The Helldivers 2 community has developed newfound appreciation for the game's NPC combatants following the introduction of Super Earth Armed Forces troopers in the recent Heart of Democracy update. These regular infantry units, while not player-controlled, have demonstrated unexpected tactical value during the defense of Super Earth against the Illuminate invasion.

Released on May 20 by developer Arrowhead Game Studios, the Heart of Democracy update has reinvigorated the game's player base by bringing the war to humanity's homeworld. The update introduces urban combat scenarios where players defend Super Earth's cities against the advanced Illuminate forces, with SEAF troopers fighting alongside elite Helldiver squads.

Community members like Reddit user Bunny_E621 have shared footage showcasing SEAF troopers' tactical awareness, including instances where they've saved player characters from certain death. In one notable example, troopers effectively coordinated fire to eliminate a Flesh Mob - one of the new Illuminate enemy types - while a Helldiver was vulnerable during weapon reloading.

While significantly less powerful than player characters with their advanced stratagem capabilities, SEAF units operate in large numbers with autonomous battlefield behavior. They engage enemies independently, assault objectives, and occasionally clear minor outposts without player intervention - behaviors that have earned praise from the community for creating more dynamic combat scenarios.

Some players argue that SEAF troopers have been unfairly characterized as mere cannon fodder, suggesting their previous absence from frontline combat led to underestimation of their capabilities. The current invasion of Super Earth provides the first real opportunity for players to observe regular military forces in action against the Illuminate threat.

However, other players note that SEAF effectiveness remains inconsistent, sharing anecdotes of troopers exhibiting poor combat awareness or even falling victim to friendly fire incidents reminiscent of player experiences. The community remains divided on whether these moments represent intentional design choices to maintain challenge or opportunities for further AI refinement.

Many players advocate for expanding SEAF troopers' presence beyond the current Super Earth defense missions, suggesting their inclusion would enhance the sense of a galaxy-wide conflict. Potential implementations could include reinforcement calls during regular missions or special operations where players support larger SEAF deployments.