If you’re diving into Helldivers 2, one of the most important resources you’ll want to focus on is medals. Earning medals not only shows off your accomplishments but also helps you unlock upgrades, gear, and other rewards that make your missions smoother. Understanding the different Medals Sources in Helldivers 2 can save you time and help you strategize your play. Here’s a breakdown of how to get the most out of your medal farming.

1. Completing Story and Side Missions

The most straightforward way to earn medals is by tackling missions. Both story-driven objectives and optional side missions award medals based on your performance. When you finish a mission, consider not just completing the primary goal but also secondary objectives. Missions often have hidden challenges like “finish without calling in reinforcements” or “eliminate a certain number of enemies” that grant extra medals.

A tip from experience: replay missions you are already familiar with. Not only will it feel easier, but you’ll often collect more medals on subsequent runs because you can optimize your route and avoid unnecessary risks.

2. Participating in Community Events

Medals Sources in Helldivers 2 aren’t limited to the standard missions. The game frequently hosts community events or limited-time operations that award medals for participation. These events are a great way to rack up medals while engaging in unique mission scenarios. Even if the challenge seems tough, these events usually have repeatable objectives, which means multiple opportunities to earn medals without grinding endlessly.

Pro tip: join a squad of friends or online players. Some event challenges are easier when you coordinate roles and strategies, and you’ll maximize medal gains per run.

3. Completing Daily and Weekly Challenges

Daily and weekly challenges are another consistent source of medals. These are usually short, targeted tasks like “destroy X number of enemy turrets” or “assist in Y mission completions.” They don’t take long, but the medal rewards can add up significantly over time.

I’ve found that checking the challenge list first thing in the game session helps me plan which missions to run. It’s a simple way to make sure your playtime is always productive.

4. High-Difficulty Missions

The harder the mission, the better the rewards. High-difficulty or “elite” missions often yield more medals upon completion. These missions demand stronger coordination, smarter loadouts, and better timing, but the payoff is worth it. Don’t be afraid to attempt a harder mission if your squad is ready—it’s often faster to earn a large number of medals in a single high-difficulty run than in multiple easy missions.

Quick advice: equip your favorite or most comfortable loadout before tackling these missions. You’ll perform better and reduce mistakes, which can cost you extra medals.

5. Bonus Objectives and Secret Tasks

Some of the lesser-known Medals Sources in Helldivers 2 come from bonus objectives and secret tasks tucked into missions. Things like finding hidden caches, rescuing trapped allies, or completing certain objectives under time limits often yield medals. Paying attention to environmental cues and mission intel can reveal these hidden opportunities.

From my experience, missions you think you’ve fully explored often have these small medal bonuses waiting. It’s worth taking a few extra minutes to search every corner, especially if you’re aiming to maximize medal collection.

6. Cooperative Multiplayer Strategy

Finally, remember that Helldivers 2 shines in cooperative play. Many medals are awarded based on teamwork, such as reviving teammates, sharing resources, or synchronizing attacks. Playing solo can work, but coordinating with friends or an online squad often unlocks medals you might otherwise miss. Communication is key—calling out enemy positions and mission priorities will directly affect medal gains.

A small tip: even simple gestures like assigning roles (heavy weapons, medic, scout) can streamline missions and boost medal rewards for the entire team.

Earning medals in Helldivers 2 isn’t just about grinding endlessly—it’s about playing smart, exploring all avenues, and taking advantage of mission mechanics, events, and cooperative strategies. Whether you’re chasing story missions, tackling high-difficulty operations, or participating in community challenges, knowing the Medals Sources in Helldivers 2 helps you maximize your rewards and enjoy the game more.

So gear up, coordinate with your squad, and keep an eye out for hidden opportunities—you’ll soon find that medals come in steadily, and the satisfaction of seeing your progress grow is well worth the effort.