How to Survive Hive Worlds, Counter Dragonroaches, and Build the Strongest Squad
Helldivers 2’s Into the Unjust update has changed the game forever. Hive Worlds are dark, claustrophobic death traps—procedurally generated cave systems crawling with new Terminid threats like the burrowing Ruptures and the acid-spewing Dragonroach. These missions flip the script: stratagems are harder to deploy, visibility is almost zero, and enemies strike from above and below.
Success now depends on perfect team composition, coordinated roles, and loadouts tailored to cave warfare. This guide breaks down the best squads, weapons, perks, and strategies so your Helldivers can survive the galaxy’s harshest missions.
Hive World Challenges Every Squad Must Prepare For
Environmental Constraints in Hive Worlds
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Stratagem Limitations – Orbital support only works under ceiling openings. Teams must position carefully for resupplies and reinforcements.
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Darkness Everywhere – Flashlights are no longer optional. Teams need coordinated lighting to see threats without blinding each other.
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Destructible Terrain – Use explosives to create escape routes, defensive chokepoints, or shortcuts. The caves themselves can become tools of survival.
New Enemy Threats in Into the Unjust
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Burrowing Terminids – Warriors, Bile Spewers, and Chargers can tunnel, flanking squads with surprise attacks.
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Dragonroach – A deadly aerial predator that strafes squads with acid bombardments. One dedicated anti-air role is mandatory.
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Gloom Fog – A corrosive, visibility-reducing substance that deals damage-over-time if you’re caught inside.
Best Team Compositions for Hive World Missions
Key Roles & Loadouts
| Role | Responsibilities | Recommended Loadout | Key Stratagems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Lead | Navigation, light discipline, first contact | Light armor + Fortified, ARC-12 Blitzer, flashlight | Orbital Smoke Strike, Supply Pack |
| Heavy Support | Anti-tank, crowd control, area denial | Medium armor, LAS-99 Quasar Cannon, explosives | Orbital Railcannon, EAT-700 Napalm |
| Technical Specialist | Stratagem calls, objectives, crowd control | Light armor, GP-31 Grenade Pistol, tools | MG Sentry, EMS Strike |
| Medic/Support | Healing, ammo, sustain | Medium armor, Supply Pack, boosters | Resupply, Vitality Enhancement |
Recommended Compositions
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4-Player Squad (Balanced Meta Build): 1 Point Lead, 1 Heavy Support, 1 Technical Specialist, 1 Medic. Covers all bases.
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2-Player Squad (Duo Build): Point Lead + Medic hybrid, Heavy Support + Tech hybrid. Demands flexible gear but keeps essentials covered.
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Specialized Build: Double Heavy Support for Destroy the Spore Lung missions or when facing Charger-heavy spawns.
Best Loadouts for Into the Unjust Caves
Weapon Choices
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ARC-12 Blitzer: Infinite chaining electricity = swarm control king.
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AR-2 Coyote: Incendiary rifle that burns through hordes.
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GP-31 Grenade Pistol: Essential for space-clearing in tunnels.
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Anti-Air: One player should always bring the S-11 Speargun or Solo Silo for Dragonroaches.
Stratagem Picks
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Area Denial: Orbital Napalm, EAT-700 Napalm. Great for chokepoints.
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Defensive Tools: MG Sentry + Quasar Cannon for holding caves.
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Control Options: EMS Strike + Smoke Strike (buffed in patch) for crowd manipulation.
Armor & Perks
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Light Armor + Fortified: Mobility with survivability for ambush-heavy caves.
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Dust Devils Warbond Gear: Extra acid/gas resistance against Dragonroaches and burrowers.
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Vitality Booster: 10% less incoming damage—mandatory for high-threat runs.
How to Coordinate Like a Pro Squad
Communication Protocols
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Call out ground tremors for burrow warnings.
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Practice flashlight discipline—don’t blind your squad.
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Stagger stratagem calls to maintain constant support.
Movement & Positioning
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Stay staggered, not bunched, to avoid wipes from burrowers.
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Use destructible walls to set fallback chokepoints.
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Always plan extraction routes before objectives.
Mission-Specific Team Strategies
Destroy the Spore Lung
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Split into objective team (Tech + Medic) and defense team (Point + Heavy).
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Pre-place explosives for chokepoints before triggering the event.
Oil Rig Escort (GATER Missions)
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Use rotating patrols—never static defense.
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Assign a dedicated cannon gunner.
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Place stratagem defenses ahead of the rig, not reactively.
Resource Extraction
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Extract systematically, not randomly, to reduce time exposed.
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Prioritize objectives over side samples unless secure.
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Bring more Techs for complex objectives, more Heavies for swarm-heavy missions.
Advanced Synergy & Tactics
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Fire + Movement: Funnel Terminids into napalm zones while flanking.
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Bait & Switch: Use one player to kite enemies into traps.
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Stratagem Chaining: Combine aerial + ground strikes for maximum burst damage.
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Environmental Exploits: Collapse walls, lure bugs into acid lakes, memorize stratagem access points.
Emergency Protocols & Enemy Counters
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Downed Ally Protocol: One revives, one covers—never both.
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Ammo Shortages: Supply Pack carrier controls distribution by role priority.
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When Stratagems Fail: Switch to weapons + mobility until access returns.
Enemy Counters
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Dragonroach: Ground its wings or focus its mouth. Always track visually.
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Burrowers: Flame weapons deny their emergence points.
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Rupture Charger: Dodge sideways on charges, force early surfacing with explosives.
Conclusion: For Managed Democracy, Victory Demands Coordination
The Into the Unjust update has raised the skill ceiling of Helldivers 2. Squads that survive Hive Worlds don’t just bring firepower—they bring specialized roles, constant communication, and adaptive tactics.
To recap:
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Diversify roles—don’t overlap.
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Communicate constantly—share threat info fast.
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Adapt loadouts per mission.
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Stay flexible when the caves throw the unexpected.
Arrowhead is continuing to expand Helldivers 2 with new threats and environments. By mastering these team strategies now, you’ll be ready for whatever horrors Super Earth sends you against next.
For Super Earth!
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