A colossal new Terminid threat has emerged in Helldivers 2: the Hive Lord. This gigantic, burrowing worm functions more as a battlefield hazard than a conventional enemy, possessing immense health and heavy armor that can withstand all but the most powerful ordnance. Engaging this beast is a monumental task, as it can instantly eliminate unprepared soldiers with its devastating attacks.
The Hive Lord typically appears during high-difficulty missions on Terminid-controlled planets, particularly in assignments with large, open areas. While the exact spawn conditions are not fully known, mobile extraction missions, which require expansive terrain, are prime locations for an encounter with this massive creature.
Players must be aware of the Hive Lord’s diverse and deadly attacks to survive an encounter:
- Burrowing: The creature travels underground, creating massive surface ripples that can knock players off their feet.
- Eruption: It can burst from the ground with immense force, crushing anyone caught in the immediate vicinity.
- Debris Shower: As it emerges, the Hive Lord sheds large rocks that can damage and stagger players below.
- Acid Spew: It can unleash a wide-area spray of lethal bile, far exceeding the range of a Bile Titan.
- Crush: The Hive Lord can slam its massive body onto the ground, instantly killing any Helldivers caught underneath.
Given its extraordinary durability, the most effective strategy for dealing with a Hive Lord is often avoidance. These creatures are best treated as environmental hazards to be circumvented, and seeking refuge in confined spaces like caves can be an effective escape.
For squads determined to defeat the behemoth, a coordinated assault with heavy anti-tank weaponry is essential. Stratagems like the Commando, Expendable Anti-Tank, and Recoilless Rifle are necessary to inflict damage. Since the creature’s body is heavily armored, players should focus their fire on its more vulnerable, fleshy head.
Currently, there are no unique rewards for killing a Hive Lord, aside from the challenge itself. Squads that attempt to take one down should be prepared for a long, resource-intensive battle that will likely drain their reinforcements and ammunition for little tangible gain.
