PSA: The Extraction ship can kill enemies with one easy step in Helldivers 2

As I furiously smash in the code for the extraction ship in Helldivers 2, I gaze longingly at the Materials left behind under a swarm of enemies I can’t kill. I haven’t the firepower or support to do it. However, as the announcement of my soon-to-arrive transport is made, I remember. The Extraction ship is armed. It can back me up. Right?

It turns out the Extraction Ship can play support

A player has discovered that if you time things just right, the Extraction ship in Helldivers 2 can hold off landing and act as a flying turret to help out. Rather than setting down on the landing pad, it will hover, following to an extent and picking off enemies.

This is a huge bonus for all those times you have left Materials just out of reach. It means that even when you’re a solo Helldiver, there is a hope of recovery. Too many times, I have left a pile of valuable resources just out of reach, unable to pick them up. Now, with the flying fortress, they may just be within reach.

How to use the Extraction ship as a huge Helldivers Guard Dog

If you want to delay the landing and have your new overwatch ship, you need to do a few things. Once you reach the extract location, type in the code to call in the Extraction ship. You and your squad need to wait within the zone until the ship is deployed and counting down to its landing. Now, leave.

You and your squad need to get out of the extraction range—past the point where it would tell you you’re out of range. This will prevent the transport from landing and keep it hovering above the landing pad. They’ll tell you you need to return, but in the meantime, they provide covering fire.

The ship won’t fly too far from the pad. However, it is close enough that you can retrieve a few bits and pieces before returning. Those guns on the Extraction ship are monsters, too, and will cook anything Helldivers 2 can throw at it. Bear in mind you won’t have an indefinite amount of time before it leaves, so be quick about it. Be careful with Bile Titans when you’re extracting!