Every Helldivers 2 player has a story about that one enemy type that completely ruined an otherwise smooth mission. Maybe it was a random patrol calling in half a dozen reinforcements, or a sudden ambush from a bug that seemingly popped out of thin air. After revisiting these encounters through the video’s breakdown, I pulled together a more structured look at the enemies that tend to frustrate players the most, along with some practical tips for dealing with them in actual gameplay.

This list isn’t just for new recruits. Even veterans can get caught off guard, especially on higher difficulties where enemy density spikes and your mistakes start to matter a lot more. So let’s dig into what makes these foes irritating and how you can keep your squad alive when they show up.

Watchers – The Calm Before the Storm

Watchers aren’t dangerous because of their damage. In fact, one-on-one, they’re not threatening at all. The real issue is what happens after they spot you. These floating Illuminate scouts instantly alert nearby enemies and send out blue distress beacons that summon warp ships. If you don’t eliminate them fast, a simple patrol encounter can escalate into a full-scale fight.

Their mobility and tiny hitbox make them surprisingly tricky to deal with using slow or inaccurate weapons. I’ve had missions where one missed shot turned into a full map chase. When you plan your loadout, always bring at least one option that can quickly remove mobile targets, especially on Illuminate worlds. It’ll save you ammo, panic, and respawn timers.

Some players try to buy helldivers 2 medals to speed up their gear progression, but honestly, mastering basic enemy control like dealing with Watchers often matters more for survival than unlocking new equipment.

Berserkers – Chainsaw-Fueled Nightmares

When it comes to the Automaton faction, Berserkers claim the spot as the most irritating “common” enemy. Their whole design is built around punishing you for letting them get close, and on crowded maps, it’s way easier than you think for one of them to flank you.

Individually, they’re slow and predictable. In groups, they’re a different story. On higher difficulties, it’s common to see four or five sprinting toward you in a tight pack. If your stamina dips or you try to reload at the wrong moment, their chainsaws will shred you faster than most players expect.

The trick is never letting them walk you down. High stagger weapons, grenades, or anything with good stopping power will keep them at arm’s length. Just remember: if you get tunnel vision fighting bots with ranged weapons, Berserkers will often slip in from the sides.

Voteless – Weak Alone, Overwhelming Together

The Voteless are unsettling more for their behavior than their stats. Their distorted screams, erratic movement, and overwhelming group numbers turn almost any encounter with them into a chaotic fight. They’re extremely weak individually, but when dozens start pouring in, they can trap you faster than you might expect.

Headshots and crowd-control weapons work best, but the real danger is mixed groups. When Voteless appear alongside heavy units like Overseers or Flesh Mounds, they create constant pressure that makes aiming at bigger threats harder. Sometimes the smartest move is simply retreating to a more defensible position instead of trying to clear everything at once.

Elevated Overseers – The Constant Pressure Enemy

If you’ve ever tried running from an Illuminate fight only to get clipped by an energy blast from above, you already know why Elevated Overseers rank so high. They’re fast, mobile, and persistent. Since they fly, you can’t break line of sight as easily as you would with ground units. If one spots you without any teammates nearby, you’re in real trouble.

Their accuracy isn’t great, but when several shoot at once, the odds of getting tagged rise dramatically. Missions against the Illuminate get significantly easier once you learn to prioritize these enemies on sight.

Some players prefer to buy hd2 medals to unlock stronger weapons faster. While that can help, your ability to quickly eliminate aerial threats like Elevated Overseers is what prevents a wipe more often than raw gear does.

Hunters and Stalkers – The True Menace of the Front Lines

Anyone who has played more than a few bug missions knows exactly why Hunters and Stalkers tie for the top spot. They’re fast, unpredictable, and deadly. Hunters swarm in huge numbers and love to pounce when you least expect it. Stalkers, on the other hand, turn every shadowed corner into potential danger since they stay invisible until the moment they strike.

These enemies force you to stay alert even during “quiet” sections of a mission. A single misstep or moment of distraction can end with you flying across the map or getting pinned by a group of bugs. On higher difficulties, especially when mixed with Chargers or Bile Titans, these small melee units are often the real reason a squad wipes.

If you’re playing solo or with only one teammate, even one Stalker can ruin your run. Bringing mines, sensors, or high-visibility weapons can make a huge difference when navigating bug-heavy zones.

The Real Enemy: Water

It’s not a creature, but ask any Helldiver and they’ll tell you water is one of the most frustrating hazards in the entire game. Even shallow puddles slow your movement and stop you from diving. Deeper areas drown you almost instantly. Missions on aquatic planets often feel harder just because you’re constantly fighting the terrain.

As funny as it sounds, water might be responsible for more failed objectives than some actual enemy types. Treat it with the same caution you’d give to a minefield. It’s just not worth the risk.

Every enemy type in Helldivers 2 brings its own frustrations, but understanding how they behave—and why they’re dangerous—helps you adapt your loadout and tactics before heading into tough missions. Whether it’s the Watcher’s scout ability, the stealth attacks of Stalkers, or the unending pressure of Voteless mobs, each threat teaches you something about awareness, teamwork, and battlefield positioning. Learn their patterns, prepare accordingly, and you’ll find even the most annoying foes become much easier to handle.