Building defensive loadouts in Helldivers 2 is about more than just survival—it’s about holding the line, protecting your squad, and giving yourself enough breathing room to complete missions under fire. The right setup can turn a desperate situation into a manageable one, and many players underestimate just how versatile defensive gear can be. With the variety of items available, you can mix and match to create loadouts tailored for different objectives, from escort missions to holding extraction points.

Below are 20 defensive loadout ideas that take advantage of Helldivers 2 items and strategies.

1. Shield Generator with Heavy Armor

A simple but effective combo that provides damage resistance and protection when enemies close in.

2. Mortar Sentry with Anti-Personnel Mines

Great for creating a perimeter around objectives while you focus on clearing enemies from the front.

3. Supply Pack with Guard Dog Drone

Sustain your team with extra ammo while keeping a drone nearby to cover blind spots.

4. Flamethrower with Extra Grenades

Perfect for dealing with swarms and locking down chokepoints.

5. Laser Cannon with Energy Shield

Gives you both offensive pressure and extra survivability against waves of enemies.

6. Machine Gun Turret with Armor-Piercing Rounds

Strong against groups and medium-level enemies, while you position safely behind cover.

7. EMS Mortar with Recoilless Rifle

Slow enemy advances while maintaining the firepower to deal with heavy threats.

8. Shield Pack with Medic Backpack

Create a support-focused defender who can keep allies alive in the thick of battle.

9. Orbital Airstrike with Trip Mines

Combine explosive traps with heavy firepower to punish clustered enemies.

10. Autocannon with Supply Pack

High-damage defense with a steady resupply to keep the weapon running.

11. Tesla Tower with Stun Grenades

Immobilize enemies while the tower clears them out.

12. Gatling Sentry with Extra Armor Plating

Protect yourself while letting your sentry chew through hordes.

13. Railgun with Shield Generator

A balanced defensive loadout for handling armored targets and sustaining against pressure.

14. Orbital Laser with Ammo Pack

Keep the fire raining down while ensuring you never run dry in longer missions.

15. Drone Support with Mortar Sentry

Perfect for maintaining area control and reducing flanking threats.

16. Machine Gun with Extra Grenades

Reliable and steady for missions that need flexible defense.

17. Static Field Generator with Flamethrower

Slow enemies in place before burning them down.

18. Heavy Armor with Orbital Barrage

A bunker-style defender who can survive in the middle of the fight and call in heavy support.

19. EMS Mortar with Autocannon

A combination that balances area control with high firepower.

20. Support Pack with Railgun

For a versatile defender who can resupply allies while targeting big threats.

Tips for Building Your Own Defensive Loadouts

When putting together defensive builds, think about your team’s weaknesses. Do you need more crowd control, or are armored enemies the main problem? Defensive loadouts should complement offensive ones, creating balance in the squad. Experimenting with combinations is key, and sometimes even a less-used item can shine when paired with the right gear.

Many players also explore ways to expand their collection of items faster. Some communities mention options like buy helldivers 2 medals or looking into helldivers 2 Super Credits for sale when they want to unlock gear quickly. While grinding is part of the game’s charm, resources like U4GM are often discussed among players who want to speed up progress.

By mixing different Helldivers 2 items, you can create loadouts that hold the line against any threat. Try different combinations, refine your strategy, and you’ll quickly find that a solid defensive build can make all the difference between mission failure and glorious extraction.