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Helldivers 2 Board Game: Exclusive Hands-On Preview

by Jonathan May 16,2025

Last year's breakout hit in the multiplayer gaming arena was Arrowhead’s Helldivers 2, a game that aimed to spread democracy across the galaxy through intense battles against aliens and robots. Now, fresh from the success of their Elden Ring board game adaptation, Steamforged Games is bringing the fast-paced, frenetic action of Helldivers 2 to the tabletop. The board game is currently available for backing on Gamefound. IGN had the opportunity to play a prototype and discuss it with the game's designers, Jamie Perkins, Derek Funkhouser, and Nicholas Yu.

Helldivers 2: The Board Game

17 ImagesHelldivers 2: The Board Game began development shortly after the video game's launch last year. It captures the essence of what made the video game so popular and thrilling, recreating the intense firefights, chaotic surprises, and cooperative experience while introducing its own unique twists.

Helldivers 2 remains a cooperative, objective-based skirmish game where one to four players (with solo players recommended to control two characters) work together to achieve mission objectives and survive against waves of enemies and unexpected events. Each player assumes the role of a different Helldiver class, each equipped with a unique perk, a set of action cards, and a powerful one-per-game "Act of Valor" ability. The demo featured classes such as Heavy, Sniper, Pyro, and Captain. Players can customize their loadouts, including primary, secondary, and support weapons, grenades, and three strategems, with suggested configurations listed on their class cards.

Gameplay unfolds on grid-based boards that expand as players explore, revealing sub-objectives and the locations of primary objectives like Terminid hatcheries to destroy. As the mission progresses, increasingly difficult enemies spawn, and a mission timer adds urgency, keeping the gameplay tense and dynamic.

The prototype focused on destroying a set number of Terminid hatcheries, but the final game will include various mission types. Jamie Perkins mentioned that the base game will feature two of the three main factions: Terminids and robotic Automatons, each with 10 unit types. While not confirmed, an expansion might introduce the Illuminate faction, a common practice for Steamforged Games through stretch goals.

Curious about how the board game would replicate the video game's sense of being overwhelmed, I wondered if it would follow the Zombicide model with numerous weaker enemies or the Nemesis approach with fewer but stronger foes. Helldivers opts for the latter, emphasizing tactical, close-range combat with progressively tougher enemies.

Turns involve players and enemies adding action cards to a pool, which are then shuffled and placed on an initiative tracker similar to Steamforged's Elden Ring game. Combat relies on dice rolls, with a unique twist: every four action cards played trigger a random event that can disrupt plans, such as spawning hordes or additional enemies.

On the Helldivers' side, combat uses dice rolls with each weapon determining the type and number of dice. Damage is calculated by the total roll value, with every five points inflicting one wound on an enemy. This straightforward damage system eliminates the need for complex modifiers or defense values. However, friendly fire is a risk, especially with area attacks, but reinforcements offer a second chance.

A standout feature is the 'Massed Fire' mechanic, which recreates the video game's cooperative shooting experience. Nic Yu explained, “In the video game, you're encouraged to work together as a team. You have a heavily armored enemy, you need to flank and shoot at weak points if you don't have a support weapon. We implemented 'massed fire,' allowing other Helldivers within range to join in, explicitly rewarding teamwork.” This mechanic reduces player downtime and encourages group play.

Enemy attacks are simpler, with fixed damage or effects determined by their cards, causing players to draw wound cards. Each wound has a detrimental effect, and three wounds result in death, though players can respawn based on chosen difficulty levels.

One aspect not included in the board game is the galactic war from the video game. Jamie Perkins noted that Arrowhead wanted the board game to feel unique, positioning it as a training simulation for Helldivers.

The designers, Nic, Jamie, and Derek, have focused on maintaining the Helldivers feel despite the new medium. Nic emphasized, “We wanted to ensure it felt like Helldivers, with unexpected events and stratagems that could go awry, affecting friends and foes alike. The dwindling pool of reinforcements and calling in stratagems are uniquely Helldivers.” Derek added, “We aimed to keep the core loop of mission objectives and the excitement of discovering new points of interest while battling enemies.”

Currently, the game's core mechanics are about 75-80% finalized, allowing for community feedback and potential adjustments. Jamie addressed recent concerns about tariffs in the board gaming industry, stating that Steamforged's plans remain on track.

After playing the prototype, I found the systems engaging, particularly the random events and the Massed Fire mechanic, which led to memorable moments. However, I missed the presence of numerous weaker enemies to mow down, a hallmark of the video game. Additionally, enemy attacks feel somewhat static compared to the rest of the game's dynamic nature. Introducing varied attack outcomes determined by dice rolls could enhance this aspect.

I'm excited to see what further innovations Steamforged Games has in store for Helldivers 2. The prototype has left me eager to explore new Helldiver classes, mission types, and combinations with different enemies and biomes. My friends and I are already planning our next drop.