Unlocking Stratagems In Helldivers 2: A Complete Guide
Hey there, fellow Helldivers! Ready to dive headfirst into the action and unleash some serious firepower? Well, you're in the right place! In this guide, we're going to break down how to unlock stratagems in Helldivers 2, those game-changing tools that'll have you calling in orbital strikes, deploying devastating support weapons, and generally turning the tide of battle against the bugs and bots. Stratagems are absolutely crucial for success in Helldivers 2. They're what separate the green-clad recruits from the seasoned veterans. Knowing which stratagems to bring, when to call them in, and how to use them effectively can be the difference between a glorious victory and a quick trip back to your Super Destroyer. So, buckle up, grab your Helldiver gear, and let's get started. We will explore everything you need to know about acquiring, equipping, and using these powerful tools.
Understanding Stratagems: Your Arsenal of Destruction
Alright, first things first: what exactly are stratagems? Think of them as your special abilities, your emergency tools, your ace in the hole. These are the things you call in from orbit or deploy on the battlefield to gain a tactical advantage. These range from heavy weaponry to defensive support, and even supply drops. To put it simply, stratagems are the backbone of any successful Helldiver's loadout. They provide you with the means to deal with overwhelming odds, take down heavily armored enemies, and support your teammates. Stratagems in Helldivers 2 are activated by entering a sequence of directional inputs (like Up, Down, Left, Right) on your controller or keyboard, and then calling them in. Mastering these inputs is key to quick and effective use. The more familiar you are with the inputs, the faster you can respond to changing battlefield conditions. Think of it like a secret code that unlocks awesome power. Once you've entered the code, you toss a stratagem beacon, and boom – your requested aid arrives. It's like having a cosmic delivery service that specializes in delivering pain to your enemies. Knowing how and when to use these is crucial in the ever-changing battles of Helldivers 2.
There are various types of stratagems, each with its own specific function and use. Understanding these different types and how they work together is critical for building an effective loadout. Offensive stratagems are designed for direct combat, allowing you to deal massive damage to your enemies. Defensive stratagems help you protect your position. Support stratagems aid in team play, by providing resources and healing. Supply stratagems are essential for keeping you and your team stocked up on ammo, grenades, and other critical supplies. Knowing how each type works is essential.
Types of Stratagems and Their Uses:
- Offensive Stratagems: These are your heavy hitters. Think orbital strikes that can obliterate entire nests of enemies, or Eagle strikes for surgical precision. These are designed to directly engage and eliminate threats on the battlefield.
- Defensive Stratagems: Need some breathing room? Deploy a Guard Dog to provide covering fire or a Gatling Sentry to hold down a choke point. These are designed to keep you safe and provide a defensive advantage.
- Support Stratagems: From the Supply Pack that replenishes your ammo to the Resupply Pack that keeps you and your team in the fight, these stratagems offer vital support.
- Specialized Stratagems: These cover a variety of roles, like the E/MG-101 HMG Emplacement for holding strategic positions, or the Anti-Materiel Rifle for taking down high-value targets.
How to Unlock Stratagems: The Acquisition Process
So, how do you get your hands on these incredible tools? The process is a bit different from your standard in-game progression. The key here is to gain access to the Warbonds. These function like a battle pass system, where you use earned medals to unlock new stratagems, weapons, armor, and other items. Here's a breakdown:
Earning Medals:
- Completing Missions: The primary way to earn medals is by completing missions. Every successful mission earns you a certain number of medals, depending on the difficulty and the objectives completed. The higher the difficulty, the more medals you'll earn. So, if you are looking to acquire more medals, you can start playing at a higher difficulty, just make sure you can clear the objective successfully, otherwise, you may end up with nothing.
- Finding Medals in Missions: Sometimes you can find medals while exploring the mission map. You may stumble upon medal caches, which will provide you with a bonus haul of medals, so, make sure to explore the map to find more medals. These are often located in side areas and objectives, which will give you a reason to explore the entire map.
- Daily and Community Orders: Keep an eye out for Daily and Community Orders. These offer additional opportunities to earn medals. Daily Orders are personal challenges that give a small number of medals. Community Orders are shared goals where the entire player base works together to achieve an objective.
Accessing and Using Warbonds:
- Accessing Warbonds: Go to the