5 Best Weapons in Helldivers 2

The bugs and robots in Helldivers 2 are fierce and formidable. To this end, you need effective weapons to put them down. Overall, you can choose from 29 primary weapons, eight secondary weapons, and ten grenades. Each weapon is unique, and some have a more significant impact than others, making them more reliable on the battlefield.

Helldivers 2 is still relatively new, and many players are still unfamiliar with some of the weapons. Here is an overview of five of the best weapons in the game to make you unbeatable.

5. SG-8 Punisher Shotgun

The SG-8 Punisher is the first shotgun used in Helldivers and is still surprisingly effective in the game’s latest version. Notably, it packs serious firepower and has 80 and 360 Fire and Damage ratings, respectively. To this end, you can blow chunks and pieces of bugs and robots using this weapon, killing them quickly.

Generally, shotguns are ideal for close-range combat. However, the SG-8 Punisher produces a tighter cone of fire, making it more effective at longer ranges than standard shotguns. To this end, it is also reliable for medium-range combat, enabling you to maintain some distance between yourself and the enemy. It is also worth noting that this weapon has limited armor penetration.

The SG-8 Punisher shotgun costs only four medals and is accessible via the Helldivers Mobilize Warbond. Interestingly, you can extend the weapon’s magazine capacity from six to eight rounds for one medal. Moreover, you can extend the barrel to reduce the spread of pellets and increase the shooting range for another medal, but only after upgrading the magazine. Interestingly, you don’t discard ammo when reloading this shotgun because it reloads one shell at a time.

4. AR-23E Liberator Explosive Assault Rifle

Besides a shotgun, you also need an assault rifle for long-range shooting. Overall, the AR-23E Liberator Explosive is a reliable assault rifle effective against robots and bugs.

Notably, this assault rifle has a 320 Fire Rate rating, enabling you to shower your enemies with bullets. Additionally, the bullets are explosive, causing significant damage upon impact with enemies, especially bugs. To this end, it has a relatively high 55 Damage rating. Moreover, the bullets can easily penetrate through light armor.

However, it is worth noting that this rifle trades increased Damage for increased Recoil, which is rated at 28. However, you can still maintain your fire on your targets for maximum impact and minimal ammo wastage. It is also worth mentioning the red-dot sight, which also helps with targeting.

The AR-23E Liberator Explosive assault rifle costs 40 medals. However, it is worth noting that you can only access the rifle via the premium Steeled Veterans Warbond.

3. LAS-5 Scythe Energy-Based Weapon

Switching from physical to energy-based weapons, the LAS-5 Scythe is one of the best laser weapons in the game. Instead of bullets, this weapon shoots a continuous beam of energy, causing significant damage to enemies, especially robots.

On the one hand, one of this weapon’s best features is that it doesn’t use ammo, which is precious in Helldivers 2. Instead, it uses emergency heat dump canisters, which only deplete when it overheats. However, overheating shouldn’t be a problem, as you get warning signs when the weapon reaches 50% base heat capacity.

On the other hand, one of its most notable shortcomings is the slow turning speed when firing. To this end, it isn’t recommended for sweep-firing, as it can miss entirely or only cause 50% of its actual Damage rating. Instead, try to let go of the trigger and adjust your target before firing, which also buys the weapon some time to cool down.

Notably, while the LAS-5 Scythe is powerful, it performs even better when upgraded. Overall, you can upgrade its heat generation and damage, the amount of heat absorbed before overloading, and the amount of heat dissipated, all for four medals.

2. SG-225IE Breaker Incendiary Shotgun

The SG-225IE Breaker Incendiary is another shotgun with slightly better capabilities. Notably, it is fully automatic and has moderate spread or pellets, enabling you to make quick work of enemies from short-range and mid-range distances. However, it is only recommended for unarmored targets.

Notably, you can perform two upgrades to make this shotgun even more lethal. The first upgrade increases the weapon’s range, enabling you to deal considerable damage from longer distances. The second upgrade replaces the ordinary rounds with flechette rounds. Notably, the flechette rounds fly straighter, further, and faster for better targeting, increased range, and greater damage impact, respectively. You can get the shotgun for 60 medals and perform the upgrades for three medals.

Interestingly, you can save ammo and maximize damage by catching multiple enemies in the cone of spread, making it effective against crowds and patrol units. However, it is also worth noting that automatic firing can deplete your limited ammo.

1. PLAS-1 Scorcher Plasma Rifle

The PLAS-1 Scorcher is the first plasma weapon created in Helldivers. Essentially, it is a rifle designed to shoot concentrated bolts of plasma (superheated gas). However, that is not its only impressive feature. Notably, the bolts of plasma expand on impact, causing considerable damage to your enemies. Moreover, the bolts can also explode after traveling certain distances, causing anti-personnel damage.

This weapon is quite effective in its standard design. However, you can still make two important upgrades to make it even more lethal. First, you can extend the magazine to hold 20 rounds instead of ten, reducing the need to keep reloading. Additionally, you can also upgrade to Incendiary Gas Composition plasma bolts, causing them to ignite and set enemies on fire when they explode. Both upgrades cost two medals each.

However, it is worth noting that the PLAS-1 Scorcher plasma rifle is not recommended for use in close-range combat. Notably, explosions from the plasma bolts hurt everyone caught in the blast, including yourself and friendlies. Overall, it is ideal for mid-range crowd-clearing.

So, what’s your take on our picks for the best weapons in Helldivers 2? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.