Helldivers 2: Contracts & Missions Guide
Hey there, fellow Helldivers! Ready to dive headfirst into the explosive, bug-squashing, robot-blasting world of Helldivers 2? This guide is your ultimate tutorial, breaking down everything you need to know about contracts and missions. Understanding these is key to spreading Managed Democracy across the galaxy, getting sweet rewards, and, you know, not getting eaten by giant space bugs. Let's get started, shall we?
Understanding the Basics: What are Contracts and Missions?
Alright, let's get down to brass tacks. In Helldivers 2, you're not just running around shooting aliens for the fun of it (though, let's be honest, that is a major perk). You're part of a highly organized, super-patriotic fighting force. Think of contracts and missions as the backbone of your career as a Helldiver. Missions are the individual operations you undertake on various planets. Each planet is a warzone, with different objectives, enemy types, and environmental hazards. You select these missions from the Galactic War map, choosing which sectors to liberate and which threats to eliminate. Contracts, on the other hand, are your objectives, the challenges you need to complete to earn rewards like Requisition Slips (used to buy Stratagems), Super Credits (premium currency), and other valuable resources. Contracts are your daily bread and butter, ensuring you always have something to strive for. They're often tied to specific mission types or broader goals like eliminating a certain number of enemies or completing missions on a specific planet type. Think of them as your to-do list for galactic domination!
Missions are varied, ranging from destroying bug nests and closing factory of automatons to rescuing civilians and defending extraction points. Each mission has a primary objective and, often, secondary objectives that offer extra rewards. Completing these objectives, while under heavy fire, is essential for progress. Missions are dynamic; you'll never do the same thing twice. You're constantly adapting to new environments and enemy encounters. The feeling of finally conquering a planet is unparalleled. Successfully completing a mission gives you experience points to level up your character and unlock new Stratagems, weapons, and customization options.
Contracts are further categorized. Personal Orders are your daily challenges, giving you quick goals and rewarding you with Requisition Slips. Major Orders are community-driven goals, that the entire Helldiver force is working towards. Completing these Major Orders often unlocks new Stratagems or provides other collective benefits. Finally, there are also the Warbonds, which are essentially battle passes, granting you access to new weapons, armor, and cosmetics as you level up. Managing and completing your contracts is not just about personal gain; it's about contributing to the war effort and ensuring the success of Super Earth!
Diving into Missions: Your Galactic Battlefield
Let's go deeper into the heart of the action – the missions themselves. Choosing the right mission is about strategic thinking. Where do you start? First, analyze the Galactic War map. This gives you the overall view of the war. Pay attention to the planet's status, the enemy types present, and the rewards offered. Do you need Requisition Slips? Super Credits? Or are you focused on a specific Warbond? Each mission briefing provides essential information. You'll learn about the primary objective, the planet's environment, and any special conditions that might affect your gameplay. Reading these briefings before you deploy is crucial! Think of it as your mission plan. Then it's time to choose the best mission for your goals.
Once you drop onto the planet, the real fun begins! Remember to always keep your head on a swivel! Missions can be broadly categorized into a few different types, each with its unique objectives and challenges.
- Eradication Missions: Your simple objective - eliminate all enemies in the area. These are often the most straightforward but can be incredibly intense if you get swarmed. Practice your crowd-control skills!
- Eliminate Bug/Bot Nests: These missions involve destroying specific structures that spawn enemies. They often require the use of explosive Stratagems to take down quickly.
- Retrieve Samples: Search for these valuable collectibles for research. They require careful exploration and a bit of luck, as they're randomly located.
- Defend Structures: You'll need to protect a specific structure from waves of enemies. Careful Stratagem placement and teamwork are key to success.
- Retrieve Assets: Here, you need to find and extract valuable resources. Expect to encounter intense resistance along the way.
- Evacuate Civilians: Save the innocent. These missions require you to guide civilians to extraction points while fighting off relentless enemies.
Mission selection is often a trade-off. Do you want fast rewards (short missions) or something with higher risk but larger payouts (longer, more complex missions)? This is how you build your expertise to succeed. You'll become a better Helldiver with each mission, learning new tactics and understanding your role within the team. Keep the team's needs in mind when deploying a Stratagem. Your ability to adapt and think strategically in the face of chaos is what will separate you from the other heroes.
Contracts: Your Path to Rewards and Glory
Now, let's talk about the contracts – the backbone of your progression in Helldivers 2. Contracts are the core set of challenges and quests you'll undertake to receive a wide variety of rewards. They are categorized to give you more purpose as a Helldiver. Understanding these contracts is how you unlock new gear and make progress. Successfully completing these objectives is the key to unlocking new Stratagems, weapons, armor, and other customization options. They provide you with a sense of purpose and reward. So, what are the types?
Personal Orders
Personal Orders are your daily tasks. They're designed to give you a quick boost. They typically involve completing a specific number of missions, eliminating a certain type of enemy, or using a particular Stratagem. These are easy to complete and provide a steady stream of Requisition Slips. They are designed to be achievable without too much effort. Don't underestimate these; they are great for quickly grabbing extra Requisition Slips to purchase those new weapons. This is a great place to start when you are new to the game. Always keep an eye on your Personal Orders; knocking them out is a great way to stay motivated.
Major Orders
Major Orders are massive community goals. These are tasks that all Helldivers across the galaxy work together to achieve. These often involve liberating entire sectors or eliminating a large number of a specific enemy type. The rewards for Major Orders can be significant, often unlocking new Stratagems or providing broader benefits. It fosters a sense of teamwork and collective accomplishment. Participating in Major Orders is essential to the overall war effort. Pay attention to your Major Orders. They are usually announced in the game or on official community channels. Completing them is crucial for the collective success of Super Earth.
Warbonds
Warbonds are essentially the game's battle pass system. They provide you with access to new weapons, armor, and cosmetics as you progress through them. You earn Warbond Medals by completing missions and challenges. These Medals are then used to unlock the rewards within each Warbond. Warbonds offer a great way to personalize your Helldiver. They are tied to a specific theme. Focusing on earning Warbond Medals is essential if you want new gear. Always check your current Warbonds to see what you can unlock and work toward earning those rewards.
Maximizing Your Contracts and Mission Efficiency
Alright, you know the basics. But how do you maximize your time and efforts? Here are some tips to help you become a super-efficient Helldiver!
- Prioritize Objectives: Always focus on the main mission objectives first. Secondary objectives can be great for extra rewards, but they shouldn't come at the cost of failing the primary goal. Your main focus must be getting the objectives accomplished.
- Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Helldivers 2 is a team game. Communicate with your squad, coordinate your Stratagems, and work together to overcome challenges. Teamwork is what makes everything work.
- Know Your Loadout: Experiment with different weapons, armor, and Stratagems. Find what works best for your playstyle and the types of missions you enjoy. Knowing what works best is key to successful completion of your mission. Equip yourself with what's useful. Don't be afraid to try different combinations.
- Understand Enemy Weaknesses: Different enemies have different vulnerabilities. Learn which weapons and Stratagems are most effective against each type. Knowing your enemy will help you conquer any mission.
- Manage Your Resources: Keep track of your ammo, grenades, and Stratagems. Don't waste resources unnecessarily. Use them strategically. Keep the team informed about how many resources are left.
- Stay Informed: Pay attention to the Galactic War map, mission briefings, and community announcements. This will help you stay informed about the latest Major Orders, enemy movements, and rewards. Stay updated on the news and make sure you do your part.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Don't get discouraged by setbacks. Every mission is a learning experience. You will gradually get better with each one you complete.
- Adjust Difficulty as Needed: If you're struggling on a particular difficulty, don't be afraid to lower it. It is more important to get the mission done than to fail it. This is more important than struggling through a level that's too hard. It’s better to succeed and learn!
- Complete Personal Orders: Knock out those daily Personal Orders for a steady income of Requisition Slips. They are a good source of resources.
Advanced Strategies: Going Beyond the Basics
Alright, you've mastered the fundamentals. Now, let's explore some more advanced strategies for taking your Helldiving to the next level!
- Master Stratagem Usage: Knowing when and where to deploy your Stratagems is critical. Practice calling them in quickly and accurately. Timing is everything. Learn to use them to create kill zones, protect objectives, and support your teammates. Become a true Stratagem specialist. Learn the most effective combinations for various missions. Become the expert.
- Learn Enemy Spawning Patterns: Understanding where enemies spawn allows you to anticipate attacks and position yourself strategically. Observe their movement. This gives you an advantage. The better you know enemy behavior, the less danger you will be in.
- Optimize Your Loadout: Don't just pick your favorite weapons. Think about how your loadout complements your team. Consider your role and the mission objectives. Bring the right tools for the job. Do you need anti-armor weapons? Crowd control? Support items? Choose the best setup.
- Coordinate with Your Team: Communicate, coordinate, and cover each other. Teamwork is what makes Helldivers 2 truly shine. Call out enemy locations. Share resources. And work together to achieve victory. This is a game of community.
- Use the Environment: Use cover, utilize choke points, and be aware of your surroundings. The environment is your friend. Use it to your advantage. Try to find the best spots.
- Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: Try different weapons, armor, and Stratagems. Find what suits your playstyle. Experimentation will help you find the best solutions. This is the way to learn and find the best choices.
- Take Advantage of Secondary Objectives: Completing secondary objectives can provide valuable rewards, like additional Requisition Slips or samples. You may not succeed at first. Keep trying.
- Manage Your Extraction: Coordinate with your team to secure the extraction point. Don't get bogged down in the final moments. Proper planning can save the mission. Think about the last moments of the mission.
Conclusion: For Super Earth!
You're now well-equipped to tackle the contracts and missions in Helldivers 2. Remember, success in this game is all about teamwork, strategy, and a healthy dose of patriotic fervor. So gear up, Helldivers, and spread the good word of Managed Democracy across the galaxy! And most importantly, have fun! Glory to Super Earth!