For new recruits and seasoned divers alike, understanding the galaxy you're fighting in is just as important as mastering your Stratagems. Based on how the war actually plays out, here’s a breakdown of the reality behind the propaganda.

What is Super Earth, Really?

In practice, Super Earth is the game's mission control and your source of objectives. The broadcasted lore paints a picture of a perfect "Managed Democracy," but most players quickly pick up on the satirical tone. Your in-game orders, the news feeds on your ship, and even the descriptions for your equipment all contribute to a darkly humorous narrative of a totalitarian state using endless war to maintain control. When you're dropping into a mission, you're not just completing objectives; you're actively spreading this "Managed Democracy," whether you think about it or not. The lore is mostly flavor, but it consistently reinforces the idea that you are an instrument of a powerful, often brutal, government.

Who Are We Fighting, and Why?

You will fight three main enemy factions: the Terminids (Bugs), the Automatons (formerly Cyborgs), and the Illuminate. In practical terms, these represent distinct combat challenges rather than deep narrative foes.

Automatons: These are your mid-to-long-range challenge. They rely on heavy gunfire, artillery, and armored units. Missions against them usually involve holding positions or destroying key manufacturing facilities. The in-game reason for the war, involving terrorist bombings, is classic Super Earth propaganda to justify a perpetual conflict against a mechanized secessionist force.

Terminids (Bugs): This is the close-quarters, swarm faction. They rush you in large numbers, with heavier variants acting as tanks. Missions here often feel more chaotic and are generally where new players learn the importance of area control and crowd-clearance Stratagems.

The Illuminate: Currently, this faction is not active in the galactic war. When they were present in the first game, they represented a high-skill, disruptive enemy with shields, teleportation, and tricky mechanics. Most veterans expect them to return in a future major update, likely bringing a unique strategic layer.

How Does the Galactic War Work?

This is a core, living system. The entire player base contributes to a shared war effort across several fronts. Every mission you complete, every planet you liberate, adds a small amount to a global percentage. When a planet's liberation reaches 100%, it is won for Super Earth. Conversely, if players ignore a front, the enemy can advance and take planets.

In general, the community focuses on "Major Orders"—special, time-limited objectives set by the game's developers. Completing these often rewards a large batch of medals, the primary currency for unlocking new gear in your ship's Warbonds. The state of the war can change daily, and losing entire sectors is a real possibility if participation is low. It's a persistent meta-game that gives your individual missions a larger sense of purpose.

What Should I Spend My Medals and Requisition Slips On?

This is a common question with a straightforward answer based on player progression.

Early Game (Levels 1-10): Your first 50-60 medals should go directly into the first page of the standard Helldivers Mobilize Warbond. Focus on getting a new primary weapon (like the SMG-37 Defender) and the "Orbital Airburst Strike" Stratagem. Use your Requisition Slips to unlock essential ship modules, starting with the Orbital Precision Strike and Eagle Strafing Run upgrades. These provide reliable, low-cooldown damage.

Mid Game (Levels 10-20): Most players start to specialize. Invest in a Warbond weapon that suits your preferred faction or playstyle. The Armor Penetration upgrades for your Stratagems become critical for tackling heavier enemies. Saving Super Credits for the Steeled Veterans premium Warbond is a common goal, as it contains some of the game's most reliable all-purpose gear.

Late Game (Levels 20+): You'll be filling out your Stratagem and ship upgrade roster to handle the highest difficulties (Helldive). Unlocking tools for every situation is key. This is also when players might look for ways to optimize their medal acquisition to finish their Warbonds. While discussing the Helldivers 2 medals price and deals on U4N is common in community forums, most veterans advise simply playing the game, focusing on Major Orders, and running higher-difficulty missions for the most efficient and legitimate earning rate.

What's the Best Strategy for Higher Difficulties?

Difficulty levels 5 and above (Suicide Mission to Helldive) require a shift in mindset. Solo play becomes extremely punishing; a coordinated team of four is almost essential. Common player behaviors that lead to success include:

Role Flexibility: Teams usually need a mix of roles. Someone should bring anti-tank (like the Recoilless Rifle or Expendable Anti-Tank), someone should bring crowd control (e.g., Airburst, Grenade Launcher), and someone should bring defensive tools (Shield Generator Pack, EMS Strikes).

Map Awareness: It's not about killing everything. On higher difficulties, you will be overwhelmed. The goal is to complete objectives while managing enemy patrols and avoiding unnecessary large-scale fights. Stealth and mobility are your friends.

Communication: Using pings (the default "Q" key) is the minimum. Calling out heavy enemy spawns, planning Stratagem deployments, and coordinating retreats are crucial. Most successful high-level groups use voice chat.

Any General Tips for New Helldivers?

Your Stratagem Hero is Your Best Friend: Practice calling in Stratagems quickly and accurately. Being able to drop an Eagle Airstrike on your feet as you run away is a vital skill.

Friendly Fire is a Feature: You will kill your teammates, and they will kill you. It happens to everyone. Check your fire, and don't stand in front of someone who's using a heavy weapon. Laugh it off and reinforce.

Sample Hunting is Worth It: The common (green), rare (orange), and super rare (pink) samples you find on planets are used for upgrading your ship modules. These upgrades provide massive power spikes. Make a slight effort to scout for them, especially on higher difficulties where they are more plentiful.

Complete Side Objectives: Secondary objectives like destroying bug nests or automaton factories not only give bonus XP and Requisition but also reduce the number of random enemy patrols on the map, making your life easier.

The war for Managed Democracy is ongoing, complex, and deeply rewarding once you understand its systems. Focus on learning one thing at a time, find a squad you enjoy playing with, and remember: spreading liberty is a team effort.