If you’re gearing up to spread managed democracy across the galaxy in Helldivers 2, you’ve probably noticed that there’s more than one way to enlist. With a Standard Edition and a pricier Super Citizen Edition on offer, plus the usual pre-order temptations, it’s easy to get stuck wondering which version actually makes sense for your drop pod. This guide cuts through the propaganda and breaks down exactly what’s in each edition, what those pre-order bonuses really do, and whether upgrading is a smart spend or just extra Super Credits down the drain.
Helldivers 2 is a co-op shooter that lives and dies on teamwork, chaos, and a steady stream of unlocks. Your choice of edition won’t change how you play a mission, but it will influence how you look while doing it and how quickly you can access certain gear. We’ve examined every component, from the DP-53 Savior armor to the Steeled Veterans Warbond, to help you decide if the Super Citizen Edition is a worthy investment or something you can safely skip.
Standard vs Super Citizen Edition: What’s the Difference?
At its core, the Standard Edition gives you the full Helldivers 2 experience: the entire game, access to all planets and missions, and the basic Warbond system for earning new weapons, armor, and strategems through gameplay. You’ll start with the default gear and work your way up, unlocking cosmetics and tools as you complete missions and gather resources. Nothing is paywalled from a gameplay perspective, though the grind can be real if you want everything fast.
Standard Edition Contents
The base game with no extra fluff. You receive the standard-issue B-01 Tactical armor set and the matching player card background, plus immediate access to the free Warbond track that lets you unlock weapons like the AR-23 Liberator and the P-19 Redeemer pistol via Medals and Requisition Slips earned in missions.
Super Citizen Edition Contents
The Super Citizen Edition bundles the base game with a curated set of extra items and a shortcut through the early progression. Specifically, you get:
- DP-53 Savior of the Free armor set: A cosmetic armor with no gameplay advantage over standard armors. It’s purely for looking distinct on the battlefield.
- Will of the People cape: Another cosmetic item that drapes over your shoulders.
- MP-98 Knight submachine gun: A unique weapon that can be equipped from the start. It’s not better than later SMGs, but it gives you an early alternative to the basic AR.
- Steeled Veterans Premium Warbond: This is the big one. The Steeled Veterans Warbond is a separate reward track with 24 exclusive items, including weapons, armor pieces, player cards, and emotes. Normally, this Warbond costs 1,000 Super Credits (the premium currency) to unlock. The Super Citizen Edition includes it for free, giving immediate access to its progression tree.
- Super Citizen status: A permanent title and player card background to show off your dedication to Super Earth.
Importantly, all of these items except the exclusive armor, cape, and status are obtainable by any player who invests enough time or a bit of real money into Super Credits. The unique cosmetics are not available separately.
Pre-order Bonuses and Warbond Access
If you pre-ordered either edition, you’ll also receive three bonus armor sets: the TR-7 Ambassador of the Brand, the TR-62 Knight, and the TR-9 Cavalier of Democracy. These are purely cosmetic and serve as a badge of your early commitment. They are not tied to the Super Citizen Edition; you get them with any pre-order. After launch, these sets are not available for purchase, so they are a nice bonus for day-one patriots but offer zero tactical advantage.
The Steeled Veterans Warbond is where things get interesting. Without the Super Citizen Edition, you can purchase this Warbond from the in-game store for 1,000 Super Credits. You can earn Super Credits slowly through gameplay or buy them with real cash. If you plan on playing a lot, you can eventually unlock the Warbond without spending extra money. However, the Super Citizen Edition gives you instant access, which also means you can start earning the unique items in that track immediately, potentially speeding up your early-game variety.
Is the Upgrade Worth the Extra Cost?
To answer this, let’s compare prices and value. In the US, the Standard Edition typically costs $39.99, while the Super Citizen Edition costs $59.99. That’s a $20 premium. A pack of 1,000 Super Credits (enough for one premium Warbond) costs $9.99 if you buy it directly. So, the Super Citizen Edition effectively charges you an extra $20 for:
- A $10 value in the form of the Steeled Veterans Warbond (since you can buy it separately for $10).
- An exclusive armor set, cape, title, and player card that you cannot get any other way.
- The MP-98 Knight SMG, which is otherwise only obtainable via the Steeled Veterans Warbond’s progression. You get it instantly instead of having to unlock it with Medals.
Whether that’s worth $20 depends on your appetite for exclusives. If you’re a collector who wants the rarest cosmetics, the premium is palatable. If you’re primarily interested in function, you can buy the Standard Edition, grind for Super Credits, and eventually unlock the Steeled Veterans Warbond for free, or drop $10 later to get it. You’ll miss out on the Savior armor and cape, but that’s the only permanent distinction.
It’s also worth noting that the free Warbond track in the Standard Edition already contains dozens of items, including weapons and armor that are mechanically just as effective. You won’t be underpowered by skipping the Super Citizen Edition.
Who Should Buy the Super Citizen Edition?
The Super Citizen Edition is best suited for:
- Cosmetic enthusiasts: If you like standing out and want exclusive armor that won’t return to the store, this is your only route.
- New players who want a head start: The immediate SMG and Warbond access give you more loadout options from the first drop.
- Supporters of the developers: Some fans simply want to throw extra cash at Arrowhead Game Studios for making a great game, and the exclusive items are a nice thank-you.
If you’re budget-conscious, plan to earn everything in-game, or don’t care about cosmetics, stick with the Standard Edition. You can always buy a Super Citizen upgrade later if the game hooks you and you want that exclusive armor. An upgrade path from Standard to Super Citizen is available as a separate purchase in digital stores for the same $20 difference, but it won’t include any pre-order bonuses if you missed them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does the Super Citizen Edition include that the Standard does not?
It adds the DP-53 Savior armor set, Will of the People cape, MP-98 Knight SMG, Steeled Veterans Premium Warbond, and the permanent Super Citizen status with a unique player card background. All non-exclusive items can be earned or bought separately.
Can I upgrade from Standard to Super Citizen Edition later?
Yes. Both Steam and the PlayStation Store offer a Super Citizen upgrade pack that can be applied to any Standard Edition, usually priced at the difference between the two versions. Note that this upgrade does not include any pre-order bonuses; it only gives you the Super Citizen extras (armor, cape, SMG, Warbond, title).
Is the MP-98 Knight SMG exclusive to the Super Citizen Edition?
No. The Knight SMG is also available as an unlockable weapon within the Steeled Veterans Warbond. The Super Citizen Edition simply gives it to you immediately instead of requiring you to progress through that Warbond’s tiers.
Are pre-order bonuses included if I buy the Super Citizen Edition after launch?
No. Pre-order bonuses (the three TR armor sets) were only available for purchases made before the game’s release date. If you buy either edition after launch, you will not receive those armors.
Do I need the Steeled Veterans Warbond to stay competitive?
Absolutely not. The Steeled Veterans Warbond offers alternative weapons and cosmetic armors, but none of them are strictly better than what you can earn in the free Warbond. The standard gear is fully viable for all difficulty levels. The premium Warbond is about variety and style, not power disparity.
Can I earn the Super Citizen Edition items by playing the game?
Partially. The Steeled Veterans Warbond can be unlocked by spending 1,000 Super Credits, which can be earned slowly through gameplay at a rate of roughly 10 to 40 Super Credits per hour depending on your efficiency. The MP-98 Knight SMG is then earnable within that Warbond. The exclusive armor, cape, title, and player card are locked to the Super Citizen Edition forever.
Will there be any future exclusive content tied to the Super Citizen Edition?
Arrowhead has not announced any additional perks for Super Citizen owners. The bonus content is fixed to what’s listed here. Future premium Warbonds will need to be purchased or earned separately by all players, regardless of edition.
Is the Super Citizen Edition a limited-time offer?
No. It is a permanent upgrade tier that will remain available indefinitely on all platforms. There’s no rush to buy it, though any special launch sales or discounts may come and go.
If I buy a physical copy, does the Super Citizen Edition come with a disc?
Physical editions vary by region, but generally the Super Citizen Edition contains a code for the bonus content rather than including it on the disc. The base game is still on the disc; the extras are redeemed digitally.
Ultimately, the Super Citizen Edition is a love letter to Helldivers fans who want to wear their dedication on their sleeve, literally. The game itself is complete and deeply rewarding in its Standard form, so you can’t really make a bad choice here. Decide based on how much you value those exclusive cosmetics and the convenience of an instant Warbond unlock. The galaxy will be just as chaotic and glorious either way.
