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Want to learn more about the enemy factions in Helldivers 2? Stick around. We’ll cover everything you need to know to get the upper hand in combat and save Super Earth from an invasion.
In Helldivers 2, you’re tasked with the job of saving Super Earth from an invasion of hostile alien species. Taking on missions alongside friends can help you come up with effective strategies to take down your enemies, but you’ll need to know exactly what you’re up against to determine the best course of action. Luckily, there are just two enemy factions you’ll encounter in Helldivers 2. However, both groups consist of several variants equipped with unique skills and attacks. Here’s everything you need to know about the alien enemies you’ll face off against on each mission.
- Enlist in the Helldivers and join the fight for freedom across a hostile galaxy in a fast, frantic, and ferocious third-person shooter.
- Become a Legend – You will be assembled into squads of up to four Helldivers and assigned strategic missions. Watch each other’s back – friendly fire is an unfortunate certainty of war, but victory without teamwork is impossible.
- Loadouts – Rain down freedom from above, sneak through enemy territory, or grit your teeth and charge head-first into the jaws of combat. How you deliver liberty is your choice; you’ll have access to a wide array of explosive firepower, life-saving armour and battle-changing stratagems… the jewel in every Helldiver’s arsenal.
- Requisition – Super Earth recognises your hard work with valuable Requisition. Use it to access different rewards that benefit you, your squad, your destroyer ship and our overall war effort.
- Threats – Everything on every planet wants you dead. That’s what we’re dealing with. Each enemy has distinct and unpredictable characteristics, tactics, and behaviour – but they all fight ferociously and without fear or morality.
What Are the Enemy Factions in Helldivers 2?
In Helldivers 2, there are two distinct enemy factions that you’re up against in the fight to save Super Earth. These are the bug-like Terminids and robotic Automatons. Another faction is rumored to be on its way, the Illuminate. More and more signs point in that way, but we are still waiting for an official confirmation.
While both groups are undeniably hostile, they’re also equipped with entirely different sets of skills, strengths, weaknesses, and weaponry at their disposal. Because of this, it’s in your best interest to understand what you’re getting into when you engage in combat with either faction. Let’s break down the key differences.
Terminids
Terminids are likely the first kind of enemy you’ll face in Helldivers 2, showing up in the eastern region of the Galactic Map. While most bugs aren’t exactly intimidating, this faction is comprised of gigantic insect-like enemies that are certainly nothing to scoff at. They let out awful screeches like war-cries of sorts, so listen closely and check your map to determine their whereabouts.
The main strength of Terminids is their numbers. Whenever you encounter some of them, be sure that more bugs are on their way, especially if one of them releases a distress signal and summons a Bug Breach. That is not to say that there are no large and powerful bugs out there. Terminids have one of the largest enemies in the game, called Bile Titans, that require some of the heaviest firepower to defeat.
Since Terminids are predominantly a close-combat-oriented faction, flaming weapons are incredibly effective against them, since they tend to group together and charge at you.
Here is a list of all known Terminid variants:
- Scavenger
- Pouncer
- Small Spewer
- Shrieker
- Warrior
- Hunter
- Hive Guard
- Stalker
- Bile Spewer
- Nursery Spewer
- Bile Titan
- Charger
- Brood Commander
Automatons
The Automatons have invaded the western region of the Galactic Map in Helldivers 2. In general, these highly intelligent robot enemies wield all sorts of weaponry, from firearms to melee weapons. Like the Terminids, Automatons also fall under several different subspecies, each sporting different skills.
The most common come equipped with standard firearms or grenades. Again, they’re far less capable than their more powerful counterparts, but they’re still able to cause some trouble if you aren’t prepared for their attacks. Headshots can take them out instantly, so your best bet is to aim carefully.
Apart from these Automatons, you’ll find others wielding melee weapons like chainsaws and blades. While they appear much more intimidating than their weaker variants, they’re only effective at close range. Good aim will give you the upper hand here. With that being said, some smaller Automatons will call for backup if you don’t take them out in a timely manner. Because of this, you’ll want to take a stealthy approach against them and try to eliminate everyone before they get a chance to react.
Here is a list of all known Automatons:
- Trooper
- Raider
- Maurader
- Commissar
- Scout Strider
- Berserker
- Devastator
- Hulk
- Tank
- Dropship
- Gunship
- Factory Strider
At the moment, the Automaton faction has been completely wiped out and is no longer present in the Galaxy map. But, we do expect that they will return somewhere in the near future.
Illuminate
All rumors point towards the Illuminate making an appearance in Helldivers 2. They are a squid-like alien race that uses extremely advanced technology. We will add more to this article as soon as some official information appears.
For more on Helldivers 2, check out these guides from our team: