Helldivers 2 best stratagems tier list and codes for early game, bugs, and bots

How to unlock all stratagems in Helldivers 2

Stratagems are powerful abilities that can be called down from your Destroyer ship in Helldivers 2. As for using these powerful items, you’ll need Requisition credits that can be earned from Orders and operations. You’ll also need to be at a certain level to unlock them. Pick between these buffs at the Ship Management console in your ship:

• Mission: These are unlocked for all players but are restricted to certain mission types.
• Patriotic Administration Centre: This focuses on heavy weaponry that is great against armored targets.
• Orbital Cannons: Watch out for artillery fire from your Destroyer. And yes, they can hurt you.
• Hangar: These deal explosive damage and focus on bombs.
• Bridge: Adopt these if you prefer dishing out elemental damage.
• Engineering Bay: A mix of offensive and defensive equipment.
• Robotics Workshop: The automation side of things, from drones to turrets.

Best S-tier stratagems in Helldivers 2

While it can be hard to pick the best ones because of the variety of enemies, some stratagems stand out from the rest. Here are our top picks for the best stratagems in Helldivers 2.

Quasar Cannon – the best Engineering Bay stratagem

• Stratagem code: Down, Down, Up, Left, Right
• Cost: 7500 Requisition credits at Level 18
• Traits: Support Weapon, Hellpod
• Call-In Time: 3 Seconds
• Uses: Unlimited
• Cooldown Time: 480 Seconds

While it does take 10 seconds between reloads and has a 3-second charge time, the Quasar Cannon is easily the best support weapon in the game. It can take down all sorts of armored foes like Chargers and objectives like Cannon Towers from a decent range. You can even knock down a Dropship packed with Automaton reinforcements if you land a shot at one of the ship’s engines. It’s also featured in our best weapons guide.

Orbital Laser – the best Orbital Cannons stratagem

• Stratagem code: Right, Down, Up, Right, Down
• Cost: 10000 Requisition credits at Level 15
• Traits: Orbital
• Call-In Time: 2 Seconds
• Uses: 3
• Cooldown Time: 300 Seconds

This stratagem is great against both Terminids and Automatons. You can use this to either fight off strong targets or mobs of weaker ones. Its versatility means that it’ll help you with most enemies in the game. It might not be able to take out a Bile Titan but it can take out smaller hordes easily.

Eagle Airstrike – the best Hanger stratagem

• Stratagem code: Up, Right, Down, Right
• Cost: 4000 Requisition credits at Level 2
• Traits: Explosive, Eagle
• Call-In Time: 0 Seconds
• Uses: 2
• Cooldown Time: 15 Seconds

Eagle Airstrike is a part of the Hangar Stratagems. Clear weak enemies with this quick artillery attack. It’s got a low cooldown too so you can use it again in a short period of time. If you want a bigger punch, you could consider the 500kg Bomb instead. You’ll have to run for safety when using that one, though.

Shield Generator Pack

• Stratagem code: Down, Up, Left, Right, Left, Right
• Cost: 10000 Requisition credits at Level 20
• Traits: Hellpod, Backpack
• Call-In Time: 5 Seconds
• Uses: Unlimited
• Cooldown Time: 480 Seconds

This Engineering Bay Stratagem is incredible at defending you from projectiles. It’s almost a must-have at higher difficulties, especially since it recharges over time. While a recent nerf slowed its recharge rate, it does regenerate and protect you from extended firefights. The stratagem straight-up turns you into a Halo: ODST trooper.

Patriot Exosuit – the best Robotics Workshop stratagem

• Stratagem code: Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Down
• Cost: 20000 Requisition credits at Level 25
• Traits: Explosive, Vehicle
• Call-In Time: 0 Seconds
• Uses: 2
• Cooldown Time: 600 Seconds

With a machine gun and rockets, you can dish out some serious damage against other armored targets. You can protect your teammates and clear objectives with the help of this hulking mech. Remember that explosives can take your Patriot Exosuit out in a couple of hits so try to avoid them as much as possible. And yes, it even has a melee attack.

Grenade Launcher

• Stratagem code: Down, Left, Up, Left, Down
• Cost: 6000 Requisition credits at Level 5
• Traits: Support Weapon, Hellpod, Explosive
• Call-In Time: 3 Seconds
• Uses: Unlimited
• Cooldown Time: 480 Seconds

It can be found in the Engineering Bay Stratagems. It’s an incredibly versatile weapon because it can take down both enemies and nests/structures like bug holes and breaches. Armored opponents can be damaged with this as well. Just be mindful of where you’re aiming as these grenades can ricochet and hit you instead.

Expendable Anti-Tank

• Stratagem code: Down, Left, Up, Left, Down
• Cost: 3000 Requisition credits at Level 3
• Traits: Support Weapon, Hellpod, Explosive
• Call-In Time: 2 Seconds
• Uses: Unlimited
• Cooldown Time: 60 Seconds

It’s one of the Patriotic Administration Center Stratagems. While its ammo may be on the low side, its quick recharge time lets you drop them often. Pick it up and you’ll be able to deal solid damage against armored targets before dropping the weapon. Its buff makes it particularly lethal against Chargers and other armored enemies.

Should you memorize stratagem codes in Helldivers 2?

No, you don’t need to memorize them. When you select the stratagem before deploying, you will get the code on the top left of the screen whenever you want to check them. But in the heat of battle, it might be difficult to perfectly execute the button combo without knowing it beforehand. Even then, it isn’t necessary to memorize stratagem codes on Helldivers 2 unless they’re your favorites.

Best early game stratagems in Helldivers 2

Here’s what you should keep an eye out for when it comes to Helldivers 2’s best early stratagems:

• Stalwart: Thanks to its strong rate of fire, this weapon is great against enemy hordes until the Challenging difficulty where armored enemies appear more frequently. It’s got a better reload time than the Machine Gun but doesn’t hit as hard.
• EAT-17 Expendable Anti-Tank: This is great against armored foes and has a fairly short cooldown. Thanks to a recent update, it can take down Chargers in one shot. It’s great even at higher difficulties.
• Orbital Gatling Barrage: This orbital stratagem can help with large groups of enemies. And it can be unlocked fairly early as well.
• Eagle Airstrike: This reliable damage dealer is relevant throughout the game. So unlock it right away.
• Gatling Sentry: While other sentries are more lethal, this one’s pretty good at clearing waves of enemies without instantly killing you via friendly fire.

Use the Railgun in unsafe mode to break armor. Image captured by VideoGamer.

Use the Orbital Laser to char through Chargers. Image captured by VideoGamer.

Use the Gatling Turret against swarms of bugs. Image captured by VideoGamer.

Use the EAT-17 against large bugs. Image captured by VideoGamer.

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So what stratagems are good against bugs in Helldivers 2?

• Railgun: This weapon can dish out some serious punishment against Chargers and Bile Titans. Weaker foes like Bile Spewers and Hive Guards will only need one shot to be put down. You can consider the Quasar Cannon instead if you want to have unlimited ammo. The Flamethrower is another excellent pick as bugs are susceptible to fire damage.
• Orbital Laser: This choice is great against both weak and strong bugs. It can handle objectives like bug nests too. Consider the Orbital Gatling Barrage if you want to handle a bug breach.
• Gatling Sentry: This sentry’s rapid fire rate will serve you well against enemy hordes. But don’t expect it to crack the armor of a Bile Titan.
• Expendable Anti-Tank: This is a reliable addition to your armory as it has a short cooldown. While it might be a single-use weapon, it can knock out medium-sized foes like Chargers in a single shot.

Eagle Airstrikes can clear Automaton squads too but watch out for armored enemies. Image captured by VideoGamer.

Mortar Sentry fire can clear objectives from a distance. Image captured by VideoGamer.

The Shield Generator Pack is good while handling Automaton fire. Image captured by VideoGamer.

Use the Quasar Cannon against Hulks and Tanks. Image captured by VideoGamer.

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What are the best stratagems for automatons in Helldivers 2?

• Quasar Cannon: With the robots focusing on armor, step up your offensive with the Quasar Cannon. Firing and reloading with this gun might take a while but few weapons punch through armor like it. Unlimited ammo is another neat perk to have against hordes of Hulks and Tanks.
• Shield Generator Pack: If you don’t want to be drowned in laser fire, get this stratagem. Use it to withstand enemy projectiles, making it easier on your stims and reinforcements.
• Mortar Sentry: While it can destroy your allies just as effectively, the Mortal Sentry is great against armored opponents who aren’t near you.
• Eagle Airstrike: You can use this to clear outposts and even enemy squads of Automatons. Just remember to use Eagle Rearm whenever possible.