Helldivers 2: Earning Medals Guide

Hey, Helldivers! Are you looking to boost your medal count in Helldivers 2? Medals are super important for unlocking new gear and progressing in the game. This guide will walk you through the best strategies to earn those precious medals quickly and efficiently. Let's dive in!

Understanding Medals in Helldivers 2

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's understand what medals are and why they're so crucial. In Helldivers 2, medals serve as a primary currency for unlocking new stratagems. Stratagems are essential tools that you deploy during missions, ranging from powerful orbital strikes to supportive supply drops. Without a steady stream of medals, you'll find yourself stuck with basic gear, making those higher-difficulty missions a real challenge.

Medals aren't just handed out for participation; you need to earn them through various in-game activities. This keeps the gameplay engaging and rewards strategic play. Think of medals as a measure of your contribution to the Helldivers cause. The more you contribute, the more medals you rake in, and the more effective you become on the battlefield. So, mastering the art of medal acquisition is key to becoming a top-tier Helldiver.

Plus, accumulating medals gives you a tangible sense of progression. Each time you unlock a new stratagem, you feel a surge of power and capability. This constant sense of advancement keeps you motivated and invested in the game. Medals aren't just a currency; they're a symbol of your dedication and skill in spreading democracy throughout the galaxy. By focusing on efficient medal farming, you're not just upgrading your arsenal; you're enhancing your entire Helldivers experience, making every mission more rewarding and enjoyable. So, gear up, listen close, and let's get those medals rolling in!

Daily and Major Orders: Your Bread and Butter

The first and easiest way to earn medals is by completing Daily and Major Orders. These are essentially daily and global objectives that the entire Helldivers community works towards.

Daily Orders

Daily Orders are small, achievable tasks that refresh every 24 hours. These could be anything from killing a specific number of enemies to completing a particular type of mission. Completing these daily tasks usually rewards you with a small but consistent number of medals. It’s a great way to start your day in Helldivers 2 and ensure you're always making progress.

Make it a habit to check your Daily Orders as soon as you log in. They're often straightforward and can be completed within a single mission or two. This makes them an efficient way to supplement your medal income without requiring a significant time investment. Plus, Daily Orders often introduce variety into your gameplay, encouraging you to try different strategies and explore various aspects of the game. They might challenge you to use specific weapons, target certain enemy types, or focus on particular mission objectives.

For example, one day you might be tasked with eliminating 50 Bile Spewers, while another day you might need to complete three Blitz missions. These small challenges not only reward you with medals but also help you become a more versatile and skilled Helldiver. Always keep an eye on the clock, though, because once the Daily Order expires, you'll miss out on those easy medals. So, make Daily Orders a part of your Helldivers routine to maximize your medal earnings and stay on top of your game.

Major Orders

Major Orders are larger, community-wide objectives that can take several days to complete. These usually involve liberating planets or defeating a significant enemy threat. Successfully contributing to Major Orders can net you a substantial amount of medals. These are the big payouts you should always be aiming for.

Participating in Major Orders is not only rewarding in terms of medals but also provides a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. When you join forces with thousands of other Helldivers to achieve a common goal, you're part of something bigger than yourself. This collective effort adds a unique and engaging dimension to the game. Major Orders often require strategic coordination and communication among players.

You might need to organize strike teams, coordinate attacks on enemy strongholds, or defend vulnerable positions against waves of attackers. This level of teamwork can be incredibly satisfying and creates memorable gaming experiences. Keep an eye on the game's news feed and community channels to stay informed about ongoing Major Orders. Understanding the objectives, coordinating with other players, and focusing your efforts on contributing to the overall goal are crucial for success. The rewards for Major Orders are significant, often providing enough medals to unlock several new stratagems or upgrades.

Completing Missions and Operations

Aside from orders, completing missions and operations is another core way to earn medals. The higher the difficulty, the more medals you'll typically receive.

Difficulty Levels

Difficulty levels in Helldivers 2 directly impact the medal payout. Tackling higher difficulty missions means facing tougher enemies and more complex objectives, but the rewards are well worth the risk. As you climb the difficulty ladder, you'll encounter more challenging enemy compositions, increased enemy numbers, and more intricate map layouts. This requires you to refine your strategies, coordinate effectively with your team, and make the most of your stratagems.

Don't jump into the highest difficulty right away; start with a level that challenges you without overwhelming you. As you gain experience and upgrade your gear, gradually increase the difficulty to maximize your medal earnings. Remember, teamwork is essential at higher difficulties. Communicate with your team, coordinate your stratagems, and support each other to overcome the obstacles. Successfully completing high-difficulty missions is not only rewarding in terms of medals but also provides a great sense of accomplishment.

Operations

Operations consist of a series of connected missions. Completing an entire operation usually grants bonus medals in addition to the medals earned from each individual mission. Focus on finishing operations for maximum efficiency. Operations provide a more structured and cohesive gameplay experience. Unlike isolated missions, operations often tell a story or present a series of escalating challenges. This can make the gameplay more engaging and immersive.

Completing an operation requires strategic planning and coordination. You need to manage your resources, adapt to changing objectives, and work effectively with your team to achieve the overall goal. The bonus medals you receive for completing an operation can be substantial, making it a worthwhile investment of your time and effort. Furthermore, operations often introduce unique mission types, enemy encounters, and environmental hazards that you won't find in regular missions. This variety keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting.

For example, you might need to defend a series of outposts, escort a VIP to safety, or destroy a heavily fortified enemy base. Each operation presents a unique set of challenges that require you to think creatively and adapt your strategies. The satisfaction of completing a difficult operation and earning those bonus medals is a key part of the Helldivers 2 experience. So, gather your squad, plan your approach, and embark on those operations to maximize your medal earnings and spread democracy throughout the galaxy.

Points of Interest and Side Objectives

Don't just rush through the main objectives! Explore the map and look for Points of Interest (POIs) and side objectives. These often reward you with additional medals upon completion.

Points of Interest (POIs)

Points of Interest are scattered throughout the map and offer various rewards, including medals, resources, and valuable intel. Exploring these POIs can significantly boost your medal income and provide other benefits that can help you succeed in your missions. POIs come in various forms, from abandoned outposts and crashed vehicles to hidden caches and research facilities. Each POI presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities.

For example, you might need to fight off a group of enemies guarding a valuable resource, solve a puzzle to unlock a hidden cache, or repair a damaged piece of equipment to gain access to new intel. The rewards for exploring POIs are well worth the effort, especially if you're looking to maximize your medal earnings. Furthermore, POIs often provide valuable context and lore about the game world, adding depth and immersion to your gameplay experience. So, take the time to explore the map, discover those hidden POIs, and reap the rewards they offer.

Side Objectives

Side Objectives are optional tasks that you can complete during missions to earn extra rewards. These often involve destroying specific targets, rescuing civilians, or collecting valuable resources. Completing side objectives not only earns you medals but also contributes to the overall success of your mission. Side objectives add an extra layer of complexity and challenge to the gameplay. They require you to think strategically, manage your time effectively, and coordinate with your team to achieve multiple goals simultaneously.

For example, you might need to destroy a heavily armored enemy tank, rescue a group of captured civilians, or collect a set of rare artifacts scattered throughout the map. Completing these side objectives can be challenging, but the rewards are well worth the effort. In addition to medals, you might also earn experience points, resources, and other valuable items that can help you upgrade your gear and improve your combat effectiveness. So, don't overlook those side objectives; they're a great way to boost your medal earnings and enhance your overall Helldivers 2 experience.

Teamwork and Coordination

This might sound obvious, but teamwork is crucial for earning medals efficiently. A well-coordinated team can complete missions faster, tackle higher difficulties, and explore more POIs and side objectives.

Communication

Communication is the backbone of any successful Helldivers team. Clear and concise communication allows you to coordinate your movements, strategize effectively, and support each other in combat. Use voice chat or text chat to share information about enemy positions, objective locations, and resource availability. Effective communication can significantly improve your team's efficiency and increase your chances of completing missions and earning medals.

For example, you might call out enemy patrols, warn your teammates about incoming threats, or request assistance with a difficult objective. By communicating effectively, you can avoid unnecessary risks, minimize casualties, and maximize your team's overall performance. Furthermore, communication fosters a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, making the gameplay more enjoyable and rewarding. So, don't be afraid to speak up and share your thoughts with your teammates; it could make all the difference between success and failure.

Roles and Strategies

Assigning roles within your team can greatly enhance your efficiency. Having dedicated roles like a scout, a heavy weapons specialist, and a support player ensures that all aspects of the mission are covered. Developing and implementing effective strategies is also crucial for success. Discuss your approach to each mission, coordinate your stratagems, and adapt your tactics based on the situation. A well-planned and executed strategy can make even the most challenging missions feel manageable.

For example, you might designate one player as the designated marksman, responsible for taking out high-value targets from a distance, while another player focuses on crowd control, using area-of-effect weapons to keep the enemy hordes at bay. By assigning roles and developing strategies, you can maximize your team's effectiveness and increase your chances of earning those valuable medals. So, communicate with your teammates, define your roles, and plan your strategies to dominate the battlefield and spread democracy throughout the galaxy.

Conclusion

Earning medals in Helldivers 2 requires a combination of skill, strategy, and teamwork. By focusing on Daily and Major Orders, completing missions and operations, exploring Points of Interest, and coordinating with your team, you'll be well on your way to unlocking all the best gear and becoming a true Helldiver legend. Now get out there and start spreading some managed democracy!