What Are Medals in Helldivers 2?

Medals in Helldivers 2 are essentially a progression system that allows you to enhance and tweak your weapons in various ways. Unlike most games where weapon customization is solely based on unlocking parts or leveling up, Helldivers 2 Medals offer a different approach by tying your performance to how you can upgrade your weapons.

As you play the game, you earn Medals through achieving specific milestones or challenges related to the weapons and gear you use. These Medals are then applied to specific weapons, granting you additional bonuses and modifications that can change the way your weapons perform.

How Do Medals Affect Weapon Customization?

Medals impact customization by unlocking specific upgrades for your weapons. These upgrades can range from improved damage, increased ammo capacity, faster reload speeds, or even special effects like increased accuracy or elemental damage. However, these upgrades don’t work exactly like other forms of progression. They are tied to the specific weapon you’re using, and you need to complete certain objectives to unlock the Medals for that weapon.

For example, let’s say you're using the AR-20 Assault Rifle. To unlock certain Medals for this weapon, you’ll need to complete objectives like getting a certain number of headshots, achieving a specific number of kills, or using the rifle effectively in certain scenarios. As you complete these tasks, you’ll unlock Medals that improve aspects of the AR-20.

Do I Need to Focus on Specific Weapons to Unlock Medals?

The short answer is yes. In Helldivers 2, you can’t just expect to unlock Medals for all your weapons automatically. The Medals are tied to the weapon you’re using, and you’ll need to invest time into mastering each weapon to unlock the full range of Medals for it.

If you like switching between weapons, you’ll need to put in extra effort to level each one individually. However, this is part of the game's design. By encouraging players to focus on specific weapons, it creates a sense of progression and mastery for each weapon in the game. Some players prefer sticking to one weapon and focusing on earning its Medals, while others prefer to experiment and unlock upgrades across a variety of weapons.

How Do I Earn Medals in Helldivers 2?

Earning Medals isn’t just about random drops or grinding endlessly. Medals are earned by meeting specific challenges, which are generally tied to performance in missions. Here are some examples of how you might unlock Medals for your weapons:

Killing a certain number of enemies: Some Medals are unlocked by reaching a kill threshold with a particular weapon.

Achieving certain accuracy levels: If you're a sharpshooter, you may unlock Medals for weapons that reward precision, such as sniper rifles or pistols.

Completing missions under specific conditions: For example, finishing a mission without dying or finishing with all objectives completed in a certain amount of time.

Using weapons in specific ways: For example, using grenades to kill enemies or using a particular weapon in a multi-player setting.

These challenges usually get more difficult as you progress, which means that you can expect a longer grind to get the more powerful Medals. But this also makes those Medals feel like a true reward for your hard work.

Can I Buy Helldivers 2 Medals?

While Helldivers 2 does offer a progression system based on in-game achievements, there is an option for players who want to speed up the process: you can buy Helldivers 2 Medals. By purchasing Medals, you gain access to some of the weapon upgrades that you might otherwise need to grind for through regular gameplay. This can be a shortcut for players who want to quickly customize their loadout without waiting for hours to unlock everything.

However, it’s important to note that buying Medals won’t replace the need for mastering the weapon itself. Even if you buy Medals, you’ll still need to know how to use the weapon effectively in battle to fully take advantage of its upgraded stats.

How Do Medals Change the Way You Play?

The customization offered by Medals significantly impacts your gameplay style. Here’s how:

Weapon Synergy: When you unlock certain Medals, your weapon’s performance improves. This means you can choose upgrades that better suit your playstyle. For example, if you prefer stealth and precision, you can unlock Medals that improve your weapon's accuracy and reduce recoil. On the other hand, if you're a more aggressive player, you can unlock Medals that increase damage or ammo capacity.

Specialization: Medals allow you to specialize in certain weapons or playstyles. Whether you want to become a master of close-quarters combat with shotguns or prefer long-range sniping, Medals give you the tools to focus on your preferred method of combat.

Tactical Flexibility: With the right Medals, you can adapt to different mission objectives or team strategies. For example, if your squad needs more support, you could focus on unlocking Medals that improve your weapon’s utility, like adding explosive rounds or increasing healing capabilities for team members.

Increased Challenge: Some players enjoy the challenge of unlocking Medals through difficult tasks. It provides a sense of progression beyond just leveling up or gaining resources. Achieving a tough Medal is often just as rewarding as leveling up a weapon, and it can feel like you’re earning something significant based on your skill and effort.

Should I Focus on Medals or Just Use What Works?

This depends on your personal playstyle. If you're the type of player who likes to experiment with different weapons and loadouts, you may find that focusing too much on Medals can slow you down, as you’ll need to invest time into specific weapons. However, if you're looking to specialize and improve your performance with certain weapons, Medals are a great way to enhance your abilities.

In general, Medals are a system designed for players who enjoy investing time into mastering their gear. They allow for a deep level of customization and reward players who take the time to complete weapon-specific challenges.

Medals in Helldivers 2 offer a unique way to customize your weapons beyond simple stat boosts. They are earned through skillful play and offer tangible improvements to your gear that can significantly change how you approach missions. Whether you’re a solo player or part of a team, unlocking the right Medals can give you a distinct advantage on the battlefield.

If you’re looking to save time and speed up the process, you can always buy Helldivers 2 Medals, which gives you quicker access to weapon upgrades without the grind. Ultimately, Medals make Helldivers 2 more rewarding and allow for deeper customization, adding an extra layer of strategy and personalization to the game.