How to find and beat Impaler in Helldivers 2

Added to Helldivers 2 with the Escalation of Freedom update, the Impaler is one of the most unique Terminid enemies you can face. Veterans of the franchise will recognize the monster from the previous game, but it’s bound to surprise any newcomers. This tentacle-wielding giant can single-handedly (“tentacledly”?) scatter an unprepared team. So let’s dig into how to find and destroy these beasts.

Where to find the Impaler in Helldivers 2

The Impaler will appear along with other Terminid enemies on the eastern side of the galaxy. They start showing up from the Hard Difficulty level and onwards, with around the same frequency as the Bile Titan. As far as we can tell, there is never more than a single Impaler in a group mixed with other bugs. You’ll recognize its arrival by tremors shaking the ground.

How to beat the Impaler

The Impaler is an unmistakable Terminid that falls into the Titan size category. While its mass is impressive, the most recognizable feature is that its head sports three long tentacles which it uses as the only attack mode. When the Impaler prepares to attack, it will burry those tentacles into the ground, with them sprouting from different locations and attempting to impale you and your teammates. While normally armoured, during that time, its head is completely revealed and susceptible to attack.

You need to destroy the head while it’s exposed to beat the Impaler. Destroying the individual tentacles can only send them away for a while, but the head is the only weak spot on the monster. More importantly, the easiest way to destroy it is when the tentacles are out and the head is unarmoured. Even with all that in mind, the head still has a lot of hit points and will take some effort to bring down. It can be taken down by using high-damage primary weapons, although Stratagems will be your best option for one-shotting it. Consider using these weapons to deal te most damage to the Impaler’s head:

• SG-225 Breaker (primary)
• SG-225IE Breaker Incendiary (primary)
• MG-43 Machine Gun (stratagem)
• M-105 Stalwart (stratagem)
• Quasar Cannon (stratagem)
• Recoilless Rifle (stratagem)
• Expendable Anti-Tank (stratagem)
• Eagle 110mm Rocket Pods (stratagem)
• Orbital Precision Strike (stratagem)
• Grenade Pistol (secondary)
• Thermite Grenate (grenade)

✓ Pro tip

Don’t force all of the Imapler’s tentacles back underground. If they all retreat, then it will cover its face again, making it much harder to destroy.

More tips to keep in mind:

• Coordinate with your teammates: To beat the Impaler, we suggest that you coordinate with your team. First, clear out any Terminids around it to give yourselves room to breathe. Then, have three Helldivers focus on the tentacles, forcing two underground but leaving one up. That tentacle needs to be kited around, while the remaining player finds and approaches the head. Unload everything you got into the exposed head and that will destroy the monster.
• Consider how you aim your stratagems: If you’re throwing a Stratagem ball at an Impaler, make sure to aim slightly in front or next to the head, so it doesn’t bounce off and accidentally miss once deployed.
• Don’t run far away from the tentacles: Kiting the tentacles a long distance away doesn’t really work. Running away from them will make them chase you. They don’t seem to have max range, so you may lose track of where the body is, making it even harder to get back and destroy it.
• Use sticky grenades on the head: One of the best options that has come up after the patch that buffed most weapons is the Thermite Grenade. Once the Impaler’s head is exposed, it’s easy to stick a couple of them to it and watch the big bug explode.

We have to stress coordination and teamwork – this monster is very difficult to beat solo because all the tentacles will be solely on you. Make sure you’re safe from other bugs, like Chargers, Bile Spewers and Hunters when facing this monstrosity.