Helldivers 2: Unlocking and Optimizing the Orbital EMS Strike

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As you progress in Helldivers 2, you gain access to Stratagems that change how you approach missions, shifting from pure damage to battlefield control. The Orbital EMS Strike, unlocked at level 5, is one of the most significant tools for this. This guide breaks down how it works in practice, based on common use and player experience.

What does the Orbital EMS Strike actually do?
In simple terms, it fires a projectile that creates a large, persistent area-of-effect field. The initial explosion stuns almost every enemy caught within its 13-meter radius for a substantial duration—roughly 15 seconds or more. After the blast, a lingering cloud remains for a while, slowing and potentially re-stunning enemies that wander through it. It’s a utility Stratagem, meaning its primary goal isn't to kill, but to completely halt an enemy advance or lock down high-priority targets so your team can deal with them safely.

How do most players use it effectively?
The primary use is for crowd control and creating breathing room. When a patrol triggers a bug breach or an Automaton drop, throwing an EMS Strike into the middle of the new enemies stops them in their tracks, allowing your squad to regroup, reposition, or focus fire. Its most celebrated tactical use is against heavy targets. A Charger or Bile Titan bearing down on your team can be neutralized instantly by an EMS Strike, stunning it and letting the team easily target its weak points without danger.

It also pairs exceptionally well with area-denial Stratagems. For example, following an EMS Strike with an Orbital Gas Strike or a Napalm Strike means enemies are stunned inside the damaging area, taking full effect. Furthermore, its projectile received a significant buff in a past patch; it now has strong anti-armor penetration and enough demolition force to destroy objective structures like Stratagem Jammers, Fabricators, and Bug Holes. This makes it a versatile choice for both combat and mission objectives.

What are the call-in and cooldown times?
The standard call-in time is just under 5 seconds, which can be reduced by about a second with the Targeting Software Upgrade from the Ship Bridge. The cooldown starts at 75 seconds. This can be reduced through relevant Ship Modules, with the most significant being the Zero-G Breech Loading module (Orbital category) for a 10% cooldown reduction, and the Morale Augmentation (Bridge) for a 5% reduction to all Stratagems. With all upgrades, the cooldown drops to around 64 seconds. In general, players consider this a strategic, situational tool to be used once per major engagement, not something to be spammed.

Are there any key drawbacks or limitations?
The main limitation is that it doesn’t deal direct health damage. You cannot rely on it to clear a swarm by itself; your team must capitalize on the stun window to eliminate threats. Also, while the stun is incredibly reliable, the duration is finite. Against a continuous, overwhelming tide, it is a temporary solution. Some players also note that the initial projectile can be tricky to aim perfectly under pressure, and friendly fire is always a risk if a teammate runs into the target zone.

How does it fit into a balanced loadout?
Most experienced players treat the Orbital EMS Strike as a dedicated support slot. A typical balanced loadout might include one armor-penetrating weapon (for Heavies), one crowd-clear Stratagem (like an Airburst or Cluster Bomb), the Orbital EMS Strike for control, and then a flexible fourth slot for team needs (e.g., a supply pack, a turret, or a precision strike). It’s less common to see a full team of four all bring it, as that sacrifices too much direct firepower. One or two EMS Strikes in a squad is usually sufficient for most difficulties.

For players looking to accelerate their progression and unlock such strategic tools faster, some may consider shortcuts like the option to buy Helldivers 2 medals online at U4N, though it's generally recommended to experience the core gameplay loop of earning rewards through missions. Ultimately, mastering Stratagems like the EMS Strike is more valuable than simply owning them.

Has it been changed since launch?
Yes, it received a major undocumented buff in a previous patch (1.003.200). The projectile's damage was increased, its armor penetration was massively upgraded to Anti-Tank III (allowing it to damage heavy armor directly), and its demolition force was raised to 50. This transformed it from a pure utility option into a hybrid tool that can also destroy key objectives, making it a much more powerful and versatile choice in any situation.
The Orbital EMS Strike is a force multiplier. It won't top the damage stats, but it will consistently save missions by turning chaotic, unwinnable fights into manageable engagements. Its strength lies in its reliability—it works on almost everything, buys crucial time, and enables your squad's other tools to shine. If your team is struggling with higher difficulties where control is paramount, dedicating a slot to this Stratagem is often the key to success.