What Should I Consider When Planning My Loadout?

When you’re putting together your loadout, you need to consider a few factors: mission type, enemy types, your playstyle, and whether you’re going solo or in a team. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most important things to think about:

  1. Mission Type: Some missions require more combat-focused loadouts, while others may demand utility and strategy. For example, a rescue mission requires different gear than a defense mission.

  2. Enemy Types: Each enemy faction has its strengths and weaknesses, and your loadout should be tailored to those. You’ll want to make sure you have the right weapons and stratagems to deal with the enemies you’re facing.

  3. Your Playstyle: Are you aggressive and on the front lines, or do you prefer to hang back and support your team? Your approach to combat should influence your gear choices.

  4. Team or Solo: Playing with a team means you can fill a specific role, but playing solo will require a more well-rounded loadout to handle everything on your own.

Let’s dive deeper into how to approach your loadout based on different mission types.

How Do I Plan for a Standard Combat Mission?

In a standard combat mission, you’ll primarily be fighting enemies—whether it’s bugs, cyborgs, or illuminates. Your loadout here needs to focus on firepower and survivability. Here’s what you should prioritize:

  • Primary Weapon: This should be a weapon you’re comfortable with, and ideally, one that complements the team’s overall strategy. For solo play, a versatile, high-damage weapon like the Assault Rifle or the AR-41 is often a good choice. For team play, it’s best to go for something that offers flexibility, like the LS-13 Heavy Machine Gun or a high-impact rifle.

  • Secondary Weapon: Your secondary weapon should be able to handle tight situations or deal with enemies that get too close. Shotguns or flamethrowers work well here. The Torgue Shotgun is a solid choice for close-range combat, and it’s great for clearing swarms of smaller enemies.

  • Stratagems: Stratagems are one of the key elements in Helldivers 2, so choose them carefully. In a combat-heavy mission, you’ll want support options that help you maintain firepower. Calling in an ammo resupply or a sentry gun can make a big difference. A personal shield or drop beacon is also essential for staying alive when things go wrong.

  • Armor: Your armor choice depends on your role. If you're focusing on offense, a lighter armor set will help with mobility. However, if you’re expecting to take a lot of damage, consider going with a heavier suit for extra durability.

In practice, it’s essential to have a good balance of offense and defense, and don’t forget the utility stratagems that can support your efforts.

What About Missions That Focus on Defense?

Defense missions require you to hold a position against waves of enemies, so your loadout needs to be tailored to sustain prolonged combat. Here’s how to approach this:

  • Primary Weapon: You’ll need something with both high damage output and sustained fire. LMGs (Light Machine Guns) are great for mowing down waves, and the M249B is a solid pick. Keep in mind that you may need to change your tactics depending on enemy types—if you’re facing bugs, explosive rounds might help.

  • Secondary Weapon: A good secondary weapon for defense is a heavy-hitting shotgun or something that can clear small enemies. If the mission is more about holding off larger waves, a heavy launcher like the RL-12 Rocket Launcher is perfect for anti-vehicle or anti-tank duties.

  • Stratagems: Defensive stratagems are key. Turrets like the Sentry Gun and the Mobile Supply Station can be lifesavers. Also, you’ll want things like the Barricade or Shield Wall to fortify your position. Keep in mind that you should prioritize resupply and ammo as you’re likely to run out during extended engagements.

  • Armor: For defense, consider heavier armor for extra protection. You’ll be standing in one spot, likely under heavy fire, so the added protection will be worth it. Additionally, make sure your armor has decent mobility, so you can adjust quickly if the enemy breaches your defenses.

How Do I Approach Rescue Missions?

Rescue missions require you to save stranded survivors, which can get tricky in high-pressure situations. For these, your loadout needs to focus on speed, versatility, and safe navigation.

  • Primary Weapon: You won’t always have time to sit back and pick enemies off from a distance in rescue missions, so you need a weapon that can deal with a variety of threats quickly. A reliable assault rifle or something with a good rate of fire like the Sentry Gun is useful.

  • Secondary Weapon: You’ll need to keep your enemies off the survivors while you’re rescuing them. A secondary weapon with high mobility, such as a SMG or even the Torgue Shotgun, works well for getting up close and handling enemy swarms.

  • Stratagems: The key stratagem here is mobility. Consider using the Jetpack for quick access to difficult-to-reach survivors. The Medical Supply Drop can be critical, especially if you’re playing solo. You should also have a defensive tool like a Barricade to set up a safe perimeter around your survivors.

  • Armor: Speed is important in rescue missions, so lighter armor may work better here. You’ll need to move fast and dodge incoming threats, so balance your armor choices carefully.

How Do I Plan for Extraction Missions?

Extraction missions require you to survive while making your way to an extraction point. These can be tough because you’ll have to deal with both enemy waves and terrain challenges. Here’s the gear you need to focus on:

  • Primary Weapon: For extraction, you’ll need something reliable that can handle both long and short-range combat. The M41 Assault Rifle or the Heavy Machine Gun are good options.

  • Secondary Weapon: Again, something that can clear enemies quickly is essential here. A shotgun or grenade launcher can help when things get tight.

  • Stratagems: Speed and mobility are key, so use Jetpacks or the Teleportation Beacon. You'll also want a defensive stratagem like the Barricade to cover your retreat if you’re under heavy fire.

  • Armor: A balanced loadout is ideal here—one that allows for quick movement but still offers enough protection to handle any surprise encounters. Light to medium armor should suffice.

How Do I Get the Right Equipment for My Loadout?

The variety of gear available in Helldivers 2 allows you to tailor your loadout for almost any situation. However, if you’re struggling to get the right equipment, you might be wondering where to buy Helldivers 2 Medals online to speed up the process. These medals allow you to unlock specific gear and items without grinding for hours. Just be cautious with where you buy from to ensure you're getting the best deals.

What’s the Best Loadout for My Playstyle?

Your loadout will ultimately depend on how you prefer to play. If you’re aggressive, focus on weapons and stratagems that keep the pressure on enemies. If you’re more of a support player, bring along utilities like medical supplies, turrets, and resupplies.

No matter the mission, always adjust your gear based on what you expect to face. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you. And remember, no loadout is perfect for every mission—flexibility and adaptability are your best allies in Helldivers 2.