Facing the Illuminate in Helldivers 2 can be a daunting task, especially for newer players or those who haven’t fine-tuned their loadouts. These enemies are fast, agile, and can quickly overwhelm a team if approached without strategy. Choosing the right weaponry is crucial, and in this guide, we’ll break down the Helldivers 2 – Best Weapons Against the Illuminate to help you maximize efficiency on the battlefield.
Understanding the Illuminate Threat
Before diving into weapon choices, it’s important to understand what makes the Illuminate particularly challenging. Their strengths lie in mobility, ranged attacks, and shielding abilities. This means conventional heavy weapons may not always be the most effective if they compromise your team’s speed or positioning. A balance of precision, rate of fire, and crowd control is often the key to surviving engagements.
Top Weapons for Dealing with the Illuminate
1. Rapid-Fire Assault Rifles
Rapid-fire assault rifles shine against the Illuminate due to their high mobility and consistent damage output. These weapons allow you to track quick-moving targets and maintain pressure without sacrificing movement. When facing Illuminate squads, targeting weak points with sustained fire is usually more effective than trying to eliminate them with slow, high-damage shots.
2. Precision Sniper Rifles
For players comfortable with aim and timing, sniper rifles are invaluable against the Illuminate. These enemies can be tricky to hit at long distances, but a well-placed shot can neutralize key threats before they close in. Pairing sniper rifles with a team that uses suppression or area-denial weapons can help control the battlefield efficiently.
3. Energy-Based Weapons
Energy weapons in Helldivers 2 offer an advantage due to their ability to bypass certain defenses. The Illuminate often rely on shields or armor that reduce physical damage effectiveness. Energy weapons can pierce through these barriers, making them a solid choice for both solo and cooperative play.
4. Area-of-Effect (AoE) Weapons
AoE weapons are especially useful when dealing with groups of Illuminate units. Grenade launchers, rocket launchers, and similar heavy ordnance can clear clusters quickly, giving your team space to maneuver. While these weapons often require careful placement and timing, they are indispensable for controlling crowds in tight quarters.
Strategy Tips for Maximum Effectiveness

1. Coordinate with your team – Mixing weapon types ensures you cover both long-range threats and close encounters.
2. Focus fire on high-priority targets – Eliminate leaders or shielded units first to prevent them from buffing allies.
3. Stay mobile – The Illuminate exploit stationary targets. Even with the Helldivers 2 – Best Weapons Against the Illuminate, poor positioning can lead to failure.
4. Upgrade wisely – Prioritize mods and attachments that improve accuracy, reload speed, and damage against shields for optimal results.

Choosing the right weapons can turn a difficult mission into a manageable one. By focusing on flexibility, damage output, and crowd control, you’ll be able to handle even the most aggressive Illuminate encounters. Using this guide, players can confidently select the Helldivers 2 – Best Weapons Against the Illuminate and enhance their effectiveness on every mission.