Mastering the Machine: Loadouts, Stratagems, and Team Roles in Helldivers 2’s Machinery of Oppression

With the release of Helldivers 2 Items: Machinery of Oppression, squads are facing some of the most challenging combat scenarios yet. Cyberstan, the new factory planet, is dense, vertical, and unforgiving, populated with Cyborg enemies that are smarter, faster, and deadlier than ever. To survive—and thrive—players must carefully select loadouts, coordinate stratagems, and define squad roles.

This blog breaks down how to approach loadouts, which stratagems to prioritize, and how to divide responsibilities within a team to maximize efficiency and survival.

Loadouts: Choosing Weapons for Maximum Effectiveness

Cyberstan’s industrial environments are close-quarters, vertical, and filled with chokepoints, so weapon choice is more critical than ever. Here’s a breakdown of recommended loadouts for the new update:

1. Assault Weapons for Mid-Range Combat

• Purpose: Engage Agitators and regular Cyborg troops from a safe distance.

• Examples: Burst rifles, laser carbines, or tactical rifles.

• Strategy: Focus fire on Agitators first, then use area suppression to manage Radicals. Mid-range firepower is essential because enemies are fast and coordinated.

2. Heavy Weapons for Crowd Control

• Purpose: Handle waves of Radicals and damage Vox Engines.

• Examples: Miniguns, rocket launchers, flamethrowers, or grenades.

• Strategy: Position yourself at chokepoints where enemies funnel in, maximizing damage efficiency. Heavy weapons can turn chaotic engagements into manageable fights if used correctly.

3. Mobility Tools

• Purpose: Navigate vertical areas and escape dangerous situations.

• Examples: Jetpacks, grappling hooks, jump pads.

• Strategy: Fast repositioning is crucial in Cyberstan to avoid Vox Engine fire, environmental hazards, and ambushes.

4. Defensive Gear and Support

• Purpose: Sustain the squad during prolonged objectives.

• Examples: Shields, armor buffs, medkits, and supply crates.

• Strategy: Defensive tools are especially valuable during multi-stage objectives or when the global death counter is high.

Stratagems: Your Tactical Toolbox

Stratagems are the backbone of squad coordination in Helldivers 2. Cyberstan introduces complex combat scenarios where improper stratagem use can lead to disaster.

1. Airstrikes and Orbital Bombardments

• Best Use: Clearing hordes of Radicals or softening Agitators before engagement.

• Pro Tip: Always communicate before using large-scale strikes—friendly fire is still a risk!

2. Automated Turrets and Sentry Drones

• Best Use: Defending chokepoints or objective areas.

• Pro Tip: Place turrets near high-traffic enemy paths, like factory corridors or stairwells, to maximize damage output.

3. Supply Drops and Ammo Resupplies

• Best Use: Supporting prolonged fights against Vox Engines or dense Radical waves.

• Pro Tip: Drop supply crates just behind cover to avoid them being destroyed mid-fight.

4. Healing and Buffs

• Best Use: Sustaining the squad during intense engagements.

• Pro Tip: Designate one squad member as a mobile medic, prioritizing healing in high-risk areas.

Team Roles: Who Does What

Successful squads in Cyberstan require clear role definition. Here’s a practical breakdown of the most effective team composition for Machinery of Oppression:

1. The Vanguard

• Responsibilities: Engage enemies first, control choke points, and attract aggro.

• Recommended Gear: Heavy weapons, armor buffs, and medium-range rifles.

2. The Specialist

• Responsibilities: Handle Agitators and Vox Engines, deploy high-damage stratagems, and focus fire.

• Recommended Gear: Rocket launchers, orbital strikes, flamethrowers.

3. The Support/Medic

• Responsibilities: Provide healing, buffs, and supply resupply.

• Recommended Gear: Medkits, repair drones, defensive stratagems.

4. The Scout/Utility

• Responsibilities: Navigate vertical terrain, secure objectives, and deploy mobility stratagems.

• Recommended Gear: Jetpacks, grappling hooks, reconnaissance tools.

By defining roles before entering a mission, squads can coordinate attacks, manage threats more efficiently, and avoid friendly fire incidents.

Mission Strategy: Combining Loadouts, Stratagems, and Roles

Effective Cyberstan runs rely on the integration of all three elements. Some actionable tips:

1. Pre-plan Loadouts: Adjust weapon and stratagem selection based on mission type—some stages favor suppression, others favor heavy firepower.

2. Communicate Constantly: Assign roles before combat and use callouts for enemy positions and hazards.

3. Control Chokepoints: Use turrets, grenades, and heavy fire to manage Radicals and prevent flanking.

4. Prioritize High-Value Targets: Agitators and Vox Engines should always be the primary focus.

5. Adapt on the Fly: If a squad member is down, redistribute roles to maintain balance and keep objectives on track.

Conclusion: Strategy is Survival

Machinery of Oppression transforms Helldivers 2 into a team-first, strategy-heavy experience. Success isn’t about solo heroics—it’s about coordination, smart loadouts, and precise stratagem deployment.

Squads that master role definition, weapon synergy, and timing of stratagems will find Cyberstan challenging but rewarding. Meanwhile, squads that ignore coordination risk high death counts and mission failure.

The lesson is clear: in Cyberstan, strategy is survival, and every squad member matters.