Jumping into Helldivers 2 for the first time can feel both exciting and overwhelming. The game’s chaotic battles, friendly fire mechanics, and emphasis on teamwork create an experience unlike most co-op shooters. But with that chaos comes a learning curve, and many new recruits make the same mistakes early on. To help smooth your deployment, here’s a breakdown of the Top 10 Beginner Mistakes to Avoid in Helldivers 2 and how to overcome them.

1. Forgetting Friendly Fire

Unlike many shooters, Helldivers 2 does not forgive sloppy aim. Every bullet, grenade, or orbital strike can harm your teammates. Spraying into enemies or carelessly tossing grenades often leads to squad wipes. Precision and communication are your best weapons here.

2. Ignoring Stratagem Input Timing

Stratagems are the backbone of your loadout, but many beginners panic and fumble the directional inputs. Rushing the sequence usually leads to failed calls or the wrong equipment drop. Practice inputting stratagems quickly and accurately, even under pressure.

3. Not Managing Reinforcements

Lives in Helldivers 2 are limited, and reinforcements are crucial. New players often waste them on careless deaths or forget to call them in altogether. Always prioritize survival and keep track of how many reinforcements remain.

4. Going Lone Wolf

This game thrives on teamwork. Charging ahead without coordinating often means instant death, and worse, it leaves your squad exposed. Stick with your team, cover each other’s blind spots, and share responsibilities.

5. Underestimating Enemy Variety

Each faction brings unique threats: bugs swarm in numbers, automatons overwhelm with firepower, and illuminates disrupt with tricky abilities. Beginners often treat them the same, which leads to disaster. Learn each faction’s patterns and adapt your strategy accordingly.

6. Poor Loadout Choices

Many new players grab flashy weapons without considering their squad’s balance. Heavy launchers might feel powerful, but a team full of them lacks sustainability. Coordinate roles—have someone bring crowd control, another carry anti-armor, and someone focus on support.

7. Neglecting Objectives

It’s easy to get caught up in endless fighting, but ignoring mission objectives is a classic beginner error. Completing objectives quickly and efficiently is what earns success, not farming kills. Always keep your mission timer and map in mind.

8. Forgetting Extraction Protocols

The extraction phase is often more dangerous than the mission itself. Beginners underestimate how overwhelming enemies can become in those final minutes. Always prepare defensive stratagems before signaling extraction, and coordinate positioning with your team.

9. Not Using Communication Tools

Whether through voice chat or quick commands, communication saves lives. Too many beginners stay silent, leading to chaos when enemies overrun the squad. Use pings, call out threats, and share your plans—it makes all the difference.

10. Ignoring Sample Collection

Samples aren’t just collectibles—they unlock key progression. Many new players skip them, focusing only on survival. Taking a few extra moments to grab samples can dramatically speed up your long-term upgrades.

The Top 10 Beginner Mistakes to Avoid in Helldivers 2 highlight one core theme: teamwork and awareness matter more than raw firepower. By avoiding these pitfalls, you’ll not only survive longer but also become the kind of squadmate others want by their side. In a game where democracy is spread one bullet at a time, learning from mistakes is the fastest path to victory.