This Helldivers 2 Items guide will break down how to use it effectively, where to place it, and how to coordinate it with your team for maximum impact.
What Is the HMG Emplacement?
The Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) Emplacement is a support Stratagem, meaning it’s not a weapon you carry in-hand, but rather a tactical asset you call down from orbit. Once deployed, it becomes a stationary firing platform capable of sustained high-volume fire, ideal for mowing down swarming enemies or holding a critical defensive line.
The HMG Emplacement’s power comes from its ability to deliver continuous suppressive fire that:
Slows or stops advancing enemy waves.
Clears chokepoints where your squad can safely maneuver.
Buys time for objective completion, resupply, or squad repositioning.
In essence, it is your first line of fire when the situation turns dire — a literal “in case of emergency” weapon.
Calling Down the HMG
Deploying an HMG Emplacement is straightforward, but timing and placement are critical:
Open your Stratagem wheel (default controls vary by platform).
Select the HMG Emplacement slot.
Mark a suitable drop zone, ideally behind cover or at a tactical chokepoint.
Wait for the drop timer, then move to cover or prepare to use the emplacement immediately.
Pro Tip: Always account for terrain. HMG Emplacements will not adjust automatically — they fire where they’re deployed. Misplaced emplacements on open ground or on slopes can be easily destroyed by enemy fire or environmental hazards.
When to Use the HMG Emplacement
The HMG Emplacement shines in certain scenarios:
1. Last-Stand Defense
When the mission objective is swarmed and your squad is under pressure, the HMG can act as a stopping point. Place it at a defensible position and let it chew through waves while your team reloads, heals, or repositions. Many Helldivers have survived near-impossible situations thanks to the suppressive power of an HMG covering the team’s retreat or hold.
2. Chokepoint Control
Corridors, bridges, narrow stairways, and vehicle passages all funnel enemies into predictable paths. The HMG’s high rate of fire makes it perfect for creating kill zones. A single emplacement can hold an area far longer than a squad could with handheld weapons alone.
3. Offensive Support
While often thought of as a defensive tool, the HMG can also support squad pushes. Deploy it ahead of your team to suppress enemies while teammates advance, plant objectives, or extract resources. The constant hail of bullets forces enemies to take cover, letting your team dictate the pace of battle.
Placement Tips
The key to using an HMG Emplacement effectively lies in strategic placement:
Behind cover: Protects the emplacement from enemy fire while allowing it to lay down sustained fire. Rocks, walls, and wreckage are ideal.
Aligned with enemy paths: AI in Helldivers 2 tends to funnel into predictable paths. Observing and anticipating these routes ensures maximum efficiency.
Avoid friendly fire: Don’t deploy too close to teammates. The emplacement’s fire is indiscriminate, and careless placement can injure allies.
Synergy With Other Stratagems
The HMG Emplacement is most effective in combination with other support tools:
AT/AA Weapons: While the HMG excels against infantry, armored enemies can shrug off bullets. Rockets or grenades can soften the target before the HMG finishes the job.
Ammo Packs: Sustained fire consumes ammunition rapidly. Call down ammo packs or ensure teammates can share supplies to maintain firing capability.
Shield Drones: Protect the emplacement from flanking enemies and reduce its vulnerability, allowing it to focus on suppression rather than self-preservation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced Helldivers make mistakes with HMG Emplacements:
Deploying on open terrain — easy pickings for ranged enemies.
Dropping the emplacement too early, wasting it before enemies arrive.
Ignoring team positioning, leading to unintended friendly fire incidents.
Avoiding these mistakes ensures that the emplacement remains a tactical asset rather than a liability.
Conclusion
The HMG Emplacement is more than a weapon — it’s a force multiplier, a battlefield manipulator, and a tactical lifeline. When chaos reigns on Super Earth, it can mean the difference between survival and total mission failure. Proper timing, careful placement, and coordination with your squad maximize its effectiveness, ensuring that even the fiercest enemy wave can be met with overwhelming firepower.
So the next time you hear the approaching roar of alien swarms or mechanical beasts, remember this: in case of emergency, call down the HMG Emplacement. Firepower alone won’t guarantee survival, but positioned, supported, and intelligently deployed firepower just might.
