In Helldivers 2, medals are more than just shiny rewards — they’re the backbone of progression. You’ll need them to unlock gear, warbonds, and key upgrades that keep you competitive on higher difficulties. While it can be tempting to grind without much thought, there are smarter ways to maximize your medal income and make every mission count.

Focus on High-Yield Missions

Not all missions are created equal. Operations with multiple objectives and longer timers often offer more medals upon completion. When possible, prioritize missions labeled with high-intensity objectives, as they usually grant better rewards. Playing on higher difficulties can also increase your medal gain, but make sure your squad is well-prepared before diving in.

Complete Secondary Objectives

It’s easy to rush for the main mission goal, but secondary objectives frequently hand out medals as bonus rewards. Clearing nests, retrieving samples, or destroying key enemy structures can add up over time. Squad coordination is crucial here, as splitting roles helps cover more ground without losing efficiency.

Team Efficiency Matters

Medal farming isn’t just about raw combat skills — it’s about minimizing wasted time. A squad that communicates, routes samples effectively, and manages stratagem usage wisely will finish operations faster, leaving more time to jump into the next run. High uptime across missions is one of the simplest ways to boost your medal count.

Manage Resources Alongside Medals

Since medals tie directly to progression, they’re often paired with other currencies like requisition slips and super credits. Some players look to speed up their progress by choosing to buy Helldivers 2 super credits or even buy Helldivers 2 items online. While medals themselves must be earned in-game, smart resource management ensures you’re always ready to take advantage of new warbonds or gear releases.

Make Use of Events and Updates

Arrowhead frequently introduces limited-time events, patches, and community-wide operations that reward additional medals. Keeping an eye on these updates is important, as they often provide medal bonuses you won’t see in standard missions. For players who like staying ahead of the curve, communities such as U4GM often discuss strategies for maximizing these opportunities.

Collecting medals efficiently in Helldivers 2 is about balancing mission selection, teamwork, and smart resource usage. Whether you’re grinding for the next warbond or simply looking to optimize your runs, following these strategies will ensure you’re always moving forward. In the end, every medal you collect is another step toward becoming a more effective Helldiver.