Helldivers 2 Stratagems Overview

What are stratagems?

Stratagems are the defining system of Helldivers 2: fire support and equipment delivered from your Super Destroyer in orbit. You unlock them in the Ship Management menu with Requisition Slips earned from missions, equip up to four before a drop, and call them in mid-mission by entering a directional code and throwing a beacon. Each stratagem has its own cooldown, and offensive ones have limited uses per mission.

1. Heavy targets

   Keep anti-armor ready

   Reserve a dependable answer for Chargers, Hulks, Harvesters, and similar threats.

2. Crowds

   Control the pressure

   Bring a clear that can protect the squad during breaches, drops, and extraction.

3. Objectives

   Defend the work

   Save one flexible or defensive call-in for terminals, holds, and an emergency exit.

What are the main categories?

• Eagle strikes — fast, precise airstrikes (strafing runs, airstrikes, napalm) with short rearm times. Your bread and butter against bug breaches and bot drops.
• Orbital strikes — heavier, slower bombardments (precision strike, barrages, laser) with bigger payloads and longer cooldowns.
• Sentries and emplacements — automated guns, mortars, and minefields that hold ground while the squad works objectives.
• Support weapons — man-portable heavy weapons such as machine guns, autocannons, recoilless rifles, and arc throwers.
• Backpacks — supply packs, shield generators, jump packs, and drone companions that define your squad role.
• Vehicles — call-in Exosuits and other vehicles that trade mobility and ammo limits for heavy firepower.

How do you build a balanced squad loadout?

A common mistake is four players bringing four airstrikes. A squad covers more situations when roles are split: at least one reliable anti-armor answer (for Chargers, Hulks, and Harvesters), one crowd-clearing option, one defensive stratagem for objectives, and one flexible pick. Ship modules and higher difficulties reward specialization, so talk before the drop.

What should new players unlock first?

Early Requisition Slips are limited, so prioritize stratagems that stay useful at every difficulty: a dependable support weapon you enjoy, one Eagle or Orbital strike for emergency clears, and a defensive option for extraction holds. Faction matters too — check the enemy faction guide before spending, because anti-swarm picks and anti-armor picks solve different problems.

What call-in habits matter most?

• Throw early. A stratagem used at the first sign of a breach beats one saved for a perfect moment.
• Mind the beacon. Effects land where the beacon lands, not where you aim your reticle.
• Respect friendly fire. Orbital barrages and sentries do not check who is in the line of fire.