For many Helldivers currently deployed in the Second Galactic War, the Illuminate are a mystery. They are a recent, chaotic addition to the battlefield, mentioned in old stories but not faced by any living soldier until now. Based on available lore and in-game events, here is a practical look at what players generally understand about this enigmatic foe.
What is the Origin of the Illuminate?
The Illuminate, who call themselves the Squ’ith, are an ancient species that evolved from aquatic life on their home planet, Squ’bai Shrine. Their evolution focused on manipulating energy, leading to advanced technology based on electricity and what Super Earth science logs often call "mystical space magic." They are governed by a Council and a powerful AI known as the "Great Eye," which enforced a rigid, controlling society. For millennia, they built a vast empire before encountering humanity.
What Happened During the First Galactic War?
The first contact, according to Super Earth archives, was deceptive. The Illuminate arrived with a peace offering, which was rejected by Super Earth under the claim they possessed planet-destroying Weapons of Mass Destruction. This justified a pre-emptive strike. The ensuing war lasted roughly 40 years and was notably brutal due to the Illuminate's advanced technology and psychic abilities like mind control. In 2084, Helldivers defeated them at their homeworld. The surrender terms were severe: the Illuminate were disarmed, stripped of their military technology, and banished from the Milky Way entirely.
How and Why Did They Return in Helldivers 2?
Their return in 2184 was a complete surprise, occurring while Super Earth was already fighting a two-front war against the Terminids and Automatons. The initial signs were strange—colonists disappearing on frontier worlds, dismissed as accidents or poor navigation. The truth was far darker. The Illuminate had returned using hit-and-run tactics, and they were kidnapping colonists. These abducted citizens were not killed; they were converted into mind-controlled soldiers called the "Voteless." The Illuminate's first major reappearance was an assault on the planet Calypso, forcing Helldivers to fight on a third, unexpected front.
How Do the Illuminate Fight in Gameplay Terms?
While not yet a permanent playable faction in Helldivers 2 as of this writing, their appearance during in-game events established distinct patterns. Most players who experienced these events report that Illuminate forces differ significantly from Terminids and Automatons.
Technology Over Brutality: They rely on energy-based weapons, force fields, and teleportation rather than sheer numbers or ballistic firepower.
The Voteless: A key tactic is the use of mind-controlled human units. Fighting former colonists adds a psychological and tactical layer, as they often use human weapons and tactics.
Hit-and-Run Strategy: In-game events showed they don't seek to hold territory like other factions. They launch sudden raids on planets, devastate infrastructure, and retreat before a full counter-assault can be mobilized, leaving ruined colonies in their wake.
What is Their Current Status in the Galactic War?
Their role is currently one of a disruptive, third-party raider. The community's experience shows they exploit moments when the Helldiver corps is focused on major offensives against the Terminids or Automatons. They strike vulnerable, often undefended worlds in the Galactic South. This forces High Command to issue urgent Major Orders, splitting the player base's efforts. For instance, progress on the Warbond battle pass, earned by completing missions, can slow during these crises as players divert to the new threat. Earning the in-game currency to unlock items, including the helldivers 2 medals price for premium Warbond pages, becomes a secondary concern to the community-wide defense objective.
What Can Players Expect Going Forward?
Based on their established behavior, most players anticipate the Illuminate will continue to be a periodic, high-impact threat. General expectations are:
They will likely become a permanent faction after further narrative events.
Their units will require different strategies; armor-piercing ballistics may be less effective against their energy shields, favoring energy-based strategems.
Their raids will continue to create complex strategic dilemmas, forcing the community to choose between defending against them or advancing on other fronts.
In practice, dealing with the Illuminate requires flexibility. When they appear, the usual gameplay loop shifts from sustained liberation campaigns to rapid emergency response. It’s a change of pace that tests the community's ability to mobilize quickly against a tactically unfamiliar enemy.