Spreading democracy across hostile alien planets is already a tough job. Every mission in Helldivers 2 is a chaotic mix of explosions, alien swarms, and high-stakes objectives that demand precision and teamwork. So why make it harder on yourself by bringing along stratagems that barely pull their weight?
Sure, if you’re the type who enjoys a challenge or likes to keep things on the edge, go ahead. But for those who want to survive and be a good teammate, certain stratagems are a strict no-go. These tools aren’t just bad, they actively work against you and make your life on the battlefield worse.
Let’s take a look at five of the worst offenders you’ll want to avoid if you value your life, and most importantly, your squad’s patience.
5. TX-41 Sterilizer
On paper, the Sterilizer sounds like a solid crowd-control tool, right? It sprays a corrosive gas that slows and blinds enemies. The reality? It’s awkward to use, has a very limited range, and when you get a hit in, it takes ages to kill.
The gas effect is inconsistent, and lining up shots in the heat of battle often feels clunky. For a support weapon, it often creates more problems than it solves, especially when better, more reliable options exist.
4. Eagle 110mm Rocket Pods
A barrage of rockets sounds great until you realize this thing is the drunk uncle of aerial strikes. It shoots a few rockets that go somewhere (instead of hitting the large enemy, as advertised), and sometimes they even hit enemies (but not secure a kill).
If we want to describe this stratagem in a few words, it’ll be: wildly inconsistent. Not only is it underwhelming in power, but it also takes up precious stratagem space that could go to something, you know, useful.
3. Orbital Smoke Strike
A tactical smoker’s dream, but an actual soldier’s nightmare. The idea is solid: call in some dense smoke to provide cover or block enemy sight lines. In reality? It doesn’t do much.
Not only does it do no damage on entry (unlike Eagle Smoke, which can close bug holes), but it also provides no tactical value. Sure, you can reposition, but wouldn’t it be better to just use an orbital strike and eliminate the enemies? Simple choice.
2. MD-14 Incendiary Mines
If you’re into psychological warfare against your own squad, this one’s a gem. Tactical mines that detect enemies? Cool idea. However, practically, they are a nightmare to maintain, especially when playing with randoms.
You place them, and the next thing you know, a teammate calls in a strike and triggers the whole minefield. Worst case? They step right on them. These mines are hard to deploy tactically, easy to forget about, and more likely to disrupt your team than your enemies.
1. SH-20 Ballistic Shield Backpack
This bad boy promises protection, but delivers pain. It was once a decent backpack option when the enemies were not too over-the-top and used simpler attacks. However, as the game has evolved, so have the enemies; now they throw rockets, acid, and the kitchen sink at you.
Well, the shield doesn’t help against most of them. On top of that, it ruins your mobility, limits your ability to shoot effectively (can’t ADS), and effectively turns you into a walking roadblock.
Conclusion
One thing is clear: Not all stratagems are created equal. Whether it’s poor performance, clunky mechanics, or the constant risk of sabotaging your own squad, these five stratagems tend to cause more problems than they solve.
In the end, here’s a simple piece of advice: stick to what works, and leave these behind unless you’re absolutely sure you know what you’re doing. Your team (and your survival rate) will thank you.
