Helldivers 2 is no stranger to massive enemies, but the Hive Lords stand apart as the game’s first true boss fights. Introduced in the Into the Unjust update, these skyscraper-sized Terminid sandworms are designed to test even the most seasoned squads. With devastating attacks, impenetrable armor, and an enormous health pool, beating a Hive Lord requires preparation, coordination, and patience.
This guide covers everything you need to know—from where to find them to the best loadouts and tactics for bringing one down.
Where to Find Hive Lords
Hive Lords appear exclusively on Hive planets in the Terminid sector, usually at higher difficulties.
- Difficulty Level 7+: First sightings start here, but rare.
- Difficulty 10: Almost guaranteed appearance.
When one is near, you’ll hear a deep tunneling sound, followed by the ground shaking and debris flying as the worm erupts to the surface. That’s your cue—the fight has begun.
Hive Lord Stats and Weaknesses
- Health: 150,000 HP (highest in the game).
- Armor: Tank 1 on the body, Tank 2 on the head.
- Weak Points:
- Broken armor sections (soft tissue exposed).
- Open mouth when lunging.
For comparison, a Hellbomb deals 10,000 damage, meaning it would take at least 15 perfect Hellbomb detonations to kill a Hive Lord.
Attacks to Expect (and How to Survive)
The Hive Lord is as much an environmental hazard as it is a boss. Expect these moves:
- Body Slam: Slams its full mass into the ground, knocking back or crushing everything nearby.
- Tunneling Charge: Burrows underground and resurfaces beneath players. Watch the sand for movement to anticipate its path.
- Acid Spray: Spews corrosive bile in wide arcs. Instant death if caught in the blast.
- Lunging Bite: Quick forward strike with its massive jaws.
Tip: Don’t run directly away or toward it—move sideways to dodge lunges and sprays.
Best Loadouts and Stratagem Cycles
Essential Stratagems
- Hellbombs – Highest burst damage option.
- Orbital Strikes – 120mm HE Barrage, Orbital Gatling Barrage, Orbital Railcannon Strike, Eagle 500KG Bomb.
- Anti-Tank Emplacement – From the Urban Legends Warbond. With 30 shells at ~1,300 damage each, a single emplacement can deal 39,000 damage—nearly a quarter of the Hive Lord’s health.
Recommended Weapons
- EAT-17 Expendable Anti-Tank
- GR-8 Recoilless Rifle
- RS-422 Railgun
- FAF-14 Spear
- MLS-4X Commando
- StA-X3 W.A.S.P Launcher
These weapons provide consistent anti-armor fire while your stratagems are on cooldown.
Support and Utility
- Guard Dog Drones & Shield Generators – Increase survivability against swarms and acid splashes.
- LIFT-850 Jump Pack / LIFT-182 Warp Pack – Essential for avoiding slams and bile sprays.
- Support Pack – Keeps ammo and resupplies flowing.
Survival and Team Strategy
- Stay Mobile: Never stand still. Dive or jetpack sideways when it attacks.
- Time Your Damage: Unload heavy weapons when it pauses after emerging or slamming.
- Coordinate Roles: Assign players to call resupplies, handle smaller bugs, or focus fire on weak points.
- Use Terrain Carefully: Rocks and cover help—until they’re destroyed by slams. Always have an escape path.
- Expect Collateral Damage: The Hive Lord often kills smaller Terminids with its own attacks. Use this chaos to regroup.
- Recover Fast: If your squad wipes, revive quickly and keep pressure on to avoid resetting the fight.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Placing emplacements too close to the emergence site and losing them to ragdoll knockback.
- Sprinting in straight lines instead of diving sideways or using jump packs to break tracking.
- Ignoring cooldown management—without rotating Anti-Tank Emplacements and Orbitals, you’ll run dry long before the 150,000 HP bar drops meaningfully.
Defeating a Hive Lord isn’t just about firepower—it’s about coordination, endurance, and adaptability. Expect the fight to last 10–20 minutes, with plenty of close calls and frantic retreats. While some squads have managed speed kills using precise emplacements, most players will experience a drawn-out battle of attrition.
When you finally bring one down, though, the victory is one of the most satisfying moments Helldivers 2 has to offer. Play Now!
