Helldivers 2 How to Do the Nuke Nursery Mission

A special mission is the focus of the latest Major Order. Read this article to see how to do the Nuke Nursery mission in Helldivers 2.

The latest Major Order requires Helldivers to liberate five planets, by destroying their subterranean nests. Arrowhead have been nice enough to give us a special mission to do just that. It is a little different from what we’re used to, so we have compiled a short guide, with tips and tricks to help you out. So, keep reading to see how to do the Nuke Nursery Mission in Helldivers 2.

What is Nuke Nursery Mission in Helldivers 2

Nuke Nursery is a special mission, added for the current Major Order, where Helldivers have to liberate Hellmire, Nivel 43, Crimsica, Estanu, and Fori Prime. It is only available on these planets and revolves around planting huge drills that will insert a nuke into an underground Terminid hive.

Helldivers 2 image of Nuke Nursery briefing — Image via N4G Unlocked

How to Do the Nuke Nursery Mission

When you deploy on a mission, you will see a couple of highlighted areas, with the drill icon in the middle. Unfortunately, the icon is not the exact location where the drill must be called in. Rather, somewhere in that highlighted area is the exact location, and you have to look for it. Just like in those “Eliminate Brood Commander/Hulk/Factory Strider” etc missions.

Once you approach the correct area (usually a slight depression in the ground), you will get the option to call in the drill, the same way with other mission-specific Stratagems. The code is: Left, Up, Down, Right, Down, Down. A shuttle will deploy the Hive Breaker Drill and now you have to get it going. Approach the Drill and activate it via its terminal.

Helldivers 2 player looking at the drill — Image via N4G Unlocked

But there is a catch. A lot of bug breaches will appear all around the drill, calling in hordes (and we mean: hordes) of Terminids. You have to keep the Drill operational and protect it from approaching bugs, who will attack it and slow down the drilling process.

Once the progress bar reaches 100%, engage the Drill’s terminal once again to confirm the deployment of the nuke and you will get the message to evacuate the area. You better follow that order because, in a couple of seconds, the underground nuke will detonate in a huge area, and leave a large hole in the ground.

Helldivers 2 emancipator in front of a huge hole — Image via N4G Unlocked

Repeat this process on every drilling spot on the map, and the mission is done.

Best Ways to Do the Nuke Nursery Mission

Nuke Nursery is a tougher mission than it seems. The general premise is simple enough: approach the objective area, call in the Drill, protect it for a time, repeat the process, and be done.

But, no one was prepared for the sheer amount of bugs that would spawn. Through multiple breaches, you will be swarmed with Hunters, Warriors, Brood Commanders, and a lot of Chargers (even a couple of Charger Behemoths). An occasional Bile Titan may also appear, to spice things up. And they will all try to get both you and the Drill.

Sentries

What we found effective are the Sentries, specifically Gatling Sentry for hordes, and Rocket Sentries, since they reliably target heavies now. Tesla Tower is also great if you position it properly. Autocannon Sentries can also be effective, but they run the risk of damaging the Drill when shooting. Avoid Mortar Sentries, since the fighting will be up close, and the falling mortar shells may do more harm than good.

Helldivers 2 emancipator looking at the drill — Image via N4G Unlocked

Exosuits

Exosuits are great for this mission, especially since the majority of enemies spawned can be damaged by both the Patriot and the Emancipator. You would only need some help with heavies, so a teammate with an EAT-17 or a similar, fast, anti-tank weapon would be of great help. Wasting all your ammo to take down a Charger is not very cost-effective.

Stun-Lock

Another sneaky tactic some players use is to stun-lock the approaching bugs. Have the bugs focused on the Drill and keep them constantly stunned, by throwing Stun Grenades and Orbital EMS. You can even use EMS Mortars, but they can be a little unreliable, since they can target something else, or stun everyone, including your team. Keep them stunned until the Drill does its job, confirm the nuke deployment, and run away as fast as you can.