In the high-stakes chaos of Helldivers 2, few situations are as dangerous — or frustrating — as getting pinned down by enemy fire. Whether you’re on a Terminid-infested wasteland or facing down Automatons in a narrow canyon, finding yourself stuck behind cover with no way out can spell the end of your mission. After clocking over 80 hours in the game, I’ve had more than my fair share of near-death experiences, learning the hard way what works and what doesn’t. Here are six tried-and-true methods to avoid being pinned down and keep your squad alive and thriving.
1. Use Terrain to Your Advantage
One of the most common mistakes I see newer players make is fighting in open areas. Natural cover like rocks, trenches, and hills can break enemy line-of-sight, giving you crucial time to reposition. Early on, I found myself taking too many fights in wide-open terrain — and I paid for it. Now, I always scan the battlefield and head toward elevation or natural choke points where I can control engagements more effectively.
2. Equip the Right Stratagems
Stratagems are your lifeline in Helldivers 2. Defensive options like the Shield Generator Relay or the Orbital Gas Strike can buy you time and space to escape when things get tight. My go-to loadout includes the Eagle Cluster Bomb — it’s saved my squad more times than I can count when surrounded. Remember to coordinate with your team to avoid overlapping utility. One well-timed airstrike can turn the tide, but poorly placed stratagems can also box you in.
3. Maintain Squad Spacing
Sticking too close to your teammates is a recipe for disaster. I used to follow my squad leader too tightly, and it often led to us all getting caught in the same line of fire or blown up by a single grenade. Keeping a few meters between each member allows for better firing angles and prevents an entire team from being suppressed or wiped out at once.
4. Practice Mobile Firing
Staying in one place for too long is a death sentence. I’ve learned to keep moving even while firing — particularly when using weapons like the SMG or Assault Rifle. Strafing while shooting may reduce accuracy slightly, but it drastically increases survivability. When dealing with hordes or turrets, staying mobile reduces your chances of being locked in place by constant fire.
5. Don’t Underestimate Smoke and Distraction
Distraction tools like the UAV Drone or Smoke Stratagem can be game-changers. In one mission against the Automatons, my team was completely surrounded. I popped a smoke to block turret vision and we used that brief window to fall back and regroup. These tools are often overlooked, but they create opportunities to escape or flank when you’re otherwise stuck.
6. Choose the Right Loadout Based on Enemy Type
Your weapon and armor choices should reflect the enemies you’re facing. Heavier armor can help you survive under sustained fire, but it also slows you down. I’ve learned that lighter armor gives me just enough mobility to dodge suppressing fire and reposition — essential when facing bug rushes or sniper fire. Against robots, I switch to medium armor and pack high-damage weapons to break through heavy units quickly.
Avoiding being pinned down in Helldivers 2 comes down to smart positioning, loadout planning, and keeping cool under pressure. Every mission is different, and adapting on the fly is part of the fun — and the challenge. If you’re looking to upgrade your gear or unlock powerful stratagems to help with mobility and survivability, be sure to check out the top platform to purchase Helldivers 2 Super Credits. Investing in the right upgrades can make all the difference in those clutch moments when you’re surrounded.
