This article was published on 4/20 and republished on 4/21.
First it was some tech, now it is actual images of Helldivers 2’s Illuminate enemies that are leaking, implying a different sort of invasion may be nigh.
From u/IronS1ghts, we have our first images of Illuminate themselves, which I’d describe as a combination of Protoss from StarCraft and Fallen from Destiny 2.
Here’s the “Adept Mage” with different sorts of textures applied:
And here’s uh “Guy,” with and without texture. I guess that no official name is listed in the files just yet.
The Illuminate were said to be extinct after the first Helldivers game, though as ever, it’s a bit hard to trust what Super Earth leadership says at any given time. But with their return, their design and tech seems “evolved,” and I’m curious what the story explanation for their return will be. If there is one, given that almost all information in the game comes from the Ministry of Truth which tends to be rather tight-lipped about things like that. Or they’ll say “as we absolutely expected, the Illuminate have returned.”
With their arrival does seem nigh, it may still be a bit of a wait. These are only a few files after all, and the game is currently in the midst of a campaign that has enemy forces surging and many defenses being mounted. Though I suppose with pressure on Helldivers forces from multiple fronts, that would sort of be the perfect time for the Illuminate to launch their own attack.
In-game hints about the Illuminate have been limited, blue beams from the sky and cloaked ships lurking around. And a message you can occasionally here about their extinction being a lie.
No doubt the idea is that they want revenge for their slaughter in the first time, and they will almost certainly want to claim Super Earth as their own. I do believe that all of this is heading toward a grand invasion of Super Earth far down the road, possibly by multiple forces, but I bet Helldivers is saving that for a while from now as it would absolutely be the biggest event in the game’s history. So far, that honor goes to the elimination of Automatons from the map, then a giant fleet re-invading the galaxy (however expected that may have been).
So, we don’t have a timeline here, but I would expect to start seeing a lot more Illuminate show up in the files with each new update, so stay tuned.
Update (4/21): Looking for more information on the fight with the Illuminate ahead? Well, we can look back to the past to discuss the units from the first game, which may directly translate in many ways the Helldivers 2. Here’s the list:
- Observer – Cloaked units that scout out enemies and are not actually armed with weapons. There are armored Watchers which have more health but still no weapons, but also Obsidian Observers with nano-tech weapons.
- Tripod – A three-legged machine with tesla charge weapons to “torture their victims”
- Hunter – They use stealth tactics and electro pulse gauntlets as a melee unit. This may be the “Guy” image we’ve seen above.
- Apprentice – Nano-tech at rage with melee components. The last step before “Illusionist” in Illuminate society. There are Outcast versions of apprentices which are cloaked but only melee.
- Strider – Heavier versions of the Tripod with tougher armor and shields, also with electric tesla charge attacks.
- Obelisk – A heavily armored dome that projects a shield to protect Illuminate while allowing them to pass through it. Has a weak spot that can be destroyed.
- Illusionist – Highly revered among the Illuminate. Have nano-tech weapons and a powerful shield. The upgraded form are Council Members with more damage and more shields.
- Great Eye – Supposedly AI beings monitoring Illuminates. Heavily armored, possibly holding weapons of massive destruction.
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