For players looking to bolster their frontline survivability, the SH-32 Directional Kinetic Shield is a specialized tool worth understanding. This guide breaks down its practical use, strengths, and limitations from an experienced player's perspective.
What is the SH-32 and How Do You Get It?
The SH-32 is a backpack Stratagem that provides a significant defensive boost. To call it in, you input the following sequence on your d-pad: Down, Up, Left, Right, Left, Down. Once unlocked, you can deploy it up to two times per mission.
It's important to note that the SH-32 is not part of the base game. It is a DLC Stratagem from the Entrenched Pack, which is available for purchase at any rank. While the core game offers plenty of gear, some players choose to
buy Helldivers 2 medals or specific packs like this to access specialized equipment faster. The shield itself has two upgrade tiers: the Mk2 upgrade for 2 common research samples increases its durability, and the Mk3 upgrade for another 2 samples grants the second use per mission.
How Does the Shield Actually Work in Practice?
The SH-32 is a directional shield. This is its core mechanic. It does not provide a full bubble of protection; instead, it blocks damage coming from the front arc where your Helldiver is facing. This means positioning and awareness are more critical than with other defensive items.
Most players equip it when they expect to hold a position, such as during defend events or extraction, or when playing a forward-assault role against certain enemy types. Its health pool is separate from yours. The base (Mk1) shield has 400 health on its front-facing plate, which increases to 600 with the Mk2 upgrade. This health depletes when it blocks attacks and does not regenerate on its own. Once it breaks, it's gone until you call in your next one (if you have the Mk3 upgrade) or complete the mission.
What Can and Can't It Block?
Understanding what the shield mitigates is key to using it effectively.
Against Melee Attacks: This is its primary strength. It reliably blocks damage from most common melee units like Bug Scouts, Stalkers, and Grotesques, as long as you face them. However, larger units with long reach, like Chargers or Bile Titans, can often have their attacks "clip" through the shield if you're too close. A common tactic is to backpedal while firing to keep them at an optimal distance. It can also reduce damage from specific attacks like Impaler tentacles and enemy bayonet charges.
Against Ranged Damage: The SH-32 reduces, but does not completely negate, damage from many common projectile sources. This includes bullets from Cyborg infantry and Hulks, the electrostatic bolts from Illuminate Tripods, and notably, explosive damage from grenades or even nearby stratagem blasts. This explosive resistance is a major tactical benefit for surviving area denial.
Its Limitations: The shield is not designed for heavy artillery. Attacks like cannon fire from an IFV or a Hunter's sniper shot will typically ignore it. While a perfectly-timed side-angle block might deflect them, this is highly unreliable. It also does not protect your back or sides at all, making you vulnerable to being flanked.
Common Player Strategies and Tips
In general, successful SH-32 users follow a few principles:
Manage Your Facing: Constantly check your radar and listen for audio cues. Your greatest threat is always what's in front of you. If you hear bug holes opening behind you, you need to turn or relocate.
It's Not for Tanking: Don't stand still and absorb fire. The shield's health will melt under sustained fire. Use it to safely advance, retreat, or complete an objective under pressure, not to face-tank an entire patrol.
Synergize with Your Role: This shield pairs well with weapons that require you to be stationary or have a slow fire rate, like the railgun or heavy machine guns. It gives you the precious seconds needed to line up a shot.
Use the Perks: A little-known but useful feature is that the shield allows you to walk through enemy Anti-Personnel Barriers (the red laser fences) without taking damage, which can be a great utility for quick objective play.
Communication is Key: In a squad, let your teammates know you're using a directional shield. They should cover your flanks, and you can position yourself to absorb fire from the most dangerous frontal approach for the team.
Is It Worth Using?
The SH-32 fills a specific niche. It is exceptionally strong against the bug factions due to their reliance on melee swarms and acid spits (counted as explosives). It has more situational use against Cyborgs, where it helps with infantry fire and grenades but is less effective against their heaviest units. Against the Illuminate, its effectiveness is mixed, blocking basic projectiles but offering little against their more potent attacks.
Most players consider it a viable choice, especially on higher difficulties where explosive and melee spam is common. However, it competes for the precious backpack slot with other powerful options like the supply pack, jump pack, or recoilless rifle. Your choice often comes down to personal playstyle and the specific mission parameters.
