Helldivers 2 drops players into relentless missions filled with swarms of enemies and unpredictable objectives. But before you can experience the toughest challenges the game has to offer, you’ll need to unlock them step by step. Each difficulty tier ramps up enemy numbers, introduces new mission modifiers, and boosts rewards like Medals, EXP, and Samples. Whether you’re just starting out on Trivial or preparing for the chaos of Super Helldive, knowing how to change and unlock difficulty levels is essential.
How to Change Difficulty in Helldivers 2
Difficulty in Helldivers 2 is managed from the Galactic Map aboard your ship. When you’re ready to deploy:
- Interact with the Galactic War Table.
- Look to the bottom center of the screen, where the difficulty bar is displayed.
- On PC, press Q/E to cycle through options. On PlayStation 5, use L1/R1.
- Confirm your choice, then select your mission or Operation.
If you jump into Quick Play, keep in mind you may not always be matched at your selected level—it depends on available squads. For precise control, launch directly into missions from the Galactic Map.
How to Unlock New Difficulty Levels
Helldivers 2 doesn’t let you dive straight into the hardest tiers. Instead, difficulty levels unlock step by step:
- Complete an Operation on the highest level currently available to you.
- Finishing that Operation automatically unlocks the next tier.
Operations are sets of missions—sometimes just one, but at higher difficulties they can stretch to two or three. Each completed Operation increases both your Medal payout and the variety of mission modifiers you’ll face.
Difficulty Levels in Helldivers 2
The game features 10 difficulty levels, ranging from approachable training grounds to absolute mayhem. Here’s the breakdown:
| Difficulty | Enemies & Objectives | Rewards & Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Trivial | Basic patrols, simple objectives | 1 Medal, common samples |
| Easy | Light outposts, allied objectives | 2 Medals, common samples |
| Medium | More tactical objectives | Up to 6 Medals, +25% EXP |
| Challenging | Heavy outposts, armored enemies | 8 Medals, rare & common samples, +50% EXP |
| Hard | Operation modifiers, tougher spawns | 18 Medals, rare & common samples, +75% EXP |
| Extreme | Massive enemy presence | 36 Medals, rare & super rare samples, +100% EXP |
| Suicide Mission | Brutal enemy density | 21 Medals, rare & super samples, +150% EXP |
| Impossible | Heavily boosted enemy forces | 24 Medals, rare & super samples, +200% EXP |
| Helldive | Elite swarms, modifiers active | Up to 33 Medals, +250% EXP |
| Super Helldive | Mega Nests, fortresses, constant elites | 36 Medals, +300% EXP |
What Actually Changes Between Difficulties?
Unlike many shooters, individual enemy stats (health, damage, accuracy) remain the same across all levels. What changes is:
- Enemy density: More squads spawn simultaneously.
- Enemy types: Tougher variants and elites appear earlier.
- Mission modifiers: Higher difficulties add random conditions—anything from environmental hazards to ammo scarcity.
- Objectives: Missions become longer and more complex, with extra steps and secondary goals.
The reward scaling is worth the risk. More Medals, Samples, and EXP help accelerate unlocks, gear, and upgrades. For veterans, Super Helldive offers the ultimate grind, but it demands tight teamwork and fully optimized loadouts.
Tips for Adjusting Difficulty
- Start low: New players should run Trivial or Easy missions to learn layouts, objectives, and Stratagem calls.
- Climb gradually: Each difficulty jump adds significant pressure. Move up only once your squad is comfortable.
- Use Operations smartly: Even at lower levels, Operations grant more Medals per run than single missions.
- Don’t fear defaults: Even the starting loadout can carry you through high tiers, provided you coordinate Stratagems and team roles.
Related Guides You Might Like:
- How to Get Night Vision Goggles in Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater
- Metal Gear Solid Delta: How to Kill The End Early and Skip the Boss Fight
- Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater Trophy Guide: All Achievements and Platinum Tips
- How Many Missions Are in Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater? Full Length and Completion Time Explained
- Metal Gear Solid Delta PS5 Pro Performance Problem – Should You Play on Base PS5?
Changing difficulty in Helldivers 2 isn’t just about bragging rights—it’s a progression system tied to rewards, unlocks, and team growth. From the easy patrols of Trivial to the nightmare chaos of Super Helldive, each level offers its own flavor of challenge. Master the Galactic Map, unlock higher Operations, and push your squad’s limits—Super Earth depends on it. Play Now!
