Helldivers 2 Defense Missions

You defend a point, not a front

Defense missions task the squad with protecting an objective against waves for a timer or a number of holds. The instinct to push out and meet the enemy is wrong; the objective is what matters, and leaving it loses the mission. The mission types page covers the structure; this is the discipline. The side objectives page notes that defense missions often pair with optional tasks, but the main hold comes first.

Sentries and turrets build the wall

Fixed defenses are the backbone. The sentry stratagems page covers the options; place them to cover the approaches you cannot, and let them thin the wave while the squad handles what breaks through. A defense held only by bodies fails when the bodies reinforce. A defense held by sentries plus bodies lasts.

Control the choke, not the open field

Defense maps have natural funnels. Hold the funnel, do not spread across the open ground where everything can hit you at once. The squad that clusters on the choke outlasts the squad that scatters to cover every angle.

Save heavy stratagems for the surges

Waves ramp, and the final surge is where runs are lost. Hold your best orbitals and support weapons for it, not for the trickle at the start. The best stratagems page helps you pick what to save.

Build the sentry wall

Fixed defenses are the backbone of a defense mission, so place sentry stratagems to cover the approaches you cannot and let them thin the wave. A defense held only by bodies fails when those bodies reinforce; a defense held by sentries plus bodies lasts. The mission types page covers the structure, and the side objectives page notes the optional tasks.

Save heavies for the surge

Waves ramp, so hold your best orbitals and support weapons for the final surge rather than the trickle at the start. The best stratagems page helps you pick what to save.

Related guides

• Helldivers 2 Mission Types
• Helldivers 2 Sentry Stratagems
• Helldivers 2 Side Objectives