Beginner's Guide: Your First Deployment

New to Helldivers 2? Learn the ropes of your first deployment, from understanding the Super Citizen status to mastering pinging and communication with your squad. Your guide to galactic freedom starts here!

Alright, Helldiver! So you've just dropped into the chaotic, bug-infested, automaton-heavy galaxy of Helldivers 2, and you're wondering what exactly is going on. Maybe you've seen some folks with a fancy 'Super Citizen' tag next to their name and thought, "How do I get that?" Or perhaps you're struggling to coordinate with your squad when things get hairy. Don't sweat it, that's what I'm here for. This guide is going to walk you through the absolute basics so you can stop feeling like a fresh recruit and start feeling like a seasoned warrior for managed democracy.

First off, let's talk about that Super Citizen Status. It's basically a cosmetic title that shows up next to your name. It doesn't give you any in-game advantages, like extra firepower or tougher armor, but hey, it looks cool, right? The only way to snag this title is by purchasing either the Super Citizen Edition of the game or the Super Citizen Edition - Upgrade pack. You can grab these from the PlayStation Store or Steam. If you've bought one of these and aren't seeing the status or any associated bonuses like the Steeled Veterans Warbond, don't panic just yet. Some players have reported a delay in receiving these. Keep playing, maybe restart your game, and it should eventually pop up. If the issue persists, the devs at Arrowhead Game Studios will likely patch it soon.

Now, let's get to something crucial for survival and success: communication. Helldivers 2 is a team game, and while friendly fire is always on (ouch!), coordinating with your squad is key. If you're not using voice chat, or if you're playing with randoms, the best way to keep everyone on the same page is by using the ping system. It's super simple but incredibly effective for pointing out threats or objectives.

Pinging Enemies and Objectives on the Minimap

Why ping? Because it alerts your fellow Helldivers to what you're seeing. It helps prevent everyone from running off in different directions and ensures you're tackling objectives together. It's the next best thing to talking it out.

Controls for Pinging and Marking Locations on PC

If you're playing on PC with a mouse and keyboard, here's how you do it:

• To quickly ping a location: Just look at what you want to highlight – be it an enemy, an objective, or just a spot on the map – and press the Q key. You'll see a brief ping appear that lasts for about 6 seconds. It's enough time for your teammates to notice.

• To mark a specific spot on the minimap: First, press the Tab key to bring up your minimap. Then, hold down the right mouse button and move your mouse to navigate the map. Once you've found the area you want to highlight, just click the left mouse button to place a marker. This marker will stay put until you place a new one.

Controls for Pinging and Marking Locations on PS5

For our PlayStation pals:

• To ping a location: Press R1 + D-Pad Up. Easy peasy.
• To mark a location on the minimap: Open the minimap using the touchpad. Use the joystick to navigate to the spot you want to mark, then press the Cross button (X) to place your marker.

Using these pings effectively will make a huge difference in how smoothly your missions go. It keeps everyone focused and alive. So go on, spread the word of managed democracy, one ping at a time!