How Stratagems Work in Helldivers 2: A Practical Player's Overview
Inviato: 09 gen 2026 09:36
Stratagems are your primary tools for turning the tide of a mission. Unlike your personal weapons, they represent the direct support of Helldiver Command, delivering everything from extra ammunition to orbital barrages. Understanding how to choose and use them effectively is what separates a recruit from a seasoned diver. This guide will explain how they work in practice, based on common player experiences.
What Are Stratagems and How Do I Call Them In?
Think of Stratagems as your tactical menu. During a mission, you can call down these support items by inputting a specific directional code on your controller or keyboard. Each Stratagem has a unique sequence, usually between 3 to 7 inputs. Most players commit the codes for their favorite Stratagems to muscle memory, as looking down at your hand during a swarm is rarely a good idea.
After dialing the code, you throw a beacon to mark the delivery point. It’s crucial to throw this to a clear, open area. If the beacon lands on a rock or the roof of a building, the drop-pod containing your Stratagem will likely be destroyed on impact. Also, be mindful of your teammates; calling a supply drop on someone’s head is a classic, if frowned upon, blunder.
How Do I Unlock More Stratagems?
You start with a few basic Stratagems, like the essential Resupply. There are two main ways to get more. First, by completing all missions on specific planets that list a Stratagem as a global reward. Second, by purchasing them on your ship using Requisition Slips, the currency earned from completing missions.
It’s worth noting that while most progression is earned through play, a shortcut exists for those who want it. Some players look for helldivers 2 super credits for sale from third-party sources to accelerate unlocking items in the in-game store, though this is generally not recommended due to risks and is separate from the standard Requisition Slip system. In general, most veterans advise just playing the game, as Requisition Slips come steadily from completing operations.
What’s the Deal with Upgrading Stratagems?
This is one of the most important systems. On your ship, the Armory terminal allows you to spend Research Points to upgrade your unlocked Stratagems. These upgrades are significant. They can reduce call-in times, shorten cooldowns, increase the number of uses per mission, or even change a Stratagem's function entirely—like turning an anti-personnel strike into an anti-tank one.
Prioritize upgrading the Stratagems you use most. For example, upgrading your favorite Eagle airstrike to have a faster re-arm time can dramatically increase your damage output during longer engagements. Some upgrades also have prerequisites, requiring you to upgrade a related Stratagem first.
How Should I Choose My Four Stratagem Slots?
You can only bring four Stratagems into a mission, so your choice requires some thought. The common strategy among most players is to build a balanced "kit." A typical loadout covers several needs:
Sustenance: One slot is almost always for a Resupply pack. Running out of ammunition, especially for support weapons, is a common mission-ender.
Anti-Armor: You will encounter heavy enemies. Bringing at least one dedicated anti-tank option, like the Recoilless Rifle or an Eagle 500kg Bomb, is considered essential on higher difficulties.
Crowd Control: Something to handle swarms of smaller enemies, like an automated Machine Gun Turret or an Orbital Gatling Barrage.
Flex Slot: This is for utility or doubling up on a role. This could be a defensive tool like a Shield Generator Relay, a vehicle for traversal, or a second offensive strike for more firepower.
You can also bring multiple of the same Stratagem. It’s not unusual to see a team where two players bring a Resupply to ensure the squad stays stocked.
How Do They Behave in the Heat of Battle?
There are key mechanics to remember. First, you can cancel a Stratagem input before you throw the beacon, but not after your character starts the throwing animation. If you are knocked down while holding a beacon, you’ll drop it at your feet, which can lead to chaotic and often explosive outcomes.
Interestingly, you can still input Stratagem codes while you are "bleeding out" on the ground. This allows for clutch plays, like calling a Reinforce Stratagem to bring the whole team back after a wipe. Furthermore, when piloting an Exosuit mech, you can launch Stratagem beacons from a shoulder-mounted launcher, which throws them at a consistent distance—useful for precise placements under fire.
What Are the Main Categories of Stratagems?
Stratagems are broadly grouped by function:
Supply: These provide ammunition, powerful backpack weapons, drones, or vehicles. They are your foundation.
Defensive: Automated turrets, minefields, and shield generators fall here. They are excellent for guarding objectives or creating a fallback point.
Offensive: This is your arsenal of strikes—airstrikes, artillery barrages, and napalm strikes. They are your primary tool for deleting large clusters of enemies or heavy targets.
Special: These are often provided by Command for specific mission objectives, like the Hellbomb for destroying enemy nests or ICBMs. You don’t need to bring these in your loadout.
In practice, successful teams coordinate their Stratagem choices before dropping. Having a mix of categories across the squad ensures you’re prepared for any situation Managed Democracy throws at you.
What Are Stratagems and How Do I Call Them In?
Think of Stratagems as your tactical menu. During a mission, you can call down these support items by inputting a specific directional code on your controller or keyboard. Each Stratagem has a unique sequence, usually between 3 to 7 inputs. Most players commit the codes for their favorite Stratagems to muscle memory, as looking down at your hand during a swarm is rarely a good idea.
After dialing the code, you throw a beacon to mark the delivery point. It’s crucial to throw this to a clear, open area. If the beacon lands on a rock or the roof of a building, the drop-pod containing your Stratagem will likely be destroyed on impact. Also, be mindful of your teammates; calling a supply drop on someone’s head is a classic, if frowned upon, blunder.
How Do I Unlock More Stratagems?
You start with a few basic Stratagems, like the essential Resupply. There are two main ways to get more. First, by completing all missions on specific planets that list a Stratagem as a global reward. Second, by purchasing them on your ship using Requisition Slips, the currency earned from completing missions.
It’s worth noting that while most progression is earned through play, a shortcut exists for those who want it. Some players look for helldivers 2 super credits for sale from third-party sources to accelerate unlocking items in the in-game store, though this is generally not recommended due to risks and is separate from the standard Requisition Slip system. In general, most veterans advise just playing the game, as Requisition Slips come steadily from completing operations.
What’s the Deal with Upgrading Stratagems?
This is one of the most important systems. On your ship, the Armory terminal allows you to spend Research Points to upgrade your unlocked Stratagems. These upgrades are significant. They can reduce call-in times, shorten cooldowns, increase the number of uses per mission, or even change a Stratagem's function entirely—like turning an anti-personnel strike into an anti-tank one.
Prioritize upgrading the Stratagems you use most. For example, upgrading your favorite Eagle airstrike to have a faster re-arm time can dramatically increase your damage output during longer engagements. Some upgrades also have prerequisites, requiring you to upgrade a related Stratagem first.
How Should I Choose My Four Stratagem Slots?
You can only bring four Stratagems into a mission, so your choice requires some thought. The common strategy among most players is to build a balanced "kit." A typical loadout covers several needs:
Sustenance: One slot is almost always for a Resupply pack. Running out of ammunition, especially for support weapons, is a common mission-ender.
Anti-Armor: You will encounter heavy enemies. Bringing at least one dedicated anti-tank option, like the Recoilless Rifle or an Eagle 500kg Bomb, is considered essential on higher difficulties.
Crowd Control: Something to handle swarms of smaller enemies, like an automated Machine Gun Turret or an Orbital Gatling Barrage.
Flex Slot: This is for utility or doubling up on a role. This could be a defensive tool like a Shield Generator Relay, a vehicle for traversal, or a second offensive strike for more firepower.
You can also bring multiple of the same Stratagem. It’s not unusual to see a team where two players bring a Resupply to ensure the squad stays stocked.
How Do They Behave in the Heat of Battle?
There are key mechanics to remember. First, you can cancel a Stratagem input before you throw the beacon, but not after your character starts the throwing animation. If you are knocked down while holding a beacon, you’ll drop it at your feet, which can lead to chaotic and often explosive outcomes.
Interestingly, you can still input Stratagem codes while you are "bleeding out" on the ground. This allows for clutch plays, like calling a Reinforce Stratagem to bring the whole team back after a wipe. Furthermore, when piloting an Exosuit mech, you can launch Stratagem beacons from a shoulder-mounted launcher, which throws them at a consistent distance—useful for precise placements under fire.
What Are the Main Categories of Stratagems?
Stratagems are broadly grouped by function:
Supply: These provide ammunition, powerful backpack weapons, drones, or vehicles. They are your foundation.
Defensive: Automated turrets, minefields, and shield generators fall here. They are excellent for guarding objectives or creating a fallback point.
Offensive: This is your arsenal of strikes—airstrikes, artillery barrages, and napalm strikes. They are your primary tool for deleting large clusters of enemies or heavy targets.
Special: These are often provided by Command for specific mission objectives, like the Hellbomb for destroying enemy nests or ICBMs. You don’t need to bring these in your loadout.
In practice, successful teams coordinate their Stratagem choices before dropping. Having a mix of categories across the squad ensures you’re prepared for any situation Managed Democracy throws at you.