In Helldivers 2, chaos is part of the charm. With orbital bombardments, heavy weapons, and panic-fueled grenade tosses flying left and right, friendly fire is nearly unavoidable. Still, veterans know there are practical strategies to minimize the unintentional damage you deal to your squadmates. If you're tired of getting chewed out on voice chat or watching your allies crawl around in agony because of your misfired Stratagems, this guide is for you.

Here are five proven ways to reduce friendly fire damage in Helldivers 2 without compromising your combat efficiency.

1. Choose Your Weapons Wisely

Some weapons are simply more prone to causing collateral damage. Explosive launchers, wide-spread shotguns, and flame-based weapons might be fun, but they’re also notorious for hitting teammates by accident. When playing in close-knit squads or during indoor objectives, opt for precision weapons like the AR-23 Liberator or the SG-8 Punisher. Their accuracy and predictable patterns make them safer to use around allies.

If you’re saving up to try different gear, it's a good time to buy Helldivers 2 Super Credits or buy Helldivers 2 Medals from trusted sources like U4GM to unlock safer, more team-friendly loadouts early.

2. Use Stratagems with Caution

Stratagems like Orbital 120MM Barrage or Eagle Napalm Airstrike can quickly clear out bug infestations, but they’re just as effective at turning your squad into scorched meat. Always call out your Stratagems before deploying them and give teammates a second or two to clear the area.

Also, place markers smartly. A well-placed Stratagem marker should take terrain and teammate movement into account. Memorizing the delay and range of your favorite Stratagems goes a long way in reducing friendly fire incidents.

3. Practice Positional Awareness

Team coordination doesn’t just mean calling out targets — it means understanding where your squadmates are and how your actions affect them. Avoid shooting toward allies' backs, and always approach enemy engagements from different angles when possible.

If you're wielding an LMG or a long-range rifle, stay behind your team and let them push first. Meanwhile, shotgun or melee users should lead the charge, keeping the line of fire clear for those behind them.

4. Communicate Effectively

Even in random matchmaking, simple text or voice communication can save lives. A quick “throwing grenade” or “dropping turret” helps teammates prepare or reposition. Use pings generously if you're not on voice chat.

With pre-made squads, develop shorthand terms for specific actions like “spread out” or “tight push.” The faster your team processes and reacts to information, the less likely you’ll cause a friendly casualty by mistake.

5. Leverage Terrain and Choke Points

Sometimes, the map can be your best defense against friendly fire. Fighting in open spaces? Spread out and find cover so that team weapons don’t overlap. Defending an objective in a bunker? Set up a clear kill zone and assign firing arcs to each player.

When preparing for a major defensive mission or extraction, consider spending your resources to unlock Stratagems or gear that supports safe zone control. Players who buy Helldivers 2 Medals or buy Helldivers 2 Super Credits via U4GM often prioritize unlocking tools like Shield Generators and Precision Airstrikes to create smarter engagement opportunities.

Friendly fire is part of the challenge in Helldivers 2, but with practice and coordination, it becomes less of a threat and more of a learning opportunity. By choosing your gear carefully, communicating clearly, and staying situationally aware, you’ll improve not just your own survivability — but your entire team's efficiency.