If you’ve spent any time in Helldivers 2, you know that medals aren’t just cosmetic—they’re a reflection of your skill, teamwork, and efficiency. But for new and even mid-level players, figuring out how to consistently earn medals can be tricky. Here’s a breakdown of Essential Medal Tips for Helldivers 2 Players that will help you maximize rewards and enjoy the game more strategically.

Understand How Medals Work

Before diving into farming or high-stakes missions, it’s crucial to understand what medals actually represent. In Helldivers 2, medals are awarded for completing specific objectives, performing well in combat, and supporting your squad. They track your progress in various areas like mission completion, kill efficiency, and objective support. The key takeaway here is that medals are more than a score—they reflect your overall contribution.

Tip: Don’t just focus on kills. Supporting your teammates, completing side objectives, and staying alive can be just as important for earning medals.

Prioritize High-Reward Missions

Not all missions are created equal when it comes to medal farming. Some missions are packed with enemies but low on objectives, while others have fewer foes but high-value targets and objectives. As a general rule, missions that require defending points, escorting supplies, or activating critical devices tend to offer more opportunities to earn medals.

Personal insight: I’ve found that replaying mid-level missions can often yield more medals than jumping straight into the hardest missions, because they allow you to complete objectives more cleanly without constant wipes.

Optimize Your Loadout

Your choice of weapons, armor, and gear has a direct impact on medal acquisition. High-damage weapons help you clear waves faster, while support tools like turrets or healing items can boost team survival—another factor in medal calculations.

Here’s a quick guide for loadouts:

Primary Weapon: Go for versatility. Assault rifles or energy-based weapons can handle a variety of enemies.

Secondary Weapon: Consider a shotgun or close-range weapon for tight corridors.

Support Tools: Turrets, mines, or healing packs increase your contribution to the squad and can rack up extra medals.

Remember, adapting your loadout to the mission type is key. A one-size-fits-all setup won’t earn as many medals as a mission-specific approach.

Play Smart, Not Just Aggressive

It’s tempting to rush into the action, especially when medals are on the line. But reckless behavior often leads to deaths, mission failure, and lost medal opportunities. Take time to plan your moves, coordinate with your squad, and manage resources.

A personal tip: Communicate even if it’s just a simple “I’ll cover this side.” Coordination often makes the difference between finishing a mission with extra medals or barely scraping by.

Keep an Eye on Objectives

Medals are often tied to completing mission objectives efficiently. This means capturing points quickly, defending key structures, or rescuing VIPs without unnecessary delays. While killing enemies is satisfying, focusing on the mission’s core goals usually provides the highest medal returns.

Small note: Don’t ignore secondary objectives—they may seem minor, but they can push you over the edge to earn bonus medals at mission completion.

Leverage Team Play

Helldivers 2 is a cooperative experience, and medals often reward effective teamwork. Stick close to your squad, cover their backs, and use complementary strategies. Players who act as team anchors, providing support and revives, tend to earn more medals over time, even if they aren’t getting the highest kill counts.

Pro tip: Pairing with friends or consistent squadmates increases medal efficiency because you already know each other’s playstyles, reducing wasted time and mistakes.

Practice and Patience

Finally, earning medals consistently requires practice. Familiarize yourself with enemy patterns, map layouts, and mission pacing. Over time, you’ll find yourself completing objectives more efficiently and accumulating medals faster.

A little patience goes a long way: rushing missions may feel exciting, but steady, well-coordinated play is far more rewarding in the long run.

For anyone looking to level up in Helldivers 2, following these Essential Medal Tips for Helldivers 2 Players can make a noticeable difference. Focus on mission objectives, optimize your loadout, play smart with your squad, and don’t underestimate the value of support roles. Medals aren’t just about flashy achievements—they’re a reflection of skill, strategy, and teamwork.