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<p>Playing the heavy gunner on Illuminate missions isn't about standing still and pretending you're a turret. You'll get folded fast if you do that. The trick is to keep moving, hold useful angles, and bring gear that lets you answer problems before they reach the squad. </p><h4>Quick Field Plan</h4><p>A heavy gunner should feel like the squad's anchor, not its babysitter. You're there to slow pushes, cut down medium threats, and make space around objectives. Don't chase every patrol. Don't waste a full belt on one straggler. Pick the lane that matters and make it ugly for anything walking through it.</p><ul><li><p>Hold high ground when the map gives it to you.</p></li><li><p>Use the Heavy Machine Gun for pressure, not panic spraying.</p></li><li><p>Drop mines behind the team or on clear approach routes.</p></li><li><p>Let the Guard Dog clean up smaller enemies while you focus on bigger targets.</p></li><li><p>Save air support for groups that are committed to a path.</p></li></ul><h4>Recommended Gear and Why It Works</h4><p>The Gallant gives you a steady primary for general fighting, while the Bushwhacker is handy when something gets too close and personal. Peak Physique heavy armour helps with weapon handling, which matters more than people admit. The setup below isn't fancy, but it covers the situations that usually wipe squads on higher difficulty Illuminate runs.</p><p>Slot Choice Main Use Primary Gallant Reliable fire against regular enemies Secondary Bushwhacker Close-range emergency damage Backpack Guard Dog Automatic defence against flankers Support Weapon Heavy Machine Gun Sustained fire and medium target control Stratagems Land Mines, Strafing Run, Napalm Strike Area denial and crowd clearing</p><h4>Air Support Can Save You or Ruin You</h4><p>Everyone loves a clean strafing run. Everyone hates being the reason three teammates vanish in a wall of fire. Before throwing napalm, take half a second and actually look. Are your mates backing up through that lane? Is an Illuminate group about to change direction? Is the beacon bouncing downhill like it's got a mind of its own? If the answer feels messy, hold it. Friendly fire is funny once. After that, it's just expensive.</p><h4>Vehicles, Retreats, and Bad Decisions</h4><p>FRVs are brilliant until they aren't. They'll get shredded by lasers, clipped by explosions, or destroyed because someone hopped out and dropped a grenade at their own boots. Use vehicles for movement, not as a safe house. The same goes for long fights. If supplies are low and stratagems are cooling down, leave. Want to shred Illuminate waves with a Heavy Gunner build that actually works? At U4GM, you can gear up fast, test smarter loadouts, and stay ready for every chaotic drop. Check out <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-blue-600 underline" href="https://www.u4gm.com/helldivers-2/items-online">https://www.u4gm.com/helldivers-2/items-online</a> for Helldivers 2 items, then get back to raining lead, napalm, and pure democracy.</p>