As Helldivers, our primary focus is on the immediate threats of the Terminids and Automatons. However, with rumors of the Illuminate's return, many veteran players are looking for clear, practical information about this elusive faction. Based on data from the first war and recent observations, here’s what you should know.

What are the Illuminate, and what is their deal?

The Illuminate, often called "Squ'ith" or "Squids," are a theocratic, cult-like society. In practice, this means their technology and tactics don't operate on logic familiar to Super Earth. Their equipment appears mystical—glowing obelisks, monoliths, and staffs—and is often tied to ritualistic purposes. Most players from the first war will tell you that dismissing this as mere superstition is a mistake. Their "rituals" often have tangible, devastating battlefield effects. Their societal structure was historically based on a quest for knowledge, where individuals were ranked by what they knew. While this may have evolved into a stricter theocratic hierarchy, their drive to amass information and "shepherd" the galaxy remains a core motivation. They see Super Earth's explosive, resource-driven expansion as a fundamental threat to galactic order.

How will they fight differently from Terminids and Automatons?

Based on past encounters, expect a focus on control and disruption rather than brute force. While Terminids swarm you and Automatons bombard you, the Illuminate specialize in subversion. Common player experiences included dealing with units that could create holographic decoys, deploy force fields, and, most notoriously, use "Cognitive Disruptors" that scramble your stratagem input. Their battlefield presence is less about overt firepower and more about making you ineffective, disoriented, and vulnerable. Touching their strange structures, like the Monoliths, usually results in immediate, fatal consequences. However, seasoned Helldivers have found workarounds; for instance, armor with the "Fortified" perk can sometimes allow survival, and placing a Hellbomb near a Monolith can use its defensive explosion to trigger a premature detonation.

What should I know about their units and tactics?

Their hierarchy is visible on the battlefield. The standard frontline units you'll likely encounter first are the Voteless—corrupted humans in various stages of transformation, serving as cannon fodder. The real threats are the Overseers and their elevated variants. These are the squid-like commanders, often protected by shields and capable of deploying disruptive technologies. The general rule is to prioritize these controllers to break the enemy's coordination. Their heavier units, like Harvesters and Warp Ships, are designed for area denial and rapid deployment. A key tactical note from veteran players is to watch for blue blood splatter; all Illuminate units bleed blue, which can help identify cloaked or disguised enemies in the heat of battle.

What is their "Galactic Shepherding" goal?

This is their core ideology. The Illuminate see themselves as preservers of galactic life and order. In a practical sense, this means their strategic goals will likely conflict with everyone. They would oppose the Automatons for their reckless resource exploitation and likely want to "protect" the Terminids from Super Earth's harvesting for Element-710. Don't expect any alliances; their version of peace involves the complete subjugation or elimination of other factions to fit their ordered vision. For players, this means they could become a chaotic third front that attacks both our forces and our other enemies, complicating the entire galactic war map.

Are there any confirmed weaknesses or strategies?

While full tactical briefings will come with their official deployment, historical data and player experimentation suggest a few avenues. First, their technology, while advanced, often relies on concentrated energy sources. Disrupting their rituals by destroying obelisks or staffs can cripple local operations. Second, their control over the Voteless and reliance on Overseers indicates a potential chain-of-command vulnerability. Decapitation strikes could be effective. Lastly, their obsession with knowledge and artifacts could be used against them as a strategic lure. It's worth noting that a small subset of players, frustrated with the grind for in-game cosmetics, might search online to buy helldivers 2 medals cheap, but most of the community agrees that this bypasses the intended progression and risks account security, advocating instead for focused gameplay on high-reward Illuminate missions once available.

How might they change the overall Galactic War?

Their introduction won't just be a new enemy to shoot at. The Illuminate's unique mechanics will force a shift in player loadouts and team composition. Stratagems that area denial or brute force may be less effective against an enemy that specializes in misdirection and control. Teams may need to bring more equipment that counters shields, reveals cloaked units, or clears debuffs. Furthermore, their ideology means they could open new, unpredictable narrative fronts. They might launch attacks to "save" planets from Terminid infestation or Automaton industrialization, directly contesting Super Earth's objectives in unexpected ways. Their stated goal of destroying Super Earth makes them a direct existential threat, unlike the more "incidental" conflicts with the other factions.

In general, preparing for the Illuminate means mentally shifting from fighting beasts or machines to fighting a cunning, manipulative intelligence. Flexibility, communication, and a willingness to adapt your standard loadout will be key.