Helldivers Illuminate Weapons: A Tier List

Nov 8, 2025 by Admin 43 views

Hey Helldivers! Ready to dive deep into the Illuminate warzone and blast some aliens? If you're struggling to pick the right gear for taking on the Illuminate, you've come to the right place. This tier list breaks down the best weapons to use against these tricky psychic foes, so you can bring democracy to the galaxy with maximum efficiency. Let's get started!

Understanding the Illuminate Threat

Before diving into the weapons themselves, let's talk about what makes the Illuminate so unique and challenging. Unlike the Bugs or the Cyborgs, the Illuminate rely heavily on psychic abilities and advanced technology. They can create illusions, teleport, and project energy shields, making them a real pain to deal with if you're not prepared. You'll need weapons that can pierce their shields, disrupt their teleportation, and deal with their tricky tactics. You need a solid understanding of their capabilities and behavior so that you can use weapons, strategems, and perks to beat them.

Illusions: The Illuminate love to create decoy versions of themselves, making it hard to tell who the real target is. Weapons with high rates of fire or those that can penetrate multiple targets are great for dealing with this.
Teleportation: These guys are constantly blinking around the battlefield, making it tough to pin them down. Weapons with area-of-effect damage or those that can quickly lock onto targets are super helpful.
Energy Shields: Many Illuminate units have energy shields that need to be taken down before you can deal damage. Weapons with armor penetration or energy damage are essential for bypassing these defenses. The key here is to consider elemental damage types when choosing your loadout. Certain Illuminate enemies may have weaknesses to specific elements, so it's beneficial to diversify your arsenal. This will give you the flexibility to adapt to various combat situations and ensure that you're always dealing maximum damage. Coordination with your team is also crucial. Communicating enemy positions, shield statuses, and weaknesses can significantly increase your squad's effectiveness. Using voice chat or in-game communication tools can help you and your teammates stay on the same page and coordinate your attacks.

The Tier List Breakdown

Alright, let's get into the meat of the matter – the weapon tier list! I've broken it down into categories from S-Tier (the absolute best) to D-Tier (leave it at home). Keep in mind that this is based on my experience and playstyle, so your mileage may vary. But hey, it's a good starting point, right?

S-Tier: God-Tier Weapons

These are the weapons that absolutely shine against the Illuminate. If you're serious about taking on these aliens, you'll want to have at least one of these in your loadout. These weapons, which consistently deliver exceptional performance in various combat scenarios, demonstrate a mastery of design and functionality that sets them apart from the rest. Their effectiveness against a wide array of enemy types, coupled with their ease of use and versatility, makes them indispensable tools in any Helldiver's arsenal. These weapons have undergone rigorous testing and have been proven to excel in the most challenging missions, earning them a place of honor among seasoned veterans and newcomers alike. Whether it's the devastating power of a well-placed grenade or the precision of a laser-guided missile, these weapons provide the edge needed to overcome even the most formidable adversaries. Their reliability in critical moments, combined with their ability to turn the tide of battle, cements their status as the gold standard for Helldiver weaponry.

LAS-98 Laser Cannon: This weapon is a beast against the Illuminate. Its continuous beam can melt through shields and quickly take down enemies. Plus, it has infinite ammo, so you don't have to worry about running dry in a firefight. One of the most significant advantages of the Laser Cannon is its ability to penetrate multiple targets. This is particularly useful when dealing with groups of Illuminate enemies clustered together. You can simply sweep the beam across the group, dealing damage to multiple targets simultaneously. This not only saves ammo but also increases your overall effectiveness in crowd control. Furthermore, the Laser Cannon excels at taking down Illuminate Observers, which are high-priority targets due to their ability to call in reinforcements. A well-aimed burst from the Laser Cannon can quickly eliminate these threats, preventing the enemy from overwhelming your position. This makes it an invaluable asset in defensive strategies, allowing you to maintain control of the battlefield and minimize the risk of being overrun. It is important to manage its heat buildup to avoid overheating, as this can temporarily disable the weapon and leave you vulnerable. However, with proper heat management techniques, such as firing in short bursts and utilizing the weapon's cooling system, you can effectively mitigate this risk and maintain continuous firepower. This is especially crucial in prolonged engagements where sustained damage output is essential for survival. Mastering the Laser Cannon's firing pattern and heat management will significantly enhance your combat effectiveness and ensure that you can rely on this weapon in even the most intense situations. Additionally, the Laser Cannon is highly effective against Illuminate energy shields. Its continuous beam can quickly deplete shield energy, leaving enemies vulnerable to follow-up attacks. This makes it an excellent choice for dealing with shielded Illuminate units, as you can quickly strip away their defenses and eliminate them with ease. It's also a great option for players who prefer a more methodical approach to combat. The Laser Cannon's precision and accuracy allow you to target specific weak points on enemies, maximizing your damage output and conserving ammo. This is particularly useful when dealing with heavily armored enemies, as you can focus your fire on their vulnerable areas to quickly bring them down.
Railgun: The Railgun is awesome! Its high armor penetration and damage output make it perfect for taking down those tough Illuminate Captains and Council Members. Charge it up for maximum damage, and watch those aliens explode! One of the most significant advantages of the Railgun is its ability to pierce through enemy armor. This makes it exceptionally effective against heavily armored Illuminate units, such as the aforementioned Captains and Council Members. By charging up the weapon, you can maximize its armor penetration capabilities, allowing you to deal significant damage even to enemies with high levels of protection. This makes the Railgun an invaluable asset in engagements where you need to quickly eliminate heavily armored threats. Furthermore, the Railgun excels at long-range engagements. Its high accuracy and projectile velocity allow you to effectively engage enemies from a distance, providing you with a significant advantage in open environments. This is particularly useful when dealing with Illuminate Observers, which are high-priority targets due to their ability to call in reinforcements. A well-aimed shot from the Railgun can quickly eliminate these threats, preventing the enemy from overwhelming your position. This makes it an invaluable asset in defensive strategies, allowing you to maintain control of the battlefield and minimize the risk of being overrun. It is important to manage its charge-up time to avoid being caught off guard by enemies. Learning to time your shots effectively and anticipating enemy movements will significantly enhance your combat effectiveness and ensure that you can rely on this weapon in even the most intense situations. Additionally, the Railgun is highly effective against Illuminate energy shields. Its high-energy projectile can quickly deplete shield energy, leaving enemies vulnerable to follow-up attacks. This makes it an excellent choice for dealing with shielded Illuminate units, as you can quickly strip away their defenses and eliminate them with ease. It's also a great option for players who prefer a more methodical approach to combat. The Railgun's precision and accuracy allow you to target specific weak points on enemies, maximizing your damage output and conserving ammo. This is particularly useful when dealing with heavily armored enemies, as you can focus your fire on their vulnerable areas to quickly bring them down. However, it is important to note that the Railgun has a relatively slow rate of fire compared to other weapons. This means that you need to make each shot count, as missed shots can leave you vulnerable to enemy attacks. Therefore, it is crucial to practice your aim and learn to anticipate enemy movements to maximize your effectiveness with the Railgun.

A-Tier: Excellent Choices

These weapons are great all-around performers and will serve you well against the Illuminate. They might not be as OP as the S-Tier weapons, but they're still solid choices. The weapons in the A-Tier represent excellent choices for Helldivers seeking reliable and versatile tools for their missions. These armaments strike a balance between firepower, accuracy, and utility, making them suitable for a wide range of combat scenarios. While they may not possess the same level of raw power as the S-Tier weapons, they offer distinct advantages that can significantly enhance a Helldiver's effectiveness in the field. With careful consideration and strategic deployment, the weapons in the A-Tier can become indispensable assets in the fight for Super Earth.

EAT-17: This is one of the classic Helldivers weapons. It is very handy. The EAT-17 is an excellent choice due to its versatility and ease of use. This single-shot, disposable anti-tank weapon is perfect for taking down heavily armored Illuminate units like the Council Member. Its quick reload time and decent damage make it a reliable option for dealing with tough targets. The EAT-17 is incredibly effective against Illuminate Council Members, which are heavily armored and pose a significant threat to Helldiver squads. A well-placed shot from the EAT-17 can instantly eliminate a Council Member, preventing them from using their powerful psychic abilities to disrupt your team's strategy. This makes the EAT-17 an invaluable asset in engagements where you need to quickly eliminate high-priority targets. Furthermore, the EAT-17 is also useful for dealing with Illuminate Observers, which are high-priority targets due to their ability to call in reinforcements. A single shot from the EAT-17 can quickly eliminate these threats, preventing the enemy from overwhelming your position. This makes it an invaluable asset in defensive strategies, allowing you to maintain control of the battlefield and minimize the risk of being overrun. It is important to note that the EAT-17 is a single-shot weapon, so you need to make each shot count. Missed shots can leave you vulnerable to enemy attacks, so it is crucial to practice your aim and learn to anticipate enemy movements to maximize your effectiveness with the EAT-17. However, the EAT-17's quick reload time allows you to quickly follow up with another shot if necessary, giving you a second chance to eliminate your target. This makes it a forgiving weapon for newer players who are still learning the ropes of Helldivers combat. Additionally, the EAT-17 is relatively lightweight and easy to carry, making it a great option for Helldivers who want to maintain their mobility on the battlefield. This is particularly useful in fast-paced engagements where you need to quickly reposition yourself to avoid enemy fire or flank enemy positions. The EAT-17's compact size also makes it easy to store in your backpack, freeing up space for other essential gear. This makes it a versatile and practical choice for Helldivers of all skill levels.
MG-42 Machine Gun: A solid choice for mowing down groups of Illuminate enemies, the MG-42 provides a high rate of fire and good damage output. It's especially effective against those pesky illusion copies. The MG-42 Machine Gun is a versatile weapon that excels in suppressing enemy forces and controlling the battlefield. Its high rate of fire and large magazine capacity make it ideal for engaging groups of Illuminate enemies, especially those pesky illusion copies that can overwhelm your position. The MG-42's sustained fire can quickly eliminate these threats, preventing them from flanking your team and disrupting your strategy. This makes it an invaluable asset in defensive strategies, allowing you to maintain control of the battlefield and minimize the risk of being overrun. Furthermore, the MG-42 is also effective against Illuminate Observers, which are high-priority targets due to their ability to call in reinforcements. A well-aimed burst from the MG-42 can quickly eliminate these threats, preventing the enemy from overwhelming your position. This makes it an invaluable asset in offensive strategies as well, allowing you to push forward and secure objectives while suppressing enemy fire. It is important to manage the MG-42's recoil to maintain accuracy, especially at long range. Firing in short bursts and utilizing the weapon's bipod can significantly improve your accuracy and allow you to effectively engage enemies at a distance. This makes the MG-42 a versatile weapon for both close-quarters combat and long-range engagements. Additionally, the MG-42's high rate of fire can quickly deplete its ammunition, so it is important to manage your ammo consumption carefully. Carrying extra ammo or using a support backpack can help you sustain your fire for longer periods, allowing you to maintain constant pressure on the enemy. This makes the MG-42 a reliable choice for Helldivers who prioritize firepower and sustained damage output. The MG-42's ability to suppress enemy forces and control the battlefield makes it a valuable asset in any Helldiver squad. Its versatility and effectiveness in various combat scenarios make it a reliable choice for both offensive and defensive strategies.

B-Tier: Situationally Useful

These weapons can be useful in certain situations, but they're not always the best choice against the Illuminate. They might require specific loadouts or team compositions to really shine. Weapons classified in the B-Tier offer situational utility, proving valuable under specific circumstances but not as consistently reliable as their A-Tier counterparts. These armaments often require a more tailored approach, thriving within particular loadouts or team compositions to truly unlock their potential. While they may not always be the top choice against the Illuminate, mastering their nuances can provide a strategic edge in the right context.

Flamethrower: While the Flamethrower can be fun, it's not always the most effective against the Illuminate. Their teleportation abilities can make it hard to keep them in the flames. However, it can be useful for clearing out groups of smaller enemies or creating a wall of fire to slow them down. The Flamethrower is a unique weapon that can be effective in specific situations, particularly against groups of smaller enemies or when creating a wall of fire to slow down enemy advances. Its ability to inflict continuous damage over time can be devastating against tightly packed groups of Illuminate, but its effectiveness is limited by the enemy's teleportation abilities. The Flamethrower's primary strength lies in its ability to clear out groups of smaller enemies quickly and efficiently. Its wide area of effect and continuous damage can easily dispatch hordes of Illuminate, preventing them from overwhelming your position. This makes it an invaluable asset in defensive strategies, allowing you to maintain control of the battlefield and minimize the risk of being overrun. Furthermore, the Flamethrower can be used to create a wall of fire, which can slow down enemy advances and provide your team with valuable time to reposition or prepare for an assault. This is particularly useful in chokepoints or narrow corridors, where the enemy has limited options for maneuvering. It is important to note that the Flamethrower has a limited range, so you need to get up close and personal with the enemy to effectively use it. This can be risky, especially against Illuminate units with powerful ranged attacks. Therefore, it is crucial to use the Flamethrower strategically and avoid exposing yourself to unnecessary danger. Additionally, the Flamethrower's continuous fire can quickly deplete its fuel supply, so it is important to manage your fuel consumption carefully. Carrying extra fuel or using a support backpack can help you sustain your fire for longer periods, allowing you to maintain constant pressure on the enemy. The Flamethrower's effectiveness against the Illuminate is limited by their teleportation abilities, which can make it difficult to keep them in the flames. However, by anticipating their movements and using the Flamethrower strategically, you can still make it a valuable asset in your arsenal. Its ability to clear out groups of smaller enemies and create a wall of fire makes it a unique and versatile weapon for Helldivers of all skill levels.
Arc Thrower: The Arc Thrower can be useful for dealing with groups of enemies, but its unpredictable nature and tendency to arc to teammates can make it risky to use. Its powerful arc can chain between enemies, dealing significant damage to groups of Illuminate. However, it can also arc to teammates, dealing friendly fire damage. The Arc Thrower is a powerful weapon that can be effective against groups of enemies, but its unpredictable nature and tendency to arc to teammates make it a risky choice for some Helldivers. Its ability to chain between enemies can deal significant damage to groups of Illuminate, but it can also arc to teammates, dealing friendly fire damage. The Arc Thrower's primary strength lies in its ability to deal with tightly packed groups of Illuminate enemies. Its arc can chain between enemies, dealing significant damage to multiple targets simultaneously. This makes it an invaluable asset in engagements where you are facing large groups of enemies, especially those that are clustered together. Furthermore, the Arc Thrower is also effective against Illuminate Observers, which are high-priority targets due to their ability to call in reinforcements. A well-aimed shot from the Arc Thrower can quickly eliminate these threats, preventing the enemy from overwhelming your position. It is important to note that the Arc Thrower's arc is unpredictable, so you need to be careful when using it around teammates. The arc can chain to teammates, dealing friendly fire damage, which can be devastating, especially in close-quarters combat. Therefore, it is crucial to communicate with your teammates and avoid using the Arc Thrower in situations where there is a high risk of friendly fire. Additionally, the Arc Thrower has a relatively slow rate of fire compared to other weapons. This means that you need to make each shot count, as missed shots can leave you vulnerable to enemy attacks. Therefore, it is crucial to practice your aim and learn to anticipate enemy movements to maximize your effectiveness with the Arc Thrower. The Arc Thrower's unpredictable nature and tendency to arc to teammates make it a risky choice for some Helldivers. However, by using it strategically and communicating with your teammates, you can make it a valuable asset in your arsenal. Its ability to deal significant damage to groups of Illuminate enemies makes it a unique and versatile weapon for Helldivers of all skill levels.

C-Tier: Niche or Underwhelming

These weapons are either too situational or simply not effective enough against the Illuminate to warrant a spot in your loadout. You're better off sticking with the higher-tier options. Weapons classified in the C-Tier typically fall into the categories of niche or underwhelming, often proving less effective against the Illuminate compared to higher-tier alternatives. These armaments may find limited use in specific scenarios but generally struggle to justify a spot in your loadout due to their situational nature or lackluster performance. Helldivers are generally better off prioritizing higher-tier options that offer greater versatility and reliability in the field.

DMR: The DMR is not as effective. While the DMR can be okay at medium range, its lack of armor penetration and relatively low damage make it a poor choice against the Illuminate. You're better off using a weapon with more punch. The DMR can be okay at medium range, but its lack of armor penetration and relatively low damage make it a poor choice against the Illuminate. You're better off using a weapon with more punch. The DMR's primary weakness lies in its lack of armor penetration, which makes it ineffective against heavily armored Illuminate units like the Council Member. Its relatively low damage output also makes it a poor choice for dealing with Illuminate Observers, which are high-priority targets due to their ability to call in reinforcements. Furthermore, the DMR's limited magazine capacity can be a hindrance in engagements where you need to sustain fire for extended periods. This makes it a poor choice for Helldivers who prioritize firepower and sustained damage output. The DMR's effectiveness against the Illuminate is limited by its lack of armor penetration, relatively low damage output, and limited magazine capacity. You're better off using a weapon with more punch and versatility to effectively combat the Illuminate threat.
Stun Grenades: Stun grenades can be useful for stunning enemies, but they're not very effective against the Illuminate. Their teleportation abilities allow them to quickly escape the stun effect, making stun grenades a situational pick at best. Stun grenades can be useful for stunning enemies, but they're not very effective against the Illuminate. Their teleportation abilities allow them to quickly escape the stun effect, making stun grenades a situational pick at best. The Illuminate's teleportation abilities make them highly resistant to stun effects, as they can quickly escape the area of effect before the stun takes effect. This makes stun grenades a poor choice for controlling the battlefield and preventing the enemy from flanking your team. Furthermore, stun grenades have a limited range, so you need to get up close and personal with the enemy to effectively use them. This can be risky, especially against Illuminate units with powerful ranged attacks. Therefore, it is crucial to use stun grenades strategically and avoid exposing yourself to unnecessary danger. The Illuminate's teleportation abilities make them highly resistant to stun effects, making stun grenades a situational pick at best. You're better off using a weapon or strategem with more reliable crowd control capabilities to effectively combat the Illuminate threat.

D-Tier: Avoid at All Costs

These weapons are simply not worth using against the Illuminate. They're either too weak, too situational, or too unreliable to be effective. Seriously, leave these at the ship. Weapons relegated to the D-Tier are universally deemed unsuitable for engagements against the Illuminate. These armaments suffer from a combination of weaknesses, including inadequate damage output, excessive situational limitations, and unreliable performance. Helldivers are strongly advised to avoid these weapons altogether and instead opt for more effective alternatives that can contribute meaningfully to the mission's success. Equipping D-Tier weapons against the Illuminate is akin to bringing a knife to a gunfight, severely hindering your combat effectiveness and potentially jeopardizing your team's chances of victory.

Pistols: Pistols have limited ammo. Seriously, unless you're out of ammo for everything else, don't bother with pistols against the Illuminate. Their low damage and limited range make them virtually useless against these enemies. Pistols have very low damage. This makes pistols virtually useless against the Illuminate. Their low damage and limited range make them virtually useless against these enemies. The Illuminate's heavily armored units and long-range attacks make pistols a poor choice for engaging them. Furthermore, pistols have limited ammo capacity, which can be a significant hindrance in engagements where you need to sustain fire for extended periods. The Illuminate's relentless assaults and numerous reinforcements demand weapons with superior firepower and sustained damage output. Pistols simply cannot compete with the Illuminate's superior technology and tactics. You're better off relying on your primary and secondary weapons, as well as strategems, to effectively combat the Illuminate threat.
Shotguns: Shotguns and Illuminate do not mix. While shotguns can be effective against some enemies, their short range and limited armor penetration make them a terrible choice against the Illuminate. You'll be better off with almost anything else. Shotguns can be effective against some enemies. The Illuminate's heavily armored units and long-range attacks make shotguns a poor choice for engaging them. Furthermore, shotguns have limited range, which puts you at a disadvantage against the Illuminate's teleportation abilities and ranged attacks. You're better off with almost anything else. The Illuminate's superior technology and tactics demand weapons with superior range and armor penetration. Shotguns simply cannot compete with the Illuminate's combat capabilities. You'll be better off relying on your primary and secondary weapons, as well as strategems, to effectively combat the Illuminate threat.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, guys! My Helldivers Illuminate weapons tier list. Remember, this is just a guide, and the best weapon for you will depend on your playstyle and team composition. Experiment with different weapons and find what works best for you. And most importantly, have fun spreading democracy to those psychic aliens! For Super Earth!