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Helldivers 2is one of the hottest games of 2024 so far, and part of what makes it great is that a combination of loadout choices and teamplay keeps the game feeling fresh. However, all of these choices can get overwhelming for new players and veterans alike when there are so many weapons,Stratagems, andenemies to face! What are the best options?
Helldivers 2: 10 Best Supply Stratagems, Ranked
These Support Stratagems have been dominating missions in Helldivers 2 because of their high impact and versatility.
This depends a bit on your preferred playstyle and what the rest of your team brings to the table, which is why this article explores 3 varied loadouts. Keep reading to learn which options make the best sniper loadout, the best crowd control loadout, and the best anti-tank loadout.
Helldivers 2
Precision Sniper Loadout
Great Against Automatons
For those that crave a sniping playstyle, you’re likely drawn to the Anti-Material Rifle. While this gun has received mixed reviews from players, this is likely becauseit requires better aim and faster reflexes than some of the other options available. Don’t let this dissuade you from giving a precision loadout a try — the numbers are superb if you have the skill.
Armor Bonus
Primary Weapon
Secondary Weapon
Example Stratagems
When making a sniper loadout, you should choose theScout armorbecauseits bonus gives you better stealth. A lower detection radius allows you to get the drop on enemies more easily. It will also reduce the chance that enemies choose you to aggro in a team setting.
As a variant option, some like theEngineering Kitperk due to its recoil reduction. This isn’t necessarily a bad choice, but the stealth bonuses is stronger vs Automatons, which is what this Loadout is tuned for.
Primary & Secondary Weapons
The Redeemer is ideal for clearing out any enemies who get too closedue to its high stats and minimal reticle sway.
The Diligence is the best precision primary weapon in the game, and the counter sniper variety features much higher damage — without significantly increasing recoil.
Grenade Slot
Your Grenade choice is less important, but you’ll want to take Frag Grenades or High Explosive Grenades if you’re playing alone, so you may clear Terminid Nests or Bot Factories. Alternatively, the Smoke Grenade can help you disengage and reposition.
You can useMuscle Enhancementto climb onto higher terrain, giving you more sightline options, which is fantastic when running a sniper build. Alternatively, Recon Booster will help you see POIs from a greater distance. Both are ideal for a long-range build.
Stratagems
In your Stratagem slots, take theAnti-Material Rifle paired with Defensive options.The Anti-Material Rifle should be your main weapon, while the Stratagems you choose should help you engage from afar and stay safe from your sniping position. The best choicescould include EMS Strikes, Smoke Strikes, Turrets, or Mines. EMS Strikes in particular seem to perform well, as it allows you plenty of time to line up shots at stationary enemies.
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I’m tired of seeing the same meta loadouts, but nerfs aren’t the answer.
Crowd Control Build
Direct The Flow Of Battle
This loadout is for you if you enjoy laughing maniacally while mowing down enemies. It excels atswarm suppression, which is why you’ll see loadouts like this in almost any Terminid mission. However, keep in mind that it provides bullet quantity over bullet power, so you’ll need a friend to bring some Anti-tank weaponry to avoid getting overrun by those extra powerful bugs like theBile TitanorChargers.
This build usually revolves arounda Machine Gun Support Weapon, which has ahigh amount of recoil.To make your shots more accurate, you’ll want to take an armor bonus withrecoil reduction. There are a couple of options here, but increased carrying capacity for grenades is a better perk for this build than alternatives.
Grenades can be used to take out some armored enemies you would otherwise struggle with.
TheBreaker Shotgunin all of its forms is thepremier horde-breakerin the primary weapon line up. Unless significant buffs are given to Assault Rifles, there’s no other option nearly as good. For your Secondary, you will want theP-19 Redeemerfor its’high rate of fire.
While any of the Grenades can work in this build, the Impact Grenade is one of the easiest to use against quick moving Terminids. Because itexplodes on impact, you’re unlikely to miss or have your target run out of range. In addition, it has enougharmor penetrationto take out enemies that would otherwise shrug off your attacks — something this build sorely needs.
Optimized Hellpods are by far the best booster choice for this build, as you’ll be going through ammo faster than you can say Resupply.Spawning with full ammoat the beginning of the mission will help offset your bullet-hungry build.
When picking Stratagems for Crowd Control, you want sentries that fire fast, and airstrikes that cover large areas. This means that theNapalm Stratagem and the Gatling Sentry are ideal. The Machine Gun Sentry also works, but it runs out of ammo faster than the Gatling and won’t have as long of an up-time. The third Stratagem is up to you. Most players pick abackpack-slot Stratagem, like Supply Pack or one of the Guard Dog options.
In addition, you’ll want a support weapon that can hit multiple targets in quick succession. The Machine Gun is the default choice for this, although theStalwart fills a similar role while allowing more mobility.
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Tank Buster Build
Specialized Boss Killer
This build is designed to take outheavily armored enemiesbetter than any other. This is absolutely key beginning at Hard Difficulty and up, where these enemy types are plentiful — every team should have someone running this build. However, by focusing your energy on these larger enemies, you’ll be relying on your team to protect you from smaller mobs. This can get dicey if you lack coordination or get separated, so be aware of your location in relation to your team at all times.
The most dangerous part of this build is that you are often a sitting duck while trying to take out tanks. Not only could something smaller sneak up on you, but tanks have dangerous attacks that are hard to avoid when lining up a shot. Realistically, you’re even adanger to yourselfas a tank buster, because most of the weapons designed for this purpose can blow up their users.
As a result, taking an armor bonus that improves survivability is key.Fortify is the best late-game choicebecause it reduces recoil while making you stronger against explosive damage, butDemocracy Protects is very early game friendlyand helps cushion your mistakes.
Primary & Secondary Weapon
The Breaker Incendiary Shotgun is one of the highest damage guns in the game, and is also capable of clearing swarms of enemies should the need arise. This weapon is part of the first Premium Warbond, which is packaged into the Super Citizen version of the game (or you can acquire the Premium Warbond separately withSuper Credits).
If you don’t have the Breaker Incendiary Shotgun, the default Breaker will do just fine.
Your Secondary Weapon should be theP-19 Redeemer, as this is simply thebest option among the currently available sidearms. You won’t need to use this gun much, but it will still clear small enemies if you need to and can put out some serious damage in a flash.
As the Tank Buster, you’re the most likely to be free to pick up objectives and close enemy spawn points while there is no active tank in the fight. This means that most Bug Nests and Bot Factories are your responsibility.
As a result, the Impact Grenade and Smoke Grenade are not recommended. While the High Explosive Grenade and the Frag Grenade are both okay at closing spawns, the Frag Grenade doesn’t damage armored enemies nearly as much.Take the High Explosive Grenade.
While there are no standout Boosters for tank busters, theVitality Boosterincreases your team’s survivability and is unlikely to be taken by another player’s build. As a result, this will usually be your best option.
You are prioritizing Stratagems with high damage and high armor penetration for this build.The Orbital Laser and 500 KG Bomb are the airstrikes of choicein this regard, although you can take the Orbital Precision Strike if you don’t have them unlocked.
For a sentry,take one of the Mortars or the Autocannon Sentry.That is up to your preference. Mortars can engage from behind cover, and thus are easier to place (but had a bad knack for killing friends and civilians). Autocannon Sentries are great at blowing off armor but have a narrow line of sight. The EMS Mortar stuns enemies, and makes your support weapon shots easier to aim.
Finally, take an anti-tank support weapon as your bread and butter. TheAutocannonand theRailgunbothdo great at this, and which is betterdepends on whether you can rely on a friend to help you reload.
For more about the best options in Helldivers 2, try our articles onwhich Stratagems to unlock firstand thebest Offensive Stratagemsin the game.
