Keep in mind that while it's precise, it's not the best for wide-area control. Don’t expect it to wipe out an entire horde, but it's perfect for focused fire. The key is to use it strategically: aim for those high-priority targets or areas where enemies are concentrated. This stratagem will become a core element of your arsenal. Because of its low cooldown and high damage output, the precision strike is excellent for quickly clearing out a small area, making it ideal for objective defense and dealing with groups of medium-sized enemies. Its low cost makes it easy to use frequently, providing a significant advantage in the early stages of the game when resources and options are limited.

Eagle Strafing Run

Next, we have the Eagle Strafing Run. This one calls in an Eagle fighter that makes a strafing run across the battlefield. This is especially good for dealing with medium-sized enemies and clearing out entrenched positions. Unlike the Orbital Precision Strike, the Eagle Strafing Run covers a wide area, making it perfect for taking out multiple threats. What's even better? It has multiple uses! So, you can call it in more than once before needing to resupply. It’s an excellent choice for when you’re being overrun and need a quick area-of-effect clear. It is very effective for clearing out enemy patrol routes and softening up heavily defended positions. This is a very versatile stratagem because you can use it to clear out enemy nests, destroy enemy structures, and generally disrupt enemy movement. It’s a great choice for keeping the pressure off your squad. However, be aware of the limited uses. You'll need to manage these carefully during a mission. Learn to make the most out of each call to maximize its impact on the battlefield.

Anti-Personnel Minefield

Moving on, let’s talk about a defensive option: the Anti-Personnel Minefield. This stratagem deploys a series of proximity mines that automatically detonate when enemies get close. It's a lifesaver in those tense moments when you need to hold a position or protect an objective. It's especially effective against the smaller, swarming enemies that love to overwhelm you. Drop it near objectives, choke points, or any place where you anticipate a wave of enemies. The mines are particularly useful when you're trying to defend a position. However, be careful where you deploy them. You don't want to accidentally trigger your own mines. The key is to deploy them strategically in areas where enemies are likely to pass through. You will want to use this to control the flow of enemies and provide a tactical advantage. This is especially great for missions involving defense and protecting objectives. This is one of the most effective ways to defend an area. It forces the enemy to change their tactics or risk taking damage.

Gatling Sentry

Now, let's talk about the Gatling Sentry. This is a deployable sentry gun that automatically targets and shoots enemies within its range. A good sentry can provide amazing fire support, especially when you're busy with other tasks. Place it in a strategic location to provide covering fire or guard a specific area. It's great for keeping enemies at bay while you focus on objectives or take on tougher targets. Make sure to choose a location with a good line of sight, so the sentry can maximize its effectiveness. Keep in mind that sentries can be destroyed, and they do have a limited ammo supply. Deploying this stratagem near an objective will provide sustained firepower and reduce the incoming pressure from the enemy. This sentry gun is great for defending your position and taking the heat off you and your teammates. Always keep in mind its limited ammo capacity; you don’t want it to run out of bullets when you need it most. Also, be mindful of where you place it, and try to avoid cross-fire and friendly fire.

Advanced Stratagems to Consider Later

Once you’ve got a handle on the basics, you'll want to start exploring some of the more advanced stratagems. These become available as you level up and gather more requisition slips. They often have higher cooldowns but offer game-changing effects. Some of the most helpful are the ones that take down the heavier threats you will encounter later in the game. Remember, these are not for the early game, but good to know what is out there to plan for the future.

Eagle Airstrike

The Eagle Airstrike is an upgrade to the Eagle Stratagem and is a heavy hitter. This stratagem calls in an Eagle fighter that will deliver a powerful and long-lasting area-of-effect attack. This is a very useful tool to take down heavily armored enemies and structures, making it useful in various combat scenarios. Be sure to consider how many uses you can deploy, and use it wisely. This is also ideal to deal with hordes of enemies or for quickly clearing out a fortified position. This is one of the best stratagems to help you out in a pinch.

Railgun

The Railgun is a powerful weapon that you can unlock. This weapon will allow you to quickly take down armored enemies, making it a powerful weapon that every Helldiver should have access to. It's very useful for targeting high-priority enemies and can change the momentum of a fight. Be sure to practice with it. Also, be sure to manage its heat and ensure you don’t overheat it at the wrong time.

Orbital Railcannon Strike

For a heavier punch, the Orbital Railcannon Strike can be very useful for taking out high-value targets with a single, devastating shot. It delivers a highly focused beam of energy to a target, making it perfect for taking down heavily armored enemies. It has a long cooldown, so use it wisely. Because of its long cooldown, this is a great weapon to use when you need to make the most of it.

Optimizing Your Loadout: Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips to help you maximize your loadout.

Team Composition and Synergy

Communication is the key, guys! Your squad should try to cover all the bases. If one player is heavily focused on anti-armor, another can focus on crowd control. This way, you make the most out of your arsenal. It is very important to try to balance it as much as you can. It may also change depending on your playstyle. A well-coordinated squad is more effective than the sum of its parts.

Mission Objectives and Enemy Types

Always adjust your stratagem choices to match the mission objectives and the types of enemies you'll be facing. For example, if you know you're up against a lot of armored enemies, bring anti-armor options. If it's a horde mission, focus on area-of-effect crowd control. The right choice is what gets you the victory.

Practice and Experimentation

Don’t be afraid to try new things! Play around with different stratagems and figure out what works best for you and your squad. Experimentation is the path to mastery. Try different combinations and see how they work together. Sometimes, a seemingly niche stratagem can surprise you with its effectiveness.

Conclusion: Dive In and Dominate!

Alright, Helldivers, you're now armed with the knowledge to make smart early-game stratagem choices. Remember, this is just the beginning. Helldivers 2 is all about constant learning and adaptation. As you level up and unlock more stratagems, you'll refine your loadouts and develop your own playstyle. Experiment, communicate with your squad, and most importantly, have fun blasting bugs and bots! Super Earth is counting on you! Keep these tips in mind as you embark on your adventures. Good luck out there, and may your dives be glorious!