In Helldivers 2, Eagle Stratagems are among the most powerful offensive tools available to players. These stratagems call in Eagle One, a support warplane that swoops across the battlefield delivering devastating attacks. From explosive bomb runs to napalm firewalls and precision rocket strikes, Eagle stratagems can quickly turn the tide of battle. However, each Eagle ability has different strengths, limited uses, and varying effectiveness depending on the enemy faction you are fighting.

This guide highlights some of the most popular Eagle stratagems and how effective they are when facing the three main enemy factions: the Terminids, the Automatons, and the Illuminate.

Eagle Strafing Run – Fast and Reliable Support

The Eagle Strafing Run is a versatile stratagem that fires heavy armor-penetrating rounds in a forward path. It is extremely effective when clearing hordes and opening escape routes. Against Terminids, it can wipe out large groups of smaller enemies and even destroy structures like spore towers or bug nests with proper positioning.

Against Automatons, the Strafing Run performs well against medium enemies and can destroy fabricators in a single pass. While it isn’t the best option for heavily armored targets like tanks, it still weakens them significantly.

When fighting the Illuminate, this stratagem becomes even more valuable. It can quickly destroy shields on enemy ships and harvester units, making them vulnerable to follow-up attacks. Thanks to its flexibility and multiple uses, the Eagle Strafing Run is considered one of the most reliable Eagle stratagems in the game.

Eagle Airstrike – Powerful Anti-Tank Bombing

The Eagle Airstrike drops a line of anti-tank bombs across a wide horizontal area. This makes it highly effective against larger enemies and fortified structures.

Against Terminids, it can destroy bug holes, kill Chargers, and deal heavy damage to massive enemies like Bile Titans. With proper positioning, a single strike can clear several objectives at once.

When facing Automatons, the Airstrike is excellent for destroying fabricators, turrets, and armored units. Its anti-tank damage also helps against Hulks and other large mechanical enemies.

However, the Airstrike is less effective against Illuminate enemies, since their shields can absorb much of the damage before the bombs reach critical targets.

Eagle Cluster Bomb – Horde Control Specialist

The Eagle Cluster Bomb spreads multiple explosive charges across a large area. It is designed to eliminate large groups of weaker enemies rather than heavy targets.

Against Terminids, this stratagem shines when used on bug breaches or dense swarms. It can clear huge portions of the battlefield instantly, reducing pressure on the squad.

Against Automatons and Illuminate forces, its effectiveness drops slightly because many enemies have stronger armor or shields. Still, it remains a useful option for clearing medium enemies and maintaining battlefield control.

Eagle Napalm Strike – Area Denial

The Eagle Napalm Strike creates a wall of fire that burns enemies over time. Instead of immediate destruction, this stratagem excels at controlling enemy movement.

When fighting Terminids, the fire barrier can slow or completely stop advancing hordes. It is especially effective when defending objectives or creating safe escape routes.

Against Automatons, however, the damage over time is less impactful because many robotic enemies can continue attacking through the flames.

Interestingly, Napalm becomes extremely effective against the Illuminate’s weaker ground units, which are vulnerable to fire damage.

Eagle 110mm Rocket Pods – Precision Targeting

The Eagle 110mm Rocket Pods automatically target large enemies near the impact point. This makes them useful when dealing with heavily armored threats.

Against Automatons, they are particularly valuable since they can directly target Hulks, tanks, and other dangerous machines. While the rockets may not eliminate every enemy in one strike, they provide consistent damage against high-priority targets.

Against Terminids and Illuminate forces, the rockets are still helpful but less impactful compared to other Eagle options.

Eagle 500kg Bomb – Ultimate Destruction

The Eagle 500kg Bomb is widely considered the most powerful Eagle stratagem in Helldivers 2. It drops a massive bomb that destroys nearly everything within its explosion radius.

Against Terminids, it can eliminate entire hordes, destroy bug holes, and even kill massive enemies like Bile Titans with a well-placed strike.

Against Automatons, it can wipe out large enemy groups and destroy major structures such as factory striders or detector towers.

When fighting the Illuminate, the 500kg bomb is equally devastating. A direct hit can destroy enemy ships and clear huge numbers of enemies instantly.

Because of its massive damage and wide blast radius, the 500kg bomb remains one of the most popular and powerful stratagem choices in the game.