The best Helldivers 2 Stratagems are ranked in our full tier list below, where we explain what orbital strikes and killstreaks are most powerful or most versatile when you're going to do operations. Stratagems aren't just for causing large explosions across the horizon (though they are good at that), you can use them call in mechs, powerful weapons, special equipment and more besides.
With so many HD2 Stratagems in play, picking them out isn't easy, so players will need to strategize and pick cleverly. To help you out with that, our tier list has ever single one in the game and how they hold up.
Best Helldivers 2 Stratagems
For us, the best Helldivers 2 Stratagems are ones that work in pretty much any mission, either because of their overall power, making them great against almost all Helldivers 2 enemies, or because of the essential support they provide. In short, things like the Railgun, any of the dedicated anti-tank weapons, and the Orbital Laser are incredibly useful to have, especially if you're playing on the highest Helldivers 2 difficulty levels.
We've got a full Stratagem tier list below, but you might also want to check out our guide on the best Helldivers 2 weapons for your loadout, so you know what to pack in your hellpod as well as what you can call in from your Super Destroyer.
S-tier Helldivers 2 Stratagems
Stratagems that are useful in pretty much any mission or absolute must-picks against a certain Helldivers 2 faction:
- Railgun
- Orbital Laser
- Eagle 500kg Bomb
- Quasar Cannon
- Commando
- Recoilless Rifle
- Flamethrower
- Spear
- Orbital Napalm Barrage
- Shield Generator Pack
A-tier Helldivers 2 Stratagems
Great Helldivers 2 Stratagems that can be excellent in the right situations and when used effectively:
- Emancipator Exosuit
- Autocannon
- Grenade Launcher
- Orbital Railcannon Strike
- Patriot Exosuit
- Autocannon Sentry
- Anti-Materiel Rifle
- Expendable Anti-Tank
- 380MM HE Barrage
- Orbital Gas Strike
- HMG Emplacement
- Guard Dog
- EMS Mortar Sentry
B-tier Helldivers 2 Stratagems
Solid Stratagems that aren't quite as powerful as those in S or A-tier, in some cases because they are low-level Stratagems that are outclasses by superior versions that you'll unlock later:
- Orbital Precision Strike
- Stalwart
- Napalm Airstrike
- Rocket Sentry
- Gatling Sentry
- Anti-Personnel Minefield
- Airburst Rocket Launcher
- 120MM HE Barrage
- Orbital Walking Barrage
- Eagle Airstrike
- Eagle Cluster Bomb
- Jump Pack
- Laser Cannon
- Guard Dog Rover
- Arc Thrower
- Anti-Tank Mines
- Mortar Sentry
C-tier Helldivers 2 Stratagems
Average Stratagems and support weapons that are usable but have plenty of superior alternatives:
- Machine Gun Sentry
- Orbital Gatling Barrage
- Shield Generator Relay
- Incendiary Mines
- Orbital Airburst Strike
- Orbital EMS Strike
- Eagle Strafing Run
- Heavy Machine Gun
- Eagle 110MM Rocket Pods
- Tesla Tower
- Machine Gun
- Supply Pack
D-tier Helldivers 2 Stratagems
There's little that justifies picking these Stratagems as they don't quite bring enough to the team during a mission and you'll sacrifice the chance to choose a much better Stratagem by picking these:
- Ballistic Shield Backpack
- Eagle Smoke Strike
- Orbital Smoke Strike
How to unlock new Stratagems in Helldivers 2
As discussed previously, Stratagems can be bought on your hub ship by paying with Requisition Slips, rewards obtained from playing the game well, completing objectives, and finding them at Points of Interest. To buy Stratagems, go to one of the Ship Management terminals beneath the big propaganda-playing screen, over on the left when you step out of your pod and head up the little steps to the main deck.
Because you can only have four Stratagems equipped going into a mission, you want to think carefully about which ones you choose - what do your allies have? What are the mission objectives? Are there any combos that do or don't work well together?
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