Guide to Destroying Illuminate Warp Ships in Helldivers 2

The long-anticipated moment has arrived! The Illuminate aliens, also recognized as the Squ’ith, have officially made their debut in Helldivers 2. As the newly introduced third faction in the relentless Galactic War, these extraterrestrial invaders bring a host of formidable foes for players to confront and conquer.

Distinct from the Automatons and Terminids, the Illuminate present themselves as a highly advanced alien civilization. Armed with sophisticated shielding technology, they can often seem untouchable during engagements. Players might find the challenge of confronting their Warp Ships particularly daunting. These saucer-shaped vessels serve as both an enemy structure and a dropship, each variant exhibiting unique vulnerabilities that require strategic adaptability.

With fresh intelligence surfacing daily regarding these formidable foes, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to effectively neutralize the Illuminate Warp Ships in Helldivers 2.

Strategies for Destroying Illuminate Warp Ships in Helldivers 2

Within Helldivers 2, players will encounter two distinct types of Illuminate Warp Ships, each corresponding to different mission objectives. Both types are crucial targets, as they can summon additional enemy reinforcements. Timely destruction is essential to avoid being overwhelmed.

Understanding Parked/Grounded Warp Ships

Parked Warp Ships function similarly to Automaton Fabricators and Terminid Bug Holes in the game, repeatedly releasing groups of Voteless enemies. However, these Warp Ships are unlike their counterparts due to their regenerating shields. Players must first deplete these shields before they can effectively engage and destroy the craft using grenades.

When confronted with a parked Warp Ship, consider the following strategies:

Optimized Firepower: Don’t squander powerful offensive stratagems unnecessarily. Instead, rely on effective primary or support weapons capable of consistent damage output. Weapons like the M-105 Stalwart, MG-43 Machine Gun, or LAS-16 Sickle can rapidly drain shields.
Avoid Shotgun Use: It’s critical to note that shotguns are less effective for this task. Each shot is considered a singular hit against the shield, and the damage soaks significantly less than sustained fire from automatic weapons.

Initially, Warp Ships showcase blue shields at full capacity but shift to purple once damaged. If they remain shielded and take no damage for approximately ten seconds, they will fully regenerate.

Additionally, ensure that only explosive grenades are deployed into the Warp Ship’s open bay doors. Cook these grenades before throwing, as longer fuses may unfortunately bounce back out. Using G-16 Impact Grenade is often the safest approach.

In scenarios where immediate destruction is necessary, an offensive stratagem like the Eagle Strike can eliminate a Warp Ship even with intact shields, although it is not always guaranteed to deal substantial damage.

Engaging Flying Warp Ships

Flying Warp Ships mirror the Automaton Dropships, delivering reinforcements and quickly retreating from the battlefield. Unlike their parked counterparts, these ships do not possess regenerating shields. However, they are heavily armored, making them resistant to damage from the sides. Their vulnerability lies solely in the exposed circular bay door.

Upon activation of the bay doors, direct an anti-tank missile or rocket fire into this area to dismantle the ship. Precise positioning is critical; a slight misalignment may lead to wasted rounds or, worse, exposure to enemy fire.

Employing SEAF SAM Sites found throughout the map can significantly enhance your efforts against the Illuminate Dropships, as they automatically target and destroy any flying enemy units within their effective range.

Here are some recommended weapons for taking down flying Warp Ships:

The LAS-99 Quasar Cannon is the most efficient choice, enabling you to target the ship without needing to wait for the bay doors to open.
The GR-8 Recoilless Rifle is another formidable option, requiring only a single rocket strike if correctly positioned beneath the Warp Ship.
The FAF-14 Spear is also effective, necessitating only one shot, without needing to target the ship’s belly.
Expect to need multiple rockets when employing the ML5-4X Commando, with three to four typically required for a hit.