Meta Weapon & Stratagem Loadouts

Helldivers 2 options a lot of highly effective weapons, attractive armor units, and explosive Stratagems so as to add in infinite selection in your builds and loadouts when going through down the enemies of Tremendous Earth. A few of the greatest loadouts within the recreation function enjoyable and inventive combos of weapons and Stratagems that may get you thru most missions. Even among the many greatest loadouts, nonetheless, any on-line shooter inevitably develops some type of meta, some ‘perfect’ mixture of skills and tools to provide the best likelihood of success.

A recreation’s meta naturally evolves extra time as sure weapons are seen to carry out particular duties within the ‘greatest’ approach, although it is easy to lose sight of Helldivers 2’s final premise as a team-based co-op shooter — no single construct goes to deal with each state of affairs in one of the simplest ways. So, this information goals to interrupt down a number of meta loadouts into their particular person components (major weapon, secondary weapon, Stratagems) which are supposed to enhance one another. Nobody loadout goes to see you thru the toughest challenges the sport throws at you, however with a well-balanced staff using the perfect instruments at their disposal, every squadmate will be capable to contribute meaningfully towards a flawless victory for Democracy.

At present, the first and secondary weapons meta is fairly bland, which is a part of the explanation we’re seeing gamers asking the devs for weapon and Stratagem balancing — to not nerf something, however somewhat, to supply extra viable choices. The builders responded with a weapon rebalancing patch on March 6 (patch notes right here), which introduced the Breaker down a number of pegs. Even with the decreased journal measurement from 16 to 13 and with the recoil elevated from 30 to 55, the king of Main Weaponry continues to be the SG-225 Breaker Shotgun.

Shotguns in Helldivers 2 have a surprisingly efficient vary, opposite to many video video games, and the Breaker is not any exception. Put merely, the Breaker provides a excessive charge of fireside (particularly with its semi-automatic fireplace mode), every shot delivers sturdy harm, holds 13 photographs per clip, it makes use of clips somewhat than slugs (making for quicker reloading), and it’s lethal even at medium vary. This weapon isn’t solely glorious at pinpointing these pesky enemies on the verge of calling in an Automaton Dropship or Bug Breach, however you possibly can actually let free in these tense conditions while you’re overwhelmed.

This weapon is efficient in any respect ranges of play, however it’s established itself firmly as the perfect major weapon within the recreation. Positive, another Breaker variants put up a battle because of the latest stability adjustments, however the OG Breaker stays firmly perched because the meta major of selection amongst high-level gamers.

Following up the ‘apparent’ decide of the Breaker for the meta major weapon, the inevitable follow-up is the P-19 Redeemer as the perfect secondary weapon within the recreation, firmly establishing its place within the meta. Granted, this is not as aggressive of a class (there are solely 3 secondary weapons within the recreation on the time of writing), however do not let that detract from simply how efficient the Redeemer could be!

The P-19 Redeemer is a rapid-fire juggernaut. Its spectacular fireplace charge (1100) far outpaces the opposite two pistols within the recreation (900 for the Peacemaker, 200 for the Senator). Emptying a clip at lightning pace, you possibly can dish out lots of harm in a really quick period of time.

As your backup weapon, its low ammo provide would not come up too typically, as its greatest use-case is for these fast, panicky moments in-between reloads, and that you must deal with the ultimate few enemies dashing your place. The Redeemer actually shines in these fast, last moments of an encounter to make sure you nonetheless come out on prime.

A case may be made for the Senator if you happen to’re available in the market for a sluggish, slug-loading revolver that does sturdy, pinpoint harm, however when stacked up towards the Redeemer, it falls quick throughout the board, firmly establishing itself as the meta selection for a Helldiver’s secondary weapon.

Now, onto the extra sophisticated meta choices. Help Weapons cowl the perfect hand-held firepower your ship can deploy on the drop of a Hellpod. Some weapons are noticeably weaker and will not be making an look immediately, however there isn’t a single ‘greatest’ possibility right here. Not total, anyway. As a substitute, this part will likely be detailing the type of ‘greatest at school’ for various battlefield functions. Beneath, we’re breaking down the perfect Help Weapons you need being utilized in your squad to be prepared for something and every part thrown your approach.

Excessive-Precedence Goal Meta – Quasar Cannon / EAT-17 / Railgun / Autocannon

These 4 weapons function a wide range of use-cases towards high-priority targets, providing nice instruments towards essentially the most closely armored enemies, medium-armored threats, and in addition particular mission targets. Whereas the Railgun as soon as reigned supreme on this regard, a number of rounds of stability adjustments (together with lowering spawn charges for sure enemy sorts like Chargers) have put the high-priority goal meta is in a a lot more healthy place now than it was at launch.

• Quasar Cannon: The latest addition to this grouping, the Quasar Cannon delivers some phenomenal energy with limitless ammo. This weapon covers a really comparable use-case to the EAT-17 (extra on that under). This factor can one-shot Chargers, two-shot Bile Titans, blow Automaton Dropships out of the sky, and customarily trigger devastation from close to limitless vary. It is counterbalanced by its 3-second cost time and 10-second cooldown, however if you happen to make the most of spacing effectively, this weapon is a godly instrument on the battlefield.
• Expendable Anti-Tank (EAT-17): The EAT-17 has flourished for the reason that March 6 nerf to the Railgun, delivering fast devastation towards closely armored enemies. Delivering comparable energy because the Quasar Cannon, the EAT-17 is a single-use rocket that may one-shot Chargers and (with good purpose) 2-shot Bile Titans. a Hellpod delivers 2 EAT-17s at a time, and with a 70-second cooldown by default, many gamers advocate merely calling them down as typically as you possibly can everywhere in the map. This scattershot method creates fantastic alternatives to find a robust weapon throughout random encounters across the map. Its Hellpod may also be an incredible instakill on huge enemies in a pinch!
• Railgun: After the nerf to the gun’s normal fireplace mode (Protected Mode), this weapon sees much less frequent use, however its Unsafe Mode continues to be simply as devastating because it ever was. Unsafe Mode can be hazardous to the unprepared Helldiver, however as soon as mastered, it delivers a robust weapon within the fingers of an skilled soldier. In Unsafe Mode, you are in a position to mainly overcharge the weapon to harmful ranges, and so long as you launch the shot earlier than the cost meter hits 100%, you possibly can ship quick, highly effective armor-piercing photographs in fast succession. Discovering the fitting rhythm to supercharge the Railgun with out blowing your self up takes follow, however you’ll take out Automaton Dropships in a single shot to the thrusters after mastering Unsafe Mode.
• Autocannon: This highly effective Help Weapon would not provide heavy armor penetration, however it does an outstanding job at destroying medium-armored targets (it might probably even cope with a Charger in a pinch), it might probably take out Bug Nests, Bot Fabricators, and Shrieker Nests at lengthy vary, and it might probably even disable a Bile Titan’s projectile assault. You will not be capable to make the most of one other backpack Stratagem for the reason that Autocannon comes with its personal backpack of ammunition, however it’s price having one on the sector. Additionally, with some gentle horde clearing potential, the Autocannon delivers glorious utility throughout fight encounters.

The important thing to using these highly effective, high-priority goal instruments is to not have too many. A staff totally loaded out with these above 4 weapons may simply get overwhelmed by the various smaller horde enemies with out the right instruments to cope with these threats. Positive, you can counterbalance these weapons with different Stratagems geared towards horde clear, however a well-balanced staff ought to embrace some horde-clear capabilities as effectively.

Horde Clear Meta – Arc Thrower / Grenade Launcher / Flamethrower / Stalwart

All 4 of those weapons work fantastically effectively not solely at horde clear — conserving enemies from overwhelming your Railgun wielder(s) — however these additionally do important harm to Medium-armor targets. You may must be a bit extra exact along with your photographs with the Grenade Launcher and Autocannon (not a lot the Flamethrower), however you could be efficient at taking down Chargers whereas additionally blowing up swarming bugs and bots.

• Arc Thrower: The electrical present of the Arc Thower utterly bypasses armor, and it comes with limitless ammo. This isn’t solely nice at some smaller-scale advert clear, however it might probably even present essential supporting harm towards heavier targets. It is also superb at by chance cooking your close by allies.
  • With the newer arc-resistant armor included within the Slicing Edge Warbond, this Help Weapon could be much more precious — in case your allies are carrying the arc-resistant armor, you possibly can function with out worry of killing allies.
• Grenade Launcher: This weapon is rather less efficient at taking down Medium armored targets in comparison with one thing just like the Autocannon, however it makes up for it with superior advert clear and very correct (and quick) grenade placement — it is glorious for clearing bug nests and bot fabricators, in addition to blowing up pockets of smaller Scavengers and Troopers.
• Flamethrower: The Flamethrower bought an enormous buff within the March 6 patch, rising its DPS by 50%! It is nonetheless a really dangerous weapon, as you possibly can simply gentle your self and your allies on fireplace, and it would not have nice vary, however it utterly bypasses armor, similar to teh ARc Thrower, and it might probably filter out provides fairly rapidly now with the +50% DPS.
  • Excels towards Terminids however feels much less helpful towards Automatons as a result of frequency at which you may interact bots at longer ranges.
• Stalwart: The Stalwart is a little bit of a darkish horse right here, because it’s typically seen as a glorified major weapon by many in the neighborhood resulting from its full ineffectiveness towards medium-armored targets. However in a well-balanced staff, the Stalwart completely shines as a real Help Weapon. That includes 150 bullets per clip and minimal recoil (even whereas shifting), this weapon is right for a run-and-gun technique, delivering devastation on hordes of smaller enemies. This is without doubt one of the greatest weapons able to masking your Quasar Cannon or Railgun-wielding allies, serving to clear off the smaller lethal enemies to allow them to concentrate on the bigger ones.

A well-balanced loadout throughout your total squad — sporting a pair excessive precedence goal weapons and a pair horde clear weapons — will enable for you and your staff to cope with any state of affairs the Automatons or Terminids can throw your approach.

• Defend Generator Pack: This Backpack Stratagem sat on the highest of the pack for a very long time, however with the March 6 nerf extending the time it takes to recharge after getting taken out, it is not as dominant because it as soon as was. It’ll nonetheless save your life from a close-by Eagle 500kg Bomb, and it’ll nonetheless can help you escape getting slowed down by aggressive Terminids, however the longer recharge means you possibly can’t be as reckless as earlier than. In your much less cautious squadmates, this Backpack Stratagem could be immensely useful.
• Provide Pack: For while you simply wish to put the staff in your again. Everybody loves a squadmate with a Provide Pack. It helps hold these high-damage, low ammo depend Help Weapons within the battle longer, which is a large boon on larger difficulties. Between common Resupplies and the Provide Pack, you may hold everybody within the battle longer.
• Help Weapon Ammo: Inevitably, you may have 1 or 2 backpacks that serve to carry extra ammo in your heavy-duty weaponry, just like the Recoilless Rifle or the Autocannon. Buddy up with a teammate to dish out this ordinance rapidly and furiously!

In your greatest offensive Stratagem choices, you have bought all kinds of explosive choices earlier than you. Some could be fairly underwhelming, whereas others stand forward because the clear meta choices out there to you. Like with the weaponry coated above, it is necessary to have a diffusion of those meta choices, as all of them work fantastically with each other, filling completely different use-cases and delivering most carnage to the enemies of Democracy.

• Orbital Laser: This Stratagem excels at its flexibility. Attributable to its passive nature, you possibly can ‘set it and overlook it,’ and it’ll merely hunt down any close by enemies. It is nice when it fixates on a Bile Titan; it is nice when it is popping smaller bugs left and proper. It is efficient regardless of the state of affairs. With solely 3 makes use of per mission, nonetheless, it ought to be used sparingly, however everytime you bust this out, it’s going to alter the course of any battle.
• Orbital Railcannon Strike: This devastating blow is ideal for precision take-downs — glorious for pesky Chargers. Although it will not persistently down a Bile Titan, it is going to all the time make an instantaneous impression on the battlefield. Attributable to its admittedly prolonged cooldown, its use-case drops off significantly within the highest issue tears, as you may be coping with too many heavy models to make a lot of a distinction with it; it is best to pair this with one thing fast and devastating, just like the Eagle Airstrike.
• Eagle 500KG Bomb: Its single use earlier than cooldown may really feel a bit limiting, however it delivers such unimaginable destruction that it is virtually a will need to have if for the spectacle alone — although its harm is essential as effectively. When you unlock the Expanded Weapons Bay Ship Module, it’s going to have 2 makes use of earlier than needing to recharge, doubling your harmful firepower. This Stratagem can nonetheless run into some wonky hitboxes right here and there, however pound for pound, the Eagle 500KG Bomb is a should.
• Eagle Airstrike: This Stratagem is implausible; fast to deploy, predictable unfold forward of you, and devastating to teams, it is nice to have a number of Eagle Airstrikes amongst your squad. You’ll be able to intermix with some Eagle Cluster Bombs or Eagle Napalm Strikes, as all of them work effectively at clearing hordes of enemies, however the Airstrike positively stands out the brightest on this grouping.

This part offers with extra defensive-minded Stratagems, however all of those talked about right here can be utilized offensively to devastating impact. There are few issues fairly as satisfying as an entire squad organising a battery of Autocannon Sentries overlooking a big Bug Nest and raining destruction down on the entire space.

• Patriot Exosuit: This newer mech is a formidable protection instrument within the recreation, delivering sturdy firepower for conditions the place you are making an attempt to carry a place, similar to when rescuing civilians or awaiting evac. Particularly throughout these last 2 minutes of an evac mission, the Patriot Exosuit can actually shine. It sports activities a heavy machine gun mount (1000 bullets) and rocket launch mount (15 rockets), giving it some spectacular longevity throughout these defend conditions. You may also use it extra aggressively across the map, however armor-penetrating enemies can shred this poor mech if it will get swarmed, so ensure you’re shifting in a pack along with your allies.
• Orbital EMS Strike: This disruptive Stratagem is implausible when used together with different heavy damaging choices. Once you’re feeling overwhelmed, or the enemy is threatening to push you from a robust defensive place, Orbital EMS Strike can stun just about every part on the sector other than Automaton Tanks and Terminid Bile Titans. This will present essential further moments to name down an Eagle 500KG Bomb or an Orbital Laser — or a number of Sentries!
  • Orbital EMS Strike will not stun or harm allies, however it is going to apply the Sluggish situation and totally drain Stamina while you or allies are inside the sector.
• Autocannon Sentry: A devastating instrument on the battlefield, the Autocannon Sentry could make fast work of even the hardest enemies. Wonderful for defending the extraction zone, or nice for simply organising a barrage of destruction on an enemy base, the Autocannon Sentry is a implausible inclusion on any loadout, however particularly on extra defense-oriented missions.
  • This Sentry delivers much more spectacular firepower than its handheld counterpart.
• Mortar Sentry: A little bit of a controversial decide, the Mortar Sentry has in all probability killed essentially the most Helldivers out of all Sentry choices out there to gamers. To ensure that this Stratagem to not be a hindrance, there have to be some strong coordination between gamers to keep away from close-range fight with the enemies. Due to this, the Mortar Sentry is sort of abit much less efficient vs Terminids since they have a tendency to push into melee extra rapidly than Automatons. If gamers can hold their distance and arrange defensively across the Mortar Sentry, this could be a lethal power on the battlefield.
  • Particularly helpful on Extraction-style missions, although you may in all probability incur a number of casualties.

For extra data for the way to method each enemy sort in Helldivers 2, try our guides for taking over all Terminid enemies and all Automaton enemy models.