Helldivers 2is a squad-based, third-person shooter game set in a chaotic, war-torn galaxy. As players stand in the face of oppression and wage war for peace, they must be prepared to battle lethal alien creatures and completehigh-stakes missions.
In addition to using specializedStratagems,Helldivers 2gives you access to a host of superpoweredprimary weaponsand the most explosive tools in the galaxy. Given the many options available, picking the best primaries and secondaries to squash bugs or destroy bots is crucial. This guide compiles a tier-wise list of the best weapons you can use to defend Super Earth.
The sections below rank all the primary and secondary weapons inHelldivers 2, ranging from S (the highest tier) to C (the lowest tier). These tiers are based on multiple factors, including damage output, weapon handling, fire rate, and overall effectiveness in combat situations.
S Tier
The S category is the top-tier selection of weapons inHelldivers 2. It features weapons with high damage, accuracy, and reliability, making them a valuable asset in your fight against the alien forces.
Description
SG-225 Breaker
TheSG-225 Breakeris a fully automatic Shotgun with afast rate of fire and great range.The Breaker also has ahigh damage outputthat can help you regain control in the most intense battles. Even though it requiresfrequent reloading, this shotgun is a must-have for high-pressure situations.
SG-225IE Breaker Incendiary
TheSG-225IE Breaker Incendiaryis amodified Breaker shotgun that fires Incendiary projectiles. It is an excellent pick against Terminids since it sets them on fire and damages them over time. With a high firing rate, you may quickly blast any enemies that come your way. However, this particular gun isineffective against bots.
PLAS-1 Scorcher
ThePLAS-1 Scorcheris a powerful plasma rifle that fires a bolt ofsuperheated gasthat explodes on impact. It is by far one of the best guns to take down bots on the field. The explosion can helpcrowd controlby quickly eliminating groups of weaker enemies, as well as stunning tougher ones momentarily. Avoid standing too close, as the blast can also damage you.
P-19 Redeemer(Secondary)
TheP-19 Redeemeris aone-handed pistolwith anextremely high fire rate,making it the best secondary weapon in the game. While it mayrequire a lot of ammo, it is the perfect weapon for dealing with enemies that get too close.
A Tier
While you work towards unlocking the ultimate S-tier weapons, the A-tier weapons are excellent choices that provide a solid alternative to take down bugs and bots on the battlefield. These guns have some minor limitations, but are powerful enough to tackle most challenges.
JAR-5 Dominator
TheJAR-5 Dominatoris anexplosive weaponwith excellent damage per shot and medium armor penetration, making it a decent pick against the Terminids. It is a great weapon forfocused fire on weak points. However, itshigher recoilcan make follow-up shots challenging.
AR-23 Liberator
TheAR-23 Liberatoris a standard assault rifle that is well-rounded in all areas. It delivers consistent damage, works for multiple ranges, and can switch betweenautomatic, burst, or semi-automatic firing modes. It may not be the best at everything, but it serves as a reliableprimary weaponagainst small targets.
R-63 DiligenceandR-63CS Diligence Counter Sniper
TheR-63 Diligenceis a high-caliber marksman rifle, perfect forengaging enemies at a distance.It can precisely target and eliminate Automatons on the battlefield before they get close. TheR-63CS Diligence Counter Sniperis a modified version of the Diligence. It trades some of the standard version’s ammo forhigher damage, medium armor penetration,and anupgraded scope.
SMG-37 Defender
Compared to other SMGs, theSMG-37 Defenderis a bit smaller, which is why it can be used one-handed. It deliversdecent damage output and boasts a lower recoil,making it a solid choice to handle most weaker enemies effectively. However, it has a slower firing rate and requires frequent reloading.
LAS-16 Sickle
TheLAS-16 Sickleis anenergy-based laser riflethat packs a serious punch and can take down most enemies quickly. Unlike traditional weapons, the Sickle boasts an endless energy reserve, eliminating the need for reloading. While it doesn’t require ammo, theSickle does overheatif fired continuously. You’ll need to fit a new heat sink to keep using it.
BR-14 Adjuciator
The BR-14 Adjuciator bridges the gap between assault rifles and marksman rifles, offering a balance betweenfirepower and precision.It can take downmoderately armored enemies.However, the high recoil makes the Adjuciator a bit harder to control.
B Tier
The B-tier weapons are a reliable and well-rounded choice for those who don’t have access to S-tier or A-tier guns yet. They deliver decent damage and handle most combat situations effectively.
AR-23P Liberator Penetratorand AR-23C Liberator Concussive
The Penetrator and Concussive are two modified versions of theAR-23 Liberator. ThePenetratorfires armor-piercing rounds, whereas theConcussivefeatures explosive rounds and a red-dot sight. While both guns may seem more powerful, they deal noticeablyreduced damagecompared to the standard Liberator.
SG-8 Punisher
TheSG-8 Punisheris a powerful pump-action shotgun with a dual magazine. It featureshigh firepowerand excels at controlling large groups of enemies. The Punisher can also quickly take down lightly-armored enemies on the field. Unfortunately, it is limited by damage falloff and has aslow firing ratedue to its pump-action operation.
SG-8S Slugger
This modified Punisher variant actually surpasses the original and offers far more value. TheSG-8S Sluggerfeatureshigher damage per shot and better penetration against armor.However, it is less effective at crowd control compared to the Punisher, and requires more precise aiming for optimal damage.
Mp-98 KnightSMG
Another one-handed SMG, theMP-98 KnightSMG has a veryhigh fire rateand is absolutely lethal at close range. However, the severe recoil and need for frequent reloading can make it challenging to control, especially for sustained bursts. Additionally, itstruggles with damage and accuracyat longer distances.
P-2 Peacemaker(Secondary)
TheP-2 Peacemakeris the standard SEAF pistol – reliable and easy to control. It dealsdecent damage,and comes with afast firing rate and quick reloading, making it a perfect choice for a secondary weapon.
C Tier
The C tier is the lowest rank in this list and comprises theweakest weapons in the game. They aren’t reliable in intense combat situations, and have limited performance. These weapons are best avoided.
ARC-12 Blitzer
TheArc-12 Blitzeris an interesting concept for anenergy-based shotgun. It is described as a gun with truly infinite ammo thatshoots multiple arc beamsto stun enemies. However, with its limited range, slow fire rate, and inconsistent bolts, the Blitzer is just not worth it.
SG-8P Punisher Plasma
Another energy-based shotgun, theSG-8P Punisher Plasmafires anexplosive ball of plasmathat deals area-of-effect damage, temporarily stunning all nearby creatures, including your squadmates. However, these shots deal less damage compared to a traditional shotgun, making it less effective against heavily armored enemies.
Las-5 Scythe
TheLAS-5 Scytheis an energy-based rifle that fires a constantdamage-dealing laser beam. While it doesn’t require ammo, the Scythe doesoverheatif fired continuously. As such, you’ll need to wait for it to cool down and fit a new heat sink each time.
LAS-7 Dagger(Secondary)
Similar to the Scythe, theLAS-7 Daggerfires a continuous laser beamand can overheat quickly. Maxing out the heat capacity would require you to exchange the weapon’s batteries.
P-4 Senator(Secondary)
TheP-4 Senatoris a heavy revolver, which preserves ammo well butdoes less damagethan you’d expect, and requiresfrequent reloading. Comparatively, theP-19 RedeemerandP-2 Peacemakerare much better choices for a secondary weapon.
