All Helldivers 2 factions – enemy types and weaknesses list

The Galactic War pits Super Earth against two key enemy factions in Helldivers 2. Learn more about all the enemy types in the game to plan ahead with the right combat Stratagems and gear.

Scavengers

These relatively small bugs can be defeated with a couple of bullets but can be deadly in swarms. They’re pretty speedy too so try not to move while shooting them.

Pouncer

Pouncers are small, weak bugs that use their wings to propel themselves into long jumps, kind of like fleas. And they are just as annoying. One of their favourite tactics is to flank your team, so make sure to keep an eye on their movements.

Hunters

These are fairly simple to beat too but they’re more mobile than Scavengers. By jumping from place to place, they make it harder for you to set your crosshairs on them.

Warriors

While these bugs are small too, a harder outer shell means that they take more bullets to put down. Adopt faster-firing weapons, like the machine gun, against these enemies or use armour penetration weapons to dispatch them quickly.

Bile Warrior

These are a Warrior mutation that can fire short-range bile attacks. They share the same weaknesses as their original form, however, make sure to kill them from range. When they die, they explode, spraying bile in a small area around them, which can still damage you.

Stalker

These larger hunters can move fairly quickly despite their medium size. So try taking them out first so that you can focus your attention on the other Terminids. Mark the enemy so that you don’t get caught off-guard.

Hive Guard

HIve Guards are larger Warriors that have developed stronger frontal armour. As the name implies, they usually guard nests and spawn pits. You have to use armour-penetration weapons if you fight them from the front, or better yet, circle around them to destroy their squishy back sides.

Bile Spewer

These hulking Terminids can fire acidic bile at you, melting through your health bar. So take them out by aiming at the glowing parts of their body. There are smaller variants of these as well that can be taken out in a few hits. Here’s how to kill Bile Spewers in Helldivers 2.

Charger

As the name says, these armoured opponents will rush toward you and cause some serious knockback damage. Try to steer clear of their attack routes unless you want to be flung off your feet. Use anti-armour weapons, damage Chargers in their vulnerable backside, or target their limbs for maximum damage.

Bile Titan

The largest of the Terminids, these massive beasts can deal some severe damage. Opt for stratagems like the orbital strike to beat them. If you’re stuck with weapons, break one of the armoured legs and focus fire until it is vanquished. Firing at its underside is your best bet. Check out how to kill Bile Titans in Helldivers 2.

Brood Commander

These are hard to defeat because other Terminids usually accompany them. Targeting them while hunters fly at you is no easy task. But its slow speed and melee attacks mean that you can take them down with enough firepower. Consider using a stratagem to clear out these hordes.

Shrieker

Shriekers are the flying-type enemies you may encounter in the game. Destroy their nests to stop them from spawning. While most weapons should be able to take them out, remember to step aside or risk getting killed by their falling bodies.

Behemoth Charger

This hulking monster is a bigger, meaner version of the Charger. It can be distinguished by its horned head and boasts stronger armour and a larger HP pool. However, everything that you do to take down a Charger applies here too – it will just take you longer to do it.

Spore Charger

These are another Charger mutation that emits a cloud of spores around itself. It uses that to mask its attacks, so be careful not to be taken by surprise. Spore Chargers share all the same weaknesses though, you will just need to be extra careful and cognizant that optimal range will be an issue.

Impaler

Impalers are armoured titan-sized Terminids that attack by burrowing their three tentacles into the ground and using them to catch you off-guard. However, this form of attack leaves their head vulnerable, which you can use to your advantage to kill them, while your team distracts the tentacles.

Alpha Commander

Alpha Commanders are Brood Commanders on steroids. They are bigger, tougher, and hit harder. They usually lead a horde of other Terminids, making them a difficult threat to take down. Use area-wiping Stratagems to thin out their army before dealing with them.

Raider, Marauder, or Trooper

Think of them as the grunts of the Automatons. Don’t let them swarm you and pelt you with their fists. The Raider variants pack guns so protect yourself from laser fire as you fight them. Guns with high fire rates like the Machine Gun, Stalwart, or an Assault Rifle are good against them.

Commissar

With a lethal blade, these enemies are deadly at close range. Try to pick them off at a distance as much as possible. They go down in a couple of shots so most weapons will suffice for them.

Scout Strider

A robot pilots this bipedal mech that fires in one direction. Their weak spots are their leg joints and back. Here’s how you can kill a Scout Strider in Helldivers 2. The Rocket Raider variant is particularly demoralizing. Try sniping its rider with a Diligence Marksman Rifle.

Berserker

With twin chainsaws, these medium-sized Automatons can slice your squad up if they get too close. Focus on taking these down before engaging other ranged targets. Their weak spots glow in red so target these joints with a Shotgun or Assault Rifle. You can also adopt the Grenade Launcher for hordes with Berserkers.

Devastator

These medium-sized foes are another type that favours melee attacks. But you’ll usually be able to spot them from afar so you should be able to take Devastators down with the right firepower. Aim at their head or limbs to deal maximum damage. Just watch out for the Heavy Devastator variant with more armour. And say your prayers if you find the Rocket Devastator and their lethal rocket launcher. Grenades will come in handy here.

Hulk

With twin cannons and its bulky size, the Hulk is a menacing threat among the Automatons. While it won’t surprise you, its damage can quickly wipe out your squad. Look for the weak spot on its upper back to take it down. Its little face can be shot too. The Scorcher variant packs in a Flamethrower. Try using armour-piercing gear like the Autocannon or Expendable Anti-Tank against it.

Tank

This hulking monstrosity is the bane of most Helldivers 2 players. With several variants to keep an eye out for, such as the Rocket Tank, they can force you to spam Reinforce stratagems to revive your allies. For most Tanks, you’ll need to focus on the weak spot on the back of its turret. As for the tougher Annihilator Tank, opt for orbital strikes. They don’t have this weak spot so drop an Eagle stratagem on them.

Dropship

While these won’t directly engage you, they bring in more troops for you to fight. Their massive health pools mean that you’re better off fighting the Automatons themselves instead of trying to take the ship down. You might destroy one of these with a well-timed orbital strike, though. The Quasar Cannon can also be used to destroy one of its engines.

Factory Strider

These massive Automaton AT-AT Walker-like machines show up in difficulty levels 7 and above. When facing this foe, focus on the cannon turret atop the Strider and the two front-mounted machine guns. As for the legs that spawn Devastators, fire at the large levers near its back legs to disable this ability. Don’t hesitate to use up powerful stratagems like the Eagle 500kg bomb against this threat.

Gunship

Gunships begin to appear at difficulties of Suicide and above via tower-like Gunship Fabricators. They roam in packs and are armoured, so focus on support weapons and other guns with penetration. Use the EAT-17 Expendable Anti-Tank, Recoilless Rifle, and Autocannon to knock these out of the sky. The Quasar Cannon is great against these threats too but has a long reload time. As for weak spots, their exposed engines are what you should aim for. And run to cover after destroying one as its hull can crash on you and kill you.