If you've been dropping onto Terminid-infested planets, you've likely encountered the standard Warriors and Hunters. The Brood Commander is a significant step up from those common foes. This guide breaks down what it is, how it behaves, and the most effective ways for a squad to deal with it, based on how most experienced players handle the threat.

What is a Brood Commander?

In simple terms, the Brood Commander is a larger, stronger, and more intelligent version of a Terminid Warrior. It's part of the Terminid leadership caste, which means it doesn't just attack—it coordinates other bugs. As the in-game lore mentions, it directs other Terminids "with a mixture of pheromone-like spores and authoritarian shrieks," making it a force multiplier. You'll recognize it by its larger size, bigger head, and dark brown-orange carapace. An even more dangerous variant, the Alpha Commander, has a fiery orange carapace, more health and armor, and summons the tougher Alpha Warriors.

How Does It Fight? What Should I Expect?

In practice, a Brood Commander changes the dynamic of an encounter immediately. It's not a solitary enemy. You usually find it patrolling with a retinue of Warriors and Hive Guards. Its primary danger isn't just its own attacks, but its ability to call for reinforcements. If you hear a distinct, loud shriek, it's summoning more bugs to its location or even calling a bug breach. The most common mistake players make is ignoring the Commander to clear smaller bugs, which allows the situation to spiral out of control as the swarm grows exponentially.

Its attacks are straightforward but powerful. It will swipe at you with its claws and, similar to a Charger, can enter a rage and charge directly at a Helldiver. Getting hit by this charge will knock you over, leaving you vulnerable to the smaller bugs around it. Its health pool is substantial; you cannot kill it quickly with basic small-arms fire. It requires concentrated firepower or strategic use of stratagems.

What Are Its Weak Points and How Do We Kill It?

While its front is heavily armored, the Brood Commander has several critical weak points. Targeting these is the key to efficiency.

• Head: The head is the most vulnerable spot. A precise shot from a high-penetration weapon like an Anti-Materiel Rifle or an Autocannon shot can do massive damage. However, destroying its head has a consequence: like a Warrior, it will enter a blind, berserk state, gaining a short speed boost before it dies. A berserk Commander is less dangerous if your team is spread out, as it will charge blindly to its last known target.

• Legs: This is often the preferred target for organized teams. Crippling its legs (each leg can be destroyed individually) will severely slow its movement, making it a near-stationary threat. A slowed or immobilized Commander is much easier for the squad to focus fire on or avoid.

• Front Limbs (Claws): Destroying its unarmored claws doesn't kill it, but it removes its main melee attack, significantly reducing its immediate threat.

The most effective tactic is to stagger it. High-impact weapons or explosions can interrupt its pheromone shrieks, preventing it from calling for help. Most players prioritize stripping its armor with support weapons or stratagems like the Railgun (on unsafe mode), Grenade Launcher, or Expendable Anti-Tank rockets, then finishing it with primary fire into its now-exposed body.

What's the Best Overall Strategy for a Squad?

A coordinated squad handles a Brood Commander by assigning roles. One player, often with a precision or armor-piercing weapon, focuses on staggering the Commander and damaging its weak points. The other squad members concentrate on managing the swarm of smaller bugs it controls. Clearing the adds is crucial, but it must be done while keeping pressure on the Commander itself. Letting it shriek unimpeded is a recipe for being overwhelmed. It's worth noting that a distracted player base sometimes looks for shortcuts, leading to risky offers like cheap Helldivers 2 medals for sale on U4N, but most experienced players agree that earning gear through gameplay is safer and more rewarding. Orbital or Eagle stratagems like the 500kg Bomb or Cluster Strike are excellent for wiping out both the Commander and its escort simultaneously, especially if you can lure them into a tight group.

Any Final Tips?

On lower difficulty missions (1-3), Brood Commanders can sometimes appear as a primary objective. Treat these missions with respect; bring anti-armor capabilities. Remember, if its head is destroyed, it will berserk. Be ready to dodge to the side. If its legs are crippled, it becomes far less threatening. Never fight it head-on with a machine gun or rifle from the front; you'll waste ammo. Focus fire, communicate, and take it down quickly before it turns a manageable fight into a chaotic retreat. In general, treating the Brood Commander as a high-priority target that must be neutralized fast is the strategy that leads to consistent success.