U4GM - Helldivers 2: 16 Essential Tips for Item Crafting and

[EmberStrike]

In Helldivers 2, mastering item crafting and usage can give your squad a serious edge in missions. Whether you're fending off waves of Terminids or facing off against automatons, knowing how to optimize your gear is a game-changer. After dozens of missions and plenty of trial-and-error, I’ve put together 16 essential tips that can help you make smarter decisions when crafting and using items in the field.

1. Understand the Crafting System Early
Before diving deep into missions, take some time to learn the basics of the crafting system. Different materials serve different purposes, and some items require rare components only found in higher-difficulty missions.

2. Prioritize Utility Items First
When resources are limited, prioritize crafting utility items like stim packs, anti-tank mines, and resupply beacons. These often make the biggest impact during long missions.

3. Always Bring a Backup Stratagem
Even if you think you won’t need it, a well-chosen backup like the Auto-Cannon or Supply Pack can turn a failed mission into a success.

4. Learn Enemy Weaknesses to Craft Accordingly
Crafting armor-piercing items is useless against hordes of weak enemies. On the flip side, crafting EMP grenades is essential against heavily armored foes. Tailor your loadout to the enemy type.

5. Don’t Hoard Materials Unnecessarily
Crafting materials are meant to be used. While it's tempting to save everything for later, using items at the right time prevents mission failures and wasted respawns.

6. Use Medals Strategically
When you buy Helldivers 2 medals, don’t just spend them on cosmetics. Prioritize unlockable items that improve your crafting efficiency or combat survivability.

7. Collect Crafting Blueprints from Side Missions
Many crafting blueprints are hidden in side objectives. Take the time to explore maps thoroughly, especially on medium to high-difficulty missions.

8. Stockpile Key Resources from Easy Missions
Farming easier missions for basic resources is an efficient way to save time and avoid the grind when you really need materials later.

9. Practice Throwing Consumables
Grenades and other throwable items have varying arcs and timers. Practicing their use in live combat can prevent costly mistakes.

10. Avoid Over-Crafting Rare Items
Some high-tier crafted items might seem powerful but are often overkill in lower-difficulty missions. Save those expensive materials for when you truly need them.

11. Craft Defensive Items for PvP
In PvP skirmishes, crafting smoke grenades or portable shields can drastically alter the flow of battle. These tools buy you time to heal or reposition.

12. Use Support Stratagems to Complement Crafting
A well-placed turret or drone can allow you to focus on crafting during downtime without leaving yourself vulnerable.

13. Coordinate Item Use with Your Team
Crafted items like resupply pods or healing fields are best used when the team is grouped up. Communication makes these items far more effective.

14. Use Cheap Helldivers 2 Medals to Test Loadouts
If you're experimenting with new builds, finding cheap Helldivers 2 medals lets you test different crafting-related unlocks without worrying about wasting high-value resources.

15. Monitor Cooldowns and Crafting Limits
Some items can’t be spammed due to crafting cooldowns or material limits. Keep track of these so you don’t run dry at a critical moment.

16. Check U4GM for Tips on Efficient Builds
When looking to optimize your item usage or build direction, browsing community resources like U4GM can help you discover efficient loadouts that other players have tested.

Crafting and using items effectively in Helldivers 2 isn’t just about gathering resources—it’s about strategy, timing, and teamwork. With these tips in mind, you’ll not only survive longer but also contribute more meaningfully to your squad’s success.