Helldivers 2: Top Illuminate Loadouts

Quick Links

• The Laser Cannon Loadout: Melting the Illuminate

• The Lightning Loadout: Shocking (& Staggering) the Illuminate

• The Machine Gun Loadout: Shredding the Illuminate

The Illuminate in Helldivers 2 are a tough nut to crack, known for their advanced tech and overwhelming numbers. While you're battling their light infantry, elite units will be swarming you from above and below. Victory hinges on smart loadouts that exploit their weaknesses while mitigating 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 details top-tier loadouts for taking on the Illuminate, whether you're a veteran or just starting out. Let's get ready to fight!

The Laser Cannon Loadout: Melting the Illuminate

The PLAS-1 Scorcher and PLAS-101 Purifier are top-tier primaries in Helldivers 2, decimating Overseers (including the airborne Elevated units) and Voteless alike. Siege-Ready's increased ammo and faster reloads ensure you're always ready for multiple targets. The improved DPS is invaluable when every shot counts.

The Eagle Strafing Run and GP-31 Grenade Pistol combo is devastating against warp ships. Energy weapons struggle against their shields, but a Strafing Run obliterates them, leaving the grenade pistol to finish them off. This is perfect for clearing out larger nests requiring multiple ship destructions. While the G-13 Incendiary Impact is great for clearing chaff, save it for that purpose and use the Grenade Pistol against the ships.

The AX/AR-23 "Guard Dog" surprisingly excels against medium-armored Overseers; each burst takes down an elite unit, providing excellent flank protection.

The A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry secures areas during objective defense. If crowd control isn't a priority, swap it for 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, and is excellent against Harvesters. Use a Strafing Run to strip their shields, then laser their weak points (thighs/eyes). One clip is usually enough with accurate aim. Its long range lets you pick off targets from afar. Against multiple Harvesters (common on higher difficulties), an Orbital Laser becomes essential.

The Lightning Loadout: Shocking (& Staggering) the Illuminate

The ARC-12 Blitzer and ARC-3 Arc Thrower are ideal for both melee and ranged Illuminate units. The Arc Thrower stuns Overseers, making them easy targets. Chained lightning attacks from multiple sources can create a zone of control.

The Arc Thrower can also take down unshielded Harvesters (though it takes many hits).

The A/ARC-3 Tesla Tower is highly effective against all Illuminate types, especially flying Overseers. It provides consistent crowd control and disrupts enemies.

The Eagle Strafing Run and Grenade Pistol remain crucial for warp ship destruction, as the Blitzer and Arc Thrower are less efficient against their shields.

For heavy units, the Orbital Railcannon Strike is excellent (unlimited uses). The Orbital Laser is effective against multiple Harvesters, but its limited uses might leave you reliant on teammates. Remember to use a Strafing Run to disable their shields first. This is a powerful build, especially with coordinated teammates.

The Machine Gun Loadout: Shredding the Illuminate

The MG-43 Machine Gun is incredibly versatile against the Illuminate, shredding light and medium units, and even Harvesters. Its handling is superior to the MG-206, and it dispatches infantry quickly. Pair it with the Engineering Kit (reduced recoil) or Peak Physique (reduced drag for easier targeting of airborne units).

Its high fire rate is effective at stripping shields, negating the need for Eagle Strafing Runs against grounded warp ships. Choose a turret sentry to handle crowds or defend objectives.

The Machine Gun's only weakness is its stationary reload. The LIFT-850 Jump Pack solves this, allowing quick repositioning.

While effective against Harvesters (aim for weak points), an Orbital stratagem is helpful for multiple heavies. The Orbital Laser handles two to three shielded Harvesters, while the Railcannon Strike is best against unshielded targets.

For the primary weapon, the StA-52 Assault Rifle (from the Killzone 2 crossover) offers sustained fire and light armor penetration.