In the latest Helldivers 2 update, a full-scale Illuminate Invasion has been launched, bringing with it three brand-new enemies that are as terrifying as they are lethal. If you’ve been blasting bugs and bots thinking you had the upper hand, it’s time to recalibrate. From skybound air strikes to mortar-style barrages and grotesque meat monsters, these enemies redefine the battlefield.
Here’s a complete breakdown of Helldivers 2 Illuminate New Enemies Guide – Invasion Update, new threat, how they behave, and the best strategies to counter them.
Helldivers 2 Illuminate New Enemies Guide – Invasion Update
Fleshmob – The Frankensteined Terror
Nickname: Meatwad
Type: Ground Brute
Role: Frontline Tank / Area Control
The Fleshmob is exactly what it sounds like—a terrifying amalgamation of fallen Votalus, mashed together into a grotesque flesh golem. It’s slow, disturbing, and a massive bullet sponge that soaks up punishment like no other.
Visually, it looks like a clump of humanoid heads and limbs twisted into a blob of pure nightmare fuel. Players have dubbed it “Meatwad” for good reason.
Behavior:
- Slow moving, but don’t let that fool you.
- High health pool makes it difficult to kill with conventional weapons.
- When shot at the heads, it can split in half—though it will still keep crawling.
- It tends to surround and overwhelm players who aren’t mobile.
Best Strategy:
- Autocannon is your MVP here. It tears through its chunky health with ease.
- Flak rounds work well to cause massive area damage and even break it apart.
- Stay mobile and spread out. Once you lose movement, it can corner and crush you.
- Don’t waste your grenades unless you’ve grouped it with other enemies.
2. Crescent Overseer – The Cover-Piercing Artillery Unit
Nickname: Mortar Mage
Type: Support Unit
Role: Indirect Fire / Suppression
This is the Illuminate’s answer to trench warfare: a hovering enemy that bypasses cover entirely by launching mortar-like projectiles over obstacles. It isn’t the toughest enemy out there, but it’s easily one of the most annoying if left unchecked.
Behavior:
- Prefers to hang back, using height and distance to its advantage.
- Fires high-arc explosives that land behind your cover.
- Usually spawns in groups of up to four, especially on higher difficulties.
- Doesn’t rush you, but softens your position for other enemies to move in.
Best Strategy:
- Use autocannon payload rounds or sniper-style precision weapons to take it out quickly.
- Spot it early—it can blend in due to its hovering, silent nature.
- Avoid staying still or camping in the same spot for too long—it thrives on predictability.
- Jetpacks or high-mobility builds help dodge incoming barrages.
Interloper – The Illuminate’s Sky Demon
Nickname: Death From Above
Type: Air Support / Jet Fighter
Role: Strafing, Shock Damage, Area Denial
The Interloper is perhaps the most dangerous of the new trio. It’s a fast-moving aerial unit that comes in hot with devastating strafing runs, raining death on anything below. Think of it as the Illuminate’s version of an attack drone—and it means business.
Behavior:
- Flies in unexpectedly and doesn’t stay long.
- Unleashes high-damage air-to-ground attacks that can wipe squads in seconds.
- Typically shows up mid- to late-mission, when chaos is already in full swing.
- Harder to track and hit due to speed and movement patterns.
Best Strategy:
- Once again, the autocannon proves invaluable. It locks on and hits hard.
- Keep your eyes to the sky—its audio cue is your first warning.
- Flak and AA support Stratagems might become essential in later missions.
- Move unpredictably. Standing still or bunched together is a guaranteed wipe.
Best Loadout to Handle All Three
From the footage and player testing so far, here’s a recommended baseline loadout:
- Primary Weapon: Tenderizer (for weapon customization and versatility)
- Heavy Weapon: Autocannon with Flak Rounds
- Stratagems: Supply Pack, Anti-Air Turrets, Orbital Barrage
- Perks: Quick Reload, Extra Stratagem
The autocannon is your lifeline. If you weren’t using it before this update, now’s the time to practice with it. All three of the new enemies are vulnerable to high-explosive, anti-armor firepower, and the autocannon delivers that in spades.