Summary

• Helldivers 2 has friendly fire, so players must pay attention to positioning and aim to avoid killing their teammates.
• Players are encouraged to share supplies and loot equally among the team.
• Players should use ammo and Stratagems wisely, and communicate with their teammates to determine the best course of action.

There’s a set of unwritten rules in any online multiplayer game, and Helldivers 2 is no different. Whether it’s unique slang, an established meta, or a laundry list of dos and don'ts, there’s a lot to learn when picking up a new multiplayer game. That goes double when it’s a sequel like Helldivers 2. Even though it’s very different from the original, long-standing Helldivers fans have strong opinions about how the game should be played. And while they won’t totally reject an ally just for being new, it helps to know the rules.

Helldivers 2 is a collaborative game by nature. It’s a co-op, third-person shooter for up to four players, in which heavily armed soldiers face off against giant bugs. While a disted team will struggle, a well-organized team can rise to any challenge, even a difficult Helldivers 2 co-op matchmaking.

Helldivers 2 Has Friendly Fire

It bears repeating: Helldivers 2 has friendly fire, and it's especially brutal. This is one feature Helldivers 2 doesn't explain, and there's no overstating just how important it is. Players are as likely to kill their teammates as their enemies if they're not paying attention. Thankfully, avoiding friendly fire is simple, even if it requires constant vigilance. Just keep an eye on positioning and aim, and perhaps more importantly, don't walk out in front of teammates when they're lining up a shot.

Of course, nobody's perfect, and friendly fire is bound to happen to everyone at some point. If it does, don't go on the defensive or deflect blame. A simple apology goes much farther in maintaining morale. Most hosts won't kick a player for a single friendly fire incident, even if it kills someone. Recognition of errors and a willingness to improve is more important than getting everything right on the first try.

Sharing Is Caring In Helldivers 2

Supply Drops & Loot Explained

Helldivers 2 isn't about getting rich at the expense of others; it's a cooperative game, which means a party fails or flourishes as a team. As a result, it's best to share anything and everything equally in Helldivers 2. Don't get too excited for a supply drop and grab it all. Each player should limit themselves to one cache, and let their teammates take the rest. If another player dies, don't loot their body reflexively. It couldn't hurt to ask permission, but if they want to keep their gear, it's best to honor their wishes.

That's because of the respawn system in Helldivers 2: a revived player will want to (literally) hit the ground running, and may try to retrieve their gear once they spawn. However, there's one exception. Research Samples are shared evenly between the entire party at the end of every mission. So there's never any need to save some Samples for teammates, or to leave a downed ally's Samples with their body. Grab Research Samples whenever and wherever they appear - there's no need to ask.

Make sure to reload all weapons before picking up a resupply cache!

Don't Waste Resources In Helldivers 2

In a similar vein, it's important to conserve resources in Helldivers 2. All resources, from ammo to Stratagems, are strictly limited. They must be used smartly and sparingly to keep a team going throughout an extended mission. To that end, don't unload an entire clip into every enemy that appears. Killing everything isn't required for mission success; gathering Research Samples and evacuating safely are far more important.

Stratagems are summonable weapons, supplies, or defenses that can be used to turn the tide of battle. They all operate on different cooldowns, so it's important to use them when they stand to have the maximum effect. More important, though, is the thoughtful placement of Stratagems. Turrets should always be dropped on elevated surfaces for maximum range and defensibility. Supply drops and other pick-ups should be placed close to the team, but not too close - they can crush allies if they land on them.

The crushing power of Stratagems can be used to the players' advantage: they can squash enemies for a ton of damage. Still, it's best not to drop these in the middle of enemy swarms. No one will be able to get to a Supply Drop if it's surrounded by insects. Stratagems are better dropped on top of single, large bosses instead of smaller enemy groups. The boss can be lured away or killed, and the resource can then be claimed safely.

The same goes for respawn pods: if an ally respawns directly in the middle of a swarm, they're likely to die all over again. Ideally, if there's no big enemy for them to drop on top of, respawns should be placed as close to the player's downed body as possible. This way, they can grab their gear (if it wasn't looted) and re the battle quickly.

Teamwork & Communication Are Vital In Helldivers 2

But most importantly, players need to work as a team in Helldivers 2. Helldivers 2 is not designed or balanced for solo play. Co-op is great, but it doesn't work if each player goes off on their own. Teams have to stick together, both in location and in strategy, to stand a chance.

Generally, the host of a lobby is considered the de facto team leader. Don't engage enemy patrols without them, and when they say it's time to evacuate, follow suit. That doesn't mean no one else is allowed to suggest a course of action. It's perfectly fine to do so, but if the leader disagrees, abide by their wishes. This doesn't always hold true: if the host is silent or clearly inexperienced, someone else might take over.

To that end, communication is key. Don't go off exploring away from the rest of the team. If a player sees something interesting, they should inform the rest of the party first. Players should ask for help if they need it, but also offer help freely. Use resources wisely, but don't hoard them - there's no benefit in keeping resources after the mission's over. Finally, just be a good friend. If another player does the hug or fist bump emote, don't leave them hanging.

While there are always griefers, rude vets, and other exceptions, these etiquette guidelines should make it easier for a team to work together. However, there’s no need to fret if this is too much to commit to memory. Most hosts are unlikely to penalize players for a single faux pas, especially if they're obviously new to the game. If all else fails, prioritize following the leader, and speak up before acting. Before long, the social mores of Helldivers 2 will become second nature.