It was down to the wire, but Helldivers 2 players are celebrating after giving the Illuminate the galactic boot on Calypso (Update: They're back already)

GamesThird Person ShooterHelldivers 2It was down to the wire, but Helldivers 2 players are celebrating after giving the Illuminate the galactic boot on Calypso (Update: They’re back already)When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Arrowhead Game Studios)

helldivers 2 urban legends

At the time of writing, the Illuminate are currently invading the worlds of Mog and Bellatrix, with a new major order reading: “Their numbers are limited. This attack is an opportunity to complete the eradication of this xenophobic threat, securing the galaxy once more”. Which is entirely unlike the last opportunity we had to complete the eradication of this xenophobic threat, securing the galaxy once more. It’s for real, this time, the super president pinky-promised.

Helldivers are now tasked with grabbing a gun and blasting some squids to defend against 7 attacks from the Illuminate in the latest major order. Original story follows.

Original story:Helldivers 2 introduced the Illuminate, recently—aaand they’re gone. No, really. While the Illuminate definitely areinHelldivers 2, you actually can’t fight them right now, because Super Earth’s finest gave them the boot so hard in Calypso that they’ve been stomped off the galactic map.

The Major Order, which came alongsidethe surprise update Omens of Tyranny, saw players defending the galaxy from an Illuminate attack on Calypso. Over 100,000 players leapt into action to do so—a 24-hour peak that the game hasn’t seen since April—and thoroughly trounced the invading force.

(Image credit: Arrowhead Games)

That’s not to say it wasn’t a close battle, though. If you’re unfamiliar with how defense campaigns work in Helldivers 2, it’s essentially a race. Players need to fill out their defense bar before the enemy’s offense bar completes. It came down to thelast percentage point—as this graph, courtesy ofhelldiverscompanionshows, Super Earth achieved its 100% defense score while the Illuminate was sat on 99%. The margin of error was razor-thin.

(Image credit: Helldivers Companion)

A graph showing just how close Calypso came to falling to the Illuminate in Helldivers 2.

“Order has been restored to Calypso,” reads an in-game announcement celebrating the completion of the Major Order. “SEAF recon units will hunt down any remnants. As soon as they are located, they will be eradicated.”

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The community, meanwhile, is currently in full hoo-rah mode. “A HUNDRED YEARS WASTED,” roars a particularly liberty-drunk player on thegame’s subreddit, “GET THE F*CK OUT OF OUR GALAXY AND STAY OUT.” The memes, as one might imagine, are also coming out in full force. Helldivers do really have hands.

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