Video Games
How to play Helldivers 2
Complete dangerous cooperative missions while avoiding friendly fire.
QUICK ANSWER
How do you play Helldivers 2?
Land with your squad and locate the mission objectives. Call equipment with stratagem codes. Complete the objectives while managing enemy waves. Reach extraction and survive until the shuttle arrives.
Jump to the step-by-step rules ↓EDITOR'S TABLE NOTES
Is Helldivers 2 a good fit for your group?
This game works especially well for players who learn best by practicing the core controls before taking on advanced objectives; the listed 1–4-player range and 20–40 min playing time should also fit the group. Before setting up, decide whether that matches the experience your group wants today.
Rules version covered here
This guide focuses on the current beginner gameplay loop rather than update-specific exploits. Controls, menus, balance, and available modes can differ by platform and patch. For Helldivers 2, pay particular attention to the stated setup and ending condition below.
QUICK VIDEO GUIDE
Learn Helldivers 2 in under a minute
About this video
This original mini lesson covers what you need, setup, normal play, the winning condition, and one beginner tip. Continue below for the complete written guide.
INTERACTIVE LEARN-TO-PLAY
Practice Helldivers 2 before the first round
Walk through the setup, try a sample turn, and get a quick answer when play stalls.
Finish training and choose a basic loadout.
Join a mission suited to your level.
Playable example turn
Step 1 of 4
Land with your squad and locate the mission objectives.
What should we do now?
Start with this action: Land with your squad and locate the mission objectives.
Scoring and winning
Reach extraction and survive until the shuttle arrives.
Common dispute to prevent
Standing beneath incoming equipment. Agree on any edition-specific variation before the first turn.
The objective
Your goal is to complete dangerous cooperative missions while avoiding friendly fire. Before play begins, make sure every player can explain how the game ends and what determines the winner. That one check prevents many mid-game disagreements.
What you need
Helldivers 2 on a supported device and internet access. Lay out every required item before teaching the rules. If pieces, cards, controllers, or play space are missing, resolve that before the practice turn.
How to set up
- Finish training and choose a basic loadout.
- Join a mission suited to your level.
Setup check: Ask one player who did not arrange the game to compare the table, field, or screen with these steps. A fresh look often catches an incorrect starting position.
How to play: step by step
- Land with your squad and locate the mission objectives.
- Call equipment with stratagem codes.
- Complete the objectives while managing enemy waves.
- Reach extraction and survive until the shuttle arrives.
Example first round
A useful first-round walkthrough for Helldivers 2 begins this way: Land with your squad and locate the mission objectives. Next, call equipment with stratagem codes. Continue in normal turn order until the ending condition applies: reach extraction and survive until the shuttle arrives.
How scoring and winning work
- The result is determined by the guide's stated objective: Complete dangerous cooperative missions while avoiding friendly fire.
- The final step explains when play stops: Reach extraction and survive until the shuttle arrives.
- For the most common rules question, use this clarification consistently: Yes, but missions are designed for cooperation.
Useful variations
- Use the tutorial, training area, or easiest suitable mode until movement and the main action feel comfortable.
- For a shorter session, announce a stopping time before starting; 20–40 min is the normal planning range for Helldivers 2.
- When playing with beginners, demonstrate this strategy before scoring begins: Communicate before using explosives.
Beginner strategies
- Communicate before using explosives.
- Keep moving when enemies surround the team.
Choose one of these ideas for the first game instead of trying to remember every strategy at once. Afterward, identify one decision that changed the result and one move you would test next time.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Standing beneath incoming equipment.
- Firing through teammates.
If an illegal move is discovered, pause and agree on the least disruptive correction. For casual play, consistency and a shared understanding matter more than reconstructing many turns.
Frequently asked questions
Can you play alone?
Yes, but missions are designed for cooperation.
Is friendly fire active?
Yes, so careful positioning matters.
Related video games guides
Official instructions for your edition or the game publisher’s current documentation take priority over this summary. If you spot a factual error or an important edition difference, please tell us.
Report a correction →