In Helldivers 2, one of the most overlooked but highly effective mechanics is gas cloud damage. While many players focus on heavy weapons and airstrikes, gas clouds can create opportunities to control the battlefield and deal consistent damage over time. If you learn how to position them properly, they can become just as deadly as any explosive.
What Gas Clouds Do
Gas clouds are area-denial tools. Once deployed, they linger for a short duration, causing continuous damage to anything caught inside. Unlike direct explosives, which deal instant damage, gas clouds force enemies to either retreat or risk being worn down over time. This makes them especially effective against swarms of smaller enemies or when you need to stall advancing units.
Best Situations to Use Gas Cloud Damage
Choke Points – Deploying gas in narrow passages can halt entire waves. In missions where bugs or automatons rush through tight corridors, a single cloud can buy precious seconds.
Crowd Control – When surrounded, drop a gas cloud to create space. Enemies will hesitate to push into the area, giving you room to reload or revive teammates.
Objective Defense – Gas clouds shine when defending points like uplinks or extraction zones. Constant damage makes it harder for enemies to flood the area unchecked.
Combining Gas Damage with Other Tools
Gas clouds alone are strong, but they work even better with coordinated strategies. Using them with incendiary rounds or turret support creates layered zones of denial that shred incoming forces. Team synergy is key here—communicate with allies before deploying, since friendly fire is always a factor in Helldivers 2.
Resource Management and Strategy
While experimenting with gas clouds, you’ll notice that proper resource management is crucial. Just like deciding whether to buy helldivers 2 medals for faster progression or looking for cheap helldivers 2 items to gear up, choosing when to deploy gas strikes is all about efficiency. Wasting them on small skirmishes might leave you underprepared for larger waves, so it’s best to save them for critical moments.
Gas cloud damage might not feel as flashy as orbital strikes, but it’s one of the most versatile tools in Helldivers 2. By mastering positioning, timing, and coordination with your squad, you can turn this mechanic into a powerful defensive and offensive strategy. Next time you’re dropped into hostile territory, don’t underestimate the green haze—it could be the difference between mission success and a failed extraction.