For newer Helldivers, the ongoing conflict with the Illuminate can seem confusing, emerging from lore fragments and sudden Major Orders. This guide breaks down the key events and what they mean for your gameplay, based on how operations typically unfold on the ground.

What was the "Moving of a Black Hole" Event?

In early 2185, High Command confirmed that the Illuminate were not just raiding—they were harvesting dark energy to physically move a wormhole, known as the Meridian Singularity, toward Super Earth. Their goal was to use it as a weapon. Major Orders during this period focused on delaying this by disrupting Illuminate raids across the galactic south. Despite our efforts, the black hole destroyed several planets, including Angel's Venture and Ivis. This phase taught most players that Illuminate missions often involve defending specific, high-value objectives against rapid, surgical strikes, rather than holding large territories.

How Did We Stop the Black Hole?

The Ministry of Science developed two key devices: the Penrose Energy Siphon to slow the singularity, and the Repulsive Gravity Field Generator to stop it. For players, this translated into a series of urgent defense and resource-gathering missions. A common pattern emerged: we would receive a Major Order to collect a massive amount of a resource (like E-710), only to be interrupted by a sudden, large-scale offensive from another faction—in this case, the Automatons. This forced the community to split efforts, often leading to tense, week-long battles on two fronts. The Generator was ultimately successful, halting the wormhole at Pilen V in late April.

Why Did the Illuminate Invade Super Earth?

After their black hole plan failed, the Illuminate launched a direct, massive invasion called the "Great Host." This was the culmination of their campaign. For about ten days in May, the entire Helldiver force was pulled from all other fronts to defend Super Earth itself. Missions took place in ruined mega-cities, with new enemy types like Overships and Leviathans. The common player strategy shifted to pure, coordinated defense, focusing fire on the weak points of these large vessels. It was a brutal, community-wide event that required near-total participation to prevent a game-over scenario for the narrative.

Where Are the Illuminate Now, and How Do We Fight Them?

Following their defeat at Super Earth, the Illuminate retreated but were not destroyed. They reappeared in the galactic south, using cloaking technology. The Ministry of Science later reverse-engineered this tech, allowing us to detect them again. Currently, they control a swath of planets and are "twisting" captured cities, creating unique, corrupted map environments.

In practice, fighting the Illuminate differs significantly from battling Terminids or Automatons. Their units are fewer but more lethal, relying on shields, teleportation, and area-denial weapons. Most players adapt by bringing weapons that bypass shields (like energy-based guns or certain stratagems) and prioritizing mobility. Standing still or grouping up tightly is usually punished. Their missions often feel more like special operations—strike fast, complete the precise objective (like destroying a structure or downloading data), and extract.

What's the Current Strategic Situation?

As of the latest intelligence, the Illuminate hold a static frontier of about 23 planets. They represent a persistent, elite threat. Major Orders related to them often involve liberating these "twisted" cities or preventing their expansion into new sectors. The community has learned that while the Automaton and Terminid fronts involve grinding attrition, the Illuminate front requires precision. Failure in a Major Order against them usually means they quietly reclaim several systems, setting the stage for a future, larger offensive. For those looking to quickly acquire specialized stratagems for this fight, some players seek out affordable Helldivers 2 medals at U4N store to bypass the grind, though earning them through missions remains the standard approach.

What Can We Expect Going Forward?

History shows the Illuminate are patient and strategic. They build up strength in shadow before launching decisive campaigns. Most players expect their controlled sector to be the starting point for the next major narrative event, likely another high-stakes, community-wide defense or a counter-invasion into their territory. Cooperation and adapting loadouts will be key, as their technology directly counters many common, brute-force tactics used against bugs and bots.