While Helldivers 2 is known for its intense combat and heavy action, sometimes a more nuanced approach is required to destroy strategic infrastructure. Whether you are facing a heavily EZNPC Helldivers 2 defended base or are tasked with infiltrating a hostile environment, stealth and distraction tactics can play a pivotal role in achieving your objective without drawing attention to yourself and your team.

Stealth: The Quiet Approach

Stealth is an often overlooked aspect of Helldivers 2 that can make a significant difference when it comes to destroying infrastructure. While the game is designed around fast-paced, high-intensity combat, there are many instances where sneaking into enemy territory and executing your objective undetected is the most efficient method.

1. Use Terrain to Your Advantage:
Most levels in Helldivers 2 are designed with terrain features that can help you avoid detection. Use natural cover, such as rocks, cliffs, or buildings, to stay hidden from enemy patrols. Move quietly, and keep an eye on enemy patrol paths to ensure you don’t accidentally run into a group of enemies. In some cases, a well-timed decoy drop or smoke grenade can provide the distraction you need to slip past the enemy undetected.

2. Disable Enemy Sensors and Alarms:
Before heading for the infrastructure, it's crucial to disable any security systems that might alert the enemy. Many missions require the destruction of sensitive structures that are protected by automated systems, like sentry guns, radar towers, or alarm stations. Disable these systems before approaching your target to ensure you can carry out the destruction without raising the alarm. Your team should focus on taking down these systems first before engaging in direct combat or planting explosives on the infrastructure itself.

3. Use Non-lethal Tactics:
If you're aiming to remain undetected, consider using non-lethal options like tranquilizer darts, flashbangs, or EMP grenades to disable enemies temporarily or incapacitate key targets. These tools can neutralize threats without alerting the larger enemy force. While these methods don’t always work on heavily armored enemies or larger creatures, they can significantly reduce the immediate danger of detection and give you more room to work.

4. Coordinate with Your Team:
Even if you’re playing with a team, stealth does not mean lone-wolf tactics. Communication is key. Coordinate with your squad to ensure that everyone is working in unison. One player may be tasked with disabling security, while another provides a distraction or neutralizes enemy patrols. The key is to keep the attention away from your main objective while still maintaining a strong, coordinated presence in the field.

Distraction Tactics: Creating Opportunities

While stealth is important, there will be situations where you cannot avoid combat or where a more aggressive approach is necessary. In these cases, distraction tactics can create the necessary openings to destroy infrastructure without taking on overwhelming force.

1. Use Decoy Drops:
Helldivers 2 offers players the ability to call in supply drops or decoys. These can be used strategically to draw enemy attention away from your position or the critical infrastructure you need to destroy. By using decoys effectively, you can lead enemies on a chase in a different direction, allowing your squad to either destroy the target or escape the area without interference.

2. Trigger Diversions with Explosions:
Sometimes, setting off an explosion at a distant location can pull enemies away from your target. This is particularly effective when you need to destroy infrastructure in an area with a heavy enemy presence. A well-placed grenade or explosive charge can lure defenders away long enough to destroy the objective. Be mindful of the distance between your distractions and the actual infrastructure, as enemies will quickly return to investigate once the threat subsides.

3. Employ Aerial Support:
If available, using airstrikes or calling in drones to drop bombs or provide fire support can not only deal significant damage to enemy forces but also force them to scatter and focus on their own survival. This temporary distraction can allow your team to move in, plant explosives, or sabotage the infrastructure undetected. Timing the airstrike is crucial—if you hit it too early or too late, you may waste the opportunity.

Combining Stealth and Distraction for Maximum Efficiency

The most effective way to destroy strategic infrastructure without suffering heavy casualties is by blending both stealth and distraction tactics. First, approach the target with stealth, disabling alarms and taking out key enemies silently. If stealth fails, use distractions to draw enemy forces away, creating the opening you need. For example, after taking down a security system silently, deploy a decoy at a far-off point to lure enemies away from the infrastructure. Then, move in quickly to place your explosives or disable the target before the enemy returns.

Conclusion

Stealth and distraction tactics are essential tools in Helldivers 2 when attempting to destroy strategic infrastructure. While brute force and explosive firepower are often effective, maintaining a low profile and controlling enemy movements can be far more efficient. By using the terrain, carefully disabling alarms, and coordinating distractions, you can neutralize enemy defenses and accomplish your mission with minimal risk to your squad. Mastering these methods will not only make you a more efficient Helldiver but also ensure your success in the most challenging missions.