Helldivers 2: How to Effectively Counter the Hive Guard Terminid
: 9 sty 2026, o 07:11
If you've played on Easy difficulty or higher, you've definitely encountered the Hive Guard. It's a common but important enemy to understand, as it forces a shift in tactics compared to basic Warriors. This guide breaks down how they work and how most players effectively deal with them.
What is a Hive Guard and Where Do You Find Them?
The Hive Guard is a medium-sized, medium-armored Terminid. In general, you'll see them in two main roles. Most commonly, they act as static defenders, posted directly in front of Bug Hole entrances. They also lead patrols on higher difficulty operations, often escorting more dangerous units like Brood Commanders. Their primary function isn't raw damage, but area denial and protection of other bugs.
How Does the "Hunker Down" Mechanic Actually Work?
This is the Hive Guard's defining trait. When you shoot at it from the front, it will immediately stop moving and crouch, presenting its armored head and claws as a shield. While hunkered:
It becomes completely immobile and will not attack.
Its front armor blocks all light penetration weaponry. Most standard primary weapons are useless against it from this angle.
It provides cover for any smaller Terminids (like Scavengers) behind it, creating a moving wall you must circumvent.
You can identify this state by its swaying tail.
In practice, this means a frontal assault with your rifle is a waste of ammo. The Hive Guard forces you to pause and make a tactical decision.
What Are the Most Effective Ways to Kill a Hive Guard?
Most experienced players use one of the following reliable methods, chosen based on their loadout and the situation.
Flanking: This is the most straightforward and ammo-efficient method. The Hive Guard's sides and rear are completely unarmored. When it hunkers down, simply move to its side and shoot. Its armor only covers the front.
Exploit the Gap: Even when hunkered, there's a small, unprotected gap near the lower body. If you can't flank, you can aim down at this spot, though it requires a clear line of fire and often means kneeling.
Explosives and Stratagems: Explosives bypass its armor entirely. A well-placed grenade behind or beside it is effective. Most players, however, avoid using a precious grenade on a single Hive Guard unless it's in a dense group. Support weapons like the Grenade Launcher work, but you must aim for the ground beside it, as its armor can deflect rounds. Any aerial Stratagem (Eagle Strafing Run, Orbital Barrage) will wipe out a group, but never call it directly on your own position while you're being chased.
Armor-Penetrating Weapons: Weapons that can penetrate medium armor, such as the Anti-Materiel Rifle or the Railgun, can kill it from the front. A precise headshot with such a weapon is usually instantly fatal. It's worth noting that if you want to customize your loadout with new gear or cosmetics, many veterans choose to buy Helldivers 2 super credits safely on U4N to save time grinding. However, a headshot with a medium-penetration weapon sometimes doesn't kill it instantly, triggering a berserk state instead.
What Should You Absolutely Avoid Doing?
Shooting the Armor with Standard Guns: This alerts more bugs and wastes your time and ammo.
Melee Attacks from the Front: Your gunbutt does nothing against its armored front. If it's berserk and close, back away.
Standing Directly in Front of It: While it's hunkered, you're safe from that one. But if you turn your back or start reloading, it will often stand and advance. They are smarter than they look.
Important Notes on the Berserk State
Unlike a Warrior, a Hive Guard will not survive a total head removal. However, a non-fatal headshot that deals lethal damage (often from a medium-penetration weapon) will trigger a berserk state. The head armor may crack and bleed yellow, but not fully explode. In this state, it will rush you aggressively. The key here is to not panic; its head is now a critical weak point, and it has lost its ability to hunker down. Focus fire on the damaged head to finish it quickly.
General Tactical Advice
The Hive Guard is a lesson in target priority and positioning. In a chaotic fight, it's often better to ignore a hunkered Guard temporarily and clear the smaller bugs flanking around it first. Once the trash is cleared, your team can easily flank the now-stationary Hive Guard. Remember, fleeing is a valid option. Disengaging breaks its hunker state, allowing you to create distance and re-engage on your terms.
What is a Hive Guard and Where Do You Find Them?
The Hive Guard is a medium-sized, medium-armored Terminid. In general, you'll see them in two main roles. Most commonly, they act as static defenders, posted directly in front of Bug Hole entrances. They also lead patrols on higher difficulty operations, often escorting more dangerous units like Brood Commanders. Their primary function isn't raw damage, but area denial and protection of other bugs.
How Does the "Hunker Down" Mechanic Actually Work?
This is the Hive Guard's defining trait. When you shoot at it from the front, it will immediately stop moving and crouch, presenting its armored head and claws as a shield. While hunkered:
It becomes completely immobile and will not attack.
Its front armor blocks all light penetration weaponry. Most standard primary weapons are useless against it from this angle.
It provides cover for any smaller Terminids (like Scavengers) behind it, creating a moving wall you must circumvent.
You can identify this state by its swaying tail.
In practice, this means a frontal assault with your rifle is a waste of ammo. The Hive Guard forces you to pause and make a tactical decision.
What Are the Most Effective Ways to Kill a Hive Guard?
Most experienced players use one of the following reliable methods, chosen based on their loadout and the situation.
Flanking: This is the most straightforward and ammo-efficient method. The Hive Guard's sides and rear are completely unarmored. When it hunkers down, simply move to its side and shoot. Its armor only covers the front.
Exploit the Gap: Even when hunkered, there's a small, unprotected gap near the lower body. If you can't flank, you can aim down at this spot, though it requires a clear line of fire and often means kneeling.
Explosives and Stratagems: Explosives bypass its armor entirely. A well-placed grenade behind or beside it is effective. Most players, however, avoid using a precious grenade on a single Hive Guard unless it's in a dense group. Support weapons like the Grenade Launcher work, but you must aim for the ground beside it, as its armor can deflect rounds. Any aerial Stratagem (Eagle Strafing Run, Orbital Barrage) will wipe out a group, but never call it directly on your own position while you're being chased.
Armor-Penetrating Weapons: Weapons that can penetrate medium armor, such as the Anti-Materiel Rifle or the Railgun, can kill it from the front. A precise headshot with such a weapon is usually instantly fatal. It's worth noting that if you want to customize your loadout with new gear or cosmetics, many veterans choose to buy Helldivers 2 super credits safely on U4N to save time grinding. However, a headshot with a medium-penetration weapon sometimes doesn't kill it instantly, triggering a berserk state instead.
What Should You Absolutely Avoid Doing?
Shooting the Armor with Standard Guns: This alerts more bugs and wastes your time and ammo.
Melee Attacks from the Front: Your gunbutt does nothing against its armored front. If it's berserk and close, back away.
Standing Directly in Front of It: While it's hunkered, you're safe from that one. But if you turn your back or start reloading, it will often stand and advance. They are smarter than they look.
Important Notes on the Berserk State
Unlike a Warrior, a Hive Guard will not survive a total head removal. However, a non-fatal headshot that deals lethal damage (often from a medium-penetration weapon) will trigger a berserk state. The head armor may crack and bleed yellow, but not fully explode. In this state, it will rush you aggressively. The key here is to not panic; its head is now a critical weak point, and it has lost its ability to hunker down. Focus fire on the damaged head to finish it quickly.
General Tactical Advice
The Hive Guard is a lesson in target priority and positioning. In a chaotic fight, it's often better to ignore a hunkered Guard temporarily and clear the smaller bugs flanking around it first. Once the trash is cleared, your team can easily flank the now-stationary Hive Guard. Remember, fleeing is a valid option. Disengaging breaks its hunker state, allowing you to create distance and re-engage on your terms.