Helldivers 1:Extraction Shuttle
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When a mission has been completed, Helldivers exit the battlefield by shuttle. This is done by entering 6 randomized directional inputs on the extraction beacon, which only gets deployed after all mission objectives have been completed (or attempted and failed).
After 90 seconds, the shuttle will arrive and land on the extraction beacon. The craft is completely indestructible and will instantly obliterate anything it lands on. As it is much larger than the beacon it lands on, particularly dangerous enemies can be lured to the Beacon so that the shuttle can clear out the area.
If no one boards the shuttle, it will wait for 20 seconds, then it flies off and extraction will need to be re-requested. There is no known limit to how many shuttles can be called in.
After at least one Helldiver has boarded, the mission cannot be failed anymore. Full stars will not be awarded if any Helldivers are left behind, so it is important to make sure everyone makes it on board to maximize XP and Galactic Campaign rewards.
The only exceptions to the 90-second Extraction waiting time are:
- After successfully defeating an enemy Master (Bug Hive Lord, Illuminate Great Eye or Cyborg Siege Mech), the shuttle will arrive almost immediately.
- During the training mission (the tutorial), the waiting time is reduced to 30 seconds.
Gameplay Tips
- Take care with high explosives around the shuttle. It is a very large object that will block a lot of fire, frequently to hilarious/disastrous result.
- Any Stratagem, Beacon or grenade held when entering the shuttle is immediately dropped on the floor. This can be good or bad, depending on your exit strategy.
- It is possible to crawl into the shuttle when in a downed state. Make sure you enter the center of the door! The shuttle can also be entered by going prone.
- The open shuttle doors can be shot through by direct-fire weapons. This also goes for enemies; Illuminate Hunters love doing this.
- The LIFT-850 Jump Pack can be utilized to get onto the roof of the shuttle. This is done by engaging the jump pack just prior to the shuttle touching down, aiming for its back. From here, Stratagems, grenades and indirect-fire weapons like the Obliterator Grenade Launcher and M-25 Rumbler mortar can be used with near-impunity.
- The Displacement Field Perk will save a player from being crushed by the Shuttle. (if the perk is active)
- if you do not believe every member of your squad can evacuate, it would be wise to let the shuttle pass and wait for the next one, as once someone enters the shuttle there is a limited window for the others to do so before being left behind
Gallery
An extraction beacon
Shuttle Incoming!
A shuttle, ready for extraction
Notes
- The shuttle pilot is usually referred to as "Frank". The origin of this is a Penny Arcade webcomic on the daily reality of Extraction Shuttle maintenance. This was turned into an actual Achievement/Trophy by Arrowhead, Make Frank kill a tank, in a later patch.
- If you do not believe you can realistically evacuate every member of your squad at the moment, letting the shuttle leave without any of your squad is a viable strategy, as once one member of your squad has entered the shuttle the rest of your team will have a limited window to board.