The unforgiving battlefields ofHelldivers 2are a brutal proving ground.

It throws you headfirst into chaotic battles against terrifying buggy swarms and glaring red-eyed automatons.

While the thrill of solo combat is undeniable, sometimes even the toughest Helldiver needs a hand.

Helldiver in a grass field looking at a SOS Beacon in Helldivers 2.

That’s where theSOS Beaconcomes in, a beacon of hope in the face of overwhelming odds.

Here are the best keybinds to use for Helldivers 2.

So, need some cooperative firepower from your fellow democracy-loving comrades?

A screenshot from Helldivers 2 showing the player character standing on the deck of their ship, staring out at the cannons of their ship aiming down at a cloudy green planet below.

Let’s dive in.

What Is The SOS Beacon?

The SOS Beacon is a handy stratagemyou can deploy during a mission to signal for help from other players.

Player looking at a SOS Beacon in Helldivers 2.

There’s no need to grind to unlock the SOS Beacon.

The SOS Beacon won’t summon just anyone.

How To Deploy The SOS Beacon

Using the SOS Beacon is similar to deploying other stratagems.

SOS Beacon being called down in Helldivers 2.

Then, throw the stratagem down like you would any other.

The beacon will activate, and soon you’ll have backup on the way.

If you anticipate a difficult enemy wave or a challenging objective, considerdeploying the beacon beforehandto prepare your squad.

Helldiver with other players during a mission in Helldivers 2.

Using it in the midst of chaos might not give other players enough time to respond effectively.

From fire tornadoes to heavy rainstorms, you’ll encounter all different kinds of conditions on different planets.

A Helldiver looks off into the fog-covered distance on a planet.

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