The Predator Stalker is a terrifying new evolution of the Terminid Stalker in Helldivers 2, warped by the mysterious Gloom. These creatures have traded their cloaking ability and ranged tongue attack for increased aggression, greater numbers, and a relentless pursuit of their prey. Recognizable through their bold black, yellow, and red coloring used for camouflage, Predator Stalkers pose a serious threat by usually descending upon Helldivers in giant numbers and besieging them through speed and fury. This tutorial will explore the best tactics, arms, schemes, and ploys to overcome these lethal creatures and survive from the constantly swelling danger of the Gloom.
Predator Stalkers in Helldivers 2
The Predator Stalker is a twisted new version of the regular Stalker Terminid, warped by its long exposure to the mysterious Gloom. Interestingly, the Gloom has actually taken away some of the Stalker’s original abilities. It can no longer cloak itself, and it’s lost its ranged tongue attack.
However, these changes seem to have made it easier for more Stalkers to appear. They don’t need a special lair to be born anymore. The Gloom has also cranked up their aggression to eleven. Unlike regular Stalkers, these guys won’t run away when they get hurt. They’ve gone from sneaky hunters to crazed berserkers, charging straight into the fight. You can easily spot a Predator Stalker by its distinctive camouflage. Its shell is covered in a bright and eye-catching pattern of black, yellow, and red.
How to Beat Predator Stalkers
Predator Stalkers might be tough, but they’re not invincible. They still have light armor, meaning any weapon can hurt them. Weapons that can stun or stagger them are your best friends. Think of the SMG-72 Pummeler and the SG-20 Halt – perfect for stopping them in their tracks. The SG-8 Punisher is also a good choice, as it always pushes them back and staggers them, keeping them at bay.
If you don’t have those, high-capacity, fast-firing weapons like the M-105 Stalwart or the MG-43 Machine Gun will do the trick. Gas grenades and the TX-41 Sterilizer are great for crowd control. Gassing them not only stops them but can even make them turn on each other!
For a more tactical approach, try stunning them with the CQC-19 Stun Lance and then quickly finishing them off with a stronger weapon. The stun gives you just enough time to take them down one by one. A Dog Breath drone can be a huge help here, covering any Stalkers you might have missed.
If you can funnel them into a narrow space, a well-placed Orbital EMS Strike or Orbital Gas Strike will wipe them out. Tesla towers and minefields (anti-personnel or incendiary) are also excellent for slowing them down.
Just like regular Stalkers, these guys are fast and will try to get into melee range as quickly as possible. Since they can’t cloak anymore, they’ll just keep slashing at you relentlessly unless you stagger, stun, or kill them. Running away is usually not an option, even in a vehicle. You’re going to have to fight them. Finally, remember to aim for the head! Headshots are the fastest way to kill them. Their reddish bodies and black heads make them easy to spot in the chaos of battle.
Predator Stalkers Behaviour
Predator Stalkers are basically regular Stalkers, but without the limits. They don’t have a cap on how many can be around, and they aren’t tied to specific territories. Instead of just hanging around Stalker Lairs, they pop up all over the map, often with patrols, and in much larger numbers. So, you’re not fighting small groups of cloaked enemies anymore; you’re dealing with huge swarms of uncloaked ones.
These guys are relentless hunters. Once they see you, good luck escaping. They’ll chase you across the map, and your best bet is usually to just stand your ground and fight. Running away is rarely an option.
They’re also incredibly savage. Once they catch you, they’ll tear into you with rapid claw attacks. And because they can’t cloak, they won’t even back off when you hurt them. They just keep coming.
And to make matters worse, they still attack in packs, but much bigger packs than usual. On the higher difficulties, you might find yourself being chased by a swarm of twelve or more at once. It’s a real nightmare.
Weapons and Stratagems Against Predator Stalkers
Predator Stalkers might be mean and come in big numbers, but they’re not invincible. Just like regular Stalkers, they have light armor, so any weapon will damage them. Headshots are still the quickest way to take them down. However, when you’re facing a whole swarm of them in Helldivers 2, you’ll need weapons that can stagger or stun them. This gives you a precious moment to breathe and prevents them from swarming you. This tactic works well against pretty much all the mutated Terminids from the Predator Strain.
Here’s a breakdown of effective weapons against Predator Stalkers in Helldivers 2, categorized by type and tactics:
Support (Heavy Weapon)
- M-105 Stalwart / MG-43 Machine Gun: These are your best bets for shredding through Predator Stalkers. Their high rate of fire and large magazines make them ideal for dealing with swarms. The Stalwart is particularly useful because you can reload it while moving.
Primary (Shotgun)
- SG-20 Halt / SG-8 Punisher: These shotguns offer excellent damage and, importantly, they stagger the Stalkers, giving you breathing room.
- SG-451 Cookout: The Cookout is also effective, especially with its burn effect, but its slower fire rate might struggle to keep up with a large swarm.
Primary (Submachine Gun)
- SMG-72 Pummeler: The Pummeler is a fantastic one-handed option. Its concussive rounds stun Predator Stalkers, allowing you to fire while kiting them (moving while shooting). Its mobility and efficiency make it a top choice.
Primary (Energy-Based)
- ARC-12 Blitzer: The Blitzer’s high-voltage blasts can stagger and heavily damage Predator Stalkers. However, its slow fire rate can be a problem on higher difficulties when you’re facing a massive swarm.
Taking on these new Terminid enemies isn’t just about grabbing a powerful gun and calling in some big explosions. You need a solid plan and a well-rounded set of gear that gives you the right mix of firepower, helpful tools, and ways to survive.
Extra Items to Defeat Predator Stalkers
Having the right tools and strategy is essential for survival. Think about it: useful boosters, defensive stratagems, and gear that helps you move faster can be the difference between life and death. Equip yourself with things that can slow the Stalkers down, mess with their vision, or boost your own movement. This will give you the edge you need to stay in control of the fight.
Here’s a breakdown of helpful tools and tactics against Predator Stalkers in Helldivers 2:
Booster
- Muscle Enhancement: Gloom-enhanced Stalkers can slow you down with their claw attacks. This booster negates that effect, giving you a better chance to escape and survive.
Stratagem (Backpack)
- Guard Dog Breath: This backpack stratagem releases caustic gas that slows and blinds nearby enemies, stopping Stalkers in their tracks before they get too close.
Stratagem (Sentry)
- A/G-16 Gatling Sentry / A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry: These automated turrets are incredibly effective against Stalker swarms, cutting through them with ease. They’re highly recommended for any Terminid loadout in Helldivers 2 and are great for defending your position.
Stratagem (Emplacement)
- MD-6 Anti-Personnel Minefield: While not as commonly used, a minefield can be very effective at slowing down or completely halting enemy advances.
Armor Passive
- Siege-Ready: Predator swarms can absorb a lot of bullets, so sustained fire is key. This passive boosts your ammo capacity and reloads faster, enabling you to continue firing without interruption during heavy enemy assaults. Paired with heavy armor, this enhances your survivability even more, keeping you in the battle longer.
Tips
- Aim for the head! It’s the fastest way to take them down.
- Weapons like the SMG-72 Pummeler, SG-20 Halt, and SG-8 Punisher are excellent for interrupting their attacks and preventing them from swarming you.
- If you can’t stun them, use weapons with high fire rates and large magazines, like the M-105 Stalwart or MG-43 Machine Gun.
- Gas grenades and the TX-41 Sterilizer can create chaos and even turn the Stalkers against each other.
- Use the CQC-19 Stun Lance to stun individual Stalkers, then quickly finish them off with a stronger weapon.
- If you can funnel them into a choke point, a well-placed Orbital EMS Strike or Orbital Gas Strike can wipe them out.
- Tesla towers and minefields (anti-personnel or incendiary) are great for slowing them down.
- Running away is rarely an option. Prepare to fight.
