To skip the details, click on the 'Summary' section under the 'Guide Index'. For desktop, scroll down until you see it on the right side. For mobile, look in the upper right corner to see a light blue icon with 3 lines on it, tap it, then scroll down until you see it on the right side.

Just as a disclaimer, this guide is only expressing my opinion for loadouts that I prefer to use (up to lvl12 planets) based on my experiences so far with the game. That does not mean my choice of loadouts are the best, it's just personal preference. There are many Helldivers that prefer to use different loadouts and are very good at what they do.

The purpose of any loadout in video games is usually to gain quick access to a set of equipment that will suit your needs for certain scenarios. And after trying out ALL the weapons, stratagems, perks, DLC's, and investing over 400 hours into this game, the loadouts I'm about to show you are the ones I use for missions most frequently.

Keep in mind that the following loadouts are totally optional, and are still susceptible to change. Even the most veteran Helldivers still like to mix & match their gear to see what works best for them.

The DLC "Terrain Specialist Pack" will be very useful during winter/snowy missions. Players often hate it when others are being slowed down by snowy or muddy terrains. It's a must-have, no doubt about it.

Some information, details, and images have been used from the Helldivers Wiki.[helldivers.gamepedia.com]
I recommend checking it out if you'd like to know more details about everything in Helldivers.

If you'd like to leave any comments, suggestions, feedback, or even tell us what your favourite loadouts are, then we'd love to hear your opinion in the comment section below.

Now, let's get crackin'.

DLC's required for this Loadout: Pistols Perk Pack, Weapons Pack

Be prepared to use a "close combat" fighting style with this loadout due to the medium to short range of these weapons. Although the range and ammo consumption isn't great, these weapons are still very powerful. Check out the video to see it in action!




PERK: P-6 'Gunslinger'
This semi-automatic revolver is one of the most powerful guns in the game, but only has 6 shots per magazine/cylinder. It is still a superb substitute for any other pistol, and is very useful when downed or carrying objects in your other hand. This revolver is capable of shooting through multiple enemies with a single shot if lined up properly, and can kill a cyborg Hulk in 5 to 6 shots. You can also damage a Warlord with it, but it takes a bit longer to kill. It also comes with a laser sight for better accuracy.
This revolver is great against these cyborg enemies;

• Initiate
  
• 'Squadleader' Soldier
  
• Immolator
  
• Comrade
  
• Berserker
  
• Butcher
  
• Hound
  
• Grotesque
  
• Hulk

PRIMARY WEAPON: SG-225 'Breaker'
I like to nickname this automatic shotgun the 'Street Sweeper' because it obliterates absolutely everything in its path, especially when fully upgraded.
12 shots per magazine, +1 in chamber if reloaded before mag is empty, and comes with a maximum of 8 magazines.
This shotgun is capable of shooting through multiple enemies in a typical cone-like blast, and damage increases the closer you are to the enemy. This gun can wipe out 3 hounds in 1 shot, can kill an entire cyborg squad in 3 to 7 shots before sounding the alarm, and slaughters an entire wave of Butchers &/or a Hulk in 6 to 13 shots.
This shotgun is great against these cyborg enemies;

• Initiate
  
• 'Squadleader' Soldier
  
• Immolator
  
• Comrade
  
• Berserker
  
• Butcher
  
• Hound
  
• Grotesque
  
• Hulk

STRATAGEM #1: M-25 'Rumbler'
The Rumbler can be challenging to use at first, but with enough practice, it can easily become one of your favourite all-purpose weapons.
Comes with 4 shots per magazine, and each shot fires a burst of 3 mortar bombs that sore over the field then explode on impact.
You can also adjust how far you want to launch these explosives. A single bomb can kill any light enemy within its blast radius, can kill multiple Hulks or Warlords with a single shot, can destroy cyborg AA guns with a single shot, and destroys cyborg tanks (aka: Infantry Fighting Vehicle) if you hit its weak spot with at least 2 bombs.
Here's a quick pic on how to kill a cyborg tank;
The trick to killing tanks is to land at least 2 bombs near the butt of the tank. Otherwise it won't work. It's also the part of the tank where it stores those little Grotesque dudes that hop out.
Once you've mastered killing cyborg tanks with the Rumbler, nothing will stand in your way... except long reload times. Choose when to reload very carefully as enemies will try to interrupt you during reloads. If you feel the need to cancel reloading your Rumbler during a tight situation, just simply switch to another weapon, and then reload your Rumbler when you think it's safe to do so.
Also, one of the things that the Rumbler is infamous for is players accidentally killing themselves when firing the mortar too close to something like, a wall, enemy, or even another player. The reason this happens is because, as soon as the bombs leave the Rumbler's barrel, any collision mesh directly in front of it triggers the explosions, and not all collision meshes are perfect. Especially the environment collision meshes. So, just be mindful of your distance before firing the Rumbler.
The Rumbler is great against all enemy types.

STRATAGEM #2: Resupply Pack
As mentioned at the beginning, these weapons use up ammunition quickly, so it'd be a good idea to carry some extra ammo with you, both for yourself and for your teammates.
When fully upgraded, each Resupply Pack comes with 4 cases of ammunition. 1 case of ammo provides players with 50% of each weapon's maximum magazine capacity and 2 grenades.
For example; 1 ammo case provides 4 shotgun mags, 4 revolver mags/cylinders, and 2 Rumbler mags.
The two main downsides to this backpack are that, noob players might keep stealing ammo cases from you, and the only way you can resupply yourself from your own Resupply Pack is if any of your guns' magazine capacities reaches zero. There will be a prompt saying "Resupply" over your character only when you've equipped the weapon that has zero magazines left.
However, the great thing about this pack is that if you pick up any other ammo cases lying around the map or from a resupply drop, you'll gain 50% of your maximum magazine capacity for all your currently equipped weapons, and gain 1 additional resupply case in your Resupply Pack per 1 case of ammunition you pick up.
So, if I have zero magazines left in all of my weapons, and 2 ammo cases left in my Resupply Pack, by picking up 2 more ammo cases from the map or from a resupply drop for myself, this fully replenishes my guns' ammuntion and I'll have all 4 ammo cases in my Resupply Pack.
If your Resupply Pack reaches zero, you and your teammates will not be able to resupply from your backpack. But, if fully upgraded, you'll have 2 Resupply packs to drop onto the field. If one pack reaches zero, just switch to the other fully stocked backpack, or wait for an opportunity to collect ammo laying around the map &/or from a supply drop.

STRATAGEM #3: Static Field Conductors
The sole purpose of this stratagem is to slow down enemy movement. Very useful when there are a lot of enemies charging at you, your teammates, or an objective that requires your protection.
However some things are immune to the slowing affects such as, players with a charged SH-20 Shield Generator, enemies with an energy shield, player mechs/vehicles, cyborg tanks (IFV), and cyborg boss (Siege Mech).
Keep in mind that it does slow down player movement too. If you're stuck in the static, jump into a prone position away from the static. You may have to do this multiple times.

STRATAGEM #4: Heavy Airstrike
Not many players use this stratagem, but it's a great substitute for any other anti-tank weapon or stratagem, especially in times of urgency. Combined with the slowing affects of the Static Field Conductor, the user can deliver a very effective Heavy Airstrike that drops several giant bombs in a row perpendicular to your throw, obliterating everything near it.
Part of the reason I prefer this strat compared to other anti-tank stratagems is because, I'm still likely to kill something even if I miss my target. And the cooldown time is very reasonable because its overall damage makes up for it. Whereas other strats either take too long to cooldown, take too long to activate, don't have a large AOE, or they're not very forgiving when you miss the intended target. Sometimes other strats are even more likely to kill teammates than enemies compared to the Heavy Airstrike.

DLC's required for this Loadout: Hazard OPs Pack

This loadout performs well from short to medium-long ranges of attack while consuming very little ammunition, and kills even the strongest enemies with ease while slowing down their movement at the same time. And with well-placed stratagems, the A/AC-6 Tesla Towers will pretty much do all the work for you on the field. Check out the video to see this loadout in action!


PERK: Stratagem Priority
The sole purpose of this perk is to significantly reduce the cooldown time for all your equipped stratagems, and this helps a lot by allowing players to use stratagems more frequently.

PRIMARY WEAPON: LAS-13 'Trident'
Many players used to argue that this was the best weapon in the game due to it's high damage, distance, and unlimited ammo (as long as you don't overheat it). There are also many players who hate this gun due to thinking that it makes the game too easy, and users have often killed their own teammates by accident using the Trident. I'm not saying this is a bad gun, just don't be surprised if another player sasses you like, "Ugh... a Trident user."
The main reason I use the LAS-13 'Trident' is to quickly get rid of scouts to prevent them from sounding the alarm. And it does a damn good job of it too.
It's also okay at damaging the two tougher enemies, Impaler and Tank. But, the only way you'll deal damage is by shooting their weak spots. The Tank's weak spot is the orange thing on its butt, and the Impaler's weak spot is the orange thing on the front that's exposed when it digs its tentacles through the ground.
The Trident is great against these bugs;

• Scout
  
• Vanguard
  
• Stalker
  
• Warrior
  
• Elite
  
• Brood Commander

STRATAGEM #1: TOX-13 'Avenger' Mk3
When fully upgraded, the toxic spray can kill entire groups of enemy bugs, regardless of how strong or how many enemies there are. I guess the only catch to this weapon is that it deals damage-over-time (DOT), but also slows down enemy movement while they're being poisoned to death.
I'm not really sure how to quantify the amount of toxic ooze that's in each magazine, but what I do know is that; about 1/3 of its magazine will kill a Behemoth and Tank, about 1/4 or 3/8 will kill an Impaler, about 1/4 kills a Brood Commander, and anything less than 1/4 will kill pretty much everything else. I'd recommend saving your ammo for the tougher enemies, or for larger groups of enemies. Avoiding killing scouts/vanguards because, they're more likely to sound the alarm before dying if sprayed with the TOX-13.
Also, be careful not to spray your friends because it'll kill teammates in a matter of seconds.
Besides that, the TOX-13 is great at killing all enemy bug types.

STRATAGEM #2 & #3: A/AC-6 Tesla Tower
Personally, I like to carry 2 Tesla Towers with me for the sole purpose of being able to kill more bugs, which also improves my chances of protecting objectives that are stationary like, launch pads, geo surveys, and keeping enemies away from the disarming mines area.
These towers are especially great at distracting and killing Scouts, Vanguards, and Stalkers when enemies aren't on high alert. Towers will not cause enemies to sound the alarm unlike other stratagems like, turrets, mechs, and vehicles. Once they're distracted and are lured toward your towers, the towers start killing enemies that are within zapping range. So, if you place your towers in good spots, you'll be able to protect and complete objectives without even sounding the alarm while the towers do most of the killing for you.
Most bugs will die on the first hit by a Tesla Tower, but tougher enemies will take multiple hits before dying such as the Behemoth, Tank, and Impaler. I think Brood Commanders take multiple hits before dying but, I'm too lazy to check lol. Leave a suggestion if you know.
Just be careful where you place towers because they will destroy teammates, vehicles, and mechs too. Don't worry if objectives like the launch pad, or geo survey are within the tower's zapping range. Towers will not destroy objectives within zapping range.

STRATAGEM #4: Static Field Conductors
The sole purpose of this stratagem is to slow down enemy movement. Very useful when there are a lot of enemies charging at you, your teammates, or an objective that requires your protection.
Sometimes I like to use the static to prevent enemies reaching and damaging my Tesla Towers while everything within range gets zapped. This can be especially handy if tougher enemies like the Impaler, Tank, or Behemoth are aiming to destroy your Tesla Towers. Static will slow down their movement, preventing enemies from reaching and destroying the towers, while the towers zap them to death.
Keep in mind that it does slow down player movement too, unless you have a charged bubble shield backpack, or vehicle/mech. If you do get stuck in the static, jump into a prone position away from the static. You may have to do this multiple times.
All bug enemies will slow down from static.

DLC's required for this Loadout: Weapons Pack

This loadout performs well from short to long ranges. Although the ammo consumption isn't as bad as the 'TERMINATOR' loadout, these weapons are still very powerful. And if you use your stratagems properly, enemies will be too scared to try and get past your walls of burning 'Hellfire'. Check out the video to see it in action!




PERK: Stratagem Priority
The sole purpose of this perk is to significantly reduce the cooldown time for all your equipped stratagems, and this helps a lot by allowing players to use stratagems more frequently.

PRIMARY WEAPON: SG-225 'Breaker'
I like to nickname this automatic shotgun the 'Street Sweeper' because it obliterates absolutely everything in its path, especially when fully upgraded.
I mainly use this shotgun to kill Observers and Watchers with a single shot, which quickly prevents enemies from sounding the alarm.
12 shots per magazine, +1 in chamber if reloaded before mag is empty, and comes with a maximum of 8 magazines.
This shotgun is capable of shooting through multiple enemies in a typical cone-like blast, and damage increases the closer you are to the enemy. This gun can wipe out Observers, Watchers, Apprentices, and Outcasts in 1 shot, and destroys Obelisks, groups of Tripods, &/or groups of Striders in 6 to 13 shots.
Illusionists and Council Members are tougher to kill, but once their shields are down, mowing them down is pretty easy. Plus, shotgun rounds will pass through and interrupt their blue circular projectiles which ends up hitting the Illusionists and Council Members too.
This shotgun is good against all Illuminate enemy types.

STRATAGEM #1: AC-22 Dum-Dum
The AC-22 isn't the most powerful heavy weapon, but it's certainly stronger than any primary weapon.
I usually save this gun for when enemies are on high alert. I don't often use it to kill Observers or Watchers because you're more likely to miss compared to the 'Breaker' shotgun. It's great at mowing down entire groups of 5 Striders in 7 to 10 shots if done properly, kills Illusionists and Council Members in 10 to 15 shots, and can kill Hunters with 1 to 2 shots from long distances. It also kills Apprentices and Outcasts in 1 to 2 shots.
The Dum-Dum comes with 20 rounds per magazine, +1 in chamber if reloaded before mag is empty, and comes with a maximum of 8 magazines. It's one of the main reasons why I carry this weapon because, I can carry a lot of ammunition with it (max. total 160 heavy rounds).
This weapon is especially useful at long ranges if you have the laser sight upgraded to it.
Besides that, this fully automatic weapon is good against all Illuminate enemy types.

STRATAGEM #2: Resupply Pack
As mentioned at the beginning, these weapons use up ammunition quickly, so it'd be a good idea to carry some extra ammo with you, both for yourself and for your teammates.
When fully upgraded, each Resupply Pack comes with 4 cases of ammunition. 1 case of ammo provides players with 50% of each weapon's maximum magazine capacity and 2 grenades.
For example; 1 ammo case provides 4 shotgun mags, 4 pistol magazines, and 4 Dum-Dum mags.
The two main downsides to this backpack are that, noob players might keep stealing ammo cases from you, and the only way you can resupply yourself from your own Resupply Pack is if any of your guns' magazine capacities reaches zero. There will be a prompt saying "Resupply" over your character only when you've equipped the weapon that has zero magazines left.
However, the great thing about this pack is that if you pick up any other ammo cases lying around the map or from a resupply drop, you'll gain 50% of your maximum magazine capacity for all your currently equipped weapons, and gain 1 additional resupply case in your Resupply Pack per 1 case of ammunition you pick up.
So, if I have zero magazines left in all of my weapons, and 2 ammo cases left in my Resupply Pack, by picking up 2 more ammo cases from the map or from a resupply drop for myself, this fully replenishes my guns' ammuntion and I'll have all 4 ammo cases in my Resupply Pack.
If your Resupply Pack reaches zero, you and your teammates will not be able to resupply from your backpack. But, if fully upgraded, you'll have 2 Resupply packs to drop onto the field. If one pack reaches zero, just switch to the other fully stocked backpack, or wait for an opportunity to collect ammo laying around the map &/or from a supply drop.

STRATAGEM #3 & #4: 'Hellfire' Incendiary Bombs
Similar to a real life napalm strike, the 'Hellfire' stratagem not only sounds metal as ♥♥♥♥, but it's also great at keeping enemies away from you, your teammates, and objectives when fully upgraded. Essentially it keeps the illuminate at bay if used properly.
I often bring 2 'Hellfire' stratagems because, I can make a continuous wall of fire without any actual limit. The 'Hellfire' strike lasts 20 seconds. So, if I throw one on the ground and light up a wall of fire, 20 seconds later I can throw my other 'Hellfire' stratagem in the same spot that'll burn for 40 seconds instead of 20 seconds. But, since I have unlimited 'Hellfire' stratagems, I can actually just keep throwing them every 10 to 20 seconds to make an infinitely burning wall of 'Hellfire'. Perfect for all you pyromaniacs out there.
Although Hunters will still try to shoot you and objectives through the wall of fire, at least it isn't at risk of getting shot such as other defensive stratagems like turrets (and most enemies will float over explosive mines without triggering them), plus it prevents other enemies from walking through the fire. Most enemies are actually scared to pass through it. And even if enemies are dumb enough to try and push through the fire, they're just asking for a death wish.
Also, the fire prevents Illusionists and Council Members from launching their brain-twister projectiles as they will explode on contact. Pretty handy. It's also very useful during the illuminate Boss battle against the Great Eye.
Just be careful not to throw it near teammates and objectives because it will destroy anything it touches in a matter of seconds. Be careful when you play with fire ffs!

'TERMINATOR' Cyborg Loadout
**DLC's REQUIRED;**___Weapons Pack, and Pistols Perk Pack
**PERKS;**___P-6 'Gunslinger'
**PRIMARY GUN;**___SG-225 'Breaker'
**STRAT #1;**___M-25 'Rumbler'
**STRAT #2;**___Resupply Pack
**STRAT #3;**___Static Field Conductors
**STRAT #4;**___Heavy Airstrike


'EXTERMINATOR' Bug Loadout
**DLC's REQUIRED;**___Hazard OPs Pack
**PERKS;**___Stratagem Priority
**PRIMARY GUN;**___LAS-13 'Trident'
**STRAT #1;**___TOX-13 'Avenger'
**STRAT #2;**___A/AC-6 Tesla Tower
**STRAT #3;**___A/AC-6 Tesla Tower
**STRAT #4;**___Static Field Conductors


'BURNINATOR' Illuminate Loadout
**DLC's REQUIRED;**___Weapons Pack
**PERKS;**___Stratagem Priority
**PRIMARY GUN;**___SG-225 'Breaker'
**STRAT #1;**___AC-22 'Dum-Dum'
**STRAT #2;**___Resupply Pack
**STRAT #3;**___'Hellfire' Incendiary Bombs
**STRAT #4;**___'Hellfire' Incendiary Bombs

The DLC "Terrain Specialist Pack" will be very useful during winter/snowy missions. Players often hate it when others are being slowed down by snowy or muddy terrains. It's a must-have, no doubt about it.