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The wait is over! The highly anticipated third enemy faction in Helldivers 2 has finally been revealed: The Illuminate. These mystical alien sorcerers hail from the depths of space and present a formidable challenge. Equipped with advanced technology that’s distinct from the Automatons, The Illuminate employ a defensive strategy, utilizing powerful shields to protect their swarms of enemies. If you’re not aware of their vulnerabilities, this faction can seem nearly unstoppable.
In addition to the introduction of The Illuminate, Helldivers 2 is launching a substantial buff patch that enhances many pieces of equipment. From increased weapon magazines to damage-boosting Strategems, everything at your disposal is now more powerful than ever. This expanded arsenal will assist you as you take on The Illuminate in new missions across their controlled planets.
What Are The Illuminate In Helldivers 2?
Summoners to Overwhelm Squads
Overall, there are fewer types of Illuminate enemies when compared to the bugs and robots from other factions. Unlike the Automatons, The Illuminate lacks specialized units with defined roles. They don’t rely on small squads of lesser foes guarded by a single powerful enemy, a common tactic seen with the Terminids during their world invasions.
The Illuminate features a balanced mix of enemy types that tend to attack in larger groups. Elite Illuminate foes can summon vast hordes of minions, significantly outnumbering the infantry of Automatons and Terminids. The strategy for The Illuminate in Helldivers 2 is to overwhelm squads while simultaneously safeguarding their strongest leaders.
The Illuminate’s deployed dropships, when they spot your squad, bring in the largest number of reinforcements compared to any other faction. This characteristic makes stealth almost essential during missions against them.
You’ll regularly encounter deployable shields from The Illuminate’s summoners, which provide cover as they create hordes of minions. These minions will charge at your character in massive waves while Elite Illuminate enemies will attack from a distance. Under pressure, these enemies can quickly take down weakened Helldivers when closing the gap with their shields.
Additionally, The Illuminate features a counterpart to the Bile Titans seen by the Terminids. This large, three-legged foe unleashes a powerful laser that can obliterate both Helldivers and structures in mere seconds. The Illuminate excels in overwhelming your squad, so it’s crucial to stay agile and adapt to emerging threats.
How to Defeat Every Illuminate Enemy Type
Wipe Out Hordes Quickly and Disrupt Elite Enemy Shields
Only four types of Illuminate enemies can be found during missions in their controlled systems. Currently, The Illuminate has the least variety of enemy types, allowing you more chances to discover their unique weaknesses.
The table below outlines the different types of Illuminate enemies and some of their common weaknesses:
| Illuminate Enemy | Enemy Type | Description | Basic Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Voteless | Minion | Super Earth citizens who have been captured and experimented on by The Illuminate. They arrive in overwhelming hordes, typically without weapons or armor, charging recklessly. |
|
| Watcher | Scout | These scouting probes monitor the battlefield for threats. If they spot you, they will investigate further and call in support via dropships. |
|
| Overseer | Elite | As elite units, Overseers use long-range rifles to attack. When under threat, they deploy shields and use close-range energy staves. Some variants can maneuver using jetpacks. |
|
| Harvester | Tank | A massive, armored enemy with three legs and a single large eye. This eye fires a long-range laser that can obliterate anything it touches. Its heavy shield absorbs damage until it breaks. |
|
How to Defeat The Voteless
The zombie-like minions of The Illuminate may be the easiest enemies to defeat individually, but they become a challenge in large groups. They are relentless, often charging at your squad in overwhelming numbers. The most effective way to handle The Voteless is to utilize grenades, explosives, or rapid-fire weapons to thin out their numbers rapidly.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by The Voteless, don’t hesitate to use mobility Stratagems, like the Jump Pack, to create some distance.
Setting up Sentry Stratagems at chokepoints can also be beneficial, allowing them to take down The Voteless as they approach. Any weapon designed for crowd control is effective against this enemy, especially those with large magazines. The more shots you can fire before reloading, the better your chances of controlling their numbers.
How to Defeat Watchers
Watchers pose a significant threat, not by attacking directly, but by their ability to quickly summon reinforcements. When a Watcher spots you, it alerts 1-3 dropships to your location, which can quickly tip the scales against you. The most straightforward way to eliminate a Watcher is to disrupt it before it can send a distress signal.
You can take out Watchers from a distance using a long-range rifle or lure it closer for an attack with a high-powered weapon. These approaches prevent the Watcher from completing its scan, allowing your team to remain undetected for a brief moment.
How to Defeat Overseers
Overseers, the elite fighters of The Illuminate, are tricky adversaries as they tend to conceal themselves behind hordes of The Voteless. You must pursue Overseers to pressure them before they can call in new Voteless hordes. However, some are equipped with jetpacks, which can make them elusive when you try to engage.
It’s important to note that the energy staff of an Overseer deals more damage with its ranged attack than its melee strike. Nevertheless, both can be lethal if you remain unprepared.
The shield deployed by an Overseer can become vulnerable if enough damage is inflicted on it. This shield only protects the front, so a teammate can hit it from behind while another engages from the front. A couple of quick headshots or concentrated fire can disable an Overseer’s defenses, making it easier to eliminate.
How to Defeat Harvesters
Like Overseers, Harvesters can have their shields destroyed if enough damage is applied. High-powered Stratagems like the Orbital Laser are particularly effective, allowing you to breach their defenses. Once a Harvester’s shield is compromised, aim for its weak point to inflict critical damage.
The Harvester’s laser is capable of taking you out in an instant, so pay attention to its targeting. However, the laser requires a recharge period after each shot, creating an opportunity for you to counterattack. Use this time to throw a Stratagem at its feet or launch your most powerful weapons against it.
While The Illuminate enemies may not seem as menacing as those from other factions when taken individually, their strength lies in numbers. During intense battles, defeating The Illuminate in Helldivers 2 can prove challenging, but understanding their weaknesses will make managing the battlefield much easier for you.
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