In Helldivers 2, early progression is all about choosing the right unlocks. Because resources like Requisition Slips and Medals are limited at the beginning, players need to focus on items that provide the biggest impact in combat efficiency, survival, and mission success.

Instead of spreading upgrades too thin, the best strategy is to prioritize high-impact stratagems, reliable weapons, and versatile support tools that remain useful throughout the game.

1. Best Early Stratagems (Top Priority)

Stratagems are the most powerful tools in Helldivers 2, and unlocking strong ones early makes the game significantly easier.

Popular early Helldivers 2 Items choices include:

Eagle Airstrike – one of the most versatile tools for clearing enemies and destroying objectives
Orbital Precision Strike – fast cooldown and strong damage for consistent use
Machine Gun Sentry – great for defense and holding objectives

Community guides consistently highlight Eagle Airstrike and similar stratagems as top-tier early picks because of their flexibility across missions and enemy types.

These are the foundation of almost every strong loadout.

2. Reliable Primary Weapons

Early weapons don’t need to be flashy—they need to be consistent.

Good early picks include:

AR-23 Liberator – balanced damage, range, and ammo economy
Shotguns for close-range swarm control
SMGs like Defender-style weapons for mobility builds

These weapons are strong because they work in almost every mission without requiring specific setups.

The goal is simple: consistency over specialization.

3. Useful Support Weapons

Once your basic loadout is stable, support weapons become the next major upgrade.

Recommended early support options:

Machine Gun / Heavy Machine Gun – strong sustained damage
Autocannon-style weapons – great for armored targets
Expendable anti-tank tools – useful for heavy enemies

These tools help cover weaknesses in your primary weapon and improve your ability to handle larger threats.

4. First Warbond Priorities

Warbonds provide long-term unlocks such as weapons, armor, and utilities.

Many players prioritize Warbonds that improve combat performance rather than cosmetics. For example, explosive-focused Warbonds like Democratic Detonation are often praised for their strong utility weapons and versatility in combat situations.

Choosing the right Warbond early can significantly improve your long-term progression speed.

5. Items to Avoid Early

To avoid slowing progress, it’s better to delay:

Cosmetic armor sets
Highly situational weapons
Niche builds requiring specific team coordination
Expensive unlocks that don’t improve general combat power

Early game success depends on efficiency, not collection.

Final Recommendation

The best early-game path in Helldivers 2 is:

Unlock strong stratagems first (especially Eagle Airstrike-type tools)
Use reliable, balanced primary weapons
Add support weapons for heavy targets
Invest in a strong Warbond when ready

This approach ensures smooth progression and strong performance across all mission types.

Bonus Tip

Once players establish a solid early loadout, many look for convenient ways to accelerate progression or access additional in-game resources. One marketplace often mentioned in gaming trading discussions is the EZNPC.COM, which is referenced by players seeking faster access to game items and upgrades.