Shrieker

"'Helldiver 1: Oh! They fly now! Helldiver 2: They fly now?! Helldiver 3: They fly now.'"

The Shrieker is a flying Terminid with large wings that engage in hit-and-run tactics, diving in to attack Helldivers before flying back up to the skies. Shriekers appeared following an evolution among the ranks of the Terminids. They are capable of flight, making them a severe threat to Super Earth's democratic forces. They only spawn at Shrieker Nests if one is present and undestroyed, and otherwise do not appear in Missions. They are medium/small sized bugs with a massive wingspan. They have brown medium armor, and orange accents.

They were first introduced to the game in March 2024 after successful completion of the Terminid Control System activation major order.

These flying menaces appeared shortly after the activation of the Terminid Control System on the Barrier Planets within the Umlaut Sector. Unconfirmed reports, antidemocratic rumors and unpatriotic conspiracy theories say that the Termicide, an Anti-Terminid Neurotoxin dispersed by the TCS Towers, is causing the Terminids to mutate and evolve faster. These rumors and conspiracy theories are all slanderous and defamatory, and most of all untrue, and any Helldivers or Citizens that is caught in the act of spouting such rumors must be reported to your nearest Democracy Officer.

From observations and field studies by Helldivers, Shriekers greatly resemble Hunters with abnormally large wings, with some suggesting that either the Termicide is affecting the stage between Pouncers and Hunters, or the eggs themselves before they hatch. The fact Shriekers have their own nests makes the latter theory more likely.

Lore
The first official acknowledgement of Shriekers happened via an in-game intelligence brief on March 21st, 2024

INTELLIGENCE BRIEF
A new strain of flying Terminids has suddenly appeared across all Terminid planets, with no prior warning or indication of any kind. While the Ministry of Intelligence has always known this was a possibility, the abruptness of the evolution indicates a high possibility of dissident concealment. The deployment of Termicide was fortuitously timed—doubtlessly, it averted an even worse evolution. Helldivers are advised to exterminate these mutations whenever encountered.

Tactics

 * They appear on planets with bug missions from Hard level onwards.
 * Capable of flight, it is advised that Helldivers bring weaponry with good accuracy and a high rate of fire or a shotgun with a spread pattern.
 * They spawn from nests known as a Shrieker Nest. Capable of withstanding normal ammunition, it is advised to bring explosives to blow up these nests. Being close to them will also let you call in a Hellbomb to destroy the entire nest in one blast.
 * Extensive field documentation has determined it takes 2 hits on average from a GR-8 Recoilless Rifle to destroy 1 of the 3 stalks. While ammo intensive, this method can help eliminate the threat long before any have emerged. The LAS-99 Quasar Cannon also shines in this role, given its comparable power and infinite ammo.
 * Shooting off a wing is the quickest way to bring them down.
 * If you kill them while they are flying towards you, their corpses will kill you in the crash landing.
 * Shriekers will always miss their attacks against Helldivers who are low to the ground, such as when prone/diving.
 * Running is also a viable method to avoid attacks, as long as Shriekers don't fly in from directly in front or behind you.