Best Helldivers 2 Weapons

Helldivers 2 is a game with dynamic battlegrounds, which means that the ideal weapon choice shifts with each mission and your strategy and weapon selection must adapt, especially when confronting different types of enemies like the Bile Titan or Hulk Automaton. Besides, you also need to arm yourself according to the specific role you are playing in your squad, which may involve slicing through enemies or providing long-range support.

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That being said, some weapons naturally stand out by excelling in their designated roles or by being versatile enough to be deemed universally lethal. To help you find the perfect guns to outperform your counterparts in specific situations and also get a broad-spectrum efficiency, we decided to create a list with the five best Helldivers 2 weapons, which is the result of both personal battlefield experience and insights gathered from fellow Helldivers. Feel free to embrace these recommendations, and arm yourself for the fight.

PLAS-1 Scorcher Plasma Rifle

Overview: The PLAS-1 Scorcher is not just any energy weapon; it’s a medium-range powerhouse that fires explosive bolts of heated gas. Perfect for crowd control, it can decimate groups of enemies with its impactful explosions.

Usage Tips:

  • Precision is Key: Given Helldivers 2’s unforgiving friendly fire mechanics, ensure your shots are well-placed to avoid collateral damage.
  • Ammunition Awareness: With a base capacity of 10 rounds (upgradable to 20), keep an eye on your ammo count to avoid being caught off-guard.

Helldivers 2 PLAS-1 Scorcher Plasma Rifle
Helldivers 2 PLAS-1 Scorcher Plasma Rifle

Breaker Shotgun

Overview: The Breaker combines damage and range like no other shotgun, making it your go-to for close-quarter engagements. It’s versatile, but for bug hunts, consider the incendiary variant for an extra edge.

Usage Tips:

  • Conserve Ammo: Its fully automatic nature can quickly deplete your ammo supply, so fire with purpose.
  • Close Encounters: Ideal for tight situations, but remember to maintain distance to avoid being overwhelmed.

Helldivers 2 SG-225 Breaker Shotgun
Helldivers 2 SG-225 Breaker Shotgun

Liberator Assault Rifle

Overview: The Liberator stands as a testament to reliability. This all-purpose assault rifle may not top the charts in specific categories, but it’s a solid choice for any mission.

Usage Tips:

  • Jack of All Trades: Great for general use without the need for specialized strategy.
  • Explosive Option: For added firepower, the explosive variant offers more punch at the cost of increased recoil.

Helldivers 2 AR-23 Liberator Assault Rifle
Helldivers 2 AR-23 Liberator Assault Rifle

Scythe Energy Weapon

Overview: Specializing in laser weaponry, the Scythe excels against robotic adversaries. Its main draw is the unlimited ammo, relying instead on a cooldown mechanic.

Usage Tips:

  • Cooldown Management: Keep an eye on your weapon’s heat to ensure continuous fire without overheating.
  • Specialized Use: Best reserved for encounters with robots where its sustained beam can do the most damage.

Helldivers 2 Las-5 Scythe Energy Gun
Helldivers 2 Las-5 Scythe Energy Gun

Redeemer Pistol

Overview: More than just a sidearm, the Redeemer functions like a mini-SMG. It’s a lifesaver in tight spots with its rapid-fire capability.

Usage Tips:

  • Spare Wisely: Its high rate of fire can empty the clip quickly, so use it as a last resort or to finish off weakened enemies.
  • Backup Plan: Always have it ready for unexpected close encounters or when your primary weapon is out of ammo.

Helldivers 2 P-19 Redeemer Pistol
Helldivers 2 P-19 Redeemer Pistol

Helldivers 2: How To Unlock Weapons

If you’re feeling bored with the standard weapons and are looking for a significant boost in your firepower, you’ll need to learn how to unlock weapons in Helldivers 2 that match your preferred playstyle. Fortunately, this part of our guide provides all the details you need to get your hands on new guns.

Helldivers 2: How To Get Weapons

To get weapons in Helldivers 2, you need to go to the Acquisitions Centre, where you can browse through the available Warbonds, similar to battle passes in other games. Depending on the edition you choose, you’ll have access to different Warbonds: Helldivers Mobilize or Steeled Veterans. Each Warbond presents a variety of weapons for purchase, ranging from pistols and marksman rifles to submachine guns and grenades. However, acquiring these new weapons comes at a price, with costs ranging from five to 80 Medals.

To earn Medals, you’ll need to complete missions successfully, and each mission completion will reward you with a certain number of Medals. These Medals serve as the currency for purchasing weapons and gear from the Acquisitions Centre.

All Helldivers 2 Weapons

All Helldivers 2 weapons are categorized into three main types: primary, secondary, and grenades, offering a total of 29 primary weapons, 8 secondary weapons, and 10 grenade options to acquire. While the game teases a potential arsenal of 47 weapons (including grenades), it’s worth noting that at launch, only 22 weapons (including grenades) are currently available for players to wield and unleash havoc upon their enemies.

Here is a table with all Helldivers 2 weapons and their features:

Primary WeaponsDamageHow to UnlockWeapon TraitsCost
AR-23 Liberator55Automatically given to all Helldivers when starting the game.Light Armor PenetratingN/A
MP-98 Knight50Unlocked as part of the pre-order bonus for Helldivers 2 Super Citizen Edition.Light Armor Penetrating, One HandedN/A
SG-8 Punisher360Unlocked as part of the Helldivers Mobilize Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.Light Armor Penetrating, Rounds Reload4 Medals
R-63 Diligence112Unlocked as part of the Helldivers Mobilize Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.Light Armor Penetrating8 Medals
SMG-37 Defender70Unlocked as part of the Helldivers Mobilize Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.Light Armor Penetrating, One Handed15 Medals
SG-225 Breaker330Unlocked as part of the Helldivers Mobilize Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.Light Armor Penetrating20 Medals
Las-5 Scythe300/secUnlocked as part of the Helldivers Mobilize Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.Light Armor Penetrating, Beam, Heat30 Medals
AR-23P Liberator Penetrator45Unlocked as part of the Helldivers Mobilize Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.Medium Armor Penetrating40 Medals
R-63CS Diligence Counter Sniper128Unlocked as part of the Helldivers Mobilize Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.Light Armor Penetrating40 Medals
SG-8S Slugger280Unlocked as part of the Helldivers Mobilize Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.Rounds Reload, Light Armor Penetrating60 Medals
SG-225SP Breaker Spray&Pray144Unlocked as part of the Helldivers Mobilize Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.Light Armor Penetrating60 Medals
Plas-1 Scorcher144Unlocked as part of the Helldivers Mobilize Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.Light Armor Penetrating60 Medals
AR-23E Liberator Explosive55Unlocked as part of the Steeled Veterans Premium Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.Light Armor Penetrating, Explosive20 Medals
SG-2251E Breaker Incendiary180Unlocked as part of the Steeled Veterans Premium Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.Light Armor Penetrating, Incendiary60 Medals
Jar-5 Dominator200Unlocked as part of the Steeled Veterans Premium Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.Medium Armor Penetrating80 Medals
Secondary Weapons
Damage
How to Unlock Weapon TraitsCost
P-2 Peacemaker60Given to all Helldivers automatically when starting the game.Light Armor Penetrating, One HandedN/A
P-19 Redeemer60Unlocked as part of the Helldivers Mobilize Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.Light Armor Penetrating, One Handed5 Medals
P-4 Senator150Unlocked as part of the Steeled Veterans Premium Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.Light Armor Penetrating, One Handed, Rounds Reload15 Medals
Grenades
Damage
How to Unlock Weapon TraitsCost
G-12 High Explosive400Given to all Helldivers automatically when starting the game.N/AN/A
G-6 Frag250Unlocked as part of the Helldivers Mobilize Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.N/A2 Medals
G-16 Impact400Unlocked as part of the Helldivers Mobilize Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.N/A20 Medals
G-3 Smoke0Unlocked as part of the Helldivers Mobilize Warbonds progression in the Acquisitions menu.N/A25 Medals

This comprehensive table concludes the detailed overview of the weapons in Helldivers 2, providing details on their damage ratings, how they can be unlocked, their unique traits, and their costs in medals. Each entry aims to help players understand the key aspects of the available arsenal and ensure a well-prepared journey through the game.

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