In Helldivers 2, surviving brutal waves of enemies isn't just about firepower—it's about preparation, positioning, and the right defensive loadouts. Whether you're holding an extraction point or fending off an armored Terminid assault, defensive builds can mean the difference between mission failure and glorious victory. Here's a list of 20 solid defensive builds that leverage Helldivers 2 items to keep your squad protected and your mission objectives secure.

1. Shield Generator + MG-43 Machine Gunner

The Shield Generator Pack offers a reliable bubble of protection. Pair it with the MG-43 Machine Gun to lock down chokepoints with suppression and safety.

2. Engineer Armor + Mines

Engineer Armor provides extra ordinance slots and mine capacity. Spam proximity mines at bottlenecks for a brutal welcome party.

3. Heavy Armor + Arc Thrower

If you're expecting heavy opposition, heavy armor combined with the Arc Thrower allows you to tank hits while disabling enemies in tight corridors.

4. Ballistic Shield + Shotgun Combo

Nothing screams defense like a literal wall of steel. Equip a Ballistic Shield with a high-damage shotgun to protect while dealing burst damage up close.

5. Supply Pack + Turret Defense

Drop a turret, stay behind it, and use the Supply Pack to keep it repaired and restock your squad. Great for defending uplinks and extraction zones.

6. Anti-Personnel Mines + Defensive Beacon

Place a Defensive Beacon and layer mines around it. This combo slows and destroys enemies before they even reach your squad.

7. Guard Dog Rover + Medium Armor

The Guard Dog gives consistent backup fire, allowing you to focus on healing or reviving teammates. Medium Armor provides decent defense without sacrificing mobility.

8. Railgun + Shield Generator Pack

Great against tanks or Chargers, the Railgun allows you to pick off priority targets from a distance while staying safe inside a shield.

9. Autocannon + Ammo Pack

The Autocannon’s raw stopping power is perfect for holding the line. Use the Ammo Pack to ensure it stays fed during longer engagements.

10. Defensive Drone + Laser Cannon

The Defensive Drone can intercept projectiles, buying time for you to charge the Laser Cannon for devastating single-target hits.

11. EMS Mortar + Guard Dog

The EMS Mortar slows advancing enemies, allowing your Guard Dog to pick them off efficiently. This build is particularly good in open fields.

12. Support Pack + Arc Thrower

Stun enemies with the Arc Thrower while the Support Pack lets you revive and heal under fire. You’re the rock your team will rely on.

13. Incendiary Mines + Anti-Air Turret

When defending against both air and ground threats, this build covers all angles. Burn the ground and lock out dropships.

14. Armor-Piercing Turret + Shield Pack

Let the turret handle the enemies while your shield pack keeps you and your allies safe from AoE damage.

15. Heavy Armor + Stun Grenades

Combine tanky survivability with crowd control. Stun grenades are perfect for halting a bug rush in its tracks.

16. Motion Sensor + MG Turret

Place a motion sensor to track enemy movement and automate the defense with an MG Turret. Great for solo players setting traps.

17. Laser Trip Mines + Resupply Pack

Trip mines are ideal for tight corridors. The Resupply Pack ensures you can keep laying them down every few minutes.

18. Shield Backpack + Autocannon

This synergy allows you to advance or hold position with confidence, especially during enemy surges.

19. Machine Gun + Radar Tower

Use a Radar Tower to detect enemies early and prep your MG setup accordingly. Ideal for preemptive defenses.

20. Smoke Grenades + Support Drone

Obscure vision for enemies while your drone assists with fire support or revives. This sneaky defense works best in urban maps.

These defensive builds aren’t just for tanky players—they’re vital for coordinated team play, especially during higher difficulty missions. Combining mobility, support gear, and crowd control can turn even the most desperate holdouts into successful extractions.

If you’re just getting into Helldivers 2 or looking to optimize your builds quickly, acquiring the right gear can take time. Some players choose to buy Helldivers 2 medals to speed up their loadout progression. Sites like U4GM are known among the community for offering cheap Helldivers 2 medals, helping players focus more on gameplay and less on grinding.

Whether you’re defending against hordes of Terminids or fending off Automatons with your squad, these 20 builds give you a strong foundation to protect, survive, and bring managed democracy to the galaxy.