There I was, pinned down in Maveleon Creek by a horde of Automaton Legions. My fellow democracy-demanders had all fallen, and evac was at least 3 minutes out. Drop ships just kept coming, and a seemingly overwhelming amount of enemies surrounded me. Just when all hope seemed lost, I remembered my secret weapon – the Orbital Laser. With a quick combination on the Stratagem pad, I called down a beam of pure energy, vaporizing the entire Automaton cluster and leaving a smoking ruin. Never underestimate the power of a well-placed Orbital Laser, my fellow Helldivers!

Now, you might wonder, “What exactly is an Orbital Laser, and how do I call down my own personal sunbeam?” Fear not, for this guide will equip you with the knowledge to become a master of orbital devastation.

The Bringer of Annihilation: The Helldivers 2 Orbital Laser 

The Orbital Laser is a Stratagem in the Offensive Cannons category. This beauty paints a target zone with a laser beam that follows any hostiles surrounding the area it was called in at. To use this wonderful weapon yourself, follow these steps:

1. Equip the Stratagem: First things first, you need to have the Orbital Laser unlocked in your Stratagem loadout. This powerhouse becomes available at Level 15 and costs 10,000 Requisition from the .Ship Management console that comes with every Helldivers ship.
2. Target Selection: Once unlocked, equip the Orbital Laser and find a large group of hostiles. Hold down the fire button on your Stratagem pad (CTRL for PC or L1 for PlayStation) and initiate the combo. After successfully inputting the combo, your laser is primed and ready to be used.
3. Fire Away! Once you’re happy with the target area, you can throw the stratagem. With the laser set and ready to go, brace yourself for the light show! This stratagem takes roughly 2 seconds to call in and will track any hostiles for the duration of its use. It only has three uses and a 300-second cooldown (before any difficulty modifiers), so be strategic with your uses.

The combination that is required to call down an orbital laser (Game8)

Turning the Tide of Battle: Effective Uses of the Orbital Laser 

The Orbital Laser is a versatile tool, but here are some situations where it truly shines:

Clearing Large Enemy Clusters, Bogged down by a swarm of Terminids or Automatons? The Orbital Laser can clear them all out in a sustained strike. Ensure your teammates know the Orbital Laser’s next target; you don’t want to vaporize your teammates along with the enemy. taking Down Tough Enemies, Bile Titans and other heavily armored foes can be a real pain. An Orbital Laser can soften them up considerably with constant damage, making them easier to finish off with conventional weaponry or other stratagems. Supporting Teammate Pushes, is your squad assaulting a heavily fortified enemy objective? An Orbital Laser can clear the way, removing smaller target clumps and even mid-tier terminids or automatons. Objective Defense, Need to hold a critical point while reinforcements arrive? An Orbital Laser can buy you precious time by wiping out waves of enemies before they reach the objective.

A Word of Caution: Collateral Damage is a Real Thing

The Orbital Laser is powerful, but with great power comes great responsibility (and potential team wipes). Here are some things to keep in mind. Friendly Fire, the tracking area is large, so ensure no friendlies are in the target area. Communication is key! Terrain Matters, the laser can’t penetrate solid objects. Don’t waste a laser on destroying buildings for objectives. X-Factor, after using something as badass as the Helldiver 2 Orbital Laser for extended periods, Helldivers have reported feeling inadequate using anything else.

A fellow Helldiver’s perspective as an Orbital Laser decimates a Terminid Nest (Vincent Lammersma, Youtube)

Why You Need the Orbital Laser in Your Arsenal

The Orbital Laser is more than just a powerful weapon; it’s a symbol of hope on the battlefield. Here’s why you should consider incorporating it into your Stratagem loadout. Instant Gratification, need a quick solution to a large enemy force? The Orbital Laser delivers immediate devastation while looking cool as hell. Versatility, the Orbital Laser has a wide range of applications, whether that be clearing hordes or softening up a Bile Titan. You could also use its tracking functionality to determine where the next wave of hostiles is coming from.

So there you have it, Helldivers! With the Orbital Laser by your side, you’ll be ready to face any threat the galaxy throws your way. Just remember to use it wisely and, above all, rain down freedom responsibly!