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In Helldivers 2, players have an extensive array of weapons, armour sets, and stratagems to choose their loadout from before missions. But they are locked and require resources and currencies like Samples, Medals, and Requisition Slips to unlock them. These can be obtained during missions and as rewards.
However, collecting these resources takes a substantial amount of grinding. And without a proper understanding of these items, it can be frustrating when you spend some of your initially hard-earned resources on items that don't suit your playstyle or needs.
So, we've made it easy for you to find the best primary weapon for your playstyle by compiling a list of the game's top 5 strongest options and pointing out their strengths and weaknesses.
Top 5 Primary Weapons For Beginners
Here are our recommendations for the five best primary weapons for beginners to start their journey with:
LAS-16 Sickle
- Cost: 20 Medals
- Warbond: Cutting Edge Page 1
Although most of the energy weapons in Helldivers 2 feel somewhat underwhelming, the LAS-16 Sickle stands out for its immensely gratifying gunplay. It boasts one of the highest fire rates in the game, making it perfect for dispatching smaller foes and holding its own against medium-sized enemies. As a heat-based weapon, the Sickle offers the advantage of potentially unlimited ammo, provided you manage its heat levels effectively. Even if it overheats, its rapid reload animation ensures minimal downtime.
With exceptional ammo efficiency, pinpoint accuracy, and sheer satisfaction in its usage, the Sickle is a standout choice. The only drawback is that unlocking it requires the purchase of the premium Cutting Edge Warbond. Fortunately, acquiring enough Super Credits through gameplay renders the need for spending real money unnecessary.
PLAS-1 Scorcher
- Cost: 75 Medals
- Warbond: Helldivers Mobilise Page 10
The PLAS-1 Scorcher stands out as one of the pricier options in the game, but its effectiveness justifies the cost, making it one of the premier primary weapons available. Functioning as a priority-damage weapon, it excels at swiftly dispatching formidable adversaries like Bile Spewers, Devastators, and Brood Commanders.
Boasting impressive armour penetration and firing explosive rounds, the Scorcher inflicts heightened damage against specific enemy types. It's best suited for mid-range engagements, offering accuracy but lacking the rapid-fire rate needed to handle swarms of smaller foes.
For those seeking to maintain distance while efficiently tackling formidable, non-heavy enemies, the Scorcher proves to be an ideal addition to their loadout. However, it's advisable to bring along a Stratagem or enlist the support of a teammate capable of handling smaller adversaries to prevent being overwhelmed.
SG-8S Slugger
- Cost: 60 Medals
- Warbond: Helldivers Mobilise Page 8
Following recent nerfs to its counterpart, the SG-225 Breaker, the SG-8S Slugger has surged in popularity among players. This shotgun shares many of the same advantages, notably its considerable armour penetration capable of piercing through most medium-sized enemy types in the game.
However, the Slugger distinguishes itself from the Breaker primarily in its firing characteristics. While the Slugger boasts a slower fire rate and higher recoil, it compensates with enhanced accuracy at longer distances, enabling players to excel in a variety of situations. Additionally, the Slugger reloads its ammunition round by round, resulting in greater efficiency.
Though both the Slugger and the Breaker offer similar battlefield utility, we recommend experimenting with both to determine the optimal choice for your individual playstyle.
SMG-37 Defender
- Cost: 15 Medals
- Warbond: Helldivers Mobilise Page 3
As you begin unlocking new weapons in Helldivers 2, one of the standout choices early on is the SMG-37 Defender. This submachine gun excels at clearing swarms of small enemies, allowing you to focus on employing stronger Stratagems against larger foes. Its slightly slower fire rate compared to other automatic weapons offers the advantage of better crosshair adjustment without quickly depleting your magazine.
Additionally, it delivers respectable damage while providing a modest amount of armour penetration.
A distinctive feature of the Defender is its single-handed operation. While its utility in the current game state is somewhat limited, future updates may present more opportunities to leverage this aspect.
Currently, it finds utility in missions where you must transport items to the next objective, such as the SSD, which occupies one hand. Furthermore, pairing the Defender with the Ballistic Shield Stratagem (Riot Shield) can enhance its effectiveness in combat situations.
SG-225 Breaker
- Cost: 20 Medals
- Warbond: Helldivers Mobilise Page 4
Despite undergoing nerfs in a recent patch, the SG-225 Breaker remains a formidable primary weapon in Helldivers 2. While its magazine capacity has been reduced and its recoil increased, it still boasts one of the highest armour penetration ratings in the game, enabling players to penetrate the tough armour of Hive Guard enemies within the Terminid faction.
Particularly effective in close-range encounters, the Breaker delivers immense damage, especially when complemented by Stratagems like the Gatling Sentry and the Eagle Airstrike, which aid in clearing hordes of smaller enemies.
This weapon is best utilised for prioritising damage against medium-sized adversaries such as Bile Spewers, Berserkers, and Stalkers. Having a squad member capable of swiftly dispatching these threats significantly enhances mission manageability. Furthermore, the Breaker is relatively accessible to unlock early on, making it a highly recommended choice for players to experiment with.
With that, we've covered our selection of the top primary weapons in Helldivers 2. Each weapon has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, which your teammates' assistance or the wide range of available Stratagems can further complement or mitigate.
We're confident that at least one of these options will align perfectly with your preferred playstyle, so don't hesitate to give them a try and discover the ideal fit for you.
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