How to unlock Planetary Defense Cannons in Helldivers 2 easily

Time of India

21-05-2025

(Image via Arrowhead Game Studios)
The latest Heart of Democracy update in Helldivers 2 has brought the war to the doorsteps of
Super Earth
. It comes with massive illuminated
Helldivers 2 Overships
that are looming over the cities. To fight back, the players are to activate the
Planetary Defense Cannons
(PDCs), but doing so is not that simple.
Here is how you can wield the superweapon easily and blast the invaders out of the sky without squashing the civilians.
Steps to unlock
Helldivers 2 Planetary Defense Cannons
Helldivers 2 - New Patch! 5 Secrets, New Enemy & Missions!
There are 3 important steps to complete to gain access to the use of the
cannon
. You can do it easily by following the steps below.
Retrieve access codes
Before you touch the cannons, you will need the launch codes, and for it, you will have to head to the Priority Emergency Bunkers. These bunkers are scattered across the city. To find it, listen for the static-filled Morse code signal.
It will lead you to the glowing blue hard drive on the shelves.
Expect some heavy enemy resistance. So, be prepared. Bring the squad or gear up for the close-quarters combat. You can use weapons like LAS-98 Laser Cannon.
Activate the Planetary Defense Cannon
Once you get the codes, go to the PDC site. It is often found hidden under the playgrounds or in the parks. Next, input the codes using the directional keys. You do not need any puzzles to complete. You just need patience.
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Undo
Once the code is entered, ensure to manually disengage the 2 silo locks nearby. Then, return to the terminal and raise the cannon. It will take 60 seconds. So, defend the area until then.
Aim and fire the cannon
Now, the real work will begin. So, rotate the turret of the cannon and adjust the elevation with the use of base valves (cannon's foot). Align the crosshair with the shield of the Overship. Hit the terminal once again for the 5-second countdown.
The first shot will weaken the shield. The second will disable, and the third will destroy the ship. If you miss the step, you will waste the shots, just hitting the buildings and not the Overship. But you can always adjust and then retry without any ammo required.
Note
: Unlike the other artillery, the PDCs have unlimited ammo. Feel free to blast the smaller targets, like the Leviathans, for fun—if you are able to hit them.
Helldivers 2 gameplay tips for smoother Cannon operation
Stick with the team. While 1 handles the aim, the others can defend against the illuminated attacks.
Watch for the fire as even the friendly fire penalties here apply. So do not shoot near the allies or the civilians.
Make strategic use of the cannon. Remember, even after Overship is down, the PDCs can easily clear the enemy's stragglers or the dropships.
With the steps mentioned above, you can turn the defense of the Super Earth into a devastating weapon. Give the cannons priority early in the missions to clear the skies faster.
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