Key Takeaways:

1. Focus on Harvesters’ weak spots hip joints and shield generators for quick takedowns.
2. Use sustained firepower to strip energy shields and exploit exposed weak points.
3. Stratagems like Eagle Strafing Runs, Machine Gun Sentries, and Tesla Towers are highly effective against the Illuminate.

The Omens of Tyranny update for Helldivers 2 has finally brought back the dreaded Illuminate, an alien faction notorious for their advanced technology and overwhelming tactics. Among their deadly machines of destruction are the Harvesters, towering tripod war machines capable of devastating entire squads. These mechanical monstrosities require strategy, precision, and firepower to defeat.

This guide will provide everything you need to know to deal with Harvesters efficiently while offering tips on taking down other Illuminate units, including their Warp Ships and Monoliths. Let’s dive into how you can crush the Illuminate and reclaim liberty for Super Earth!

Understanding Harvesters in Helldivers 2

At first glance, Harvesters are intimidating opponents. They’re heavily shielded, armored, and can survive most standard weapons. However, their design has clear vulnerabilities that can be exploited with the right tactics and loadouts.

Harvester Weak Spots

1. Hip Joints:
   The most significant weak spots on a Harvester are its hip joints. Hitting these areas will quickly destabilize the machine, causing it to collapse. Target these joints with precision for maximum efficiency.
2. Shield Generator (Crest Above Eye):
   The crest located just above the Harvester’s eye acts as its shield generator. A single shot from an Anti-Materiel Rifle (AMR) or a similar high-damage weapon can destroy this, preventing the Harvester from reactivating its shields.

What Doesn’t Work Against Harvesters?

• Eagle and Orbital Strikes: While tempting, these are largely ineffective against Harvesters. Even the Eagle 500kg Bomb only works about half the time.
• Unfocused Firepower: Randomly spraying bullets won’t cut it. You need to aim at the weak spots for efficient takedowns.

Best Weapons to Destroy Harvesters

To bring down a Harvester effectively, you’ll need weapons that can either deal precision damage to weak points or sustain fire to strip away shields and armor. Here are the most effective weapons to use:

1. LAS-99 Quasar Cannon

• Why It Works: This laser weapon can one-shot a Harvester if aimed directly at the weak spot.
• How to Use It: The Quasar Cannon requires a brief charge, so maintain distance and switch to first-person mode for pinpoint accuracy.

2. MG-206 Heavy Machine Gun

• Why It Works: The heavy machine gun delivers consistent, high-damage output, making it ideal for targeting hip joints.
• Pro Tip: Learn to manage the recoil to keep your shots focused on weak points.

3. MLS-4X Commando

• Why It Works: This weapon can one-shot Harvesters when aimed precisely at the hip joints.
• Precision is Key: If you miss the weak spot, the weapon loses its effectiveness. Take your time and aim carefully.

4. Other Effective Weapons:

• APW-1 Anti-Materiel Rifle (AMR): Perfect for taking out shield generators or delivering long-range damage.
• GR-8 Recoilless Rifle: High explosive power for stagger and sustained damage.
• LAS-16 Sickle: Another strong energy weapon that works well against shields and weak points.

Illuminate Tactics: Defeating the Entire Faction

The Illuminate are far more than just their Harvesters. They bring swarms of enemies, energy shields, and advanced warships to the battlefield. Unlike the Automatons and Terminids, fighting the Illuminate requires a different mindset and approach.

Key Traits of the Illuminate Faction

1. High Health Pools: Illuminate units typically have significant health and shields, but lack heavy armor.
2. Energy Shields: Shields make the Illuminate particularly tough to kill with burst damage alone. You need sustained fire to strip these shields before finishing them off.

Best Loadout for Fighting the Illuminate

When facing the Illuminate, bring weapons and stratagems designed for sustained fire and shield stripping. Here’s a recommended loadout:

Primary Weapons

• P-15 Redeemer: Excellent for rapidly stripping energy shields.
• Stalwart MG: High sustained firepower makes this ideal for mowing down enemies and shields.

Secondary Weapons

• Anti-Materiel Rifle (AMR): Great for precision shots on weak spots like shield generators.
• Exploding Crossbow: Delivers explosive damage to stagger enemies and destroy shields.

Stratagems

To effectively combat Illuminate hordes and technology, use the following stratagems:

1. Eagle Strafing Run: Great for stripping shields and damaging multiple enemies.
2. Machine Gun/Gatling Sentry: Locks down areas and destroys infantry swarms.
3. Tesla Tower: Perfect for area denial against hordes.
4. 120mm Orbital Barrage: Outshines other strikes for destroying Illuminate Outposts.
5. Guard Dog Rovers: Protects you from sneaky enemies while focusing on tougher targets.

How to Destroy Illuminate Warp Ships

Warp Ships are the Illuminate’s mobile reinforcements, dropping enemies onto the battlefield. However, taking them down requires precision and patience.

Steps to Destroy Warp Ships:

1. Strip the Shields: Use rapid-fire weapons like the P-15 Redeemer to quickly take out shields.
2. Aim for Open Doors: Once shields are down, target the open doors to deal damage directly.
3. Don’t Bother with Incoming Ships: It’s often more efficient to focus on eliminating the enemies they drop rather than shooting the ships themselves.

Dealing with Monoliths and Cognitive Disruptors

Monoliths and Cognitive Disruptors will scramble your Stratagem Codes, making it challenging to call in reinforcements. However, they’re not invincible.

How to Destroy Monoliths:

• Hellbomb or 500kg Bomb: Two direct hits will take them out.
• Power Supplies: Look for nearby capsule-shaped power nodes. Destroying these will disable the Monolith.

Stratagem Tips:

• Wait until the disruption effect passes to input Stratagem codes. The scramble resets every three seconds, so time your inputs carefully.

The Omens of Tyranny update has made Helldivers 2 even more challenging and rewarding. The Illuminate require players to adapt their tactics, focus on precision, and bring weapons capable of sustained fire and shield stripping.

Harvesters may appear unstoppable, but with the right tools and teamwork, they’ll come crashing down. Whether you’re taking out Warp Ships, toppling Monoliths, or mowing through swarms of Voteless, understanding your enemies’ weaknesses is the key to victory.

FAQs

1. What is the best weapon for destroying Harvesters?
The LAS-99 Quasar Cannon and MG-206 Heavy Machine Gun are the most effective weapons for targeting Harvester weak spots.

2. How do I destroy Illuminate Warp Ships?
Focus on stripping the shields first using rapid-fire weapons, then target the open doors for direct damage.

3. Are Orbital Strikes effective against Harvesters?
No, most Orbital Strikes, including the Eagle 500kg Bomb, are unreliable against Harvesters. It’s better to use weapons like the Quasar Cannon or Heavy Machine Gun.

4. How do I deal with Monoliths scrambling Stratagem Codes?
Input your codes immediately after they scramble. Destroy nearby power supplies to deactivate the Monolith.

5. What is the best overall strategy against the Illuminate?
Use high-fire-rate weapons to strip shields, aim for weak spots, and utilize area denial Stratagems like Tesla Towers and Eagle Strafing Runs.