When you’re knee-deep in alien bugs and robots in Helldivers 2, survival is only half the battle. The other half is resource management, and nothing feels more valuable than tracking down those elusive rare samples. These resources are the backbone of high-level upgrades, but finding them can be a grind if you don’t know where to look. Here’s a breakdown of how to maximize your chances of getting rare samples in the field.

Understanding Rare Samples

Rare samples are one of three tiers of collectible resources in Helldivers 2, sitting above common and uncommon samples. They’re crucial for upgrading ship modules and unlocking higher-level strategic tools. Without them, progress can stall, especially once you hit the mid-to-late game.

Best Mission Types for Rare Samples

If your goal is efficiency, focus on high-difficulty missions. Rare samples appear more frequently on planets with a threat level of 6 or higher. They’re less common in early missions, so don’t waste time farming low-level zones if you’re aiming for progression. Instead, queue up missions where enemy patrols are heavier and objectives are more complex.

Where to Look on the Map

Rare samples are usually tucked away in corners of the map or near environmental hazards. Check behind terrain features like cliffs, inside dense foliage, or near the edges of objective zones. They glow with a faint white shimmer, so keep your eyes peeled as you sweep through an area. Splitting your squad to cover more ground is often the fastest way to find them.

Tips for Farming Efficiently

• Bring the right stratagems: Mobility tools like the Jump Pack or Eagle Recon Flyby can help scout tricky locations.

• Work as a team: Assign one player to sweep the perimeter while others handle objectives.

• Extract smartly: Samples are only secured if you survive extraction, so don’t get greedy. It’s better to leave with a few than lose them all.

Why They Matter

In the bigger picture, rare samples enable some of the strongest upgrades available. Ship modules that improve reinforcements, stratagem cooldowns, and supply drops often require a hefty amount of them. This makes rare samples one of the most sought-after resources for squads looking to push into the game’s highest difficulty missions.

Learning how to get rare samples in Helldivers 2 is about patience, map awareness, and squad coordination. The grind can feel intense, but every successful extraction brings your team one step closer to unlocking the most powerful tools in the game. If you treat rare samples like a secondary objective and plan accordingly, you’ll find your upgrades stacking up much faster than expected.