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Helldivers 2: Best Loadouts for the Illuminate

Author : Carter Update : Feb 23,2025

Conquer the Illuminate in Helldivers 2 with these Optimized Loadouts!

The Illuminate, with their advanced tech and overwhelming numbers, pose a significant threat in Helldivers 2. This guide details three effective loadouts to counter their strengths and exploit their weaknesses. Success hinges on balancing weaponry to handle both light and heavy units.

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Laser Cannon Loadout: Superior Anti-Squid Power
Lightning Loadout: Chain Lightning Domination
Machine Gun Loadout: Unrelenting Firepower

The Laser Cannon Loadout: Melting the Illuminate

Laser Cannon Loadout

Category	Weapon/Gear	Notes
Primary	PLAS-1 Scorcher / PLAS-101 Purifier	Excellent against Overseers, including Elevated units, and Voteless. Siege-Ready passive crucial.
Secondary	GP-31 Grenade Pistol	Powerful combo with Eagle Strafing Run for destroying warp ships.
Grenade	G-13 Incendiary Impact	Effective chaff clearing.
Armor Passive	Siege-Ready	Increased ammo and faster reloads.
Stratagems	LAS-98 Laser Cannon (Support)	Melts Overseers and Harvesters. Excellent range.
	AX/AR-23 "Guard Dog"	Effective against medium-armored Overseers, excellent flank protection.
	Eagle Strafing Run	Essential for stripping warp ship shields.
	A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry / Orbital Laser	Area denial (Sentry) or anti-Harvester (Laser). Orbital Laser vital on higher difficulties.

The PLAS-1 Scorcher/Purifier's high DPS, combined with Siege-Ready's ammo boost, ensures consistent engagement of priority targets. The Eagle Strafing Run and GP-31 Grenade Pistol combo quickly disables and destroys warp ships. The AX/AR-23 "Guard Dog" provides excellent flank coverage. The LAS-98 Laser Cannon's range and damage are unmatched against the Illuminate, especially Harvesters (after a Strafing Run). Choose the Orbital Laser for higher difficulty levels with multiple Harvesters.

The Lightning Loadout: Shocking (& Staggering) the Illuminate

Lightning Loadout

Category	Weapon/Gear	Notes
Primary	ARC-12 Blitzer	Effective against both melee and ranged units.
Secondary	GP-31 Grenade Pistol	For warp ship destruction (with Eagle Strafing Run).
Grenade	G-13 Incendiary Impact	Chaff clearing.
Armor Passive	Electrical Conduit / Med-Kit	Conduit boosts lightning damage; Med-Kit for survivability.
Stratagems	ARC-3 Arc Thrower (Support)	Chains and staggers Overseers, particularly effective against Elevated units. Can damage Harvesters.
	Orbital Railcannon Strike / Orbital Laser	Anti-heavy support. Railcannon for unshielded targets; Laser for multiple Harvesters (after Strafing Run).
	Eagle Strafing Run	Essential for weakening warp ships.
	A/ARC-3 Tesla Tower	Excellent crowd control, especially against flying Overseers.

This loadout utilizes chain lightning effects to control the battlefield. The ARC-12 Blitzer and ARC-3 Arc Thrower excel at eliminating chaff and stunning Overseers. The A/ARC-3 Tesla Tower provides consistent crowd control. Remember to use the Eagle Strafing Run and GP-31 Grenade Pistol to deal with warp ships. Choose Orbital Railcannon Strike or Orbital Laser based on your heavy unit needs.

The Machine Gun Loadout: Shredding the Illuminate

Machine Gun Loadout

Category	Weapon/Gear	Notes
Primary	StA-52 Assault Rifle	High sustained fire, effective against light and medium armor.
Secondary	GP-31 Grenade Pistol / CQC-19 Stun Lance	Warp ship destruction (GP-31) or close-quarters control (Stun Lance).
Grenade	G-13 Incendiary Impact	Chaff clearing.
Armor Passive	Peak Physique / Engineering Kit	Peak Physique for maneuverability; Engineering Kit for recoil reduction.
Stratagems	MG-43 Machine Gun (Support)	Versatile and effective against a wide range of enemies, including Harvesters.
	LIFT-850 Jump Pack	Increased mobility for repositioning and map navigation.
	Orbital Railcannon Strike / Orbital Laser	Anti-heavy support. Railcannon for unshielded targets; Laser for multiple Harvesters.
	A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry / A/G-16 Gatling Sentry	Crowd control and objective defense.

This loadout focuses on sustained firepower. The MG-43 Machine Gun's versatility makes it ideal for various enemy types. The LIFT-850 Jump Pack enhances mobility, compensating for the weapon's stationary reload. Choose either sentry based on your preferred playstyle. Select Orbital Railcannon Strike or Orbital Laser for heavy unit support. The StA-52 Assault Rifle provides consistent damage output.

These loadouts offer diverse strategies for tackling the Illuminate. Experiment and find the build that best suits your playstyle!