Helldivers 2 presents a broad arsenal that spans from pistols to heavy rifles, with options spanning assault rifles, submachine guns, shotguns, sniper rifles, and beyond. The game emphasizes customization and progression, empowering players to tailor their loadouts to their preferred playstyle and to meet the challenges on the battlefield. The guide explains the weapon categories, how players can unlock them, and highlights standout representatives within each type.
Helldivers 2 guides
What weapons exist and how to obtain them?
As players advance through campaigns and level up their character, gear evolves and new weapons become accessible. The entire arsenal is divided into four broad categories:
- Strategies;
- Base;
- Subordinate;
- Grenades.
Strategies are special abilities that can be selected in advance and activated after completing a mission. When triggered, the crew is supported by the primary ship orbiting the planet, and these can call in backup weapons or orbital impacts.
Primary and secondary weapons are drawn from a wide selection, including:
- Pistols – the basic melee option available from the start, with room for various improvements;
- Guns – the core tools for medium and long-range combat. They offer a high rate of fire and accuracy but typically carry smaller magazines;
- Shotguns – ideal for close quarters, delivering heavy damage at short range, yet limited effectiveness at longer distances due to accuracy and range;
- Sniper rifles – renowned for long-range precision and armor-piercing capability, though their slow rate of fire and limited ammo pose challenges in close combat;
- Machine guns – high rate of fire with moderate damage, well-suited for suppressing enemies at intermediate ranges.
The arsenal remains balanced, with upgraded variants often trading raw stats for different handling and reliability compared with their standard counterparts. A variety of grenades adds further tactical options.
All weapons unlock gradually as players progress. There are several pathways to access new gear:
- Level up: advancing character levels grants access to new weapon types;
- Rewards: participation in events and activities can yield weapons as rewards;
- Skill tree unlocks: the merit system uses medals to unlock new equipment while granting earlier rewards;
- Currency purchases: equipment can be bought with credits earned through activities or with premium currency in the merit system, which may involve real money;
- Random drops: occasional weapon drops occur during missions, available for the current run only.
Once a new weapon is earned, players can select it on the equipment screen before launching campaigns.
Best primary weapon
The main tool should bridge the need to neutralize large waves of enemies with the strategic goal of the mission and the expected opposition. The guide highlights notable primary options that excel in various scenarios.
SG-225 “Crushing Machine”
Widely regarded as the premier primary shotgun, the SG-225 overshadows many peers with its rapid firing rate, substantial damage, and automatic firing mode. It shines against both Terminids and Automatons, especially in crowd-control situations.
You unlock the “crushing machine” by earning medals on the fourth personal achievements page. Despite its short range and quicker ammunition depletion, this auto shotgun remains an excellent choice for quickly thinning dense enemy formations.
AR-23 Liberator
This rifle starts as a reliable workhorse and remains a versatile pick for any mission. Experience with the Liberator helps players leverage its tuned variants as they progress. It is widely favored by experienced players for its performance across different difficulties and goals.
It fires rapidly, keeps recoil low, can switch between automatic and semi-automatic modes, and delivers solid damage per shot. A sight mounted on the rifle enables longer-range engagement, though its accuracy is not on par with dedicated sniper rifles.
R-63 Diligence
This rifle has two variants. The semi-automatic option combines high damage with low recoil but suffers from noticeable aim drift. It excels in defensive stances where steadiness matters. It is unlocked after earning eight medals and is particularly effective against automated targets; a few well-placed shots to weak points can dispatch armored foes efficiently.
This rifle also includes a sniper variant (Counter Sniper) that increases damage and is very effective against armored units. However, its small magazine and the need for teamwork make it challenging in large groups without solid cover. Overall, both configurations have distinct advantages and suit different combat situations.
PLAS-1 “Plasma Rifle” (Scorcher)
The plasma rifle delivers expansive area damage and proves effective against most opponents. It acts as a strong alternative to the rocket launcher when facing large clusters of smaller enemies. While friendly fire is active on all missions, misuse can complicate the team’s progress, so careful coordination is advised.
Best secondary weapon
Secondary weapons are relatively scarce, but they cover a range of roles. The aim is to understand how each model functions in different contexts and choose based on the intended use.
P-2 Peacekeeper
This pistol offers substantial power and serves well as a secondary option. It uses a semi-automatic mode with a 15-round magazine, making it a dependable backup. Its rapid recharge can prove crucial during tense moments.
SMG-37 “Defender”
This choice suits Terminid-infested zones where battles occur at short to medium range. Its one-handed operation is beneficial for data retrieval missions when mobility is key. Despite some drawbacks like moderate damage and fire rate, the SMG-37 remains compelling for its balanced stats and armor penetration, particularly when the main weapon cannot be wielded with both hands.
P-4 Senator
This revolver stands out for its power, delivering high damage and allowing round-by-round reloading. It minimizes wasted ammo and enables reloads without losing precious rounds. It is effective against single targets at medium range, though some players wish for a faster reload, a sentiment acknowledged by the creative team as a possible future improvement.
Best grenades
Like other weapon types, only one grenade can be taken into a mission. Each grenade varies in blast radius and purpose, so choose according to preferred tactics.
G-12 “High explosive”
A core fragmentation grenade with a solid blast radius. It detonates after a brief delay, breaking into shrapnel to threaten dense enemy clusters.
G-16 “Impact”
A contact grenade that detonates on impact with ground or enemy. It features similar penetrating damage to the G-12 but with immediate action, which raises the risk of self-inflicted shock waves in tight spaces.
The best offensive strategies
Strategies not only deploy orbital strikes, but also summon support weapons essential for mission success. The guide examines several of these options in detail.
MG-43 machine gun / M-105 Valor Tough
The MG-43 provides reliable suppression with ample ammo and strong damage, ideal for clearing large groups. The Valor variant prioritizes stability while moving, trading some raw power for steadier handling.
APW-1 Anti-material rifle “large caliber rifle”
Available for purchase at character level 2 for a set credit price, this weapon excels at dispatching lightly armored targets from a safe distance. Its major drawback is poor effectiveness at close range, and aiming requires a scope for best results.
RS-422 Railgun “Railgun”
Unlocked at character level 20, it stands as a premier option against heavily armored vehicles. Three to four charged shots can destroy tanks, but each shot demands a lengthy reload, limiting its usefulness against swarming enemies.
Other guides
- Co-op in Helldivers 2: how to play with friends, is there cross-platform and cross-gen
- How to quickly farm money, monsters, medals and experience in Helldivers 2