For new citizens stepping off the transport rocket, the Galactic War can seem overwhelming. This guide cuts through the propaganda to explain how things operate in practice, from your first steps on the destroyer to the chaos of a hot drop.

What exactly happens after the tutorial?

The tutorial concludes with you entering a cryopod for transport. Once you arrive at your Super Destroyer, you are effectively put into the active Helldiver roster. Whether you are the same recruit from the training simulation or a replacement is functionally irrelevant. In practice, most players treat this as their persistent character. You exit the cryopod onto your ship, which serves as your permanent mobile base between missions. The first thing you'll want to do is visit the Galactic War Table on the bridge to see the state of the ongoing conflict.

How do missions and the Galactic War work?

The Galactic War is a collective, community-driven effort. Planets have a shared liberation percentage that all players contribute to. You select missions from the War Table by choosing a planet and then a specific "Operation" (a set of 1-3 missions). Completing missions and their optional side objectives pushes the liberation meter for that planet. In general, the community focuses on planets targeted by the major "Major Order," which offers substantial rewards for all players if completed. Mission difficulty is selectable and ranges from Trivial to Helldive. Most players start at lower difficulties to unlock gear and learn before tackling the extreme challenges of higher levels.

What is the core gameplay loop during a mission?

A standard mission follows a clear pattern. After selecting your loadout, you and your squad are launched in Hellpods to the planet. Once on the ground, you have primary objectives to complete, which are necessary to finish the mission. You will also find secondary objectives and points of interest (like crashed supply pods or bunkers) that yield bonus Requisition Slips (the standard currency) and Samples (used for ship upgrades). The key tension comes from managing enemy patrols and larger attacks while accomplishing these tasks. Triggering alarms can call in continuous reinforcements, so many squads prioritize stealth when possible or plan for controlled, aggressive pushes.

How important are Stratagems, and how are they used?

Stratagems are your most powerful tools and define your role in a squad. They are called in by inputting a directional code on your controller and throwing a beacon. There are several categories: offensive (orbital strikes, eagle runs), defensive (shield generators, turrets), and supportive (weapon resupplies, special weapons). Most players specialize their loadout based on the mission and enemy faction. For example, bringing anti-tank stratagems against Automatons is crucial. Cooldowns are long, so use them wisely. A well-timed orbital strike can save a squad, while a misplaced one can wipe it. Teamwork in calling different, complementary stratagems is a hallmark of experienced squads.

What should I spend my in-game currencies on?

There are three main currencies. Requisition Slips are earned from every mission and are used to unlock new stratagems in the Acquisitions panel on your ship. Samples are collected during missions and are used to upgrade your ship's modules (like reducing stratagem cooldowns or improving artillery), which benefits all your future operations. Medals are earned through personal and major orders and are used to progress through the free Warbond (battle pass) to unlock new weapons, armor, and cosmetic items. It's a common misconception that you need to spend real money to progress; the free Warbond provides a full arsenal. While the in-game store for cosmetics rotates using Super Credits, which can be found in missions, some players look for shortcuts. For instance, you might see discussions online from players seeking to buy helldivers 2 super credits cheap, but it's generally advised to earn them through gameplay to avoid any risks, as the game regularly provides them as findable loot on harder difficulties.

How does armor and weapon choice actually affect gameplay?

Armor stats are not just cosmetic. The three key ratings are Armor (damage reduction), Speed (movement and stamina regen), and Stamina. Heavy armor lets you tank more hits but makes you slower, while light armor is the opposite. Passives like "Servo-Assisted" (increased grenade throw range) or "Engineering Kit" (extra tool uses) are equally important and influence your playstyle. Weapons feel distinct, and most players experiment to find what suits them against each enemy type. There is no singular "best" loadout; it depends on your role, the mission, and squad composition.

Any final tips for new Helldivers?

Communicate with your squad, even with pings. Watch your fire—friendly fire is always on and is a leading cause of death. Don't hog the reinforcement stratagem; if you die, call it in yourself if possible. Stick with your team; wandering off alone usually ends badly. Finally, remember that completing the main objectives is the priority. It's better to extract with a failed secondary objective than to wipe trying to get every last Sample. The war is long, and every Helldiver contributing intelligently helps secure victory for Super Earth.