Loadouts by Faction
Success on Super Helldive difficulty demands faction-specific tactics. Each enemy type—Terminids, Illuminate, and Automatons—requires a completely different squad composition, weapon loadout, and stratagem setup.
This guide provides optimized 4-player loadouts for each faction. Coordinate your team’s boosters (they stack team-wide but can’t duplicate), diversify roles, and exploit each enemy’s critical weaknesses.
Terminid “Exterminator” Squad
The bug swarms demand one thing above all: fire. Terminids are highly flammable insectoids that attack in overwhelming numbers with melee and acid strikes. Mobility is survival—stay mobile or get overrun.
Enemy Profile Card
Loadout Components
🔫
Primary Weapons
🔧
Sidearms
💨
Grenades
⚡
Team Boosters
Tip:
Localization Confusion is critical against Terminids—it reduces Bug Breach events by ~50%, dramatically cutting surprise swarm spawns.
Stratagem Setup
Squad Composition: 2 players focus on swarm control, 2 players handle heavy targets.
Roast everything. Use flame weapons at medium range (watch backblast in tunnels).
Snipe Chargers, Bile Titans, and Impalers from distance. Quasar has infinite ammo.
Watch Out:
Never have all 4 players use flamethrowers. You need anti-armor capability for Bile Titans and Chargers. Balance is everything.
Tactical Priority Matrix
Illuminate “Anti-Squid” Squad
High-tech aliens with mixed threats: zombie thralls, shielded Overseers, cloaked units, and ranged attackers. Fast-firing ballistic and energy weapons dominate—most Illuminate units lack heavy armor but deploy energy shields that require sustained fire to break.
Enemy Profile Card
Loadout Components
🔫
Primary Weapons
🔧
Sidearms
💨
Grenades
⚡
Team Boosters
Tip:
Arc Thrower Synergy: One player with Arc Thrower provides incredible crowd control by chain-stunning groups. Others should follow up with raw damage to finish shielded enemies.
Stratagem Setup
Pour sustained fire into shields. Strafing runs break shields instantly.
Snipe elites and Harvesters. Destroy structures from safe distance.
Tactical Priority Matrix
Success:
Eagle Strafing Runs are exceptional against Illuminate—they strip shields, have heavy armor penetration, and can be called multiple times per mission.
Automaton “Bot Buster” Squad
The hardest faction. Heavy armor, devastating ranged firepower, and coordinated reinforcements. Success requires every Helldiver to bring anti-tank capability, personal shields, and precision weapons. These robots will shred unprepared squads.
Enemy Profile Card
Loadout Components
🔫
Primary Weapons
🔧
Sidearms
💨
Grenades
⚡
Team Boosters
Watch Out:
Localization Confusion is MANDATORY against Automatons on Super Helldive. It cuts Bot Drop reinforcements by ~50%, which is the difference between success and being overwhelmed.
Stratagem Setup
Squad Philosophy: 2 players carry Personal Shields + anti-tank weapons. 2 players carry heavy backpack weapons. Overlap firepower—everyone should be able to damage heavy armor.
Tip:
Suppression Mechanics: Firing at Automatons reduces their accuracy. Constant offense = better defense. Don’t stop shooting.
Support Weapon Comparison
| Weapon | Backpack Slot? | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commando | NO ✓ | Multi-rocket burst Tanks, Hulks | Short cooldown, massive damage |
| Railgun | NO ✓ | Long-range sniper Devastators, weakpoints | Unsafe mode = one-shot power |
| Recoilless Rifle | YES | Heavy single-target Boss bots | Requires backpack reload station |
| SPEAR | YES | Lock-on missiles Gunships, moving targets | Auto-targets flying units |
Tactical Priority Matrix
Booster Coordination Reference
Team Boosters apply to all 4 players but cannot stack. Each Helldiver must equip a different booster. Coordinate before deployment.
Info:
Standard Loadout: For most Super Helldive missions, run Stamina + Infusion + Hellpod + Localization (swap Localization for Vitality vs Illuminate if needed).
Quick Reference: Faction Priorities
| Factor | Terminids | Illuminate | Automatons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Damage Type | 🔥 Fire | 🔫 Kinetic / Energy | 💥 Explosive / Heavy Pen |
| Engagement Range | Close-Medium | Medium | Medium-Long |
| Armor Level | Low-Medium | Low (Shields) | Heavy |
| Critical Stratagem | Flamethrower | Machine Gun | Personal Shield |
| Best Grenade | Gas | Gas | Stun / Thermite |
| Mandatory Booster | Localization Confusion | Stamina Enhancement | Localization Confusion |
Final Tactical Notes
- ✓ Burn everything constantly
- ✓ Never stop moving
- ✓ Seal bug holes with Grenade Pistol
- ✗ Don’t all take flamers
- ✗ Don’t stand still in swarms
Best for: Area denial, kiting, fire superiority
- ✓ Sustain fire to break shields
- ✓ Use Arc Thrower for crowd stun
- ✓ Strafing runs strip shields fast
- ✗ Don’t use slow weapons
- ✗ Don’t ignore warp beacons
Best for: High ROF, shield breaking, mobility
- ✓ Everyone brings AT weapons
- ✓ Use Personal Shields religiously
- ✓ Target weak points (red sensors)
- ✗ Don’t skip Localization Confusion
- ✗ Don’t expose yourself without cover
Best for: Precision, heavy armor penetration, defense
Success:
Coordinate pre-mission. Discuss roles, confirm booster distribution, and ensure weapon variety. A well-coordinated squad with diverse loadouts will outperform four identically-equipped Helldivers every time.