When facing the Illuminate in Helldivers 2, choosing the right weapons can make the difference between a clean victory and a frustrating mission. This Helldivers 2 Best Guns for Fighting the Illuminate (2025 Guide) will walk you through the top weapon choices and strategies for surviving and thriving against this elusive enemy faction.

Understanding the Illuminate Threat

The Illuminate are notorious for their mobility, energy shields, and ability to disrupt your squad’s tactics. They rely heavily on ranged attacks and advanced technology, meaning conventional approaches can often backfire. To succeed, you need weapons that balance raw damage output, accuracy, and crowd control.

Top Weapon Choices

1. Anti-Material Rifle (AMR)
The AMR is a go-to for high-damage, long-range engagements. Its ability to pierce through shields makes it ideal for taking down the Illuminate’s energy barriers quickly. Pair it with armor-piercing rounds for maximum efficiency.

2. Pulse Rifle
The Pulse Rifle offers sustained fire with excellent mobility. Against Illuminate units, it can chip away at shielded enemies while keeping your movement fluid. It’s particularly effective for mid-range encounters where precision and fire rate matter.

3. Plasma Launcher
When dealing with groups of Illuminate or heavily armored units, the Plasma Launcher excels. Its area-of-effect damage can overwhelm enemy formations, allowing your squad to maintain control of the battlefield.

4. Smart Pistols
For rapid response and versatility, Smart Pistols provide tracking capabilities that help when Illuminate units teleport or move unpredictably. While not as damaging as heavy weapons, they ensure consistent hits in chaotic scenarios.

Combat Tactics Against the Illuminate

• Keep Your Distance: Most Illuminate attacks scale with proximity. Using long-range weapons like the AMR and Pulse Rifle helps you control engagements.

• Target Shields First: Prioritize enemies with energy shields. Weapons that can pierce or quickly deplete shields are essential.

• Squad Coordination: Illuminate units exploit uncoordinated teams. Spread out, cover angles, and communicate when deploying heavy weapons or grenades.

• Ammo Management: Some of the best weapons for fighting the Illuminate consume ammunition quickly. Keep an eye on your ammo reserves to avoid being left vulnerable mid-fight.

This Helldivers 2 Best Guns for Fighting the Illuminate (2025 Guide) highlights the importance of weapon selection and tactical awareness. By leveraging high-damage rifles, crowd-control launchers, and precision sidearms, players can overcome the Illuminate’s technological edge and complete missions efficiently. As always, adapting your loadout to your squad’s strengths will maximize your success against this challenging faction.