Helldivers 2: Best Loadouts for the Illuminate
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The Illuminate in Helldivers 2 are a tough nut to crack. Their advanced tech and overwhelming numbers make them a serious threat. While you're dealing with their light infantry, their elite units will be swarming you from all angles. Success hinges on smart loadouts that exploit their weaknesses and mitigate their strengths. The key is finding the right balance of weapons and stratagems to handle both their lighter and heavier units; neglecting either will leave you vulnerable.
This guide outlines top-tier loadouts specifically designed to conquer the Illuminate. Whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, these strategies will significantly improve your combat effectiveness. Let's dive in and prepare for battle!
The Laser Cannon Loadout: Melting the Illuminate
PLAS-1 Scorcher / PLAS-101 Purifier
GP-31 Grenade Pistol
G-13 Incendiary Impact
Siege-Ready
- LAS-98 Laser Cannon (Support)
- AX/AR-23 "Guard Dog"
- Eagle Strafing Run
- A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry / Orbital Laser
The 
PLAS-1 Scorcher and 
PLAS-101 Purifier are top-tier primaries in Helldivers 2. They decimate Overseers, including the airborne Elevated units, and are equally effective against the Voteless. The Siege-Ready armor passive ensures ample ammo and quick reloads, letting you engage multiple high-priority targets. The increased DPS is invaluable when every shot counts.
The 
Eagle Strafing Run and 
GP-31 Grenade Pistol are a potent combination for destroying parked warp ships. Energy weapons struggle against their shields, but a Strafing Run quickly eliminates them, leaving the grenade pistol to finish the job. This is particularly effective against larger Illuminate nests. While the 
G-13 Incendiary Impact works well against groups of enemies, save them for clearing chaff and use the Grenade Pistol against warp ships.
The 
AX/AR-23 "Guard Dog" surprisingly excels against medium-armored Overseers. Each burst takes down a single elite, making it ideal for flank protection.
The 
A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry secures areas during objective defense. If crowd control isn't a priority, replace it with an 
Orbital Laser to target Harvesters or future heavy units.
Finally, the 
LAS-98 Laser Cannon rounds out this loadout. It melts Overseers and chaff in seconds and is excellent against Harvesters. Use a Strafing Run to weaken their shields, then target their weak points (thighs/eyes). A single clip usually suffices with accurate aim. Its long range is a major advantage.
On higher difficulties (levels 9 and 10) where multiple Harvesters are common, an Orbital Laser becomes essential.
The Lightning Loadout: Shocking (& Staggering) the Illuminate
ARC-12 Blitzer
GP-31 Grenade Pistol
G-13 Incendiary Impact
Electrical Conduit / Med-Kit
- ARC-3 Arc Thrower (Support)
- Orbital Railcannon Strike / Orbital Laser
- Eagle Strafing Run
- A/ARC-3 Tesla Tower
The Illuminate's mix of melee and ranged units makes the 
ARC-12 Blitzer and 
ARC-3 Arc Thrower highly effective. Both handle chaff easily, but the Arc Thrower's stunning effect renders Overseers nearly helpless. Repeated attacks can perma-stun airborne Overseers.
The Arc Thrower can also damage unshielded Harvesters, though it takes multiple hits.
The 
A/ARC-3 Tesla Tower is excellent against all Illuminate types, especially flying Overseers. Its consistent crowd control and disruption make managing large waves easier. Combined with the Arc Thrower, you create a zone of chained lightning attacks. Prioritize targeting enemies with the Arc Thrower to prevent them from destroying your Tesla Tower. Remember, Harvesters often target sentries, so don't waste them if you're engaged with Harvesters.
The Eagle Strafing Run and Grenade Pistol are needed to destroy parked warp ships, as the Blitzer and Arc Thrower are inefficient against their shields.
For heavy units, the 
Orbital Railcannon Strike is ideal due to its unlimited uses. The Orbital Laser is effective against multiple Harvesters, but its limited uses mean you'll rely on teammates eventually. Remember to use a Strafing Run to disable their shields first. This is a potent build, especially with team coordination.
The Machine Gun Loadout: Shredding the Illuminate
StA-52 Assault Rifle
GP-31 Grenade Pistol / CQC-19 Stun Lance
G-13 Incendiary Impact
Peak Physique / Engineering Kit
- MG-43 Machine Gun (Support)
- LIFT-850 Jump Pack
- Orbital Railcannon Strike / Orbital Laser
- A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry / A/G-16 Gatling Sentry
The 
MG-43 Machine Gun is incredibly versatile against the Illuminate. It shreds light and medium units, and even Harvesters. Compared to the MG-206, its better handling and faster infantry takedowns make it superior. It's a true all-rounder, offering a great balance of power and reliability. Pair it with the Engineering Kit to reduce recoil or Peak Physique to reduce drag for easier targeting of airborne units.
Its high fire rate is effective at depleting shields, eliminating the need for the Eagle Strafing Run against warp ships. Choose a turret sentry to control crowds or defend objectives.
Its only weakness is the stationary reload animation. The 
LIFT-850 Jump Pack helps you reposition quickly.
While effective against Harvesters, an Orbital stratagem is useful for dealing with multiple heavy units. The Orbital Laser handles two to three shielded Harvesters, while the Railcannon Strike is best against unshielded targets.
For the primary, the StA-52 Assault Rifle is a solid choice, offering sustained fire and armor penetration.
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