Helldivers Speedrun: How To Beat The Game Fast
So, you're looking to dive headfirst into the chaotic world of Helldivers and emerge victorious – and fast? You've come to the right place, soldier! This guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies you need to dominate Helldivers in record time. Whether you're aiming for bragging rights, a personal best, or just want to see how quickly you can spread managed democracy, mastering the Helldivers speedrun is a worthwhile endeavor. Let's break down everything you need to know, from choosing the right loadout to exploiting game mechanics.
Understanding the Basics of a Helldivers Speedrun
Before we jump into specific strategies, let's cover the fundamental aspects of what makes a successful Helldivers speedrun. At its core, a Helldivers speedrun is all about efficiency and minimizing wasted time. This means optimizing your route, selecting the most effective stratagems, and making every shot count. You'll need a solid understanding of enemy behavior, map layouts, and mission objectives to shave precious seconds off your time. Furthermore, communication is key, especially if you're running with a team. Clear and concise communication can prevent costly mistakes and ensure everyone is on the same page. Remember, the goal isn't just to complete the mission, it's to complete it as fast as humanly possible while still getting the job done. That perfect balance between speed and efficiency is what separates a good speedrun from a truly exceptional one. Remember to take into account the different enemy types and faction specific mission changes. The bugs require a completely different approach than the cyborgs, or illuminate, and optimizing your loadout and strategy for each faction is crucial for achieving a fast time. Finally, don't be afraid to experiment! The Helldivers community is constantly discovering new tricks and techniques, so stay curious and always be on the lookout for ways to improve your run.
Essential Loadout for a Lightning-Fast Run
Your loadout is arguably the most critical factor in determining your speedrun success. You need weapons and stratagems that offer both high damage output and mobility. A popular choice for primary weapons is the SG-225 Breaker, as its stopping power is unmatched for a balance between crowd control and single target damage. When you are able to unlock it, the LAS-16 Sickle becomes extremely valuable, as it's unlimited ammunition supply removes the need to call down resupply pods, which can waste valuable time. For secondary weapons, the P-2 Peacemaker is a reliable and versatile option. However, the Red-9 provides significantly more damage, at the cost of a smaller clip size, and slightly worse handling.
Now, let's talk stratagems. The Jump Pack is almost indispensable for navigating terrain quickly and escaping dangerous situations. Consider taking the Railgun as a support option for dealing with heavily armored targets. Strafing Run and Close Air Support provide excellent options for quickly clearing out groups of enemies or softening up tough targets before engaging. Finally, the Resupply stratagem is, of course, essential for keeping your ammo and grenades topped up. However, depending on your loadout choices, you might be able to forgo it, allowing for an additional offensive option to further optimize your speed. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your play style and the specific mission objectives.
Advanced Speedrunning Techniques
Okay, you've got the basics down. Now it's time to delve into the advanced techniques that will separate you from the average Helldiver and elevate you to speedrunning legend. First, master the art of the dive. Diving not only allows you to evade enemy attacks but also provides a speed boost when used strategically. Practice diving in different directions and chaining dives together to maintain momentum. Second, learn to exploit enemy AI. Enemies in Helldivers have predictable patrol patterns and behaviors. By understanding these patterns, you can manipulate enemy movements to your advantage, avoiding unnecessary engagements and creating openings for quick strikes. Third, optimize your stratagem usage. Don't just call in stratagems randomly; plan your deployments carefully to maximize their effectiveness. Use stratagems to clear paths, create diversions, and eliminate high-priority targets quickly. Finally, practice, practice, practice. The more you play, the better you'll become at anticipating enemy actions, navigating maps efficiently, and executing your speedrun strategy flawlessly.
Mastering Movement and Evasion
In Helldivers, movement is life, and efficient movement is the key to a successful speedrun. Learn to utilize the dive mechanic to its fullest potential. Dive-canceling, a technique where you initiate a dive and then immediately cancel it, can provide a burst of speed without the full animation of a dive, allowing you to traverse the map faster. Also, familiarize yourself with the terrain. Knowing the quickest routes through each map, including shortcuts and areas with fewer obstacles, can save you valuable seconds. Evasion is just as crucial as movement. Learn to recognize enemy attack patterns and use dives, dodges, and positioning to avoid taking damage. Taking damage not only slows you down but also depletes your resources, forcing you to use valuable time to heal. Pay attention to your surroundings and always be aware of potential threats.
Efficient Enemy Engagement
When it comes to enemy engagement in a Helldivers speedrun, efficiency is the name of the game. You want to eliminate threats as quickly and cleanly as possible, minimizing wasted time and resources. Prioritize targets based on their threat level and proximity. Focus on taking down enemies that pose the greatest risk to your safety or that are blocking your path. Utilize your stratagems strategically to clear out groups of enemies or soften up tough targets before engaging them directly. Learn to aim accurately and make every shot count. Wasting bullets not only depletes your ammo supply but also gives enemies more time to react and attack. Finally, don't be afraid to disengage if a fight is taking too long or becoming too risky. Sometimes, the best way to save time is to simply run away and regroup.
Communication and Coordination in Multiplayer
If you're running with a team, communication and coordination are absolutely essential for achieving a fast time. Establish clear roles and responsibilities for each player. Designate one player as the leader to make strategic decisions and direct the team's movements. Use voice communication to relay information quickly and efficiently. Call out enemy positions, strategem cooldowns, and any other relevant information that can help the team stay informed and coordinated. Coordinate your stratagem deployments to maximize their effectiveness. For example, one player can call in an airstrike to clear a path while another player provides cover fire. Finally, practice together regularly to develop a strong sense of teamwork and anticipation. The more you play together, the better you'll become at predicting each other's actions and working together seamlessly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the most skilled Helldivers can fall victim to common mistakes that can derail a speedrun. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for: Wasting time on unnecessary objectives. Focus on completing the primary objectives as quickly as possible and avoid getting sidetracked by optional tasks. Getting bogged down in prolonged engagements. If a fight is taking too long or becoming too risky, don't be afraid to disengage and regroup. Neglecting to manage your resources effectively. Keep an eye on your ammo, grenades, and stratagem cooldowns and use them wisely. Dying frequently. Dying not only wastes time but also depletes your reinforcements, making it harder to complete the mission. Failing to communicate effectively with your team. Clear and concise communication is essential for staying coordinated and avoiding costly mistakes. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can significantly improve your chances of achieving a successful speedrun.
Practice Makes Perfect: Tips for Improving Your Time
Ultimately, the key to improving your Helldivers speedrun time is practice. The more you play, the better you'll become at all aspects of the game, from movement and evasion to enemy engagement and resource management. Here are some tips for maximizing your practice sessions: Focus on specific areas for improvement. Identify your weaknesses and dedicate time to working on them. Watch videos of successful speedruns. Study the techniques and strategies used by top players and try to incorporate them into your own gameplay. Experiment with different loadouts and strategies. Don't be afraid to try new things and see what works best for you. Track your progress and analyze your mistakes. Keep a record of your speedrun times and identify areas where you can improve. Most importantly, have fun! Speedrunning can be challenging, but it should also be enjoyable. By approaching it with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn, you'll be well on your way to achieving your speedrunning goals.
So there you have it, future speed demons! With the right knowledge, loadout, and a whole lot of practice, you'll be blitzing through Helldivers missions in no time. Now get out there and spread some managed democracy, fast!