Though Helldivers 2 can be played alone, it is at its best when you’re with a team. If every player takes on a specific role, it’s possible to overpower even the most vicious Terminids and Automatons.
Some players don’t like taking centre stage and instead prefer to help others. For this, you need a good support build. Follow this guide to build a support Helldiver in Helldivers 2, and you won’t go wrong.
Best Stratagems for a support build in Helldivers 2
There are a few ways you can use stratagems to help your team and ensure they stay alive on the battlefield. Orbitals are usually a bad idea as they have a large area of effect, which can result in some unintended friendly fire. The one exception to this is the Orbital Laser Strike which gives you much more accuracy when it comes to where the strike will land.
Instead, opt for supply packs. These are used to give your fellow Helldivers ammo, allowing them to jump back into the action instead of simply running away from enemies. Ammo can be a scarce resource in Helldivers 2, so having a teammate around who is focused on replenishing it can be the difference between a successful or a failed mission.
If you want to help your teammates in an offensive manner you’ll need one of the Sentry weapons. They detect and fire at enemies on their own, but you better not be in the line of fire or else you could sabotage yourself. The best Sentry weapon available is the EMS Mortar Sentry, though even the weaker ones such as the Gatling Sentry are good for at least slowing down incoming hordes.
Best Loadout for a support build in Helldivers 2
Your loadout can also be exceptionally helpful when the going gets tough. When it comes to throwable weapons, it’s not good to use grenades because you can accidentally harm a Helldiver. Instead, go for the G-3 Smoke grenade that’ll help your comrades flee during desperate times.
It’s best to not go into a battle without any weapons for yourself because enemies will still attack you whether you’re playing support or not. Use your secondary slot to arm yourself with the P-19 Redeemer which has a great fire rate and minimal recoil. It won’t stop the bigger foes, but it’ll keep you safe from the smaller enemies while your team handles business.
As a support player, you shouldn’t be in the middle of the action, so you have the chance to make the most of the shotguns available. They’re very powerful, giving your team the backup it needs, but they take a while to reload which is why it isn’t always wise to use them if you’re going to be on the frontlines.
Alternatively, keep your distance, and arm yourself with a sniper rifle instead. The R-63CS Diligence Counter Sniper is a good option, though you can also rely on the R-63 Diligence which is unlocked earlier.
Lastly, you need good armor. The best choice in this category is the Med-Kit Armor Passive which you can use to heal your teammates in a pinch. With how frantic battles get, at least one teammate will almost certainly need it.
Know your role
Even with the perfect support build, you must play your role properly if you want missions to be successful. If a player is using a recoilless rifle, be there to help them. Your eyes should be less on the enemies and more on your teammates and their immediate needs.
The support role may not be the most glamorous one, and it’s a hard build to work with in Helldivers 2. Nevertheless, with the right skills, stratagems, and loadout, you’ll be the guardian angel your team needs.
