If you've been diving deep into Helldivers 2, you already know that rare loot isn't just nice to have—it can give you the edge in elite missions, difficult enemy encounters, and squad survival. But getting your hands on rare drops takes more than just luck. After hundreds of missions and countless gear upgrades, here are 11 tactical farming techniques I’ve learned to help you consistently collect rare loot while maximizing efficiency and minimizing frustration.

1. Focus on High-Difficulty Missions

Higher-difficulty missions consistently offer better loot tables. The catch? They're brutal. But with the right team and loadout, the risk is worth it. These missions often yield more medals, rare crafting resources, and even bonus Super Credits when objectives are completed.

2. Prioritize Secondary Objectives

Never ignore the optional objectives—especially when the main mission is manageable. These often provide bonus loot crates, medals, or resource caches that aren’t listed in the mission rewards. Over time, these add up significantly.

3. Know Your Biomes

Certain biomes are better for loot than others. For instance, desert or mountainous terrains often spawn more visible resource nodes. Swamp areas may be more hostile, but they sometimes have better rare item frequency. Make it a habit to note which environments give you better returns.

4. Use Sensor Modules and Scanners

If your build or armor allows it, always equip gear that boosts sensor range or highlights hidden caches. This helps locate otherwise easy-to-miss supply crates tucked behind rocks or structures. These hidden containers often contain rare upgrade materials.

5. Solo vs. Co-op: Choose Smartly

While solo runs offer more control and reduced competition for loot, co-op farming can be far more efficient with a good squad. The trick is to farm with like-minded players who won't trigger extra spawns or rush through objectives. Squad synergy can double or triple your loot efficiency.

6. Master Evac Timing

Don’t just evacuate the moment your main objective is done. If the timer allows, take those few extra minutes to sweep the map, check supply drops, and scout for hidden bunkers or downed pods. These areas often hold one-time rare items.

7. Cycle Between Mission Types

Mixing up mission types can reset loot tables and give you access to different reward pools. Don’t stick with only extermination missions; include retrieval, sabotage, or defense types. Each type has unique secondary loot opportunities.

8. Use Boosters Wisely

Some temporary in-game boosters (or community unlocks during events) increase loot frequency. Make sure to activate them before jumping into key missions. Farming during a boosted drop rate window can double your gains with the same effort.

9. Track Resource Hotspots

Make a mental (or literal) map of where you’ve found Super Credits or medals before. While loot isn’t guaranteed, Helldivers 2 does have semi-consistent spawn logic for its rare resources. Revisiting previously fruitful locations often pays off.

10. Don’t Waste Loot Runs Without Loadout Optimization

Make sure your Stratagems and weapons support efficient farming. For example, use area-clearance weapons to save time when pushing through enemy clusters, and bring backpacks with increased carry limits for resource-heavy missions. Smart loadouts directly impact how much you can gather per run.

11. Manage Your Resources Between Missions

Don’t just hoard everything. Convert excess materials or credits into upgrades to push into higher-tier missions with better loot chances. If you're short on progression materials like medals or credits, consider sourcing them outside missions. For example, some players choose to buy Helldivers 2 medals or look for Helldivers 2 Super Credits for sale through trusted platforms like U4GM, which can help you focus on actual gameplay instead of grinding endlessly.

Loot farming in Helldivers 2 isn’t about doing one thing perfectly—it’s about stacking small efficiencies across multiple systems. By adjusting your mission strategy, optimizing your loadout, and knowing when to push for more, you’ll gradually collect the rare items needed to stay competitive in the galaxy’s toughest missions.