How to Defeat the Helldivers 2 Illuminate Faction

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The Helldivers 2 Illuminate are the game’s third group of enemies, often called the Squids within the game. They are an alien race that was introduced in Helldivers 2, and since their debut, their range of enemies has grown a lot. You’ll face hordes of zombies, heavily armored aliens, spaceships, and more. Battling them requires quick thinking and adapting to different threats. You have to develop strategies to handle these otherworldly dangers as they come.

To help you fight the Illuminate successfully, we’ve put together tips, guides, and a complete list of every enemy they have. We’ll explain what each enemy can do and what you need to watch out for so you can take them down. Good luck, Helldiver.

The Illuminate in Helldivers 2 Explained

The Illuminate, also called the Squids, are the third major enemy faction in Helldivers 2. They bring powerful alien technology and a wide variety of units to the fight.

Unlike the Terminids, who attack in mobs, or the Automatons, who rely on ranged combat, the Illuminate blend both tactics by sending hordes of enemies while also firing deadly plasma weapons. Most of their forces, except for the swarms of Voteless, are fairly tough, often protected by shields that regenerate energy.

Their bases are built in city environments, which makes navigation tricky—it’s harder to move freely than in a bug hive. But these urban structures also give you places to take cover and resupply without being overwhelmed.

All Illuminate Enemies You’ll Encounter

Right now, there are six unique types of Illuminate units, and on higher difficulties, you’ll face the toughest and most dangerous of them.

Voteless: These are human soldiers controlled and mutated by the Illuminate. They resemble zombies, rushing straight at you with claws. They’re weak alone, but their numbers can quickly become overwhelming, so thinning them out is key.
Watchers: Floating drones that act as scouts. They’re pretty easy to destroy, but if they detect you, they can call for backup, blind you with purple lights, and zap you with electricity. Shooting their central eye will usually take them out safely.

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Overseers: These are tougher enemies that usually come in groups. They carry a staff capable of firing plasma blasts or being used as a melee weapon. There are different types:
- Elevated Overseers: Hover using jetpacks, firing plasma guns and throwing grenades.
- Crescent Overseers: Similar to regular Overseers but equipped with mortar-like weapons that drop plasma bombs on the area.
Fleshmobs: These are the failed experiments of the Voteless. They have no armor and are surprisingly sturdy, rushing at you to trample or slap. They’re the Illuminate’s version of Charger enemies.
Interlopers: Also called Stingrays, these are flying units similar to the Illuminate’s aerial ships. They speed around before swooping in for a quick plasma strafing run. They’re not very tough but require quick shots to bring down before they attack.
Harvesters: Enormous armored tripods that are some of the deadliest foes in their faction. They have energy shields that regenerate and a powerful laser attack from their eye, which is their weak spot. They’re slow and can often be avoided by using buildings for cover, but taking them out quickly with special weapons or stratagems is recommended.
Leviathans: Massive flying ships that don’t land but circle in the air, shooting cannons down at players and summoning ground troops below. Their engines and connecting sections are weak points, but destroying them requires heavy firepower and explosives.

How to Defeat the Illuminate in Helldivers 2

Fighting the Illuminate can be tough because they have advanced weapons and shields. Here are some practical tips:

Use different weapons: Since their enemies vary—some organic, some armored, some robotic—you should stay prepared with weapons that can handle each type. Have a mix of fire and armor-piercing guns, alongside heavy weapons.
High-fire-rate guns work well: They can quickly cut through shields and handle large groups like the Voteless. Always carry a gun that’s fully automatic and has a high capacity for spraying bullets.
Target their spaceship shields: The warp ships that spawn enemies are usually shielded. Destroy their shields first, then blow them up with grenades or punchy weapons. This also earns you extra points.
Take out Watchers fast: These drones alarm enemies if not destroyed quickly. Avoid their sight or eliminate them before they call for reinforcements. Their line of vision isn’t very broad, so keep moving and stay aware.
Destroy enemy dropships: Flying ships that carry squads can be shot down before they land and release more enemies. Use special weapons to target their underside and take them out fast.
Attack the Harvester’s weak spots: Focus fire on a single spot to breach their armor. Staying behind is easier because their deadly eye is on the front.
Be cautious of Lightning Spires: These towers zap anyone nearby and are often placed near objectives. Use explosives or grenades to destroy them quickly.
Use cover wisely: The city environments provide plenty of cover, but the destructible buildings mean you shouldn’t rely on them forever. Be ready to move when things get damaged or when enemies like Crescent Overseers or Interlopers appear.