Guide to Helldivers 2 Difficulty Settings and Unlocking Them

Helldivers 2 offers various difficulty options that can be unlocked to enhance the level of challenge in the cooperative shooter game.

Arrowhead Game Studio’s Helldivers 2 offers a wealth of content for players to explore as they battle for liberation alone or with companions. With a variety of missions to undertake and formidable foes to conquer, challenges await at every turn.

Additionally, there are numerous difficulty options at your disposal, allowing you to choose a more relaxed experience or increase the difficulty level to your liking. Below are the steps to unlocking all the available difficulties and switching to a new one while playing.

Helldivers 2 PVP — Arrowhead Game Studios

Helldivers 2 is a third-person shooter that you can solo or with friends.

Helldivers 2: Difficulty Settings

Helldivers 2 offers a total of 10 difficulty settings, including:

Trivial
Easy
Medium
Challenging
Hard
Extreme
Suicide Mission
Impossible
Helldive
Super Helldive

As the difficulty level increases in Helldivers 2, so does the quality of rewards you will receive. However, this also means facing tougher enemies and conquering a greater number of enemy outposts.

For those seeking a more relaxed experience, sticking to the easier options is recommended. However, for those looking for a challenge, pushing through the higher difficulties is the way to go.

Initially, the game had 9 difficulties available upon launch. However, on August 6, 2024, the Escalation of Freedom update introduced the Super Helldive option. This new difficulty is currently the most demanding in the game and is perfect for players seeking an incredibly intense challenge.

Unlocking More Difficulties – A Step-by-Step Guide

Upon starting Helldivers 2 for the first time, the only available difficulty will be Trivial, however, by completing missions on different difficulties, you can unlock more options:

Trivial – available immediately
Easy – Complete a mission on Trivial
Medium – Complete a mission on Easy
Challenging – Complete a mission on Medium
Hard – Complete a mission on Challenging
Extreme – Complete a mission on Hard
Suicide Mission – Complete a mission on Extreme
Impossible – Complete a mission on Suicide Mission
Helldive – Complete a mission on Impossible
Super Helldive – Complete a mission on Helldive

How to change difficulty

To adjust the difficulty in Helldivers 2, just follow these steps:

Access the Galatic War screen from your ship by pressing L1 or R1 on PlayStation, or the Q or E key on PC.
Once you are in the menu, you will find all of the difficulty options located at the bottom of the screen.
Navigate through the available options and select the one you want.

Remember, once a mission has started, the level of difficulty cannot be altered.

To learn more about the game, be sure to explore the top armor options, our Stratagem tier list, the most effective solo build, and strategies for earning medals quickly.