For a while now, Helldivers 2 players have been speculating about what might come next in Super Earth’s never-ending galactic war. With the Automatons and Terminids taking most of the spotlight since launch, one major enemy faction has been suspiciously absent — the Illuminate. Older fans of the original Helldivers will remember them well, and recent lore hints suggest that these mysterious aliens could soon make a big comeback.
Who Are the Illuminate?
In the first Helldivers, the Illuminate were a technologically advanced, psychic-driven race. They relied heavily on energy weapons, stealth, and teleportation — quite the contrast to the brute-force Terminids and mechanical Automatons we face in Helldivers 2. Their combat style was elegant yet deadly, using floating drones, mind-control abilities, and cloaked units that could wipe out unprepared squads in seconds.
Their lore painted them as arrogant, believing themselves to be intellectually superior to all life forms. They viewed humanity as primitive, which made them a perfect ideological rival to Super Earth’s “managed democracy.” When the first Helldivers game ended, it was believed the Illuminate had been destroyed — but as every veteran player knows, nothing truly stays gone in this universe.
Signs the Illuminate Are Returning
Arrowhead Game Studios has quietly dropped a few hints pointing toward the Illuminate’s return. Some players have spotted strange triangular symbols on certain terminals and propaganda screens. Others claim to have intercepted cryptic transmissions referencing “enlightened forces beyond the stars.”
It’s also worth noting that recent updates in Helldivers 2 have expanded the galaxy map and introduced new biomes that could fit the Illuminate’s style — clean, glowing environments that contrast sharply with the dirty warzones of the Automatons and Terminids. Even the game’s narrative voiceovers have started mentioning “the shadow of a forgotten threat.”
If these clues are anything to go by, it’s only a matter of time before the Illuminate step back into the fight.
What Makes the Illuminate Different
What’s fascinating about the Illuminate is their potential to completely change how players approach missions. Imagine fighting enemies that can manipulate light, turn invisible, or warp across the battlefield. Unlike the Automatons’ heavy firepower or the Terminids’ aggressive swarming, the Illuminate would likely rely on disorienting tactics that test coordination and awareness.
This would bring a new flavor to the gameplay. Players might need to depend more on radar pings, motion sensors, and teamwork to counter stealthy ambushes. It’s also possible that new Stratagems or anti-psionic weapons could be introduced to balance their abilities. For players who enjoy a tactical challenge, this could be the most exciting update yet.
Preparing for the Next War
If the Illuminate are indeed returning, now’s the perfect time to stock up on resources and refine your loadouts. Many players are grinding missions not just for gear but also for medals — the main in-game currency that unlocks premium Warbond rewards.
Some players prefer to buy Helldivers 2 medals to get ahead more quickly, especially when limited-time Warbond items drop. While it’s completely optional, having extra medals can save you a lot of grind time, letting you focus on enjoying missions and testing out new weapons when the Illuminate eventually appear.
The key here is to prepare smartly: upgrade your favorite weapons, experiment with different support Stratagems, and get used to fighting enemies with unpredictable patterns.
Speculations and What’s Next
While nothing official has been confirmed yet, the Illuminate’s return could open the door to new types of Major Orders, multi-faction conflicts, and possibly even temporary alliances between Super Earth and other factions. Imagine a three-way war across the galaxy map — Helldivers versus Automatons versus Illuminate — each with its own agenda.
The developers have also mentioned that Helldivers 2 is built to evolve over time, meaning new enemies can be introduced dynamically. This lines up perfectly with the kind of long-term storytelling Arrowhead seems to be planning. If that’s true, the Illuminate might not just be a side threat; they could become the main villains of a future campaign.
Whether you’re a lore nerd or just someone who loves chaotic co-op missions, the idea of the Illuminate returning is incredibly exciting. They represent a new frontier in both storytelling and gameplay. Their advanced technology and mysterious motives could give Helldivers 2 the variety and depth it needs to stay fresh for years.
And for those who like to stay ahead of the curve, it’s never too early to prepare. Some players even buy Helldivers 2 medals online through trusted platforms like U4GM to make sure they can unlock new content as soon as it arrives. However you choose to play, one thing’s for sure — the galaxy is about to get a lot more interesting.
