The Brood Commander is a medium-large Terminid with light armor, capable of summoning a trio of Warriors to assist it in battle.

Spawning

Brood Commanders first appear on Trivial difficulty as the mission target in Eliminate Brood Commanders missions. From Medium difficulty onward, they can spawn in patrols, guarding Bug Nests and objectives, or emerge from Bug Breaches. On Challenging difficulty and beyond, they are also found guarding Minor Places of Interest. At Impossible difficulty and above, Brood Commanders are replaced by their variant, the Alpha Commander.

Behavior

Brood Commanders pursue Helldivers, climbing over obstacles to attack with their claws. They are capable of strafing sideways, attempting to block escape routes and cut off fleeing targets. Like Warriors, if their head is destroyed, they enter a berserk state, gaining increased movement speed but gradually bleeding out. Brood Commanders will periodically summon a trio of Warriors, reinforcing their position in battle. They can also charge at Helldivers from a distance of 15-20 meters, dealing damage on impact and knocking down targets, potentially inflicting a concussive effect. Their charge can be dodged or halted if they collide with terrain or a larger entity, such as a Charger.

Additionally, Brood Commanders can release pheromones, potentially triggering a Bug Breach to summon reinforcements.

Tactics

  • Brood Commanders can still summon a Bug Breach even after losing their head, making them a persistent threat.
  • While any weapon can eliminate a Brood Commander, Medium armor-penetrating weapons and explosives are most effective.
  • Their head, claws, and body have reinforced armor, reducing damage from Light armor-penetrating weapons.
  • Their legs are unarmored, making them vulnerable to Light armor-penetrating weapons. Destroying a leg slows their movement and charging speed, with additional leg damage further reducing their mobility.
  • Even when missing a leg, a Brood Commander can still perform a charge, inflicting full damage and effects, despite lacking the typical charging animation.