Helldivers 2 doesn’t hold back when it comes to player deaths. Whether you’re blown apart by explosions, ripped to pieces by alien claws, or accidentally roasted by your own teammate’s flamethrower, Super Earth’s finest soldiers are constantly facing creative ways to die. Among all the hazards you’ll encounter, burning damage stands out as one of the most dangerous and frustrating effects in the game.
Fire damage can eat through your health bar in seconds and even continues to tick after the flames are gone. Surviving it takes more than luck — you’ll need the right gear, smart tactics, and quick reactions. Here’s how to lower burning damage and stay alive when everything around you is on fire.
Unlike direct hits or explosions that deal instant damage, burning effects apply damage over time. Even after you escape a fiery explosion or flamethrower burst, the burning status can continue to drain your health for several seconds. Without proper resistance or quick healing, you can go from full health to zero before you even realize what’s happening.
Burning also tends to come from enemies or hazards that deal additional damage types — for example, bug fire breath or explosive fuel tanks. This makes it a double threat: you might survive the initial hit, but the lingering fire finishes you off.
Currently, there are three armor sets in Helldivers 2 that can help reduce burning damage significantly:
Among these, the I-102 Draconaught Armor stands out as the best overall option. It not only offers the highest fire resistance available (tied with the Heatseeker) but also comes with a 100 Armor Rating, giving you much better overall protection compared to the lighter sets. This means you’ll be more resilient to both fire and other forms of physical damage.
Both the Heatseeker and Draconaught armor sets can be found in the Freedom’s Flame Warbond, while the AC-2 Obedient armor is a free early-game light armor that most players unlock at the start.
Although the AC-2 Obedient provides only 50% fire resistance, it’s still a great option if you’re just beginning and don’t have access to Warbond items yet. Just keep in mind that its 50 Armor Rating makes you more vulnerable to physical hits, so staying mobile is key.
Even with high fire resistance, situational awareness and quick reactions matter most when dealing with burning effects. Here are a few practical tips to help you survive fire-based attacks:
When facing enemies that breathe or spray fire — such as the Dragonroach — dodging is your best defense. Use the dive mechanic to pass through the flames instead of trying to outrun them. You’ll still take minor damage, but diving greatly reduces the impact while you’re airborne. Just make sure you’re diving away from the source, not toward it, or you’ll land back in the fire and continue burning.
Once you catch fire, don’t hesitate — pop a Stim instantly. Burning can drain your entire health bar in under five seconds without proper resistance. Using a Stim not only heals you but can also buy crucial time to escape or roll to safety.
Sometimes the visual fire effects in Helldivers 2 don’t match their true area of effect. Always keep a little extra distance — at least a meter — from any flames on the ground. Standing too close can trigger burning damage even if it looks like you’re outside the danger zone.
If your team consistently faces fire-heavy enemies, consider adding defensive Stratagems that can absorb or mitigate incoming damage, such as the Shield Generator Relay. Combining these tools with resistant armor maximizes survivability.
Fire is one of the most lethal and persistent hazards in Helldivers 2. Whether it’s a dragon-like bug spewing flames or a stray rocket igniting nearby fuel, burning damage can end missions fast if you’re not prepared. Equipping the right armor — ideally the I-102 Draconaught — and learning to react quickly with dives and Stims will help you stay alive long enough to spread managed democracy across the galaxy.
In short: stay cool, watch your surroundings, and don’t panic when the heat turns up — a true Helldiver never lets a little fire stop the mission.
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