The world of Helldivers 2 is a battlefield like no other, where players are just as likely to take out their own teammates as they are to annihilate the enemy. It’s a statistic that’s both shocking and hilarious, and it’s just one of the many fascinating facts that have been revealed by the game’s developers. According to the latest numbers, over 8.6 billion Helldivers gave their lives in the past year, with a staggering 177 million of those deaths coming at the hands of their own comrades. That’s a lot of friendly fire, and it’s a testament to the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the game. But it’s not all bad news for the Helldivers – they’ve also managed to take out a whopping 280 billion enemies across the game’s three factions. The bug-like Terminids were the most common target, with 121 billion of them being slain over the course of the year. And while the Terminids did manage to claim 2.8 billion Helldivers, it’s clear that the tide of the war is firmly in the players’ favor. So, what’s behind this staggering level of friendly fire? According to the game’s developers, it’s all about the stratagems. The top three most used stratagems – Reinforce, Eagle 500KG Bomb, and Resupply – are all about supporting your teammates and keeping them alive. But other stratagems, like the Eagle Strafing Run and the Portable Hellbomb, are a bit more… unpredictable. The Eagle Strafing Run, in particular, is a bit of a wild card, responsible for a whopping 34 million friendly-fire incidents. And then there’s the Portable Hellbomb, which has taken out 23 million teammates. It’s clear that these stratagems are a bit of a double-edged sword – they can be incredibly powerful, but they also require a lot of skill and strategy to use effectively. The K-9 and Guard Dog stratagems are also notable for their friendly-fire incidents, with 21 million and 9.3 million deaths respectively. And rounding out the top five is the Anti-personal Minefield, which has taken out 6.8 million teammates. It’s a sobering reminder that, in the heat of battle, even the best-laid plans can go awry. But despite the risks, players are clearly having a blast with these stratagems. The game’s developers have released an infographic that shows just how popular they are, and it’s fascinating to see which ones are the most effective. Of course, it’s not all about the numbers – the game’s community is also a big part of its appeal. Players are always coming up with new strategies and tactics, and the game’s forums are filled with stories of epic battles and heroic feats. And with the recent invasion of the Automaton homeworld of Cyberstan, there’s never been a more exciting time to be a Helldivers player. The battle for Cyberstan was a tough one, with the Helldivers ultimately being forced to fall back after suffering heavy losses. But even in defeat, there’s a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose that’s hard to find in other games. As for what’s next, there are rumors of a Helldivers movie in the works, starring none other than Jason Momoa. It’s set to release in 2027, and it’s sure to be a wild ride. But for now, players are just happy to be along for the ride, blowing up bugs and teammates alike in the never-ending battle for democracy. So if you haven’t already, join the fight and see what all the fuss is about. Just be careful not to get too caught up in the heat of the moment – you never know when a stray bomb or bullet might come your way.


