In Helldivers 2, adjusting the difficulty setting is a crucial aspect of tailoring the gameplay experience to suit your skill level and desired challenge. The game features an intricate system of difficulty levels, each presenting a unique set of challenges, from the types of enemies you will face to the operation modifiers and available sample types. This flexibility allows players to progressively challenge themselves or to find a comfortable level of difficulty for enjoyable gameplay.
To change your difficulty setting, you’ll interact with the Galactic War table within your ship’s main control room. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll encounter the “Difficulty” option. This menu is your gateway to adjusting the game’s challenge level, presenting you with a range of difficulty levels each described by specific gameplay elements that they introduce or enhance.
Unlocking Difficulty Levels
Before diving into the wealth of challenges Helldivers 2 offers, it’s important to understand how difficulty levels are unlocked. Each tier becomes available only after completing an Operation at the previous difficulty setting. This structured approach ensures that players are adequately prepared for the increased challenges that come with higher difficulty levels, thereby making the progression feel rewarding and purposeful.
Operations differ from singular missions by encompassing multiple mission objectives and offering a more substantial gameplay experience. This requirement emphasizes strategic planning and skillful execution, preparing players for the escalated challenges they will face as they advance through the game’s difficulty tiers.
Detailed Breakdown of Difficulty Levels
Hedivers 2 features nine distinct difficulty levels, each with its own set of gameplay modifiers, types of enemies, and available sample types. Understanding these differences is key to selecting the level that best matches your current skill level and desired challenge. Below is a comprehensive list of the difficulty levels, along with a brief description of what each entails:
- 1 – Trivial: Primarily focuses on Primary Objectives and Enemy Patrols. Sample Types Available: Common Samples.
- 2 – Easy: Introduces Allied Tactical Objectives and Light Outposts. Sample Types Available: Common Samples.
- 3 – Medium: Adds Secondary Objectives, Medium Outposts, and encounters with Heavily Armored Enemies. Sample Types Available: Common Samples.
- 4 – Challenging: Features Enemy Tactical Objectives, Heavy Outposts, and Heavily Armored Enemies. Sample Types Available: Common Samples and Rare Samples.
- 5 – Hard: Incorporates Operation Modifiers, Massive Enemies, and Heavily Armoured Enemies. Sample Types Available: Common Samples and Rare Samples.
- 6 – Extreme: Increases Tactical Objectives, introduces Massive Enemies, and Heavily Armored Enemies. Sample Types Available: Common Samples and Rare Samples.
- 7 – Suicide Mission: Increases Tactical Objectives further, with the introduction of Massive Enemies, and Heavily Armored Enemies. Sample Types Available: Common Samples, Rare Samples, and Super Samples.
- 8 – Impossible: Features an Increased Enemy Presence, Multiple Operation Modifiers, and Heavily Armored Enemies. Sample Types Available: Common Samples, Rare Samples, and Super Samples.
- 9 – Helldive: Maximized challenge with Increased Enemy Presence, Multiple Operation Modifiers, and Heavily Armored Enemies. Sample Types Available: Common Samples, Rare Samples, and Super Samples.
Each difficulty level not only changes the nature of the missions but also affects the type of rewards available, encouraging players to push their limits for better rewards. The variation in available Sample Types across different difficulties hints at the variety of upgrades and unlocks players can access as they progress in Helldivers 2, making the decision to step up the difficulty a strategically significant one.
