Illuminate
| Helldivers 2 | Helldivers 1 |
The Illuminate are one of three factions Helldivers can fight against, with the others being the Terminids and the Automatons.
Overview
An ancient, “highly advanced” species, desperately seeking to reclaim their former galactic supremacy. These mind-controlling, xenophobic aliens cannot be reasoned with. They must all be killed.
— Playstation Store Description
The Illuminate were originally an aquatic species referred to as Squ'ith. These creatures prized knowledge and science, creating a vast neural network for space travel. However, during the First Galactic War, Super Earth attacked them to appropriate their advanced nanotechnology. In the end, the Illuminate lost the war, and were presumed to have been exterminated or expelled from the galaxy.
100 years later, the Illuminate would return, first striking the planet of Calypso. They attacked using small squads of elite Overseers supported by huge swarms of Voteless, zombie-like creatures created from abducted and mutated Super Earth colonists. This brutal, unprovoked attack was just barely repulsed thanks to the valiant efforts of the Helldivers, but further attacks soon followed.
So far, the Illuminate's attacks appear to be focused predominantly across the southern edge of the galactic war map, compared to the north-eastern and north-western quadrants for the Terminids and Automatons respectively.
Their behavior on the Galactic Map is also markedly different than other factions: rather than subjugate planets long term, they launch guerrilla Invasions - quick, ruthless attacks targeted at a planet's colonies. Regardless of success or failure, the Illuminate will leave the planet soon after the time expires, having harvested its citizens and constructed numerous mysterious Monoliths if successful. Any given planet in the galactic south may be under attack by the Illuminate at any moment.
The Illuminate would use these Invasion campaigns to generate Dark Energy to move the Meridian Black Hole - destroying Angel's Venture, Moradesh, and Ivis in the process. However, through the use of the Repulsive Gravity Field Generator, the black hole was succesfully stopped. After Meridia was halted, the Illuminate ceased all their attacks, and were presumed to have been destroyed until initiating a massive attack a few weeks afterwards, starting on May 13, 2025.
List of Illuminate Units
Voteless Fodder
Elevated Overseer Medium
Overseer Medium- Fleshmob Heavy
Harvester Heavy- Stingray Special
Warp Ship Special
Watcher Special
List of Illuminate Structures
| Image | Name |
|---|---|
|
Cognitive Disruptor |
|
|
Monolith |
Trivia
- They were made available to fight immediately after their reveal at The Game Awards 2024 on December 13th, 2024.
Change History
1.002.001
2024-12-13
Added to the game.
