For those who weren't there, or who are still piecing together the timeline, the conflict with the Illuminate was one of the most chaotic and consequential phases of the war. It wasn't just about holding planets; it was a race against a cosmic catastrophe. Here’s how it unfolded from a player’s perspective, based on the in-game events and how most of us experienced them.

What was the "Moving of the Black Hole" all about?

In early 2185, after we’d been fending off Illuminate raids for months, High Command confirmed our worst suspicions. Those raids weren't random. The Illuminate were harvesting dark energy to physically move a wormhole, known as the Meridian Singularity, across the galaxy with the clear intent of sending it to Super Earth. Their first major target was Angel’s Venture. Despite our efforts, we couldn’t save it; the planet was consumed by the singularity in February. This set the tone—we were fighting an enemy that wielded celestial bodies as weapons. Our role shifted from simple liberation to a desperate delaying action, trying to buy time for Science to develop a counter.

How did the community respond to these Major Orders?

In general, player focus shifted almost entirely to the Galactic South. When a planet like Angel’s Venture or later Ivis was on a timer to be destroyed, most players understood it was a priority. We deployed en masse to the designated Illuminate raid missions, not necessarily to achieve 100% liberation, but to complete enough operations to fulfill the community-wide counter for the Major Order. The goal was to "stem the raids" to slow the singularity's progress. It was a grind, often feeling like we were barely holding back the tide, especially when the Automatons would launch a simultaneous major offensive to divide our forces.

What were the key turning points in the campaign?

There were two critical pieces of Super Earth tech we had to defend: the Penrose Energy Siphon and the Repulsive Gravity Field Generator. Major Orders centered on collecting vast amounts of E-710 to fuel the Siphon’s deployment. This is where player behavior was most visible—everyone flocked to Terminid planets like Bore Rock for quick resource farming. However, the Siphon’s deployment was delayed by an Automaton offensive, a common tactic that forced the player base to choose between two dire threats. This delay directly led to the loss of Ivis in April. The successful defense of the Gravity Field Generator’s construction site on Pilen V in late April was the real victory. Its activation finally stopped the singularity, saving Super Earth and seemingly wiping out the Illuminate.

If the Illuminate were defeated, how did they invade Super Earth?

That’s what made it such a shock. After the victory at Pilen V, there was a brief period of celebration. Then, the Great Host emerged. The Illuminate hadn’t been harvesting dark energy just to move the black hole; they were using it as a gateway. Their main fleet, hidden for a century, poured through the now-stabilized Meridia wormhole. They bypassed all fronts and struck directly at Mars and then Super Earth itself in May. This triggered the single largest mobilization of Helldivers, with players pulled from every sector to defend the capital. The battle was structured over several Major Orders, focusing on holding specific Mega Cities. Losing the last city would have meant game over. The collective effort to hold the line, shoot down Overships, and take down Leviathans by targeting their weak spots is still considered one of the community’s finest hours.

What is the current status of the Illuminate threat?

They are a persistent, though reduced, faction. After their defeat at Super Earth, they retreated to the Galactic South and now use advanced cloaking tech, making their movements unpredictable. Their strategy has changed from all-out invasion to hit-and-run raids and a campaign of psychological terror. They seize planets, twist the architecture into strange xenostructures, and kidnap citizens to turn into Voteless. For active players, this means Illuminate-controlled planets are now permanent fixtures on the map. Missions against them are high-difficulty affairs focused on sabotage, rescue, and destroying their strange infrastructure. It’s a different kind of fight than the relentless hordes of Terminids or the fortified lines of Automatons. Some players, seeking an edge in these tough missions, might look to buy helldivers 2 items online to acquire specialized stratagems or gear, though it's generally advised to earn them through gameplay to ensure proper familiarity.

What should a player expect when fighting the Illuminate today?

Illuminate missions require a different approach. Most players agree that bringing area-denial stratagems is less effective against their small, teleporting units. Precision strikes and weapons with good single-target damage are more valuable. Their units, like the Voteless hordes and shielded Helldivers, can quickly overwhelm a squad that’s not mobile. Communication is key, as their flanking attacks are brutal. Furthermore, their presence on the galactic map is now a constant strategic factor; while we’re busy with a Terminid Bloom or an Automaton Push, the Illuminate will often seize the opportunity to raid undefended planets, forcing the community to periodically redirect efforts for "clean-up" operations like the recent, partially successful Operation Deep Cleaning.