The Brood Commanders of the Termanid faction in Helldivers 2 are formidable foes encountered predominantly within the bug missions across various planets. These commanding entities are typically stationed in the heart of hives, orchestrating the movements and attacks of their swarm. In certain instances, they are the focal points of specialized quest objectives, aligning them with other noteworthy adversaries such as the Bile Spewers, Bile Titans, and the Charger, emphasizing their importance and the threat they pose within the game’s ecosystem.
Despite their formidable armor, one of the key tactical considerations when facing a Brood Commander is their reduced speed compared to other enemy types. This slower movement can be exploited by players, particularly through the strategic use of Sentry guns, Eagle strikes, or Orbital attacks. These area-of-effect (AoE) abilities are highly effective in not only targeting the Brood Commander but also in efficiently dealing with the swarms they summon to their aid, making those tools essential for players navigating bug missions.
A crucial tactical detail to remember is the Brood Commander’s vulnerability. Similar to the warriors of their caste, their limbs present a weak point. However, merely disabling their front limbs, although impactful, will not neutralize the threat they represent. These resilient commanders will attempt to continue their assault even when severely incapacitated. This resilience necessitates a thorough approach, where additional firepower is directed towards them to ensure they are completely eliminated, preventing any potential retaliation or re-engagement from their end.
Abilities
Brood Commanders exhibit a diverse set of abilities that make them a multifaceted opponent. Among these capabilities is their knack for calling in bug breaches, an ability they share with other members of the Terminiid faction such as the Warrior and Scavenger caste. This reinforces the perception of the Brood Commander not just as a formidable foe in direct confrontation but also as a strategic threat capable of altering the battlefield dynamics by summoning reinforcements.
Beyond their tactical summons, Brood Commanders engage in combat with claw attacks and possess a unique charging ability. This charge allows them to move in a straight line, knocking over and concussing any Helldiver unlucky enough to be in their path. This charge can be particularly deadly when a Helldiver is knocked into an obstacle, potentially leading to instant death. This capability emphasizes the importance of spatial awareness and mobility when facing a Brood Commander, as positioning can quite literally be the difference between life and death.
When pushed to their limits, Brood Commanders demonstrate a berserker-like rampage mode, triggered upon the destruction of their head. This state significantly enhances their speed and aggression for a brief period, mirroring the berserker ability seen in the basic warrior caste. Although this mode only lasts for approximately three seconds, the heightened attack and movement speed present a lethal threat, demanding quick thinking and rapid response from players to survive the onslaught.
