Helldivers 2: Blowing Up Illuminate Ships Guide

Hey there, fellow Helldivers! Ready to dive back into the fray and spread some managed democracy? If you're anything like me, you've probably encountered those pesky Illuminate ships in Helldivers 2. They can be a real pain, but fear not, because today we're going to break down how to destroy Illuminate ships and turn those interdimensional invaders into scrap metal. We'll cover everything from the different ship types to the best strategies and gear to use, so you can confidently take the fight to the enemy. Get your exosuits ready, because it's time to liberate some planets!

Understanding the Illuminate Menace

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of ship destruction, let's take a moment to understand our enemy. The Illuminate are a technologically advanced alien race with a penchant for energy weapons and teleportation. They're not your typical bugs or bots; they're smart, they're coordinated, and they hit hard. This means we're going to need more than just a spray-and-pray approach to take them down. This is where things get interesting, so grab a coffee, or your favorite beverage and get ready to learn the essentials! The Illuminate ships are a key part of their offensive and defensive strategies, so taking them out is crucial for mission success and liberating sectors for Super Earth. These ships come in various forms, each with its own specific role and capabilities, so it's critical to know your enemy! Understanding these various types of ships and their behavior allows you to strategically approach battles, knowing where to strike for the most impact. Keep in mind that Illuminate ships often deploy powerful energy shields and deploy a variety of annoying units. They will also use their advanced technology to teleport units directly into the battlefield. This can overwhelm even the most seasoned Helldivers if not properly managed, so preparation and teamwork are vital. This is why knowing how to destroy Illuminate ships is so crucial in Helldivers 2. With this in mind, let’s get into the specifics of ship types.

Types of Illuminate Ships

• Scout Ships: These are the eyes of the Illuminate, zipping around the battlefield to spot your location and call in reinforcements. They're relatively weak but incredibly annoying, so take them out quickly to avoid being swarmed. They will often swarm areas where you have been spotted, this can quickly lead to getting overwhelmed. Scout ships are often the first ships encountered during missions, providing early warnings and establishing a foothold. Keeping these under control helps prevent early ambushes and allows for a smoother operation. Focus on them in the early stage to avoid detection and reduce the frequency of enemy reinforcements. They often provide valuable intel on the terrain and enemy positions. Destroying scout ships helps to limit their ability to send reinforcements and call in the stronger Illuminate ships. They are fast and agile, making them difficult to hit, so use weapons with high accuracy and a quick rate of fire to take them down. Always try to stay mobile to avoid being flanked and swarmed, this will make taking down the scout ships easier.
• Gunships: Armed with heavy energy cannons, gunships are your primary threat. They can devastate your squad with a single well-placed shot. Prioritize these targets to minimize damage and keep your team alive. These ships are essential to Illuminate military operations, using their powerful weaponry to eliminate any resistance in the area. Gunships often provide heavy fire support for ground troops. They often focus on areas where the squad is clustered, making it easy to eliminate several enemies. They also are armored, so they can take a good deal of damage before going down. When engaging a Gunship, always be aware of the environment, use cover to protect yourself, and work in pairs, so that while one player draws the attention of the Gunship the other player can attack from another angle. When attacking the Gunship you want to focus on taking out its weapon systems before moving to its hull. Knowing how to efficiently take down gunships is the key to mission success. These ships can appear at any stage of the mission, so being prepared for a quick counter-attack is crucial. Remember to coordinate with your team. And watch out for other enemies who will be constantly flanking your position.
• Support Ships: Support ships will provide energy shields and other support abilities to other ships. You’ll want to take them out quickly so that you can get on to the next one. They are also known to call in reinforcements. They are an important component of Illuminate tactics, as they can enhance the abilities of other enemy units, making them more resilient. Support ships often provide energy shields and other protective measures to enhance the defenses of enemy units, allowing them to withstand more damage. They can deploy energy shields to protect other ships from damage, which forces you to deal with them first before trying to take out the primary targets. In addition, support ships are usually equipped with teleportation devices, which can be used to transport enemy units directly onto the battlefield. This can quickly lead to an overwhelming situation, so keeping the Support ships in check is paramount for any successful mission. The best way to deal with the support ships is to engage them at the same time and focus fire. This ensures a more rapid elimination of the entire fleet. Coordinate with your team to eliminate support ships quickly. Communication is key to prioritizing and coordinating the takedown of these ships. Make sure that you are using all of your equipment and stratagems to effectively eliminate them from the field. It's often beneficial to use heavy weapons such as the Railgun or the Autocannon to take them out quickly.
• Transport Ships: These vessels are responsible for deploying reinforcements and transporting larger units onto the battlefield. Eliminating these ships reduces the number of enemies you'll face and prevents them from quickly getting more support. Transport ships are essential for deploying reinforcements and larger units, which can quickly turn the tide of battle. They are often protected by energy shields, requiring you to carefully plan your attack. To take down the transport ships you need to use high-powered weapons such as the railgun or the expendable anti-tank, and focus on their weak points. The more reinforcements you can prevent, the better your chances of success. As with every Illuminate ship, communication with your team is a must. Coordinate your attacks to focus on taking down the transport ships as soon as possible, reducing the risk of being overwhelmed. Coordinate the use of stratagems, using heavy-hitting ones such as the orbital strikes and the eagle strikes to deal significant damage to the transport ships and any surrounding units. Be sure to use the environment to your advantage. Finding strategic positions that offer cover and allow you to effectively target the transport ships is essential for survivability.

Essential Gear and Stratagems for Ship Destruction

Now that you know your enemy, let's talk about the best tools for the job. You'll need a mix of firepower, mobility, and support to take down Illuminate ships. Here are some of the go-to choices:

• Weapons: You're going to need some serious firepower. The Railgun is a favorite for its high damage output and ability to penetrate enemy armor. The Expendable Anti-Tank (EAT-17) is a disposable, but effective, option. The Autocannon can provide sustained fire. Be sure to take the appropriate gear for the mission. Make sure that you're well-equipped with the right weapons to effectively destroy the Illuminate ships. Remember that different weapons excel in different situations. For example, the Railgun is a good choice for taking down armored targets, while the EAT-17 can provide a quick, high-damage burst. The Autocannon provides sustained fire to deal consistent damage to the enemy. Always consider the situation and adapt your weapon selection accordingly. Coordinate with your team so that you can provide coverage on the different enemy types that may appear. Communicate your weapon choices with your team. Make sure to work together so that you can create an optimal fire plan.
• Stratagems: Stratagems are your bread and butter. Orbital Strikes can obliterate ships, while Eagle Strikes provide quick and powerful support. The Anti-Tank Mines can be used for area denial. Be sure to select the stratagems that will best meet the needs of the mission. When you're facing Illuminate ships, a well-timed orbital strike can change the tide of battle. Eagle strikes are quick and powerful, providing you with on-demand support and allowing you to deal heavy damage to the enemy. Anti-tank mines can be set up in strategic locations, to deal area denial, and to protect key areas, such as chokepoints and landing zones. The effectiveness of your stratagems also depends on your aim and coordination. Always communicate with your team. Make sure that you are well-prepared for any situation, and that you have a plan to use your stratagems effectively. Coordinate the use of your stratagems, as this will help to minimize friendly fire and maximize the impact on the enemy. You can focus your orbital strikes on high-value targets. Eagle strikes will provide quick and powerful support. Use the anti-tank mines to create areas where enemies can't tread.
• Armor: Choose armor that provides good protection and mobility. Medium armor is usually a good balance, but heavy armor can be useful for those who prefer to absorb more damage. Armor is important, but its significance varies depending on play style. Be sure to choose armor that suits your play style and provides the right balance between protection and mobility. If you are going for survivability, then the heavy armor is your best bet. If you are going for mobility, then you can go for the light armor. Medium armor offers a good balance between mobility and protection. It's important to understand the different armor stats. You must consider their impact on your survivability and effectiveness in combat. Prioritize armor with high damage resistance if you anticipate taking a lot of damage. If you value mobility, then choose the armor with improved stamina and movement speed. Experiment with different armor combinations to find the ones that best fit your play style. Remember, the right armor choice can significantly impact your performance, so choose wisely.

Strategies for Ship Destruction

Knowing your gear is only half the battle. Here are some effective strategies to help you destroy Illuminate ships:

• Prioritize Targets: Focus on taking out the biggest threats first. Gunships and support ships should be your top priorities. Knowing which enemies to prioritize is key to effective combat. Gunships are the main damage dealers, so eliminating them first reduces the amount of incoming fire. Support ships are important because they can buff other enemies, so getting rid of them will give you an edge. Transport ships also need to be taken out quickly to prevent reinforcements from overwhelming your position. Always communicate with your team to determine the target priorities. Take note of the position of the enemies. Be sure to take out the ones who are in a position to cause you problems. Don't be afraid to change your priorities on the fly. Adjust your strategies depending on the situation. Coordinate with your team to maximize your effectiveness. By coordinating attacks and focusing fire, you can take out high-priority targets. This will help you to survive and complete your missions.
• Use Cover: The Illuminate can deal significant damage. Use cover to protect yourself and minimize damage. Cover is critical for surviving the battlefield. Use cover to protect yourself from incoming fire. Use natural cover such as rocks and trees, and artificial cover such as crates and buildings. Always move between cover to avoid taking damage. Constantly moving will make you a more difficult target. This will also allow you to reposition as needed. The best way to use cover is to move from cover to cover. Move, shoot, and repeat, and always be aware of your surroundings to get yourself out of a tight spot. Coordinate with your team to provide mutual cover and create a dynamic defense. Never stand in the open, as you will be quickly overwhelmed. Prioritize your cover and use it to your advantage to survive.
• Coordinate with Your Team: Teamwork is essential. Communicate with your squad, call out targets, and coordinate your stratagem use. Effective communication is the cornerstone of success. Clearly communicate with your team, so that everyone understands the plan. Coordinate the use of stratagems to maximize damage output. Communicate target priorities and focus fire, so that you can concentrate on specific enemies. Remember to support each other with ammo, and cover. Always be ready to revive fallen teammates to keep the team alive. Coordinate to create a dynamic defense, which involves moving together and supporting each other. The more you work together, the better your chances of success. Good communication is essential for calling out enemy positions and planning your attacks. Make sure you work well with your team and learn to adapt to the different battlefield conditions.
• Exploit Weak Points: Try to identify and hit the ships' weak points, such as exposed energy cores. Always be aware of the environment, and always keep an eye out for enemy ships that are vulnerable. Know the enemy's weak points and exploit them. Some ships have exposed cores or other vulnerable areas that can be targeted for maximum damage. Look for any opportunities that can give you an advantage. Watch the enemy's movements. They may expose vulnerabilities as they maneuver. Pay attention to enemy attack patterns to anticipate openings. The enemy's weak points can change, so learn to quickly assess the battlefield. Coordinate with your team to focus fire on the weak points, to maximize damage. Using the right weapons and targeting the weak points will maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the attack. Understanding and exploiting the weak points is a key tactic for a successful mission.
• Stay Mobile: Don't stay in one place for too long. The Illuminate will try to flank and overwhelm you. Keep moving and repositioning to stay one step ahead of them. Mobility is the key to surviving in a combat zone, and moving frequently will help you to evade enemy attacks. Change your position regularly, to avoid getting hit by enemy fire and to keep the enemy from predicting your movements. Make use of the environment. Always be aware of the surroundings, and utilize cover such as trees and buildings. Maintain a safe distance from enemy units. It also helps to ensure that you are in a good position to deal damage. Always be on the move, so that you don't get flanked. Keep a good distance from the enemies to keep the pressure on. Coordinate with your teammates to keep a constant flow of movement. Always support each other as you maneuver around the battlefield. Your ability to move will directly impact your ability to survive.

Conclusion: Liberating the Galaxy

Taking down those Illuminate ships is a critical skill for any Helldiver. By understanding their ship types, equipping the right gear, and implementing effective strategies, you can turn the tide of battle and liberate those planets. Remember to prioritize targets, use cover, coordinate with your team, and stay mobile. With practice and teamwork, you'll be blasting those ships out of the sky in no time. Now go out there, spread some managed democracy, and destroy Illuminate ships! For Super Earth!