All Helldivers 2 factions – enemy types and weaknesses list

All Helldivers 2 factions – enemy types and weaknesses list
Antony Terence Updated on by

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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.

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All Helldivers 2 factions

Players will encounter the Terminid and Automaton factions in the game.

What factions are in Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 has two main factions: the Terminids and the Automatons. Each has its distinct method of putting pressure on your squad, complete with different units and strategies. Both sides can punish you if you’re caught off-guard but the Automatons are tougher to beat. We’ve covered all the units here so that you’ll know how to tackle these threats. New units can arrive by surprise like the Factory Strider and Gunship alongside content updates.

Helldivers 2 factions: A player next to dead Terminid enemies in Helldivers 2. Image captured by VideoGamer.
The only good bug is a dead one. Image captured by VideoGamer.

All Terminids in Helldivers 2 and their weaknesses

Terminids are massive bug-like monsters that have infested planets with nests. It’s your job to clear them out but watch out for ones that tower over you. These creatures focus on numbers over sheer battle power, making you quickly run out of magazines. Remember to regroup and resupply whenever possible to vanquish this threat. Being aware of the enemy types in Helldivers 2 will allow you to plan your strategies accordingly. Here’s a list of all the Terminid enemies.

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.

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. There are larger armored variants called Hive Guards that protect nests.

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.

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 armored 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. 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 armored legs and focus fire until it is vanquished. Firing at its underside is your best bet. Here’s 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.

Helldivers 2 factions: A player faces Automaton forces in the game. Image captured by VideoGamer.
Robots form one of the factions in Helldivers 2. Image from Arrowhead Games.
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The Automatons are tougher than Terminids

Armored opponents take longer to defeat so be generous with stratagems and explosives against them. Try to take advantage of weak spots as well.

All Automatons in Helldivers 2 and how to defeat them

These robotic beings are far tougher than your Terminid foes. With armor and a variety of lethal ranged attacks, your first Automaton experience will quickly humble you into taking cover and using stratagems as much as possible. Opt for weapons with armor-piercing rounds and explosive damage to counter them. Communication is key to survival as well. Here are all the Automaton enemies you’ll face in Helldivers 2.

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 favors 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 armor. 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 armor-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, 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 armored 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.

Will more factions arrive in Helldivers 2

While we don’t have an official confirmation from the developers yet, we may see more enemy types later on. DLC and content updates could offer more enemy variety and weapons to take them down. The previous game featured the Illuminate race, which might just make a comeback.

Helldivers 2 factions FAQs

How many factions are in Helldivers 2?

There are two factions in the game.

What are the weaknesses of the factions in Helldivers 2?

While the Terminids can be dealt with explosives and fast fire rates, Automatons reward accuracy and armor penetration weapons.