Use of Planetary Defense Cannons across all Mega Cities on Super Earth has been authorized to repel the Illuminate in Helldivers 2, and unlike all other main mission objectives so far, these have proven to be the most interactive so far. Pushing buttons isn't goint to cut it, and if you want to destroy those Overships, you need to learn to fire these things.
Activating Planetary Defense Cannons isn't difficult, but unlike other types of objectives, it does have some extra steps tied to them. What's more, is that they can be used for other purposes other than destroying Overships. Here's a quick guide on how to finish this Super Earth mission type in Helldivers 2.
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How to Use Planetary Defense Cannons in Helldivers 2
The Destroy Overships missions work much like the ICBM ones in other parts of the galaxy, albeit a bit simpler. To activate the local Mega City's planetary defenses, players will first need to complete a few sub-objectives, and usually, all you need to do is find launch codes. Expect heavy enemy resistance, so make sure to pack the best guns you have.
After getting the launch codes, head to the PDC's location. They're usually hidden under children's playgrounds — find the terminal, unlock the latches, and input the launch codes to raise the cannon.
Once the cannon is fully above ground, don't go back to the terminal just yet. There are valves at the base of the PDC that control the rotation of its base turret and the elevation of its barrel. Use these to aim the cannon toward the giant Illuminate Overship hovering in the distance.
After aligning the cannon with your target, head back to the terminal and press the button. The terminal will count down, and the cannon will fire a single massive shell towards the Overship. The first hit will weaken the shield, and the second one will completely disable it. A third shot is often enough to destroy the Overship and cause it to fall down into the city below, exploding in a glorious, blue fireball.
You don't need to feed the cannon any ammunition as you would a SEAF Artillery emplacement, and you can fire it as much as you want. Since it's an actual cannon and not just some prop designed for the mission, players can use it to shoot down big targets like Leviathans. Tracking a flying Leviathan is impossible for solo players, but if you're with a group, then it makes for a fun and satisfying (albeit impractical) way to take those ships down.
Helldivers 2
- Released
- February 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Arrowhead Game Studios, Nixxes
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Publishing
- Engine
- bitsquid
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- All platforms
- Franchise
- Helldivers
- Number of Players
- 1-4 players (online)
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
