Helldivers 2: A Practical Guide to Fighting the Illuminate Voteless

    • 31 posts
    January 5, 2026 11:45 PM PST

    For Helldivers facing the Illuminate front, the most common enemy you’ll encounter isn't a strange alien, but a twisted version of a fellow citizen. Here’s a practical look at the Voteless, based on how they function in the game and how most players deal with them.

    What are the Voteless?

    In simple terms, the Voteless are the basic infantry unit for the Illuminate. Lore states they are former Super Earth citizens who were abducted and physically mutated by the Illuminate through a process that damages their minds. In practice, this means they are the primary "chaff" or cannon fodder you will face in large numbers on any Illuminate mission. Their design—humanoid in blue overalls with mutated heads, tentacles, and glowing blue eyes—makes them easily identifiable.

    How Do They Fight?

    Their tactics are straightforward but dangerous in groups. They are exclusively melee attackers. A key point most players learn quickly is that they can lunge surprisingly far and run faster than a Helldiver at full sprint. They have no armor, so any weapon can hurt them, but they are noticeably more durable than the basic units of other factions. A bodyshot might not put them down immediately, which is why many veterans recommend aiming for the head to conserve ammo. They are also heavily reliant on sound for detection. Using suppressed weapons or melee takedowns can help you avoid attracting additional patrols.

    What Are Effective Strategies Against Them?

    Your loadout and approach should change when you know you're dropping into Voteless territory. Here’s what generally works:

    • Weapons: Shotguns like the SG-225 Breaker variants are highly effective due to their wide spread and stopping power against close groups. The ARC-12 Blitzer is also popular for its ability to stun multiple targets. In general, weapons good for crowd control are preferred.

    • Stratagems: Anti-infantry options excel. The Eagle Cluster Bomb, Orbital Airburst Strike, and gas-based stratagems are particularly effective because Voteless tend to cluster together in hordes. Gas can cause significant disruption and make them attack each other.

    • Sentries and Positioning: Be cautious with automated sentries. While Gatling or Machine Gun Sentries can hold a line, Voteless hordes can overwhelm them quickly. Using terrain to create chokepoints, or deploying a Grenadier Battlement to block a corridor, can give you a major defensive advantage as they cannot climb or break it down easily—unless accompanied by heavier Illuminate units.

    Common Player Observations and BehaviorDuring combat, you might notice some unique details. Sometimes, a clean kill will cause a Voteless to give a final Super Earth salute or act confused, which most players interpret as a brief moment of clarity from their former selves. This doesn’t change gameplay but adds to the grim atmosphere. Players also note that Voteless can be cannibalistic, and their corpses are often found piled near Illuminate structures. From a purely practical standpoint, the community treats them as a persistent environmental hazard that must be managed efficiently to complete objectives. Some players, looking to customize their Helldiver without the extended grind, might search for shortcuts online, such as how to buy helldivers 2 super credits cheap, though it’s widely advised to be cautious with third-party sites due to security risks.

    Key Takeaways for HelldiversWhen engaging the Illuminate, consider the Voteless your primary swarm threat. They are not individually powerful, but their speed, durability, and numbers can overwhelm an unprepared team. Focus on crowd-control weapons, use sound discipline to manage engagement sizes, and leverage stratagems that target groups. Always be moving and use the environment to your advantage, as standing in the open will quickly lead to being surrounded. Remember, your goal is to liberate them through decisive force, making your firepower and teamwork the most democratic tools at your disposal.